Half-way to Hawaii...

Well, half the gang has made it to Hawaii, and I am literally counting down the days until I join the rest of the family for good! We said a hug and kiss filled goodbye at the Colorado Springs airport on Wednesday, and 2 very excited little girls boarded the plane to the island :) The girls really really love Hawaii, and it is so cute to see them talking about their "Hawaii House" and their "Hawaii Room" with their "ocean outside the window!".  For about a week, one of them will ask "Is today the day we go to our Hawaii House?" And finally the day arrived.

 Cris said the flight was smooth. The layover was at the girls' favorite airport - Seattle - where there is a big kiddie play area. 

Before the gang left for hawaii we made a quick stop by my office, and the girls got to play Doctor for a few minutes.  Each of them took a turn using hte ultrasound to take a look at Baby Jude.

 They both had a blast checking on their brother.

 We also spent an evening out for dinner, then we tried out a local homemade ice cream shop.  "Strong Daddy" (as nova calls him) still has no problems carrying around both of his girls.  Not sure where Jude is going to fit into this arrangement :)

 And another picture of "strong daddy" carrying his girls...

 Even though it is the middle of summer, and often pushing 100 degrees outside (at least in Colorado!), Nova is rarely seen without her brown blankie. 

 We no longer have a couch in our living room, so the girls have been hanging out in their rocking chairs....wearing their robes from mammaw....and wrapped up in snuggle blankies...cute as can be!

I have a couple of busy weeks ahead...tomorrow i leave for California for a week at a review course for my upcoming Oral Board Examination.  I have spent the last year "case collecting", which basically means i have to keep track of every single patient i admitted to the hospital, operated on, or delivered, along with an assortment of my clinic patients. I then travel to Dallas in December to "defend" my case-list over a period of 3 hours to 6 OB/GYN's, who will grill me non-stop.  The review course allows me an opportunity to practice my Oral Examination skills, and hopefully gain some insight into the types of questions to expect.

After I get back from california it is 2 more busy work weeks, packing and shippign our household goods, a 2 day road trip to Portland, a quick visit with my brother Drew (and new bride Kristie!), shipping the minivan, and FINALLY Momma and Baby Jude will be Hawaii bound!