Hawaii- day 2

Tuesday, May 26

This is a picture of me waking up, just before Justin surprised me with "real" diamond earrings on our first morning there. Isn't that an awesome place to wake up?

For breakfast that morning we walked about 100 yards up the road to a little store, called Kaya's store and kitchen, where we got breakfast. Here is Justin with his spam musubi (fried spam, rice, egg, wrapped in seaweed) a local breakfast treat. I had all those ingredients, except the seaweed, served on a styrofoam tray (like the one we buy meat on). It was good, I was sceptical, but pleasantly surprised, and we didn't contract any weird diseases that we know of. I love this little church across the street from the store, right behind that is the beach!

After breakfast we went to "our beach" and hung out for the morning. I mostly waded around, and sat on the beach chair. Justin snorkeled and explored all morning.

In this picture you can see how far out the waves break on the reef. About 200 yards out from the beach the water is shallow, and clear. I loved it, no waves knocking you over, or with "scary" things hiding in them. That's Justin waving!

We ate at a place in La'ie called Papa Ole's, very local food, and it ended up being our favorite place for a mix plate (usually terryaki beef, rice, and mac salad). I think we ate there 4 or 5 times. We were looking at some flowers they had there in a bowl of water and they gave me one, so I stuck it behind my ear. I wish we could have brought some smells and sounds back with us!

We went to the famous La'ie point to the hole in the rock. It was rainy and overcast, but we watched some locals jump from the rock, which was very entertaining!

That afternoon we drove up North to Haleiwa and went to the famous Surf and Sea store, and got our first shave ice, we were so excited about it that we took lots of pics of it.

Justin eating his shave ice, with "Surf and Sea" behind him, across the street.

Sitting by the sign.

In front of the surf shop boards.

"Sandy feet" at sunset at Haleiwa beach.

Beautiful sunset! We had to have more shave ice!

This is a sweet shot of a guy on his paddle board in the sunset.

This conlcudes our second day there, stay tuned for more!!!

Hawaii day 1- the first day there- arrival

Just a bit of advice before I get started, if you ever go to Hawaii and can help it, don't come back!

Actually I could have done at least 3 more days(a month would have been good, two weeks of the trip without our kids, and two weeks with them, would have been perfect). But I'm VERY happy about the time we got to have in Hawai'i, and the kids somehow got a little cuter while we were gone. It was a very rewarding and renewing trip. We need to book the next trip there soon!!! Other than seeing my kids, it was hard to come back!

There are SO many pictures, I know it'll take quite a few posts so sorry. I'm going to have to try to categorize them by day.

Monday, May 25, 2009

The first time on the beach, just after we arrived, at our condo.

Justin showing off the lovely place we got to spend the week, from our lanai.

The yummy Shrimp Shack down the road where we had our first dinner-YUM-O!!

(I had coconut shrimp, Justin had garlic shrimp, and we shared the last corn on the cob they had that day)

We drove in style in a convertible, and with the top down if possible. I couldn't believe how close we drove to the ocean, or how amazingly beautiful it was, I took TONS of pictures while we were driving, they'll get better as the trip goes on!

There is a huge tree at a major intersection coming over to the East side of the island, next to a place called the Hygienic Store. There are people on the weekend selling tons of tropical flowers, so we stopped and bought some. There were also some trucks selling some island food there.

This was only the first few hours here, many more of our days we did so much more, but here's a good beginning. Most posts will probably have a lot more pictures!

We stayed in a town called Punalu'u, and it's near Laie, the BYU Hawaii and PCC town. We loved it on that side of the island. The night we went to Waikiki, and Honolulu I was glad we were staying where we did. Waikiki was like being in Vegas, but on the beach. It was so tropical, quiet, and peaceful, and we felt like we were getting some culture where we stayed.

MIA no more

Here is a glimpse of where we have been lost for the last 6 days! It's hard to leave, although I'm anxious to see the kids.

Here's where we've woken up the past 6 days.

(this is the sunrise, not the sunset, we stayed on the East side of the island)

This picture is taken from the lanai that our bed is in front of.

Rough huh?

Typical breakfast.

(Fried spam, breakfast sandwich, and macadamia pancakes with cream, butter and syrup)
We have had to eat one or two of these a day!

(This was a specialty shave ice with pineapple ice cream in the bottom, then pineapple all around it,pineapple syrup, sweet cream, and whipped cream and a cherry on top)
We've had an AMAZING week!!!!!

Stay tuned, there's about 300 more pictures to come!

The unthinkable

This weekend most of my family was here for my cousin's farewell. Sunday morning my Dad shocked us all by "surprising" us when he came downstairs from the shower with his "huffy puffy" mustache all shaved off. While you may think, "so whats the big deal?" Well my dad hasn't had a bald upper lip since I was 3, thats right folks, for 27 years.

While we were all in shock, and trying not to stare too hard, my sister had a fake mustache in her bag (from a Cinco de Mustache party, I know weird). So Izac and my dad had their picture together, Izac with mustache, my dad without. It'll take some getting used to(especially for my mom, I think she may have peeed her pants) but it's a nice change, and he'll probably be cooler this summer in the 100 degree weather.

The PARTY!!!

Here's Izac first thing in the morning with the loot we gave him!

All the friends at the party in their "cowboy wear"

The Cake

The Decorations

Making Cowboy Vests

Pin the Tail on the Horse

Izac wanted to do lassoing as one of the activities, Justin rigged this steer head with some wire hangers and made it work. A real practice steer head cost $30. (too much for this event) Then Justin had to help them all swing the rope, he was such a good sport, and pretty good for a "city" boy.

Opening gifts. He has some of the most generous friends! Thanks everyone!!!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Birthday Cake Eating

Piniata, we had to do something Cinco de Mayo, good thing they had a horse.

The "Proud" Cowboy

Alex and Kate, so cute sitting on the straw.

It was a success!!! It took a long time to recover, but we had a good ol' time!!!!

Spoiled Mommy

That would be me. SPOILED ROTTEN!

Izac brought home a lovely little jar of bath salt on Friday, and said,"here mom I made you some salt soap. It had a lovely little picture of me on the wrapping (drawn by him) watering the flowers, if only he knew Justin is the one who waters the flowers, I always forget.

Sunday morning I woke up and had breakfast brought to me while I was getting ready. (not in bed, because we have church at 9) On the tray was a gift certificate to get a massage, one to get a pedicure, and some diamond earrings. Justin even went as far to call his friend's mom(THANKS Galyn) to see where she likes to get a pedicure. Way to do the research!

Then after church I had a nap, and then Justin took the boys to go visit his mom, and give me some alone time. When he got home he made me a super yummy salmon dinner, with rice, fresh pineapple, soy beans, and pina colada for our drink. He knows me well and proves it!!!

I don't deserve all of this, and Justin does a great job of doing things up right! I really appreciate the opportunity I have to be a mom, and all that I am learning from it. Somehow my boys were even cuter yesterday, and I had some moments of tenderness, reminding me that it's all worth it!!! I let things get to me easily and I realized that I really need to change my attitude and lighten up. These kiddos are growing up too fast.

Before going to bed last night Izac asked me: "Mom is it kids day tomorrow, so I get to do anything I want to do?" Sadly Izac no, we celebrated that last week, it was your birthday!

First Born 5

5 years ago this precious package became a part of our lives.

It has made every day more exciting, thrilling, adventurous, and full of love!

What a handsome, smart 5 year old you have become!!!

I can't believe my firt born is 5 years old!
We love you IZAC, Happy Bithday!

*stay tuned, birthday party post to come.

Easter 2009

I know this is late, but better late than never, right? We had an eventful Easter weekend, and the little boys and I extended into the whole next week, by staying in St. George.

On the Friday before Easter:

These fine people hiked Angel's Landing, in Zion. My sister said she was hiking with most of the "real men" that she knows! I agree! My mom and I had lunch with an old neighbor Becky, who we love, and then went shopping while the hikers were gone!

Justin, my sister Krista,my brother Kurtis, and my Dad

These two made it all the way to the top

Saturday:

Justin and I had a great reunion in Las Vegas, with Justin's two best friends and their wives and families, and had lunch at the Hard Rock Hotel with them. We had so much fun, and it was great to see them in person, instead of just blogs! We love and miss you guys, and can't wait to see you all again!

Sunday:
Little Easter church boys, these two really are handsome, they were just having a hard time getting their pictures taken!

But these little blue eyes can melt you!

My most handsome boys!

Izac's domain is my parents backyard when we're there. He is constantly creating animal lands. It's so fun to see his mind at work.

This picture is of Izac really into his horse land. He's so cute, in his element, and don't forget that cowboy hat, he insists we call him Texas when he's wearing it!

Easter egg hunt in my parent's backyard!

Izac and cousin Ben, egg hunting.

Loot!

Dessert!


Easter night we decided to sleep on the trampoline, under the stars. I wanted to show Izac how many stars there really are. We really can't sleep under the stars in the big city!

Monday:

We took Justin shopping, and to the airport to come home to Salt Lake without us. He's such a good sport to let us stay, and come home to clean, and get ready for the open house we had for the selling of our house. Izac was sad and cried when we left the airport cause he was gonna miss his dad.

Here are some of the events that took place after Justin came home:

One of Izac's favorite things is to visit my sister in law's parent's animals. This time we even got to get eggs out of the chicken coop, and had it the next day for breakfast.

On Saturday we went to the Kite festival. This is Izac and his best friend in St. George, my cousin Brendan, taking a wagon ride at the festival .

While I realize that this is a terrible picture, I had to document that I rode bikes with my sister down Snow Canyon, and back to my parents house.

What a fun time! There are alot of things left out. I am bad at remembering to take pictures when I have so many other things to worry about. We had dinner with my brother and his kids, lots of shopping, playing outside, visiting old friends, other cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles! Of course I love any time that I get to spend in St. George, with the people I love most!

I know I'm a boring blogger.
I promise to blog soon!

scary movie

I love to watch/listen to conference!!!!

It's so inspiring and uplifting!!!!

Good thing, because I needed something to get my mind off

of the discusting, and terrifying, and horrid movie

that my loving husband finally talked me into watching.

Batman: The Dark Knight

if you haven't seen it, DON'T

It made me scared, sick, and I seriously think I almost

had a heartattack while watching it.

It should be rated R!

Justin is in seroius trouble! Too bad for him, he will have to suffer watching

chick flicks FOREVER!!!! Maybe that will teach him a lesson!