This is our campsite on Anini Beach on the north shore of Kauai. We are in our second night here and I’m pretty sure I font ever want to leave. Camping is definitely a bit rougher than the resort lifestyle common for travelers to the island, but we have had a chance to explore so much more of the island and experience everything Kauai has to offer. No roadside stand too small, no scenic overlook too inconvenient. We have met some real characters during our brief stay so far: a state sanctioned marijuana farmer from Colorado, a recently emigrated family from Alabama, a Mexican vagabond, and a all-American soccer star that suffered a career ending traumatic brain injury. The recently relocated family invited us to their campsite for an amazing feast of fresh crab wontons, fried chicken, steak, potatoes, and s’mores! Everyone we have met has been so friendly and welcoming, native and howlie alike.
One weekend in mid-June, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Athy and Tucker embarked on a quick adventure. We drove from Los Angeles to San Jose, up on Friday back on Sunday, to hang out with Mom as she played the most important game of the season with her team.
Despite the “Major Trouble” t-shirt, Tucker was remarkably well behaved. We can’t same the same for the other trip participants, but a good time was had by all.
Tucker met a little friend in the outdoor mall next to the hotel. Nathaniel was almost the same age as Tucker but an entirely different type of baby. Several times he tried to hug Tucker and was faced with the cold shoulder. Eventually Tucker warmed up to him and agreed to play a little in the rocks by the fountain. 
Little man loves hallways. Running down them, banging on strangers doors, etc. At one point we just started leaving the door open so he could run around in the hallway.
The game was a huge success. My team took an early command and at half way through the period the score was 55 to 0. The final score was 180 something to 80 something. Details not so important, the important thing is my team has qualified for Regionals in Portland this year. Last time my team qualified for Regionals, we got pregnant. This time, Mom will skate!
Tucker really does hate good byes. But he loves baggage carriers! Especially when he realizes it’s way easier to catch a ride than to push it himself. YAY for Grandma’s!
For the second half of the trip, we packed the rental car (a Kia Soul) and headed West to the other side of the state of Florida. While there we stayed at Ben’s grandmothers house with his Mom, Dad, Sister Lindsay and Uncle Mike. The weather was perfect so Tucker got to get more pool time.
Mom spent most of her time in the chair reading until Tucker joined her for a snack.
Which, if there’s anything we learned this week with Tucker it’s that he eats CONSTANTLY. I’m going to start packing him bigger lunches for day care!
Every morning on the West Coast, Tucker had breakfast with Bumpa (his word for Grandpa John). This picture is from dinner though, since breakfast was usually ate from the comfort of Bumpa’s lap.
Tucker and Uncle Mike.
Tucker and Grammy.
Tucker and Bumpa – probably my favorite photo of the week.
Making some important phone calls with Aunt Linds.
Bath time is always a hit regardless of where we are.
Of course, he did not want to leave. We felt like crying too, buddy.
First stop on the 2011 tour to Florida was the East Coast to visit my family.
“This things not a stroller, it’s a rocket ship”
-G. Friedel
Tuckered.
The lil man meets the lil ol lady.
At Abuela’s, Tucker kept walking in to the kitchen to visit Nina. It makes sense, we spend about an hour every day in the kitchen making dinner. He loves walking up to the counter with his hand outstretched for a taste of whatever I’m cooking. Tucker always tries what I give him and only about half of the time does it wind up on the floor.
Nina thinks he’s offering her his nesting containers, but really he’s trying to trade for some pork.
Who could blame him?
The next day, the family regrouped at the hotel for more baby time and birthday presents. The Popper reigned supreme as favorite new toy.
Followed closely by the play phone. We don’t understand how Tucker already knew how to use a rotary phone or real handset being that he has NEVER seen one in his life. But he knew.
And then there were the requisite pictures. Tucker is beginning to get used to this sort of thing.
The last day before heading West to Ben’s side of the family was spent poolside in my sisters back yard. It was too cold to swim but not too close to dunk the toesies!
We’re visiting the Marcets in Chicago and it’s so nice to see the trees changing colors all around us. Tucker and I had four days of food, fun, and the whole marcet family! We had a great time!
Here’s a few random shots from our trip. It seems more and more important to have a high quality camera phone these days. More often than not youtr nowhere near a camera when that amazing moment transpires, so you reach for something thats always on hand: your phone. At a measly 2 megapixel, my current iPhone 3G just isn’t cutting the mustard any longer. And forget about taking pictures in anything but nice bright sunshine. Sure, it’ll snao the shutter and give you something, but these aren’t the artistic smeary images. They’re just plain blurry! I’m sure you’re sold now, WE just need to get the new iPhone with the flash and much higher-resolution camera. Well, I will whenever they release the white version, because i’m just that gadget fashion conscious.
