A few weeks ago we met photographer Hailey Haberman at the Olmstead State Park for family photos. Hailey is such a pro! She did a great job and we are thrilled with the way the pictures turned out. What a joy to know that we will have these cherished photos to look back on for years and years to come! Here are just a few of the pictures she took:
We spent Thanksgiving at Laura (Fred's sister) and Rob's house in Snohomish. Cousins Maggie and Anna had a great time playing with Avery! That night, it was off to Jody and Ryan's house. We left early Friday morning to catch a plane to Hawaii! Traveling with a one year old is challenging at times but it was worth it. Avery loved the plane and was a perfect angel on the flight. Coming home was a little different but still not horrible.
So our first few days were spent on the Big Island at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Kona. What a great place! Oodles of pools, a kid-friendly beach area and even dolphins! We took a day to drive around the island where we saw beautiful waterfalls and craters from one of the two active volcanoes on the island! We also walked through a lave-tube. Fascinating stuff!
Then it was off to Oahu to spend our last few days at our favorite hotel, Hale Koa (which is Hawaiian for "The Warrior"). The Hale Koa is a hotel for active and retired military and their families. It sits right on Waikiki Beach and we absolutely love it there! We took a snorkeling excursion to Hanauma Bay where Avery had her first taste of the Ocean. I'm pretty sure she loved it. We went out to dinner at another favorite place which is on Hickam AFB called The Sea Breeze. Outside seating and a view of runways and beaches!
We were sad to come home but we had to get ready for a party for a very special little girl. Avery's party was the day after we got home, on December 5th. We were so thankful for Jody and Ryan to host the event! Many of our family and friends came to help celebrate. Avery is truly blessed to have so many people around her who love her dearly. She has changed me in so many ways and has taught me that life is what you make it! Fred and I are so lucky. She brings such a tremendous amount of joy to our family. I simply can't explain it in words. I have SO MANY pictures from this day but here are just a few...Happy 1st birthday Avery!
