Paradise found...

Bula! I have a few moments this morning while the boys are napping, so thought I'd give everyone an update on our adventure thus far. We have had an incredible weekend. The other day we went out to a sandbar for snorkeling and lunch...I can not even begin to describe the experience. It has to be one of my top ten moments. This sandbar is only visible at lowtide and is literally in the middle of the ocean. The resort brought boats out before we arrived to set up our feast...when we arrived, there was a GRILL...tables and umbrellas...more food than you could possible imagine set up buffet style complete with flower arrangements. Mind you...we were in the MIDDLE of the ocean!!!! It was insane! We all snorkeled in the reefs off the sandbar and saw the most amazing colorful fish and corals. I don't think I've ever seen so many brightly colored fish. After snorkeling, the staff set up chairs for us in the water and we all sat there while they brought us drinks...wading out in the water with their trays...it was like something from a movie!!! Again...pictures to come soon.

The boys were great for Beth and napped most of the time. We got home in enough time to give Beth a break...feed the boys dinner then get dressed for Halloween. I went as a Geisha...Kevin was a Fijian doctor (even wore a traditional sulu skirt!) and the boys were dressed as each other. (Tommy had "hello my name is" stickers with Cole on them and vice versa) as those were the easiest costumes to pack. Kevin and Pete took the kids door to door...and everyone had so much fun. Each room was set up with candy. We made signs for our doors and everyone was dressed up.

Later, we went to a costume party in honor of the bride and groom. Some of the costumes were so fantastic!! It was beachfront with fijian drummers, singers, kava and the most insane spread of food you could imagine. The fish and lobster are so incredible...lots of indian options as well (there is an indian culture on the islands as well) and of course...coconut everything. Very fitting as coconuts are literally falling from the trees all day. You'll be sitting in a chair and hear *thud*. Hannah said that the island used to be a coconut plantation and back then...if a worker was killed by a coconut the family would receive 10,000 Fijian dollars. Some workers would actually SLEEP under the trees with the hope of getting the money for their families.

Anyway, yesterday was a leisurely day with the boys. Tommy and I built a sand castle...well...I built the castle repeatedly and he destroyed it. :) Cole splashed in the water and is really into practicing his walking. We are simply waiting for it to happen now. Both boys have made the attempt...so it is imminent I think! The wedding was at 4pm yesterday and after a quick rain ...the skies cleared and the sun made its debut just in time for the drumming to begin. WHAT A WEDDING!!!!! There were drummers and singers...the wedding ceremony was so moving. After they had to sit before the local warriors and receive the kava blessing with a ceremony. The bride and groom are draped with flowers and there is lots of chanting and drumming. So cool... The whole night was just amazing.

Today we are leaving the island to head to our next destination....the Pacific Harbour. It is suppsed to be beautiful and the hotel we are staying at is new...and pretty incredible. We have our own house and swimming pool! All part of a 5-star resort complex. This area of Fiji is very lush...lots of rainforest, rivers, waterfalls and of course more sand beaches teeming with colorful fish. We'll update you tomorrow as they have free wireless in the rooms.

You should see how tall the boys are...I swear they have grown a foot since we've been here! Oh and don't forget to check out Beth's blog...her link is located on the side bar here. She has updated hers as well.

Vinaka!

xoxo,
Kerry, Kevin, Cole and Tommuy

Bula from the Fiji Islands!!!!

View from our beachfront bure, Malololailai Island, Fiji

The boys have been absolute angels. The only meltdowns we've had were when they were late for a nap. That's it. They are silly...giggling (someone from the wedding party asked me this morning if they ever cry) and the LOVE the Fijian women. Everyone here is unbelievably nice!!! They love babies and everywhere we go we hear...."Oh twins!! Bula babies! Bula Tommy and Cole!" It is so amazing...

The Sofitel was gorgeous. We had an amazing room with sweeping ocean views and a small jacuzzi tub on the porch. We were ground level so could walk out to the beach and relax. Beth's room was right beside ours (interconnecting) and we would wheel the babies cribs in there every morning and they napped there. We had the baby monitor so it worked perfectly. There was a DVD player and flat screen TV for great viewing of Wiggles videos and Elmo (they LOVE watching their DVD's). They also had free laundry and the most amazing breakfast everyday that was included with our rooms. Champagne, coffee, lattes, omelets, fish...it was SO decadent!!

On Wednesday, we went to the baptism and it was amazing. A tiny local church attached to a school and the school children all came and sang for us. After, we walked down this crazy dirt road (really crazy) to the mother of the brides house for a traditional Fijian feast. They dig a huge pit in the yard and smolder coals...then layer coconut leaves with local fresh fish...more coconut...some coconut milk...then cover it all and let the fish and veggies steam. Of course, that was a death trap for me (allergic to coconut) but there was lots of fresh sushi being passed. (The islands are ALL about fish.) We didn't stay too long at the Fijian feast as the boys were due for their naps (I am keeping them on a fairly consistent schedule) but the whole experience was one I won't soon forget. They even had a kava ceremony and traditional musicians!

We arrived at Plantation Island yesterday and it is paradise. We are in a beachfront bure....we can stroll out the door and be in the water. The fish are incredible and swim all around your feet. Beth was squealing this morning when Kevin threw cornflakes at her and the fish swarmed her like she was fish bait. It was so funny. There are angel fish, these pretty little tan fish...just so many! Right out our front door. I'll post pictures when we get to Taunovo Bay. We'll have more access then. We have a full sized fridge in the room which is great for keeping milk, water, snacks and all the beer and wine we bought at the supermarket on the main island cold. This is luxury...rustic luxury. We are literally in paradise...untouched. Just gorgeous turquoise waters...sand beaches forever...beautiful.

So far...its amazing! These boys are just so sweet and happy...they love the hammocks, hermit crabs, fish...they are eating well and drinking water. Totally adjusted to Fiji time. I am of course thrilled....so happy that it is going smoothly and afraid to even admit that it is for fear of jinxing myself. They are only cranky when they are hungry or need a nap...

Today we will be snorkeling on a sand bar with the wedding group....Beth is minding the kids tonight and may have a Fijian nanny help out if need be, but she doubts she will. It is so nice to put them down in their bedroom, and then sit outside on the hammock reading...dabbling your toes in the water...all within ear shot of the boys.

Things I couldn't live without so far? Comfy strollers they can nap in, milk boxes, lyesol, DVD's, nana's blankies and items from their crib at home, bug spray and sunscreen. Will update this as we go along.

Okay...back to paradise! Vinaka!!

Ready for take-off! En route to Fiji...

Dinner at the Westin. We forgot bibs so made our own out of napkins.

They look like little cowboys.

Beth got this shot at the aiport with her iphone.

That is Allie..asleep on the floor wearing her diva mask.

Here is our plane. It was dark, so the photo isn't that great. Our seats were the first row behind the cockpit on the second level. The first windows above the last letter "C" in Pacific.

The flight to Fiji was a success!! They pretty much slept from the moment we got on the bus to the airport in LAX until we landed. Waking briefly at 3am (no idea what time zone we were in then) to eat and have some milk...then back to sleep. As a result, they were on Fiji time when we landed and have been on schedule ever since.

On the flight here, we bumped upstairs to the "bubble" but no one else opted too. We were worried that we were going to be separated from the help of the rest of the group, but it was the best thing that could have happened. It was SO quiet and dark up there...that everyone slept. Pete came upstairs to check on us once and couldn't believe how dark and quiet it was...and everyone was asleep. He said that downstairs was bright, noisy and busy. That ended up being a great stroke of luck for us!!! We got off the plane and Kevin said...and I quote, "that was one of the better flights I have ever been on." YAY!!!!! I would never have lived it down otherwise. :)

Here we are on the flight GPS tracker crossing the Equator...

Kevin quickly changed into shorts before landing as he was going to head straight out on a deep sea fishing trip upon arrival with the guys.


We were greeted after we got through a LONG customs line with beautiful shell necklaces. Poor Tommy and Cole were still in their warm jammies from the flight, so they don't quite reflect the tropical climate in their photo here. It was like stepping into a wall of humidity when we got off the plane. The air smelled different too. Like lush vegetation and ocean...so sweet! Everyone greets you by saying "Bula!" which means hello...but it is used so frequently I think it has lots of meanings. Everyone is super friendly and they adore children. From the airport to the hotel...it is clear that Fiji is a family destination. We have arrived!

Our LA playdate with Ethan and Bridget

Our flight isn't leaving tonight until 11:30 so we met up with friends today for a playdate so the kids could burn off some steam. Joseph and Jessica Wilson are friends of ours through my twins group. They live about 40 minutes away from LAX and decided to come meet us at the hotel for swimming and lunch. It was so much fun! Ethan and Bridget are gorgeous. Big blue eyes....SO cute. Bridget was surrounded by boys and yet managed to be the leader of the pack. :) The pool at the airport was small...and you might notice some dirty knees from crawling around on the patio. We were so happy to have extended our room so we could give them a tub before take-off!

Tommy, Ethan, Bridget and Cole

Tommy and Ethan were deep in conversation...

Chilling out after lunch...Ethan and Bridget

The Wilson and Riordan families!

Flight to LA

Cole

Tommy

Cole
Tommy

Well these pictures pretty much sum it all up! The flight from Boston to LA wasn't terrible, but the only baby that slept was the one in the seat. (We had one seat for the boys, the other sat in a lap.) Tommy slept for the first hour and a half I'd say...then we put Cole in the seat and he was out for 2 hours. Things were fine until the last hour when Tommy started to fuss. He was tired and wanted to sleep but couldn't quite settle in and find a comfy spot. I think in the future, we'll always get two seats. Just easier that way. (The good news is that we have two seats for the boys for the Fiji leg, so they should be comfy.)

We flew first class on both legs which was really nice. So much room for the boys to move around and I can only imagine how difficult it all would have been if we hadn't been. They gave us water, cookies and snacks to keep us occupied. One thing we learned is that planes DON'T have milk! Who knew? The first leg, I used the emergency formula i packed last minute. On the second leg of our flight, the pilots didn't want the milk on their pre-made food trays, so Cole and Tommy were the lucky recipients. :) Actually, milk hasn't been that easy to come by. We stocked up at breakfast this morning, so should be okay through the rest of the day.

We're now sitting in our room at the Westin. The boys just went down for their first nap and we're meeting a friend and her twins at the hotel pool at 11. Our plan is to tucker these guys out before the big journey. Hard to believe we'll be in Fiji tomorrow! So much planning and the trip is finally here. Okay, off to the gym while they nap with dad.