The Ladies Man

Ryker used this trip as a way to meet girls. I know he is only 4, but the boy likes the ladies! He is not picky about their age, however, he does like for them to be able to bring something to the table--IE pool toys.

Girl #1-- She did not have any cool toys to share, so he moved on after a hour or so.

I met some new friends at the pool. When I turned around to check on Ryker, he floated by with this little girl. I don't know if it was the pink floaties or the goggles.

Pretty soon he disappeared again. Richie found him by the water slide, using some other girls Elmo floaties.

This is Olivia. They met during our snorkel cruise.

These are students at Texas A&M. Ryker had no hesitation to ask them to hold his brothers coloring book open. Lancer probably treated the book for Girl Cooties after.

He would jump into the water, swim up to someone and say "Hi...I'm Ryker.. R-Y-K-E-R. .. I'm 4... I live in Salt Lake and in Utah...Where do you live?

I told him it is OK to spell his name to girls while he is 4. When he is 24, the girls might not find it so cute anymore.

Lancer's heaven

Most kids want to go to Disneyland. My son's version of heaven on earth is WWII museums. He couldn't wait to go to Hawaii so that he could go to Pearl Harbor. For MONTHS, it was all he talked about. We waited in line to get tickets and Lancer immediately spotted one of those machines that you put in 50 cents and they give you a pressed penny. He pleaded for 50 cents. After he put the $ in, he cranked the machine and out popped his penny.

"That's it.....all I got was a stupid penny?"

"Not just a stupid penny, honey." I told him. " A stupid penny engraved with the USS Bow fin on it."

First place we went was the USS Missouri. Lancer was in awe. When we met up with our tour guide Reggie, I thought Lancer might try to impress this former Marine with some push ups. But instead he followed right behind him, like he was following his idol.

USS Missouri

Lancer & Reggie

After the Missouri, we headed over to a airplane museum, and then had a quick bite to eat. Then we got in line for the ride out to the USS Arizona.

It is hard to explain the feeling when you are looking at a ship that has been underwater for 60 years. She is still leaking oil, and the smell of diesel fuel is still strong. You can see her underwater and in the distance you can see the Missouri, who they have anchored facing the Arizona, as she is watching over her older sister. It is surreal. The wall of names of those who lost their lives made me choke up, as did the small list next to it, of those who survived and upon their passing, have been cremated and returned to the ship and their shipmates.
The Bow of the Arizona.

I have a lot more pictures, but hate to post them all. After coming from the Arizona, we went to tour the USS Bow fin. This was probably my boys favorite part. They loved playing with the guns and touching all the buttons inside the Submarine.

The Bow fin

After the final submarine and of course a trip to the gift shop, we headed out just as the memorial was closing. It took us 7 hours, and we still did not get to see the USS Utah. It was a long day, but it was worth it watching my boys have such a great time.