TEMPLE, BEACH and DOLE PLANTATION

DAY THREE: Saturday

Today we set out to go to Hanauma Bay but couldn't get in because it was full so we had to change our plans. We decided to go up and around the island to the north side and see the temple. It was a beautiful trip, so scenic. I actually loved this part of Hawaii, it was so beautiful. We passed the Kualoa Ranch that Lost was filmed on and the mountains looked just like the ones in the show. The ocean was beautiful and you could see other islands of rock that were so pretty. The temple was beautiful. I loved seeing it, the only problem was that we were all dressed for Hanauma Bay so we were all in our swimming suits. We were not feeling appropriately dressed for the temple grounds but we went anyways and we were warmly welcomed. We decided to take our picture behind the bushes to hide our immodesty! Haha! We thought we were funny! After the temple we had a fun little picnic and then made our way up and around to the funnest beach. I think that it was the Waimea Bay Beach. It had the hugest waves and as soon as we got there, Grace and Brinley ripped off there clothes and ran to the water. Lyndsie got stung by this funny looking insect and we had to go get the Life Guard to make sure she was going to live. And then we all got into the water and had the best time ever. The waves actually knocked you around like crazy, sweeping you off your feet! We laughed at each other so hard, Kim of course laughed so hard she peed her swimming suit. By the end of the afternoon, all of us were covered completely in sand. I mean handfuls of sand were everywhere you wouldn't want it to be! It took us forever to clean it off and when you thought you had it all taken care of you would find more. The sand was like cornmeal!

We traveled to the Dole Plantation, learned how pineapples grew and froze to death! By the time we made it back to the hotel, we were all exhausted and ready for bed. But we all had yet another fabulous day in Hawaii!

Every day we took a picture of Stockton and Sydnie for Mr. Wilson. For their Geography class, Mr. Wilson wanted them to keep a journal for each day and have a picture of the days events. Here is a picture of Lyndsie applying ice on the insect sting! And below are pictures of Stockton and what we called his Hawaiin tan:

SHOPPING and HIKING

DAY TWO: Friday

I couldn't wait to wake up in Hawaii and open up the curtains and look out and see the ocean and the palm trees and the beach. Since Hawaii is 4 hours behind, I woke up really early and was ready to go running ( I am training for a marathon and it is like a job!) The day was another fabulous one...We started out by going shopping at the International Market and we got business done there fast. We got Sam his shark tooth necklace that he came to Hawaii for! We all got our souvenirs AND when we were going into one of the shops something hit me on top of the head so hard. I stopped fast and asked "What was that?" and then something dropped again beside me and it was bird poop! I started to panic and yelled "IS THERE BIRD POOP IN MY HAIR?" And yes there was and a lot of it. Steve was all concerned and said "Oh wow Lyndsie, you are going to have to go help your mom wash that out of her hair!" I washed it out the best I could in the public restroom and then stunk the rest of the day and placed a nice Hawaiian flower to disguise the discoloration. Bad luck!

We went on a hike to a beautiful waterfall and then came back and got washed up and went to a restaurant where we sat on a deck and was able to listen to an Hawaiian band and watch the sunset out on the ocean. A perfect ending to a great day in Hawaii!

ALOHA!

First of all, I cannot believe that we even went to Hawaii, that we actually did it. But it was the best trip ever. All of us had the best time. We loved it, it was paradise for sure. A trip that we will never forget...not one of us! We hiked, surfed, swam, snorkled, went sight seeing, shopped, boogied boarded, body surfed, laughed, and played, played, played! We loved it...

DAY ONE: Thursday

Day one was the travel day. We got up so early but everyone was ready to go! Steve and Sam had a later flight because of Steve's frequent flyer miles. When we got to Hawaii, it was 11 so we still had the whole day ahead of us. We got settled into our hotel. Everyone went to the beach and then I headed back to the airport to pick up Steve and Sam. We later met everyone and then went for a walk down Waikiki Beach. We met a man with a parrot that let us take pictures with them. I was proud of Lyndsie because birds really freak her out and she was able to hold them. The beach was beautiful. The trees and flowers were beautiful too. After the beach and the walk, we went back to the hotel and got everyone settled and then we went to the grocery store to get some food for breakfast and then went to bed because we had been up for hours and we were exhausted. Hawaii is 4 hours ahead you know!

Today Brinley skipped out on school to go snowboarding with Gracie and McKhall. I went along also with Kim to keep her company inside the warm lodge while they snowboarded and we planned our trip to Hawaii.

Brinley went to a birthday party for Allison Allred. She is the one in the middle of the picture with the striped sweater on. She is such a sweet girl. They went clear up to Park City to a ceramic place and painted a fun ceramic project. Afterwards, they went to her Grandma's house who lives in Park City and had ice cream and cake. This picture was sent home with a little gift bag and their cute ceramic project. I love this picture, it is so cute of all of the girls. Brinley has such cute friends. Brinley said that this is one of her favorite birthday parties that she has been too.

Super Bowl Sunday!

The Super Bowl was super fun! We had dinner with the Larsens over at their house and then everyone came over to our house to watch the game. We had a yummy dinner and then yummy treats afterwards. Steve and Sam wanted one team to win and Stockton and Brock wanted the other team to win so we had a little bit of good old fashion rivalry going on. It was a fun night for everyone!

Kim and I signed Sam and Sara up for snowboarding lessons up at Powder Mountain. Sam insisted that he didn't need them because he already knew how to snowboard. He already had the skills. He was even a little mad that he had to take lessons because he just wanted to get on that mountain and go for it. I found a snowboard on KSL and we went to Pedersen's to buy him a helmet and then he finally was ready to take the lessons. He was excited! The first lesson Kim took him up there along with Sara and Easton. Stockton and Grace and Brinley also went. I was running a race with Stacy so I couldn't go and watch, but Kim told me that after the lesson, Stockton was brave enough to take Sam up for a run. Sam loved it, absolutely loved it! Wanted to go again and again but Stockton (being smart) said no, not until after a few more lessons. Sam thought he was so big though and could go all day. I love the picture below...it shows how confident Sam was and how he was ready to just keep going. It makes me laugh! I love it!