Aloha Hawaii

Eric and I did something unconventional this Fall...we planned a work/holiday trip to Hawaii. Our plan is to spend the mornings working at the condo we have rented and then taking the afternoon to explore Maui.

The only problem? It isn't easy to leave this little monkeys behind:

But, once we got onto the plane and settled in, we cast our minds forward to palm trees and sunshine. We sure miss them a lot when we are away, but thanks to the miracles of modern technology, so far we have Facetimed them twice while we were at the beach and a couple of times a day from our condo. In fact, we have even caught a few squabbles...it's amazing how listening to them argue over who gets to sit on the stool in front of the computer from thousands of miles away can alleviate the heartbreak of missing them...

I won't bore you (or humiliate myself) by recounting the details of the Avis/Advantage debacle of 2015, but suffice to say that our first night on the Island didn't go exactly as planned. It may or may not have involved a massive mistake by me that resulted in: a lack of a rental car, a five kilometre midnight run by Eric, a long wait in a sketchy area at 3:00 in the morning by me and then an expensive and slightly scary Uber ride. Avis...Advantage...those sound almost the same, right? See, an understandable error....

Things were looking up by the next morning. Except for the weather.

We got ourselves sorted out with a car and did a little exploring of Kihei and then hit the beach.

And once we had our car, we had to hit Costco, too. A supply run that also introduced us to these big guys. We picked up three to bring home to the kids...because those would be fun on the plane.

Did I mention that it was TORRENTIALLY raining while we were at Costco. Like, crazy monsoon rain? And that's most of what the forecast is for our trip...? Well, I did say it is a work trip. So, we should get lots of work done...

In the breaks between rain storms, we are hitting the beaches. The picture above is me at Big Beach by Wailea and the picture below is Eric at Keawakapu beach.

I hate to say it, but it is sort of my ideal...I don't love direct sunlight, but a gorgeous cloudy, warm day with a nice breeze and a spectacular view...and a book??! Pretty much perfect.

This was tonight's sunset. Can't ask for more than the best company and warm winds, can you?

E- Fall picture round-up

I definitely wouldn't call our life routine. Every week is different around here. However, we do tend to repeat things each season and this fall is no exception.

In typical Butler fashion, we clung to the final days of summer with a September trip to Kelowna to visit the Ibbetsons. While not HOT, the lake still had enough warmth to warrant a quick dip on our very short trip. We also went go-karting, paint balling and had a nice dinner with friends. Pretty good for a 24 hour vacation.

The Arbutus Club parking lot party is always a hit. However, this ride has got Finny putting some big pressure on me to up our trampoline set-up in Point Roberts.

Huge day here! Molly going off to high school at Magee. 

Lukey and I managed to get out to QE pitch and putt on a nice fall day.

Hockey season started off with an 8-0 run in Atom rep tier 3.  They've now moved up to tier 2 which will no doubt mean some losses and more goals against our little guy...but he seems up to the challenge, and rarely seems stressed. 

Finny's birthday present is always an experience and there's nothing she loves more than a good circus. Kooza didn't disappoint, she loved it! 

My favourite costume that I came across this year was Avery wearing his Split Second jersey. According to his mom it was the best day ever because he got to "go out as himself".

Soccer in November in Vancouver is not a spectator...or goalie friendly event. At least the boys are winning most of their games.

I did get a respite from the weather with a quick trip to LA for the Anthony Robbins seminar Unleash the Power Within. It was moving, powerful, cheesy, uncomfortable, fun and incredibly useful all at the same time. It's hard to explain these contradictions unless you experience it yourself.

We flew in first thing Thursday morning and were at the LA Convention centre by noon. We went straight through until 1:30am, only breaking to do the "Fire-walk" in the parking lot. Friday we went from 8:30am-10:30pm with only 1 break for 45 minutes to eat. Saturday was 9am-11:30pm and Sunday was shorter at only 8 hours. It was intense...and I'm glad I did it.

Walking back and forth from our Air BnB to the Convention Centre and a few hours on Monday were our only chance to get out in the sun...but it was a great trip none the less.

Rep Boy

There are certain times when an article of clothing feels pretty important in your life...a prom dress, first suit, first shoes...

Lukey is pretty enamoured with his rep hockey track suit right now. He wears it whenever he can, even though the pants need to be pulled up nearly to his armpits to prevent the bottoms from dragging on the ground.

It represents a lot to him...hard work, dedication, early morning practices and pride. As parents, we are pretty keen to reinforce this things too. So I will happily wash his rep suit every couple of days and I will bite my tongue when he wears it somewhere that's only semi-appropriate...because heck, it's pretty awesome when you put on something that makes you feel good!

Grusome Moo and Halloween 2015

I picked Molly up from school on Friday (Halloween) and found that she had used herself as a canvas in Art Class. Using paper towels and Modge Podge, she'd created a massive faux wound on her hand.

Gross.

She took a picture (see above) and sent it to Eric, Finny and Lukey and then waited for the their concerned texts to pile in.

She got nothing.

So, she decided to try again and up the impact with her face in the picture...

Still nothing. Either her ruse wasn't as convincing as she thought or else no one cared that she had apparently impaled herself disastrously.

We never did hear from them. When she got home, she gave them a very hard time for the lack of concern from her family.

All three kids went in costumes to school on Friday...but not one of them wore the same costume the next day for actual Halloween. Molly was a spooky lady, Finny was a sugar skull and Lukey wore Eric's old man mask (which Eric has decided he no longer needs as his regular face is approaching the same effect [which I don't agree with...he gets more handsome as he ages]).

On Friday night, we picked up Lukey's buddy Mattie and drove up to Whistler for a night staying with Pat and Jeff (a huge highlight for the kids...they love Pat and Jeff) before an early morning hockey game for Lukey.

After a great win (and a great game in goal for Lukey) and a delicious snack of PureBread, we headed back to Vancouver and straight to the Arbutus Club for their Halloween party in the gym.

Then home to put our costumes on and head out for trick or treating. Lukey was a Canucks Green Man, Finny was Nastasha Wodak (a professional Canadian runner).

We hit up Douglas Park with the Forsyths, False Creek Co-op and then my parents' neighbourhood before heading to mom and dad's for dinner and candy sorting. 

Another one for the books.