Our Kauai Trip and Elliott's First Birthday

Dan, Owen, Grandpa Louie, and I took a 10-day trip to Kauai over Thanksgiving. It was a 4-part trip: a celebration of our 4th anniversary, Thanksgiving, Elliott's first birthday, and a "babymoon." On top of that, it was really great to have an extended period of warm weather and relaxation on the beach. Owen's favorite thing to do was chase birds and chickens around the condo grounds where we stayed, followed closely by playing in the sand and watching sand crabs clear out their holes. The rest of us enjoyed the peaceful rhythm of the waves on the beach, and downtime together. The nights that Owen asked to go to bed were pretty awesome too. ;)

Owen meeting the Pacific Ocean:


Sunrise:


Sand and sand crabs:


A coconut of his own:


Two "thumbs" up:


Feet buried in sand:


Poipu Beach Park:


Breakfast at Kalapaki Beach Hut:


Here's a picture of me on the beach at 29 weeks:


We also scattered Elliott's ashes on the beach where Dan and I were married 4 years ago. Before we did, we took a family photo in the same spot as our wedding - a look at us 4 years later.

Family photo:


Purple orchids in the ocean for Elliott:


And, sunset at Baby Beach on 11/28/2011:


It was obviously an emotional evening, but the sunset was beautiful and letting Elliott go was almost a relief. He's in a much better place now, and that beach has even more meaning to our family. It's a place we'll visit throughout our lives, and will always be a part of the Mudgett family's history.