stairway to heaven

On Saturday for my birthday I thought it would be fun to do something different. Christian's mom was in town and offered to take Tristan if we wanted to go play, so we did! (Thank you, thank you!) For many years when Christian and I would drive on the H3 we would try and spot the Ha'iku Stairs, aka Stairway to Heaven, along the side and up the ridge. It freaked us out and always intimidated us. Plus, we always heard that it was closed and there was a guard that hung out at the base, kicking people out. I imagined him there, with a rifle, shooting people that attempted it. So we never went to check it out.

Just a few historical facts about the stairs: It began as a wooden ladder and was installed in 1943 to enable the construction of antenna cables between two valleys. These radio signals could also reach US Navy submarines, even while under the water. At the highest peak of the stairs, it is 2,800 ft. In the 1950's, the wooden stairs were replaced with metal steps and the building at the peak was then used by the US Coast Guard as a navigation system. 3,922 steps! The trail remains closed due to community complaints and neighborhood traffic.

After hearing many successful hiking stories from close friends we thought that we would give it a try! The guard goes on duty at 6:00 am, therefore, we left our house at 4:45 to get started on the trail at 5:30. We beat the guard! And it was still dark.

(A million pictures below. Sorry! I couldn't narrow it down)

The sun rising.

The highway and cars getting smaller and smaller. This is the part of the trail where the sides just dropped off.

We just accomplished a steep ladder climb and turned around to take a picture.

Do we seriously live here? Unreal.

The sunrise reflecting on the mountains.

Secretly wanting to die. Even before we reached half way, Christian and I had to pull off because we felt like throwing up. After the half way point, it got a lot easier.

Wanting to hurl a little.

Chinaman's hat in the distance.

We reached one of the bunkers. Very cool and old.

Our friend Jen met up with us about half way. She's pretty hardcore and caught up with us.

I believe that this was an old pulley used to bring up equipment. I love old, rusty ruins.

Breathtaking. It looks like a painting.

This is where our final destination was. Almost there!

After a couple of hours, we finally made it to heaven! It was freezing up there, but amazing! We were so high up!

My cute and curious husband couldn't stop there and wondered if the trail continued.

and there he goes.

Next time we will be prepared to continue on that ridge. He found a well worn trail that looks like it is used pretty frequently. Where does it go? We've only heard myths and legends...

Just hanging out in heaven, with steep cliffs on both sides of us.

It only took about an hour to head back down. It destroyed my knee a little but over all, we did just fine. No other injuries. Or bugs! It was a perfect day, with perfect weather.

Opps, we must have missed this sign when we came in, it was too dark. We did get a chance to walk past the 'scary guard with a rifle' on our way back to the car. He was actually really chill and was asking hikers if they wanted their pictures taken. Funny. No sniper rifle.

We are a little sore but so glad that we did it and will will be ready to go again soon. Anyone want to join us?

Young and Free

ahhhh...to be a baby again and roam around like this...

Before all of this naked nonsense, we had him suited up in his spring suit and his dad took him out to ride on the body board. We found a shallow pool area to drag him around in and get him used to the board. He loved it! (The water looked pretty icky). When we moved him to the waves in the ocean, he was a little nervous, as were we because he could just slip right out of our arms if we weren't careful. We thought that we would hold off until we found a better spot to take him in and when the current wasn't so strong.

8

Can't believe we're 8 years old. Thanks for being my best friend, for being supportive and encouraging whatever I do and being so fun and so great. Thanks for being such an amazing mom and wife, your two boys love you! I'm so thankful for my 'lil family. I really think I'm pretty lucky. Happy anniversary, angel.

sweet boy

the project recommends: inception

We hardly ever go out to the movies anymore. I think the majority look annoying or the actors in them make me not want to see them. I'm so glad we went out and saw this one on the big screen last Thursday afternoon. It is the best movie I've seen in a long, long time. I felt like Shandra must have felt after we watched The Return of the King when that came out. (She was weeping openly and had to be helped out of the theatre) I held it in better than she did that time, but it was really amazing. I wanted to hide out while the people came and cleaned the theatre and just wait for the next showing.
Really, really awesome movie.

It's like a roller coaster ride and I think we need to go again.

So do yourself a favor: go see Inception and have your mind blown.

swim school

Tristan just completed his first session of swim school and he loved it! Some of the progress he made this first time around: he can now hold his breath under the water without any fear, he can blow bubbles, he can jump from the edge of the pool into my arms. I noticed that he was the only one with obedience issues. (He was the youngest in the class). He really didn't care what his instructor had to say or wanted him to do. It was mostly just playtime for him, so he thought. He enjoyed climbing out of the pool and running around while the lifeguard chased him around. He thought that was funny. I'm excited to sign him up for more classes because I think he is catching on pretty quick! I'm sure he will learn to listen with time- let's hope!

Thank goodness the pool is over 85 degrees. Sometimes too warm! Entering the pool is always a breeze.

Dunking under the water.

"Did you see that, Dad?"

"Hi Dad!" Tristan loved the toys available to play with. In fact, they were a big distraction most of the time and we had a problem with him stealing the other kid's toys right out of their hands. Something to work on.

Tristan jumps into the water without even moving his feet from the edge. Mad skills.

Medal Ceremony Day. Tristan gracefully accepts his medal by throwing it on the ground.

"Mom! put that camera down and get me off this box!"

Tristan with his instructor. He loved her. Yes, those are real tears and real snot.

thirty one

Thirty one? Really? Happy Birthday to my sweet husband, Christian! Here is a short video tribute for the birthday boy. Lots of old footage, mixed with some new. Christian doing the things that he loves. The quality is junk. Enjoy!

family photos

It's about time! We finally have photos with all three of us in them. I've been wanting to get family photos since Tristan was born. Special thanks to the talented Alyse Thomson. She is wonderful! She helped make an awkward looking/acting family take some decent pictures. Christian and I tend to freeze up and feel really uncomfortable when we are in front of cameras, but Alyse made us feel right at home. Don't let these photos fool you. Tristan was not chipper the whole time. We have some nasty pictures of him from this shoot as well that I should probably share. He was tired. Anyways, here is a preview of some of our favs.

Please note that Tristan's lips were not photoshopped. They REALLY are that pink.