Family + Friends = FUN

This past week has been a whirlwind of fun activities with time spent with family and friends.
Elise and Reid and family were here for Spring Break. They drove up from Ko'olina and watched the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference with us and then we shared a salmon dinner 'picnic-style' on the cement tables at the School of Education patio. There was no way all nine of us could eat around our little table in our livingroom! Fortunately, the weather cooperated and we even took a little walking tour of the campus.

On Monday we all hiked the Manoa Falls Trail. This short hike (2 miles round trip) is beautiful with giant trees, bamboo forest, clinging vines and ending at a 160 foot waterfall and pool. It was not too strenuous even for old people.

Hiking the Manoa Falls Trail

 After this we drove to Chinatown and had lunch at the Golden Dragon. The girls had never had DimSum before and while it may not have been their favorite thing to eat, they were all good sports. On our way back to the car, we poked around the various fruit, meat, and junk stores. Sarah was in heaven as she spoke Chinese with several people. We were all impressed at her ability to converse with the waitress, shop owners and even one of grandpa's students. It was fun to watch. I am amazed!

From here we went to Waikiki to enjoy a little beach time and a little bit of sunshine. Reid and Camille, Hannah, Eliza, and Sarah all had a surf lesson while Elise, Emma, and I cheered them on from the seawall while we watched crabs and fish. They all managed to stand up on their boards and ride a wave or two. It looks like a lot of work to me. When they all got back to shore they were exhausted and had raw, red knees but were proud of their accomplishment!





On Tuesday Dennis took Reid golfing and while they did that, the rest of us drove over to Waimea for a picnic. We planned on staying in Laie but Hukilau and Castles beaches were so cold and windy that we hoped the North Shore would be better. We did manage some sunshine there and the girls had a great time body surfing in the big waves at Waimea. We all had dinner at the Kuhuku Grill and then went to watch the night show at the PCC. As with the Cromwell kids, the fire dancing was a big hit.

Thursday, Dennis and I drove down to Ko'olina and met up with them. We drove out to snorkel at Electric Beach. It was a bit of a swim to get out to where the bubbles from the pipes empty into the ocean and there are supposed to be quite a few fish out there. But there is a current that runs alongside and it is a little scary to get caught in it. I've decided I really don't like open-ocean snorkeling. I'd rather paddle around an enclosed area like Shark's Cove which I really enjoy- except for the name.

 Anyway, from there we spent the afternoon at Makaha, the only place on the island that seemed to have any sunshine. It is so far away that not many people go there though so it is quite nice. We stayed the night with the Swensons and even played a little canasta which would have been very fun except for a couple of big cheaters - You know who you are!

On Friday, Reid took Dennis on a deep sea fishing trip. They left early in the morning, drove up to Haleiwa, and spent the morning fishing for mahimahi.

 They both said the hour of fishing was great but it was a long ride out and an even longer ride back. They had good luck though and caught eight. They were allowed to keep 25 pounds and then the boat sells the rest to Cholos, a Mexican restaurant in Haleiwa. They said they are good fighters and it would take around 15 minutes to get one on board. One creepy thing that happened was when they had one fish on the line and were reeling it in, a shark came up and bit a chunk out of it! Yikes!

While the boys were off fishing, the girls enjoyed a morning of pool time - so relaxing, so nice to just sit around and visit. The Marriott even had a mermaid show in the afternoon. She sat at the edge of the pool and told all about her family and life under the sea. She swam in the water and let all the kids touch her scales, fin, tale or body. Whatever. I guess we all know what Emma wants to be for Halloween!

Five bathing beauties!!

 Dennis and I had planned on coming home that afternoon, but after their good luck fishing we decided to stay and barbeque fish with them and enjoy one last meal together. It was so nice to be able to spend time with family. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and are so sad that we don't have any more visits to look forward to. Picture me with my sad face...

Saturday morning was BYUH graduation and Dennis walked with other faculty members, wearing his robes. I sat in the audience and it was really interesting and fun to watch. I was surprised at how many of the graduates we knew. It is a such a small school that all the colleges are able to walk together. As the names were read, their country was also announced. I am continually amazed at how diverse this campus is. I truly love seeing all the various cultures represented.

This is a picture of Mel (Melanie) the fiancee of one of the members of our branch. She is great - She plays on the girls volleyball team that won second in the nationals. We are very proud of her!





On Sunday we met up with our good friends Jon and Mary Elton. They came to church at our little branch with us and then we all had dinner together.  On Monday while Jon, his friend Randy Day, Elder Rowell and Dennis were all golfing at Kuhuku, Mary and I took a drive over to Haleiwa for a nice long visit and some shave ice. It is so good to see them after so long.

What a great week this has been! But now time to get back to work!!

Great friends together again