Kauai 2022- Day 1

When we were trying to decide on a big family trip honestly we weren't looking at Hawaii we looked at Florida. But then there was a time everything in Florida got really expensive! So my sister in law Sierra found out she could use her connection to a resort in Kauai we stayed at last time and get a great deal. So we found flights for like $230 round trip (unheard of to Kauai) and decided to book it. Nate and Sierra ended up getting a couple of their foster kids back to adopt so they decided to cancel the trip but Grandma and Pa Pack still wanted to come. We were excited to head to Kauai again! 

Months before we got all of our covid shots to be able to go without issues. At the time you either had to have a official covid test taken (had to find places to do those) or proof of vaccine. We had to wear our masks in the airport and in stores but most places in Kauai were pretty good about not wearing them outside. Thankfully! Hawaii had been really strict about Covid. 

We flew out in the afternoon. Our first stop was Arizona and then off to Kauai. It was cool flying out of Arizona because we were following the sunset. We arrived in Kauai about 10 pm their time but that is 2 am our time. It was a hard adjustment. 

The first morning the boys wanted to get in the pools. Koloa Landing resort has won best pool at a resort in the USA for a couple of years in a row. It really is an amazing pool. Stockton caught a lizard too. 

It always feels amazing to leave the cold of Utah and get in the sun of Hawaii! 

Our big activity of the day was a sailing tour of the Napali coast. They served dinner on it and because of the time of year we were whale watching. We went on Captain Andys tour and it was amazing! The views were some of the most incredible I've ever seen in my life. We saw lots of whales! And sailing was easy and fun. We were worried we would be sick on it but none of us got sea sick. 

All of the other people on the cruise were adults- so my family stuck out. 

The napali coast is beyond beautiful. The only way to see it is from air or the water. There are no roads that drive though. The mountains go right to the ocean. This was one of the best things we did on our trip! 

The kids spent a lot of time here- especially Easton for some reason. It was down below the deck and where people could eat. The kids didn't care for the food but I loved it. 

We did see a lot of whales! For my boys it was the best part of the ride. 

Our Captain asked Easton if he wanted to sail the boat. And my little pirate who you would think would be externally excited to try freaked out. But I talked him into it and he loved it! The captain helped show him how to do it- and even announced when Captain Easton had found a whale for everyone to see. 

 Part of the top was like a tramp-and yes we did get a little wet. It was awesome. I just love being in kauai! 

January 2022

Tyson turned 16! Bryan had covid though- so we had a low key birthday

Ty got some ice fishing equipment and we had his favorite pie. 

We had my grandmas funeral. It was a really beautiful service talking about her joy in serving God, others and mostly her family. The florist was able to find her favorite flower- sweet peas! Even in January! And had them brought in for the funeral. She would have loved it! 

Before they closed her casket all of her kids went up to see her one last time and I felt like I needed to look at her as well. Words can express how I feel about her. She was everything to me. I broke down in a flood of tears knowing this was the last time I would look at her in this life. 

At her graveside we sang one of her favorite songs "love at home" and her grave was dedicated. Stockton came up to me after with tears in his eyes wanting to show me something. It was a caterpillar he ha found on her headstone. Which was moved and away from the flowers etc. His very favorite thing- A caterpillar! In JANUARY! Something just for him from my grandparents. It was such a special moment. 

All the granddaughters minus Katie who was on a mission. 

My mom and all of her living siblings. 

Tyson wasn't able to leave school to come but the rest of my kids were there. Nate also had all of his kids around but he left the little ones back with his wife at the church. 

I'm lucky my family puts up with me always taking pictures of everything. 

Pack grandkids. 

Stocktons special catapilliar from Grandma Jenkins

The day Stockton got the priesthood! Grandpa Palmer had fallen and so we were at his house so he could be there. 

Lukes birthday dinner with Sannette! 

This was a really special day for me! Ty blessed the sacrament, Blake prepared it and Stockton passed it. They were teasing poor Stockton so he wasn't happy for the photo. So proud of my boys. 

I pulled Blake and Stock out of school to take them to the temple! It was Stockton's first time!

My niece Madison is engaged and she let me come and watch her try on dresses! 

Easton has been working really hard in 1st grade. He passed off all of his Ninja belts and got his black belt!