The Burgoynes: May 2011

Yesterday was Battle of the Paddle, a big stand up paddle race held in Waikiki. (This is the same race as last year when Nate's board split in two -

- remember that?) Nate and I and one of our instructors and good friends, Jodi, all competed, I in the open-age 4 mile race, and Nate and Jodi in the prestigious Elite Race.

We piled kids, boards, equipment, and PIZZA!! into our (new) van, rigged up some car seats so it was "safe" and were on our way for an adventure.

Taking a Hawaiian road trip!

We stayed on Kay's boat in the harbor Friday night so we were already down there for the race the next morning. The girls were extra-excited to see fireworks that were set off right next to the harbor, which takes place every Friday night. We barely made it in time to check them out.

Both Kezia and Ivy made some good friends at the beach. Kezia was sooo excited to find a friend who is "7 years old and loves cats -- just like me!

" Here's Ivy with "a good friend....I don't know her name...."

And here's Elysse with our good friend Kaden, obviously having been in the sun and fun for way too long. Plus her bum hurts --- see the next post...

All the girls were such great sports carrying all the gear down to the race, taking turns pushing and pulling a bulging wagon/skupboard. I don't care what others say, life is easier when your kids get older. I remember trying to lunge all this stuff to the beach last year with complaining girls, and carrying a 2 year old.

Coming in from the race...being pregnant, of course, I wasn't going to push myself above what I thought I should handle, so I was excited to have finished the race.

Me (and baby) accepting the third place trophy for my division. The placement to me didn't matter so much -- (3rd out of only 6 women 40 and under) -- but I beat my time by last year by a whopping 3 minutes/lap -- pregnant and on a shorter board!!

Nate and Jodi, one of our instructors, are pumped before the "Elite Race", a grueling 5 mile race in and out of waves, with intermittent sprints on the beach, where it's a feat just to finish the race.

Nate's beginning of his race. Go Nate Go!

Nate coming in at the end of the race, still smiling. ;) He said he had difficulty with patches of dry reef throughout the course, having to swim over reef in knee-high water.

We are all doing the Surf n Sea race on June 4th.. I am anxious to do better at this race by using a longer board. Wish us luck!

It was super fun to have Erica and Sam and their family here with us! And somehow, they managed to come out at a time of perfect weather, sandwiched in between weeks of rain. If only every tourist was so lucky.

Every time our girls are all together, there is so much cousin-love in the air. They all get along so well, like best of friends. A great moment was when Ivy realized that, although Mia looks younger, she is actually near her age. After that, they were inseparable.

Here are some great moments from having them here.