Hawaii

Hello all,

Hadden is back from Hawaii and everyone had a great time. Hadden got to meet his great grandmother (Nana), his auntie (Michelle), and his two cousins (Kash and Haze). Thanks to Michelle for putting up the "cheese family" (more on that later) at her place near Kailua Beach and thanks to Mom and Dad for the time at their place and thanks to everyone for coming over multiple times to "share in the love". There certainly was a lot of love to go around with three small, vocal children all under the age of 3.

Above: Four generations of Muench folks (the youngest of the fourth is NOT happy while the other 4th is eating yet another banana).

The plane ride over was fantastic as Hadden slept for 3 of the 5.5 hours and allowed us to watch two crappy movies (Epic Movie and Smokin' Aces). He was even quiet (for the most part) on the car ride to Kailua. My sister, Michelle, and her two kids (Kash - 2.5 and Haze - 1) along with Geena are staying the summer in a beach rental across the street from Kailua Beach and offered to put us up while we were in town. Each morning we would all pile in the vehicles and drive over to grandma and grandpa's house at about 7:15am. It seems early but we generally got up with the kids at about 6am anyway.

Apparently we have become the "cheese family" because Kash, back in June, referred to his "uncle Steve" as "uncle cheese" (which is pretty close, really). That then made Yvonne "Auntie Cheese" (Kash's idea), which obviously made Hadden "Baby Cheese" (G's idea). Baby Cheese did wonderful in Hawaii - most nights going to bed between 7 and 9pm and getting up at the crack of dawn. He got to go swimming in the ocean, go swimming in the pool, get pushed (in a stroller) in Kailua Beach Park and see grandma and grandpa's house. I must say that the overprotective parents made sure Baby Cheese was in his UV protection suit (quite cute) with sunscreen when he was in the sun. Michelle was wonderful, offering to babysit BC (Baby Cheese) one night while we went out to Alan Wong's restaurant. He slept like a champ while we were out. Nice job G and Michelle!

Seeing everyone and playing with Kash and Haze was fun and gave us a glimps of the joys (and issues) to come with Hadden. Kash, "Kashito Diablito" loves lizzards and helicopters, which is an interesting combination. Haze, "Bonita Flower" is all about the flowers. She also started walking in July.

Our six days in paradise were over sooner that we would have liked so we headed back to Seattle on August 9th. Hadden was "OK" on the way back - much more bouncing in the back of the airplane than on the way over but we did all right in the end. Yvonne thinks he got a B+ on the way back but I think that's a bit high, however I can understand the high grade coming from his mom.

After being in a house full of children for a couple of days it amazes me how much their lives are driven by learning - Kash and Haze seem to spend their waking hours figuring out the universe one tinker toy at a time. It's what drives them to get up and what makes them happy. I see it in Hadden too when he does something like figure out where his feet are (BIG smiles for that one). People often call me "childish" or "still a little kid" and I guess I'm fine with that because kids play, cry, eat, make messes, etc. but central to it all is learning. Not a bad day's work.

steve