Headed home.

On our very last day we hiked up Diamond Back. In record time no less thanks to Ry and his pair of tractor legs. Gorgeous view and perfect way to end the trip.

3 stooges.
Gonna miss this view.
Aloha. Mahola.

Bite you.

Had to publish this so we won't forget her while we're sunbathing and drinking on the beaches of Waikiki.

A lump in my throat.

So after eight bags, four of them Hadley's, two nervous breakdowns (with actual tears and silent sobs), and one full prescription of anti-anxiety pills later...we're off to Hawaii. Because I'm always one to be prepared (should have been a girl scout), I wrote Hads a little letter just in case something should happen to us. Here's a snippet of it:

Now, if for some reason I don‘t get to see you grow up, there are a few key things I need to you remember and know, since I can‘t be there to teach it to you. I want you to be anything you want in this world, just don’t be boring. Whatever you do, do it with pizazz. You absolutely light up a room when you enter it, and I don’t want you to lose this gift. You are a girl with a whole lot of spunk, so become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. You need to listen and mind adults, but sometimes it’s okay to ‘color outside of the lines.’ Always say please and thank-you…always! It will take you far, trust me. Being polite never goes unnoticed. Always ask if you ‘may be excused from the dinner table’, this shows respect to whomever made you that meal. And never forget to send a thank-you card. It’s the simplest gesture that can make someones day and will make them want to keep doing nice things for such a grateful person. Give hugs and kisses hello and goodbye, human touch is such a warm, powerful thing. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. Never be afraid to fail, otherwise how could you learn to enjoy success. Avoid negative people. Return all things you borrow. Sing in the shower, even if Zaide tells you your voice stinks. Take responsibility for every area of your life, don’t blame others and don’t ever expect life to be fair. Have a firm handshake. Don’t be afraid to say “I made a mistake” or “I don’t know”, it will keep you real and make other people want to help you. Keep your promises, no matter what. Floss your teeth. Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. But do approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. Don’t be a girl who is ‘easy’, these girls are not respected and get nothing out of it except a bad reputation…hold out for love and please at least hold out until you’re out of high school. And keep this in mind, every time you have sex, you can get pregnant or you can not get pregnant. That’s 50/50. So don’t fool yourself into thinking that if you only do it once without protection, the odds are in your favor. Look people in the eye. Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and in the end, it’s only with yourself. Enjoy your body, be physically active and use it everyway you can. Go for a bike ride, a hike, a run, go skiing. Just take care of the body you have and don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own. You don’t always get what you want. Be humble. Have close friends, friends that love you for all that you are and keep them close because the older you get the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Go to college, and don‘t expect anyone else to support you. Embrace change. When someone is upset, has lost a loved, and or needs a good cry sometimes it’s just best to listen. You don’t need to find the perfect words, because there often aren‘t any. Make your bed every morning, it will make you look forward to getting in it at night. Remember to keep your head up (keep your dober up), have a good sense of humor, and never stop smiling. Because really, through all the muck and milestones of life, these are the keys to happiness.

Kiddo, we're going to miss you so much, but know that you're going to have a blast with your G&G's and Auntie. And we'll shower you with loot when we get back to help alleviate our guilt.

PS Whomever gets her walking while we're away gets a box of chocolate covered Macadamia nuts.

A little pre-funk before Hawaii...

Nettie's Bachelorette party, 8 girls can get things pretty wild.
This was our driver. Dont' worry, she's pregs, so she only had a few drinks. KIDDING.
SP
What's a party without a little dancing?
Photo #309 of us like this.

The royal treatment.

Took Nana & Pa to the All Star Club last week...I think we've ruined them from ever going to an M's game again. They no longer want to sit with the riff-raff and actually pay for food. It was a lot of fun, and great having a babysitter.

Fun in the sun.

We met Kasie, Hayley,and Joc at the beach the other day when it was about 85+ degrees. It was so much fun, and made me regret not wearing a swimsuit or bringing about 10 ice cold diet cokes. But we survived...Hadley barely did. Wasn't much for the sand, and the fact that she didn't want be put down really made me want to give her her first swimming test and toss her in the lake. She's pretty buoyant, I think she would have floated.

How cute is this spunky little gal?
Hads in the grass...because the sand was Oh So Scary.

Just the girls.

Ryan actually got into the picture taking spirit. Okay, so he had a little persuasion. Pretty much I said 'here, take pictures of me and Hads so she'll know what I look like in case we die in Hawaii.' And because he's a simple guy, and puts up with all my neurosis, he obliged without a fuss.

PS We leave in 5 days!

Wah.

She was pretty ticked that I wouldn't help her off her bike. Are you kidding me kiddo? I don't think you could possibly be any further off the bike, without actually being off it. Make sense?

Wow...

...my hair is seriously short. Guess I never looked at the back.

Such a dud.

So we head to Blythe Park for something to do and I find out it's a park perfect for 2-5 year olds...at least that is what the sign says.
She was such a big girl going up everything...
...until it came time to come down. She actually did go down the slide by herself ONE time, but after that she was over it, and was much happier sitting in the shade taking the lid on and off her macaroni and cheese leftovers, throwing her raisins all over the place and pointing out the ducks. Please call me when she gets fun.

Daddy's little girl.

Oh Uncle Kip and Auntie Lis, you have no idea how proud her Papa is.
Looking a little 'special ed.' in this picture.
Go Hads Go!

Cousins...is there really anything better?

Ryan and Val's cousins from San Diego came to visit and it was so much fun to see them and catch up. Liz has a son Jacob, who is such a little man, and Marie is pregnant with baby Emma Rose (could that name be ANY cuter). And to throw one more name at you, Marie is married to one of Val's best friends, Doug. They met at Val and Kevin's wedding...how cute is that! Anyway, I didn't get too many pics, since my child is determined to HIT anything in her path and I calmly and patiently need to follow her around and remind her 'no, no Hads we don't hit' when I really just want to rip one of her arms off and beat her with it. So here's the best I got...

Never thought I'd see my little one at a 'kids table'.
Thanks for paying attention Jake!
Lauren wanted to put on Nana's grody 'in case of emergency' clothes, so I gladly obliged.
Finally, someone else looks like a giant beside my kid.

Edible.
This is exactly what cousins should be.
'Oh Jacob, and Liz, and Doug, and Marie...puhlease don't leave!" Can't wait to meet baby Emma in November.

All she needs is a tattoo.

Joc and Bennett have a real life drum set....and when I say real life, I mean it's like a set Tommy Lee would play on, or Ringo Starr, or Mick Fleetwood, or Don Henley, or Alex Van Halen...I think you're catching my drift. So remember the name Hadley Prentice, because I think she may make it big.

Bedtime.

Tubby...check.

Teethbrushed...check.

Hair combed...check.

Time for night-night.

Worth the wait.

Yes...Yes...Yes...is right! He asked and she's over the moon. And so are we, since we're the ones who started it all. It was almost three years ago when Ry and I introduced these two. At first I was a little hesitant, thinking Bennett was all wrong for Joc. Didn't quite have the bravado she needed and was WAY too nice. But then I gave it a second thought and said to Ry 'you're right. These two are kind of perfect for eachother.' And I guess we were right!

Bennett I know you are like a breath of fresh air to Joc, unlike anybody else in her life. You're always full of common sense and able to lift her spirits, even in those times when she'd swear she was all out of smiles. I know with Joc you're free to be yourself and speak your mind knowing you won't be judged. Definitely made fun of, but never judged. Your spirit of fun and optimism is so refreshing and a good influence, and yet you still have the ability to cut to the chase and put things in perspective...and her in her place. It's your combination of fun, charm, sincerity, and honesty that makes you such a unique and interesting person. You add so much to her life and her world and I appreciate your love for her more than you'll ever know.

And Jocelyn, I know when you met Bennett that night you weren't planning on falling in love. You weren't planning on feeling so attracted to someone, but he awakened feelings in you that you had forgotten existed. With him by your side I know he thinks everything in the world seems better. He has someone who sees life a lot like he does, someone who shares the same values, dreams the same dreams, and understands the parts of him that other people don't even know exist. With you in his life, I know that he has everything anyone could ever want...someone who's understanding and supportive, who's fun and interesting, who's smart and witty...someone who also happens to be his very best friend. I know when you first met him, you had no idea where this relationship would lead you both, how beautiful you would make his world. But I do know, without a doubt, the luckiest day of his life was the day he met you.

Wow... I think I just wrote my speech:). I love you both and know you've found all the happiness you'll ever need. He was definitely worth the wait.