blog about hawaii-check

So everyone keeps asking me how hawaii was.

I think this picture says it all.

My favorite beach on Oahu is conveniently on this air force recreational station.

Which means it is only accessible to military members.

There is this huge stretch of gorgeous beach, and great waves,

with barely anyone on it.

They have little 2 bedroom houses right on the beach for rent for cheap.

They have camping too, a driving range, mini golf, tennis courts, basketball,

volleyball, a playground, everything for rent, surf lessons, kayaks etc.

A store, gas station, laundry facilities, subway, snowcone shop,

and another restaurant. Perfect right?

So here's my idea. How about we have a Reneer meet up right

here next summer? Brilliant right?!

Here's the view looking the other direction on the beach.

sand castle making is always popular.

Here is one of the houses, two are connected and we rented two.

Our breakfast view in the morning.

Look how close you are to the water. Some are even closer.

Everyone's favorite is boogie boarding.

It is so awesome to just go out anytime you want day and night.

Ammon unfortunately was not feeling well towards the end of the trip. And to be honest I was really struggling half the time to keep it together myself. After 2 months of traveling, I just wanted to be home and recoup. We all were really exhausted but our trip was pretty laid back, and we didn't try to do a million things.

Another benefit of staying at a military facility is seeing marines train further

down the beach. very cool.

Of course, those weren't the only big guns on the beach.

(ha ha)

We die over this picture because the way it is angled Jacob looks

so huge and rachel small.

(I mean Jacob really is just huge. smile)

Oh to be 17 again.

Jacob has been working really hard this summer to get bigger.

I so remember my brothers at this age.

In fact, my brother kenny (who is almost 40) is still telling my kids

they can pay him to feel his muscles.

Oh, the hours of spotting my brother Brett while he bench pressed

in the garage, and him telling me he has bigger boobs than me.

Oh, boys.

They had a lei making class that the girls enjoyed.

They also offer hula lessons.

I have a picture of dave that looks exactly like this.

I'll find it and post it. Crazy.

and below would be what i would look like. ha.

Hangin out on Waikiki beach walking around and waiting to go to beni hana.

again, ammon crying. he had a rough week.

Happy 17th birthday Jacob.

Dave also took him to swim with the sharks for his birthday.

My favorite was walking out early one morning and there was lizzie already out there

boogie boarding.

I loved to do yoga on the beach every morning.

That isn't me out on the jetty, but I would go out there and read when

no more sun was on the beach in the late afternoon.

but mostly, i would just set myself up on the beach.

Jacob giving Lizzie some boogie boarding advice.

it worked.the kids insisted that we go to the Polynesian cultural center.

They loved it so much last time we went to Hawaii.
Our favorite guy was still there in the village of Samoa.

He is so dang funny.
Here he is later running around.

trying to make fire.

New Zealandfishing in Tahiti.Tongathis one is really funny too.

Can you find the Ives?

the hula in Hawaii.

tattoos in Fiji

what's for dinner.

They had a new night show called HA. It was really good.

So add the polynesian cultural center to the reunion agenda.

the kids will love it.

My favorite was the discovery of the kanak burger

at Teddy's bigger burger.

There is a really cute town called Kailua that is close to

Bellow AFB where we were staying.

Has fun little shops and good restaurants.

Of course, I couldn't try them all because I became obsessesed with .........
wait for it......THIS!!!!!(it should be called the heart attack)

Yes, my friends, I had three of them.

It is no wonder that I am now few pounds heavier than

when I left this summer.

It was so worth it!!

After that third one though, i got the obsession out of my system.

(at least until next time I go to hawaii. ha ha)

Our beautiful drive to the airport.

But this is the reality of the end of our trip.

We all felt this way.

There is such a thing as too much family time.

smile.

So while our trip to hawaii was beautiful and memorable.

Again, there is a wonderful beauty in the ordinary every day life.

Doing my little routine can be heavenly.

I am creating my little corner of order and beauty

in a chaotic world.

But a little bit of hawaii now and then doesn't hurt, wink.

So what do you think my brothers and sisters?

Hawaii summer 2012? Who's in?

Back in the saddle again.

This is one of my favorite pictures ever of lizzie.

Such an expression of perfect contentment.

It is the expression that we are all wearing right now.

While our summer was absolutely amazing and wonderful..

let's face it, we were starting to be really irritable from

lack of sleep, lack of schedule, suitcase living, junk food eating,

and just a little too much time together (smile).

Everyone is back to their perfect happy selves, and i like them

all again! (Phew, I was really starting to worry....really).

So Monday was the first day of school. Everyone was so excited,

and looked so cute. We shopped well this summer.

Our favorite place for the girls was "Plato's closet" in Reno.

Oh my mom! If you are ever in the Reno area, your gambling

money would be way better spent there. It is second hand store (gently used)

for teenage cool clothes (and for us hip mom's too. smile)

We were there for hours, and multiple times. They opened up another

store right next to it with high end stuff for older women (think ann taylor).

But Ammon was having nothing to do with it at that point. dang.

Lizzie's outfit above is from "Forever 21" they have a kid

section in the Sandy, Utah mall and it is a must hit for

school shopping. Lizzie really scored there.

Rebecca, Leah and Rachel (and me) got really cute hair cuts

ala Aunt Coco. Isn't Rebecca cute with her bangs? Nicole layered it,

and now it is so curly. Especially here with the humidity.

Leah is at the middle school with Rebecca this year (6th and 8th grade).

Leah is so excited to have a locker and switch class rooms, and to just

be older, and one of the big kids.

She told us this morning that all the 6th grade boys think Rebecca is Hot.

I told her, "good thing you look just like her!"

Rebecca has been so sweet with Leah helping her around school,

and picking out cute outfits for her to wear every day.

Doesn't Rachel look pretty?

She will be sweet 16 in just a couple of months!

Joe cool senior.

All of us girls had fun dressing jacob.

Every day we pick him out outfits

and ooh and ahh.

Jacob does not lack for feminine attention.

(at home or at school).

How fun to be a senior, and at the top of your game.

How fun to be in a small, close knit school where

you know and like everyone.

I am happy for him

Joe cool is actually a big goof ball.

My favorite, was the first day of school after they came home (lizzie's pictures above

are from after she got home because i forgot to take a pictures before. duh)

I took their picture, and then video taped them talking about the first day of school.

They all came home so happy and excited and full of stories.

I think that is a tradition i will continue.

I am just so happy to be back to my little simple house. I love to clean it and keep every-

thing running smoothly. I am happy to report that I have not missed a night yet of making a delicious dinner. I have done it happily, and it really makes everyone else happy too. I even grilled on the BBQ for the first time by myself. Yes, I almost burned off all my hair, but i did it. I made the yummiest steak tacos, with a grilled corn, avocado, red onion, lime juice etc. topping. It was a proud moment.

I am going to bed early, and getting up first thing and reading my scriptures. Breakfast at

7:15am, family prayer at 7:30am.

You must realize routine is very difficult for me. How long can I keep this up before life overtakes me. I must keep it simple, keep the routine (that is my mantra), oh and

be gentle with myself, and treat everyone like i treat ammon. smile. he is so easy to love.

Speaking of ammon, i forgot how angelic he is when he is home and getting enough sleep.

Really, i can't believe how well he did on the trip, but by the end he had had it.

Yesterday, he was so sweet and delightful. My joy was full.

My day yesterday? Morning routine with kids, Ammon eating breakfast in his high chair as

I got dressed and finished up my to do list for the day and emails etc. house all in order, bed made. Laundry moving, dishwasher humming. We leave the house at 11am to take forgotten lunch money to lizzie, and sit with her at lunch. Enjoy, how joyful all the 5th graders are. How innocent still and happy. Then to the thrift store to drop off a couple of bags, and peruse. What joy to find that they are giving away 10 free books per person, and ammon quietly reads a book i give him in his stroller while i enjoy searching for the perfect 10 books. I really found the perfect smattering of marriage, financial, novels, Korean non fiction, and a little something for everyone. While in the thrift store, I receive a call from the commissary (grocery store) that I have won $50 in the drawing that I entered last week. It's like the best day ever. smile. So after doing a few more errands around my little small base, I come home for a yummy lunch with ammon and put him down for a nap, read a little, and visit with Lizzie after school. Then I am off to get a new rations card with Dave, post office, and then to the commissary to receive my prize and do my grocery shopping. After that I stop by the high school football field, and watch jacob's football practice for a while. Then home to make dinner, and visit with the rest of the kids. We have pulled pork sandwiches on the yummiest rolls, a homemade macaroni salad, and grapes. We all talk as a family and hang out the rest of the night. I love how my kids are so social and want to tell me every detail. Jacob most of all, ha. Then family scripture, prayer, ammon to bed, homework, shower and reading "founding mothers" for book club on Thursday night. Lights out and in bed by 10:30pm.

That my friends, is my perfect day.

I love when school first starts, and spirits are high.

Discouragement, and frustration hasn't set in yet.

When hopes are high for the year, and anticipation is great.

Everything is still new and exciting.

Even a freshly sharpened pencil brings a smile.

A fresh start.

There is nothing like it.

This Saturday we go to the temple. The perfect end to the perfect first week.

Today looks like another great day. I just am now hearing Ammon's happy ramblings at 930am. You know his "ballyball" etc. (his is a world in which balls are the only thing he sees. ha)

I was able to blog this morning. Now if i can just exercise!

Here's to another day filled with the exhilaration that

comes when you cross off things on your to do list.

(i just love that feeling).

P.S. The hardest part of coming home is now I miss you all more. Thank you again

to all of my dear friends and family who made this such a memorable summer.

and yes, pictures will be following shortly. It's on the to do list! smile.