Hawaii Part I

 

Since we were there for a week, I thought I would break up the posts into 2...that way I can blog the pictures easier and it doesn't get to overwhelming....Also, I'm too lazy to make collages of the pictures so you get them big in all their glory one by one:)

So One week ago we jetted off on Hawaiin Airlines to GORGEOUS Hawaii...It was a big plane...the biggest I have ever been on. It had a middle aisle with 3 seats and 2 sides with 2 seats...so fancy! We had a direct flight over there-about 6 hours and we watched 2 movies and were so excited to get there! 

Can I just say that when God created Hawaii he must have been smiling and extra happy, because it is breathtaking. We got out rental car....a convertible(ohh la la) and we completely in love with the scenery. So green and lush everywhere you look! We did lots of driving around the island and LOVED it! We stayed at Turtle Bay on the North Shore and just took out time seeing the sights getting there. We stopped at a shrimp truck on the way and were in love with the fields and the landscape.

We also stopped at the famous Matsumoto's Shaved Ice...it was awesome! We went back again too on this trip. They put ice cream in the bottom....YUMM-O!

 

This is the view from our hotel room...sigh...we slept with the windows open everynight and listening to the ocean waves...incredible.

Our hotel was really beautiful and private....Here are some shots from our walk around the first day.

We took a drive and found this cute place for dinner...food wasn't good but the atmosphere amazing...

 Doug told them this trip was for our anniversary-they brought champagne and then exchanged it for sparkling cider...

Crazy roots huh? Trees like this were everywhere!!

On our way to snorkel at Shark's Cove-Day 2

 This was one of my favorite things that we did on this trip-it gets a little scary to relax with your face in the water, but once you get going it awesome! I didn't buy an underwater camera, and we didn't take our camera down to the beach with us...so here we are a few hours later at sharks cove. The sea life was awesome and the water was clear! It's a work out for my preggo bigness but I loved it. The only down side was that later on that day it was killing me to sit...I look back at my giant butt and wouldn't you know I forgot to sunscreen the back of my thighs...OUCH! By the next day I was feeling much better, what a smartie I am!

 Another shot of the Cove....

 We headed up the road to the Dole Plantation...it was cool to learn about pineapples....I didn't know they grew in the ground? And that there were lots of different varieties...

They have crazy cool foliage....

 Pineapple ice cream...almost too sweet but good.....

As we were cruising back home we stopped at some random beach...we saw a bunch of people gathered around...hum...we thought let's go check it out...

It was so awesome to see real Sea turtles just resting on the beach!! Craziest thing...they come to the shore to rest...they looked like big rocks!

Okay-so I have heard of the plumeria flower, had lotions or soaps with the smell, but nothing compares to the real thing! They were in full bloom while we were there and the scent was incredible. I tried to have one in my hair as often as I could just to get a wiff every once in a while. Doug loved the smell too...

The classic preggo pose....

We went for breakfast on day 3 to the famous Ted's Bakery-Doug got yummy friend rice, we actually went back again it was that good. I got a macadamia nut donut....wow....

 Off to the next big adventure...SKY DIVING! Doug has always wanted to do this and now that is 100+ lbs. lighter, it was a breeze for him! He loved it and said it wasn't as scary as he thought it would be. He jumped tandem from 14,000 feet and loved looking down on beautiful Hawaii... They landed on the air strip, his guide told me look for the orange and red parachute...well wouldn't you know there was like 5 other orange and red ones in the sky at that time...shesh! So I didn't see him land, but he got to land standing...cool!

 Next thing I knew he was on the ground....yay! Safe and sound...I'm so happy. Happy to see him, and happy that he was able to do this for himself.

After that we headed to the PCC or the Polynesian cultural center and spent the rest of the day there. What a cool thing that the church has going on there! Giving kids from Polynesian islands a chance to come to BYU Hawaii and share their culture. Its kind of like a big amusement park with it separated out by islands. We were able to go and see most of the different islands and learn about each of them...really unique! I also ran into 2 people from my hometown..crazy small town Mormon world I tell you

 We also got to eat some authentic luau food...some was a litte wonky for my tastes, but it was fun to try it...

We ended the evening with a cool broadway type show, with dancing, fire, and music...a little like an Easter pagent or other church production...uplifting and amazing.
We weren't allowed to take pictures at it, bummer...but it was awesome...

Day 4 coming next....

Catching up

We had a huge dust/rain/hail storm the other night... Since it NEVER rains...We just had to let the kids play in it..they had a blast!!

Remember this dear friend? Our sister Regiane-Nonnie graduated from EAC with her nursing degree a HUGE accomplishment! We were so proud of her and happy we could be there to support her. She is so amazing...came to the states just 4 years ago, taught herself English, started school and now has a nursing degree! So impressive...we can't wait to see where she is going to go and get a job!

Doug and I had a PERFECT trip to Hawaii...a dream I tell you....I have like 200 pictures to sort through and share with you all. Until then here is a teaser....us at Shark's Cove...our favorite snorkel spot...and below at Kualoa Ranch- an incredible mountain....I am So in love with my Doug...and so very blessed...

An Unforgettable Birthday

 Doug and I turned the big 31 this past week. And in TRUE Dougie style, we celebrated with a bang! We took the girls out of school and went to saquaro lake on our new boat....oh lala! Being quite the handy/salesman, Doug traded a boat for a new A/C unit. And let me tell you it was a blast!!! We swam in the lake, had a picnic, played on the shore, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. I cannot wait for the family adventures and memories that we will make on this thing.

My awesome sister watched the kids while we went to dinner and test drove a few cars(our van is slowly dying:(

I just finished reading Heaven is Here, By Stephanie Neilson which talks about her trials of overcoming being burned 80% of her body. She shares the gospel, promotes motherhood, and is an incredible writer. I am so grateful for my health, and all my many blessings. So on our bday and everyday since, I have looked at motherhood differently.

That morning Doug gave me the shock of a lifetime. 

He surprised me a week long vacation in Hawaii! OH MY GOODNESS!!! Tears were running down my face, and I was weepy all day! I truly don't know how I got so lucky. He planned the flights, hotels, booked the sitters, and gave me a few days to prepare. I am giddy with excitement. Hawaii has always been on the top of our list of places we want to go-and wow....dream come true. I know this will be a perfect"baby-moon" and chance to reconnect before the real craziness of the summer hits. Sigh...and Doug is not just sweet with gift giving- he shows me everyday his love. He asks me daily, "What can I do to help?"  Today I had to take my phone into the store...I did NOT want to take the boys, so I asked when would be a good time for him to watch them. I told him, "I'm sorry I am such a burden on your busy schedule" To which he replied- You are my schedule, you are my life. Since we were 16 he has treated me this way....I LOVE HIM. What a blessing he is to me.

 The girls have been taking a little dance class and had a recital this past weekend. They were so cute up there dancing and wiggling their hips. Such precious girls! Our cousin Abigail came along for the fun...:)

 Mascara girls:)

I-phone pictures

We have been swimming now that it's hotter...so refreshing and cool!

Dress ups are always a plus....Grant has a super hero cape on

A few weekends ago, our friends invited us up to their cabin...and as luck would have it, it SNOWED! The kids and Dads suited up and played outside for all of 30 minutes..then back inside for hot cocoa....it was blissful!

Sometimes we don't get a nap and it gets to hard to stay awake....

Summer haircuts from Grandma...

Anyone else thinks this looks like my bro?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a.......

BOY!  We took the girls with us to the Dr. today, they were so adorable with their little inquisitive questions. He looks great and healthy and I have hardly gained any weight...score!

We can't wait to have another brother and missionary!

19 weeks to go....can I make it through the hot summer?

Easter and FHE temple night

The week of Easter I had a horrible sinus infection and a raspy cough. I was on meds and sleeping and had a fever and felt like crap! I'm so glad to be feeling better. And so grateful for modern medicine. Sat. rolled around and the Easter bunny had nothing ready for baskets or dinner. So a little sick, off to Walmart I went. Holy cow-it was busy! Got the stuff I needed and the next day we headed to church just for sacrament. I couldn't hardly talk let alone sing to do my calling. My sweet neighbor subbed and we came home to a peaceful evening together as a family. We decorated eggs, and had a hunt in the front yard. It felt a little weird not to have any other family around, but it was nice just to have my family.
Here are some pics from that day....

This past Monday for FHE we went down to our Gilbert temple. They were passing out pieces of the temple from a wall that was broken. We tried to get as much out of it as we could , but the boys were a little rowdy. We didn't stay very long. We drive past it almost every day and the boys will say, "Look Mom, it's my temple!" That's how I feel. It's huge and majestic and has been so fun to see the progess of the temple.

It was such a lovely day with temps in the low 80's that we went and got take out and went to a park by our house. We stayed until the sunset and enjoyed our time together. It's nights like this that make me so grateful for my husband and children. I have been so blessed and am so thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me. 

Here is little peanut..19 weeks along. I tease Doug and tell him that I feel like there is a little person in there because I feel so small. Being preggo with just one is crazy I tell ya:)

Cutest boys....