Hawaii

I know these have been a long time coming, but I'm hoping you'll think the wait was worth it. As many of you already know, on Easter Monday, Kevin, Bradyn, Grandma, Grandpa and I headed to Hawaii. Specifically, we stayed on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, which is on the island of Oahu. What a fantastic week! We rented a two-bedroom condo in a building called The Ilikai, which is at the opposite end of Waikiki Beach from the well-known Diamond Head landmark. Fabulous condo, great location and a wonderful time was had by all.

Here is the view from our lanai (balcony). The lagoon is part of the Hilton Hawaiian Village next door, which just happens to be the hotel that Kevin & I stayed at in 2002.

On Tuesday, we headed out after breakfast to explore. Here is Miss B, already embracing the Hawaiian flower-wearing tradition.

Our first family walk on Waikiki Beach.

Walking in the ocean with Grandpa.

During a cloudy break, Bradyn & Grandma had a swim in the hotel pool (where they spent a lot of time over the course of the week). I took this photo from our lanai on the 13th floor. Even from all the way up there, Bradyn was very easily identifiable in her yellow floaties.

I will not bore you with the story of our agony over purchasing Bradyn's new bikini before we left home. Long story short, she told us she would not wear it. Once in Hawaii, she quickly changed her mind and this is the only bathing suit she ever wanted to wear (and the only one I seem to be sharing pictures of her in)!

A great view of Waikiki Beach. In the background is Diamond Head (a volcanic tuff cone). Kevin, Bradyn & I hiked to the top of Diamond Head later in the week.

Bradyn met some friends while playing in the lagoon, and managed to get herself invited to take a ride on their surf board.



One of the things we wanted to do in Hawaii was go to an authentic luau - not an inexpensive endeavor. From the lanai of our condo, we had a clear view of the roof-top luau held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village next door. After seeing the performance once, we odered sushi & Subway on a subsequent night and ate on our lanai while watching the show. Who needs to pay $100+ per person and travel an hour by bus to see a luau when you can sit on your own lanai eating take-out and drinking for 'free'?

On Thursday, we went to the Hula Mound on Waikiki Beach for a show. Bradyn was THRILLED to have the chance to go up on stage and learn how to hula.

Getting hugs after the show from the mother-daughter hula performance team. Bradyn was over the moon when she was given the daughter's flower lei.

To celebrate Bradyn's dance performance, we had dinner in the Red Lion Pub (yep, my 6-year old was in a pub) and enjoyed $1 tacos and $2.50 Mai Tais. Bradyn had a Shirley Temple - I had to draw the line somewhere.

On Friday night, Bradyn and I raced down to the beach to catch the sunset.

One of the funniest lines on our trip came from Bradyn (shocker, I know). For some activites (like riding the bus) or certain meals, there was a price advantage for children 5 and under. A few times we asked Bradyn if she would pretend to be 5. She very loudly refused and stated "I'm 6, and you're going to pay". It was too cute. Here she is at sunset, proud to be 6.

Beautiful girl.

Waikiki Beach is famous for it's sunsets - now you see why. (Yes, I really did take this picture.)

After enjoying the sunset, we raced back up to our room to catch the fireworks show - again, right from the comfort of our lanai while eating take-out.

On Saturday morning, Kevin, Bradyn & I took the bus and headed to Diamond Head. We caught the end of a farmer's market as we got off the bus, and had the pleasure of trying Kalua pulled pork - it was fantastic! After fueling up, we headed towards the Diamond Head admission gate. I admit I was quite concerned when Bradyn said she was tired and we were only in the parking lot! Thankfully she found her energy and made the climb. Here are Kevin & Bradyn, on our way to the top.

Family photo

The climb included a walk through this tunnel - a bit dark and creepy, but not bad.

The view from the top of Diamond Head ..... soooo worth the hike. I loved how the water was so many different colours, and that you could see the coral reefs.

On our way back down.

After our Diamond Head journey, we walked across the road to Diamond Head Memorial Park to pay our respects to High Chief Peter Maivia (The Rock's grandfather).

Grandma bought Bradyn her own Hula girl outfit and she was very happy to show us her moves.

Posing with her Hula doll before heading to dinner at Red Lobster (yeah!!). At Red Lobster, a lady came by our table to say Bradyn looked adorable in her outfit. She proceeded to introduce us to her husband - an authentic 100% Hawaiian gentleman who was an actor on Hawaii Five-O and Magnum PI. He taught Bradyn another hula dance, right there in the middle of the restaurant. Good fun!


Hanging out on the lanai on our last day in her beloved bikini.

Saying good-bye to the pool with Grandma & Grandpa.

Until next time Hawaii - we'll miss you!

Hula Dancing

After watching the hula dancers, I think Bradyn was the first person up on stage when they invited guests to come up and take a lesson.

Getting the hang of some basic steps...

... and hand movements.

And the most important part, the hip movements!

The instructor wanted the audience to see the Ami Kuku moves from the back ... Bradyn is a great bum shaker.

Putting it all together - adorable.

MS Walk 2012

On Sunday April 29th, Kevin's Heroes laced up for the 8th year in a row, to participate in the Tri-Cities Scotiabank MS Walk. This year was unlike any other - it was great in so many ways! First off, it didn't rain!!!! I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to walk 5 km without being cold, wet and 'squishy'. We had 13 walkers this year, including Athena the puppy and Brandon, our not-quite the youngest participant ever (that title still resides with Bradyn, for doing her first walk at 8 weeks old).

Here is the official 2012 Kevin's Heroes team:
Brittany, Brandon & Bobbi, Dallas & Ita, Anna, Claudia, Ismael, Pablo & Athena and, of course, Bradyn and I. (we missed Bill at the beginning of the walk, but he caught up to us half-way through)
This year, the shirts we earned for our fund-raising efforts were designed for you to write right on the shirt. Since I picked ours up the day before, Bradyn had lots of time to customize her shirt and make it special. Her design included 2 flowers - the big one for Daddy, and the little one for her. I just love this picture - she looks so happy!

Not sure why Mommy is underneath Bradyn and Daddy, with her head tilted at a very awkward angle, but still cute nonetheless.

Bradyn's new best friend, Brandon. For most of the walk, Bradyn cemented herself by Brandon's side - just wait and see for yourself.

For the first time in many years, I actually got ahead of the crowd as we started the walk, so I could get our team's faces, not backs. Notice Bradyn's hand, glued to the bag hook on Brandon's stroller...

Unfortunately, Dallas and Ita took off like shots out of a cannon at the start of the walk, but here is the rest of Kevin's Heroes, starting off at a good pace.

Without the rain, it was actually fun to stop for photo ops along the way...

Not letting go, even during a water break.

Definitely the cutest team member this year.

Just as we were approaching the half-way point, Dallas & Ita were already motoring their way back towards the finish line. I do have to say though, we made pretty good time considering there were a lot of short legs in our group. I think it took us 75 minutes to walk the 5 km.

Almost there....

Our team was honoured with not one, but TWO titles this year. Dallas was awarded Top Individual Fundraiser for raising $3,030 in pledges. Kevin's Heroes was named the Top Fundraising Team for our total of $6,305. Yes, that's right folks..... WE DID IT!!!!!! We blew past our highest annual total to date. Overall, the Tri Cities walk raised $37,629 for MS research, which means Kevin's Heroes raised almost 17% of that. I am so proud of us. Unfortunately, we have really set the bar high now!

For whatever reason, Bradyn just absolutely would not believe me when I told her our team was #1. Since she is only starting to read, showing her the certificate didn't help much. To be honest, there was no way of changing her mind at that moment anyway - she was so mad because she thought I was lying (very strange, but cute).

Although Kevin had to work this year, he was able to stop by Rocky Point for some photos with us. I can't tell you how happy I was to actually get him on-site this year. Do I dare dream that maybe next year he'll walk with us?

Reeves family photo (not sure what was up with Bradyn needing to be a T-Rex at that particular moment).

Our annual walk and brunch would not have been complete without Jane & Glenn's help on the brunch end of things. Everything was yummy!

Kevin, Bradyn and I want to thank everyone for all of your love and support. Not just with the walk and our fund-raising efforts, but in helping us navigate our way through this disease. We couldn't do it without you.