Never Leave Your Partner Behind!

OK, if you have not seen this movie yet, I highly recommend it. If you want a feel good, remember what we're all working for, and who's helping us along the way kind of movie, than this is it.

I've been wanting to see it since I saw the previews, then it came out on video, and I debated weather to rent it, or buy it. Then last night I made a sanity trip to Target to calm my nerves, and decided to put together a date night bag for Matt and I, since he's been working so hard this week with the big move of his A&P store and all, (a whole other post) and found this there. (on sale non the less... it must be destiny) So I grabbed it, a couple soda's, some cheesecake kisses, and gave them to Matt last night.

He loved it. Its not a mushy gushy chick flick. But it's a great reminder to those who can sometimes get caught up in the hum drums of life, and forget what's really important. I am one of those who is at times guilty of thinking every things 'his fault', and forgetting that the best way to love someone is to serve them.

You know its been a cold winter...

You know its been a cold winter when you start running errands and leaving the house without a jacket at the slightest hint of a warming trend. Maybe a sweatshirt sometimes, but tonight I was in short sleeves and had to go out to a cold car. (oh, and did I mention the warm temperature I'm running around without a coat in is a balmy 15-25?) I know, I've been in Alaska way too long.

Our trip to the Dole Pinapple Plantation

Happy 10th Babe!

Matt and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary by finally taking that trip to Hawaii that we've been talking about for years. We stayed up in Laie, and loved being on the North side, away from all the craziness of Waikiki and Honolulu. We kept pretty busy, visiting various beaches, and tourist spots since Matt had never been there before.

Day One, Ana Moana Mall, International Marketplace, Hukilou Beach, Pictures in the park, and dinner at Turtle Bay Resort. (highly recommend, it was yummy)

Day Two, we spent at Ko Olina resort trying to snorkel, but mostly me laying out on the beach, and Matt beach combing. We stopped at a couple of fruit stands for some tangelos, star fruit, and really great pineapple. Then we drifted into Pearl City for dinner, and headed back to North Shore.

Day Three we planned headed to the Stadium Flea Market, and I had a ball shopping for treasures and trinkets to bring home to our loved ones. Then we went over to Pearl Harbor, and the Bowfin Submarine. This was Matt's favorite part. Afterwards, we headed up the east coast towards home, stopping along the way to admire sights, eat some Chinese at the beach, and check out stuff for the next day's itinerary.

Day Four we decided to walk. All Day! It was of course MLK day, so parking downtown by the zoo was crazy, and we had to walk quite the distance to get to the zoo, where we walked around for a couple hours, then we drove the short distance to Diamond Head where we hiked to the top, then we stopped at Makapuu Point for the whale watching and Lighthouse hike up and around the mountain. Afterwards, we devoured some dinner, and headed home to Laie.

Day Five we went in search of Sharks Cove. We walked through the famous (though I have no idea why) North Shore Market and finally found our Snorkeling heaven. It was awesome, and Matt enjoyed his first time with this sport. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to shower and clean up because I had forgotten how stinky snorkeling is...especially when one puts a beautiful shell in their swimsuit pocket who's previous occupant is dead, but not quite vacant. Everything had to be washed, it was so stinky! We took our dinner of Fumis Shrimp and steak dinner to the beach, where we ate, and enjoyed our last night together in Hawaii.

Last day, we went to the Flea Market again, then back up to the Dole Plantation we passed daily, and did the world famous maze, and enjoyed some yummy pineapple ice cream before we headed to the airport and reality. Major thanks to my parents for watching my munchkins all week. Not only did they have all three kids, but they had our little Bear as well. What good sports.

We visited BYU Hawaii on the last day, and did a once through in their bookstore. Pretty campus. Why again did I chose Ricks over this place?

Do you Know what this is?

It was about 2 inches in diameter, and hard and dry. We found it on the rocks, but it was so weird looking, I didn't dare pick it up. Any ideas on what it is?

This was right on the other side of the rocks were we were snorkling.

We walked around the rocks to get in on a shallow side. The water was amazingly blue, and clear.

Finally on the second to last day we found the famous Shark's Cove everyone had been telling us. (15 minutes from our Hotel) It was a beautiful place to go snorkling, and we had it all to ourselves for the first hour or so.

You can see the top part of the temple has already been sandblasted.

The temple lights were scheduled to be turned off with the renovations on the 15th, but we were lucky, and they were on all week. Unfortunately the temple is closed for the next 18months so they can completely tear apart and rebuild the inside and sandblast the outside.

Another Light House we hiked to.

This was an amazing view at the top of Diamond Head, and I'm so glad we did it. Way worth it.

Our first morning in Oahu on the Hukilou beach

Chinaman's Hat

Now, know the Hawaiin rule's for pronouncing vowels, how would you say it?

I am so glad we happened upon the Buddhist Temple. I remember seeing pictures of my parents there on their 10th anniversary. It was a really cool, serene, peaceful place. Matt and I both loved it.

Rainy first day, and no blow dryer. What do you expect?

An awesome rainbow that stretched from horizon to horizon in Pearl City on our third night. We loved these evening showers that happened almost every night. It was a cooling relief to Matt.

Matt in front of the Bowfinn Submarine. It was a pretty cool tour, especially if your husband is a big war buff like mine is.

Heading back up out of the sub...

Yes, I was kind of cheesing it up for the camera. (a girl can only take so many military and artillery mechanics before she gets a little bored and has to become creative)

This was a group that was going out about 100 yards or so from shore, and spear fishing. If you look at where the waves are capping, that's how far out they were, and the water was only up to their thighs.

Any time we were on the beach for more than 5 minutes, Matt was beach combing for treasures to bring home to the kids. This one was at Maunalua Bay.

Around the corner from Hanauma Bay. The Waves were amazing crashing up against the rocks on these clifs.