Kezia's 5th Birthday!

Draft- needs some details, but will have to wait till tomorrow. GOing to bed.

I have been having too much fun to remember to blog recently.

Wednesday-trying a new job chart with the kids. Includes practicing the primary song for their solos in October. My favorite primary song 'Baptism'. Met up with Sharon and the kids at the pool. We had salmon! Yum! Later did some digital scrapbooking---so much fun!

Thursday- lounged around, did some school work with the kids, I took a nap (pregancy exhaustion), and then went to the beach after dad got home from work. We went to White Plains beach for a picnic dinner (daddy made us sandwiches) and watched dad surf. The kids played in the sand and dad took each kid out one at a time to play in the waves. Later that night I went to Sharon's to talk about digital scrapbooking.

Friday- McGarry Kids' Farewell Swimming Party, dinner at home (simple grilled cheese), and watched Nacho Libre. Let the kids stay up way too late, but too tired to get them in bed.

Saturday- Leonards Malasadas (Yum) What is it? From google- Bite into a fresh malasada and you’ll understand why this simple little bakery is so popular. The malasada is a Portuguese donut that's golden brown and crunchy on the outside, with soft, fluffy dough on the inside. This hole-less donut is then rolled in sugar for a delicious finish. We then went to the swap meet, submarine cancelled due to mirky conditions, walked along Waikiki and a few hotels, played at the park, the kids joined other Keiki's playing football and bubbles, hated the traffic, went to Target to get some odds and ends, Costco to get food for dinner tomorrow night. Baked a Costco pizza for dinner and enjoyed watching Michael Jackson videos. Thriller late at night with the little ones does not mix. I wrapped gifts for Kezia.

Sunday- lei for Kezia, Ariel in the tub, church, naps, McGarry's for dinner- kabobs, cupcakes (made with Kezia), and sherbet ice cream.

June is Almost Over!

I can't believe this month is almost over. It doesn't help that the kids and I were sick for 2 of the weeks of the month. But all feeling better now (a bit of coughing at night as started again, let's cross our fingers).

Monday the kids and I took it easy around the house. Lots of movies (guilty mom), but I was able to get the laundry done and a bit of 'Breaking Dawn' in (will I ever finish it?). We met up with the McGarry's at the pool for an hour. Came back home and greeted dad shortly after that. He treated me to a new toy for the computer again. Some 4GB memory cards for the computer to back up pictures, etc. Instead of going to the lagoon we took the evening and planned the rest of our weeks ahead to make sure we got in all the activities we wanted before coming home. It was good to do because we have to budget in everything as well, with hopes of not going into any debt. We also tried planning what to do for the older 2 kids' birthdays. It should be fun in the weeks ahead.

Tuesday I got on my digital scrapbook program and finally figured out how to download free scrapbook page kits and put them into the program. I was so excited to find some fun beach and Hawaiin themed page kits. I hope I can get some done along the way. I also got some good facebook conversation in with Sara and Becky as well as a phone conversation with Eve and A. Tammie. It was so fun to hear from all of them. It makes me miss home even more, but it gives me comfort too. It was interesting to hear that Sara, Becky, and Eve are all going through the same bumps in the road with their husbands' current jobs and possible future jobs....who will live in Arizona, D.C./Virginia, Idaho, or other....we shall see what the future holds. I will be sad if any of them move (including us possibly), but I am sure it will be for the better.

That night we went out as a family to the Pearlridge Mall. We found a used book store and had some fun exploring there. Got a few books and a video for the kids. They had their giant insect display located throughout the mall(s). The mall is huge and it has an uptown and a downtown portion to it. We went to the Hello Kitty store and a few more and then went upstairs to take the $.50 shuttle/tram to the other part of the mall. The insect display was even bigger on that side of the mall. The younger 2 kids took a fun little train ride around the giant insects while Kai and I went to Payless. Who knew Payless would be selling Airwalks (better brands, eh)? But I wasn't about to spend almost $40 on 2 pair of shoes for Kai with even the buy one get one 1/2 sale going on. We decided to wait and shop around some more.

We heard about Moe's Grill (similiar to Bajios and Cafe Rio- but not as good) and was able to use 2 Happenings Book coupons. After dinner, the kids and dad went to GameStop and I hit a fun bargain store for some various b-day decorations and goodies for their birthdays.

Side note: While at the restaurant, CNN was on and Kai and Jason had a conversation about North Korea and the troops that are fighting in various parts of the world for our freedom. To back up a bit, located on Ford Island (where Jason is working) they had this giant golf ball looking structure. It's made to go out in the ocean and help with our missile defensive system for the possible threat that North Korea will send a missile on or around July 4th to hit the island. On our way to the mall we looked out toward the island and reminded the kids that the giant structure was gone and out to sea. While at the restaurant we wanted to educate Kai about what many of the men and women do in our behalf for our freedoms. We told him that the island had many areas where the military lived and worked to help make sure our freedom was protected. We didn't say anything about the possible threat of the missile launching toward us, but later that night before going to bed he came into our room scared. He was worried about missiles and our safety (even though we didn't say anything about the threat). It was a great opportunity for us to remind him of the importance of personal prayer and to have the desire to pray to Heavenly Father for comfort. He said a prayer with us that was so from the heart. He felt better and was able to go to sleep quickly after that.

Some Pictures!

Kezia's coconut piggy bank from Grandma Simmons. It's missing it's flower above the ear.

A view of our new place. I took the picture from the middle of the stairs looking down toward the first floor. Yeah for air conditioning.

Honolulu Zoo, Girls Night Out, Sea Life Park, and a Happy Father's Day!

The Tiki Bar- Saturday's Linner!

A great read! This man was watching the dolphin show in front of us. Some good things to think about!

Pictures from Sea Life Park!

Stingrays

Honolulu Zoo

A great shot taken by Jason! This is the golf course/resort we are staying at.

The kids loved going through the tunnel to then come up in the middle of the tank to see the fish swim by at the zoo.

What a fun weekend. Friday, our new friend Sharon drove me and the kids along with her youngest and his friend to the Honolulu Zoo. We had a great time seeing the animals. It's not a huge zoo or anything unique, but it was fun to go and enjoy the day watching the kids look at the animals. Eli loved the monkeys. Kai of course loved the python (probably one of the only snakes on the entire island, since their illegal), and Kezia loved the pink flamingos (favorite color, I guess).

That night I was invited by Sharon to go with her to Lynn's home (a friend of Sharon's that I met at the pool several days previously). Sharon, Lynn, Sara, Angela, Alohalani, and myself had a great time playing Phase 10. It was so much fun getting together with other girls for some good laughs, venting, and just good conversation. Angela introduced us to 'Cardio with the Cullens' on YouTube.

Saturday we went to the east of the island to Sea Life Park. We invited Sharon's daughter and had a blast watching the beautiful sea animals. My favorite was watching the scuba diver feed the stingrays. I've heard of how big stingrays can be and I was amazed at the size of the ones we saw in this tank.

Afterwards Jason took us to the Tiki Bar in Honolulu. It was an older joint next to a boat dock. We then went to Kmart to do a little shopping.

Today the kids and I made a very late breakfast for Jason. I am not a morning person. Church was good. The kids are enjoying the social time. The ward is very good at making you feel welcome. Something I hope to always remember and to take with me. I am a shy person and I hope to use this experience to always welcome others better in whatever situation. I am sure the people visiting are nervous being the visitor and it's my job (shy or not) to fellowship them no matter what. We spent the evening just hanging out. Tired and all. We hope to get Grandma Simmons to visit us again (airline tickets are expensive right now) so we our exploring the options. Aloha and goodnight.

Enrichment Night--A Night Out for Mom

Ko Olina- a smaller public beach at sunset

Eli and Dad surfing on the boogie board. It was so funny watching Eli paddle so hard with his arms.

Let's walk on Kai.

Paddle White Boy, Paddle! Jason paddling to attempt the surf.

Our backyard view in the Kailua House.

An early birthday present from Grandma. Two nights before she left she helped treat the kids to a night at Chucke Cheese.

The Ko Olina Resort. You can't see where we are staying. It's further east and a bit south. Seen here is just the Lagoons of the Resorts. Just north of the top Lagoon is a real small inlet. This is where we took the picture of the kids at the top of this post. There is another big lagoon and Marina to the south of the 3rd lagoon, not seen on the picture.

Monday the kids and I enjoyed an afternoon at the pool with Sharon, Matthew, Lynn (she's in the ward), and Lynn's kids. It was so nice to have some adult conversation. I felt like I was talking the most out of everyone. Jason and I talk when he comes home from work, but he knows and I know it's nice to have others to talk to as well. Talking to family and friends at home on the phone and over the computer have helped, but the actual real live interaction is nice to have.

Sharon left Matthew with us while she picked up her other kids from school. They all came back and swam with us some more. Later, Kai and Kezia went to their place for an hour to hang out. It was so nice of them to allow them some friend time...even Kezia...she hung out with their 9 year old daughter. Eli and I just chilled with a snack and the news after another short drive on the golf cart. He cried when we dropped them off at their house...he was sad to see his siblings run off and play.

That night we had a quick version of taco salad and headed off on the golf cart with dad to one of the resorts to walk around. The resort is very fancy, not too much to do there, but very beautiful. We walked around their outside aquarium and saw the fish, a few sting rays (one was at least 5 feet long), and they had several hammer head sharks lurking around another area of the water. They are about 4 feet long, not too big. You can't get real close to them, so it's hard to see them clearly, but it was cool seeing their top fin eerily coming out of the water. (d,d,d,d,d,d,d,--Jaws theme)

Tuesday the kids and I took a day trip to Lagoon 2. It's one of the smaller lagoons and less busy, however they don't' have the nice beach chairs from the resorts to sit and lay on. No big deal when you're always with the kids. We played in the sand, in the water, in the sand, in the water, etc. We were going to stay long enough for me to sunscreen the kids again when I smelled the little dude. Water and poo don't mix. Thank goodness for the outdoor showers they have there to get the sand off...yes, he streaked for a bit so I could get a final rinse off the little but. He wasn't the only streaker around there when it came to little ones :) .

That night we took it easy. Eli slept while I made dinner (Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie). I am getting to know the Bisquick mix pretty well when it comes to being creative with the limited items we have (it's nice having food storage at home). I then was setting out to make yummy fruit smoothies. I had a great chat with Sara on Facebook while the kids and dad watched "Hotel for Dogs." Then when I finally got everything ready to make the smoothies, the dumb blender was shot. It actually blended some, but didn't chop the ice at all. So I took out all the ice and blended the fruit and milk....chopped the ice with the refrigerator's ice dispenser and blended it in. It wasn't good at all. Disappointing.

Wednesday was a hard day for me to wake up. Because Eli took a late nap yesterday, he didn't go to bed till around midnight Tuesday night. I was feeling pregnant today....I couldn't wake up real easily, then had an late morning nap, and then another at 3 p.m. I was very lazy with the kids. They pretty much entertained themselves with the computer, t.v., and coloring. I took advantage as well and read some more of Breaking Dawn.

When Jason came home from work we all took a dip in the pool. I came home early to get ready to go with Sharon to Enrichment Night. We had a Bisquick pizza with yummy pineapple sausage from Costco and fresh Dole Pineapple as toppings. Enrichment night was great! Some of the sisters displayed items that they are crafty at or have hobbies for/talents for and then the Patriarch of their stake spoke about Patriarchal Blessings. It was a great lesson and reminder about the importance of Patriarchal Blessings. It's making me sad I left mine at home. I would sure love to read it right now.

I was very humbled and grateful for the sweetness that I received while at the meeting. So many of the sisters were quick to introduce themselves to me and want to know about me. We had a yummy dessert of fruit and cake as well as a decorated pineapple with various fruits skewered on it. Sharon has been so friendly to me since we've made contact. Her husband showed up at the church later with the kids to play basketball with the guys...I am sure Jason will love that next week...he'll be one of the few tall, skinny, white boys there. This ward has tons of natives...it's no neat to see so many of the sisters wearing moo moos. One sister displayed her amazing talent of lei making with ribbon and other means of fabric. Sharon was awesome and played one of her favorites "Bella's Lullaby". She absolutely loves the books. She is on the 3rd book for the 4th time through the series.

Speaking of, I am tired and want to go and read my book. Lagoon again tomorrow, this time with Sharon and her son Matthew. I feel very blessed she is willing to hang out with me. It's amazing to me that they are staying in the exact place we are (they sold their home just weeks prior, sooner than expected) and will be leaving in a month back to Utah to live with her parents (in our home ward) until they get a home finalized in the Syracuse area.

Aloha!

Weekend in the New Place

Saturday after the enjoyable pool...it was nice and cool and not too busy. We headed out to Kmart and Costco. Kezia got a new bathing suit. It's too bad they don't make them to fit her bum and waist a little better because we found one that was so adorable. It was a 2 piece, something that I don't want to encourage, but it didn't show her tummy and it fit her well on top. But because of the small waist, the bottoms (it came with a skirt too) were too loose and would eventually get looser.

Costco- we can't get out of there without spending at least $2oo. It's unreal how much more things cost around here. Everything on average is about $2 more or so than things in Utah. Examples: Little Ceasers' Pizza $7 for a hot and ready medium, $4 gallon of milk, $5 for chocolate milk, candy bars $.70 or more, etc. They charge a fee for any canned or plastic container drinks. They will reimburse you if you recycle them.

After the trip to Costco, we went on a drive up the west shore and was able to pull over to watch some crazy surfers hit some crazy waves. Further up the coast they don't have it paved to wrap around the island completely. We have this great surfing map that indicates that in this corner of the island where it's not paved that the waves in the winter season can get up to 30-5o feet tall. Unreal!!! It's called Ka'ena Point.

On the way back down the coast we went to Kapolei and had Chinese Food. We stopped in at one restaurant and the entire place was booked for a graduation party. These people know how to party.

Side note: Along the coast line you'll find many parties going on with bounce houses and tons of canopies. The west coast line has several spots where tents and official beach bums are. I am sure it's a lot busier than normal because of the economy. It seems as though they weren't just beach bums, but actual homeless folk. It was pretty sad and crazy looking.

We found another Chinese Restaurant that was very nice. The people working there were Chinese and very friendly. The food was really yummy....and made for great leftovers today. Jason and I got a $1 movie- Australia. It was a good movie....lots of differences in the make of the movie, but I really enjoyed it.

Sunday- we were 15 minutes late to Church because of leaving a tad late and for missing the freeway exit. The church was a typical Utah building look-a-like. A lot different than the ward house in Kailua. The building was actually a lot bigger than what I am used to...the hallways and classrooms were bigger. We felt very welcome. The McGerry's attend here. Jason's coworker was also there today, vacationing with his family. We felt very "fellowshipped". It was a great day. It's more of a Hawaiian ward, lots more native and not as many military...it just had a different vibe. We enjoyed the ward in Kailua, lots of friendly people, but it was great to get a more Hawaiin feel to it in this ward.

After church, we got on the wrong freeway entrance and then took a drive to Ewa Beach. Jason was able to find out where he can take the boat to get to work in the mornings. He may or may not do it based on time, but it will make for a fun outing as a family in the future. Nap time in the car and at home. We watched Wall-E and then took a night drive in the golf cart around the resort. We found out that at night it costs $ to park a car anywhere at any resort, unless using a restaurant for validation. It costs money no matter what with the car if the limited parking at the lagoons is full. It's not a place for many unpaying visitors...just whatever is available at the limited parking for the lagoons in the daytime. We can park with the golf cart pretty easily at the lagoons, but not after sunset.

Plans for tomorrow: Swimming with Matthew and Sherry. Kai is really excited to have some play dates. We've noticed more kids here at this place, so hopefully Kezia will be able to meet some little ones her age. Aloha and Good Night.

I'm Loving It!

Wednesday afternoon we (the kids and I) went swimming in the backyard. It was crazy because my face was so hot (due to the sun and sinuses) and I couldn't stand to swim very long. I thought it was just me because of my sinuses, but the kids didn't want to swim very long either. So we went back into the hot house and hung out for a bit until I got an email from Jason.

His email said, "yeah, we can move in early into the new place (the town home) as soon as tonight." I was all over that! So I started to deep clean, do laundry, and started packing--sweating like crazy didn't matter, it was going to get done. Jason called after work and I told him let's move tonight because I was already going gun hoe on packing up. Unfortunately, he was invited to attend a dinner with his boss, the Colonel, and the General of his organization. I felt horrible, but he was feeling fine to say no to the dinner and come home to help us get out of there. We spent the evening packing as much as we could fit into the car and got to Ko Olina!

We have a lot to pack because we've got stuff to use for the next month. What an answer! It's a ton smaller, but it's so much more comfortable. We have air conditioning!!!! That night I slept cool, but was in tons of pain because of my sinuses. I only slept about 4 hours that night. That morning the kids and I got in the golf cart and took a little cruise to the resorts to check out the Lagoons. They are so beautiful! They have 4 Lagoons in the entire area. We are allowed to park our golf cart at 3 of the 4 Lagoons. The kids had a blast in the golf cart. The breeze and everthing about it was great!

We came back and I tried to take a nap while the kids entertained themselves with the nice cable....yes, I let them watch too much t.v. that day, but I needed the peace and relaxation. My sinuses acted up again (about 12 hours later, after the first episode in the middle of the night). Tylenol and the antibiotics just weren't kicking it. I called my dad and he suggested that if it didn't get any better by tomorrow to call up the Doctor and ask for something stronger and still safe for the pregnancy. I couldn't wait till tomorrow. It hurt so bad.

Jason got done with work and went back to the first house to finish packing up the house and finish the laundry. I called the doctor's office and had to wait over 2 hours to get a return phone call. The doctor was able to get me a better prescription. Jason got home with it that night and boy, did I sleep better that night. It literally felt like it kicked in that night. Finally!

Friday morning the kids and I got up. Jason put in 4 hours that morning and was nice enough to treat us to a day at the beach. We went to Nimitz Beach/Barber's Point. It was on the crowded side, but it was fun! Add- rocks, hurt my toe, nice new sand toys for the kids, Kai buried, Jason surfing,

Library- zia, practice practice

After, dinner on the bbq at home. Then a golf cart ride to Lagoon 3 to swim until the sunset. Oh so amazing! The sand and water was so relaxing. Then a golf cart ride home through the most beautiful golf course I have ever seen...we snuck into the course and drove through it exploring the twists, turns, frogs, black swans, etc. hoping to find a way out. We didn't find a way out, but just had fun taking a drive through it (including through the sprinklers). We eventually got back to where we started from and then got back onto the main road and drove home.

Saturday- a morning breakfast out on the patio. But first, Eli spilled the entire pitcher of orange juice on the kitchen floor. After all was eaten and cleaned up, we are now going to the pool and afterwards onto getting some groceries. Aloha!

It's Pretty Obvious Now!

Kezia actually shed some tears as soon as she found out. We reminded her that she'll still be a great helper and will love having a baby around to help her mommy and daddy take care of.

So she said, "I'm kinda sad it's not a girl, but kinda happy too because we'll have a new baby."

Some ideas for names---ideas only: Keanu, Israel....just questioning the possibilities at this point.

Weekend Fun

Eli and his 4 times daily breathing treatments.
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse.

Where we are living till Saturday!

Kailua Beach Park

Another view of the Lighthouse.

Saturday Jason drove me to the swap meet so I could quickly pick up a few items to send to the Birthday people. We have too many birthdays in June...but it's actually every month like this. While I was running through the maze of other swappers, Jason took the kids to Kmart and a grocery store to pick up items for his work party he is hosting.

What a great turn out we had. Jason had 4 co-workers (including his boss) come out with their families to join us for a bbq and swimming. It was a great success. Jason can write more-

Sunday, my sinuses were killing me. I was a zombie in the morning and was still afraid to send my kids to primary. Especially since Eli would be all over the toys. So we rested for awhile and then took a Sunday drive to Bellows AFB beach. We had a picnic (3 of us did- the 2 little ones were asleep in the car) and watched the beach bums living it up in the choppy water. Afterwards we took a hike (it ended up taking an hour and a half) up to see the Makapuu Point Lighthouse. What a beautiful view. You could see the east shore, south shore, and even further into Waikiki. Thank goodness it was cloudy and windy or we could have never survived.

Kai at one point sat on one of the many brick edges that are placed around the pathway. Jason had told him it wasn't a good idea to sit there because of the long drop behind him.

It turns out I couldn't sleep last night because of my killing sinuses. While I waited for the Tylenol to kick in so I could fall beack asleep, all I thought about was "WHAT IF". What if Kai had gotten up there and slipped and fell. He did it while we were catching up to him while walking back down the path. So instead of getting right back to sleep...I was thinking about this for quite some time.

There have been some crazy "What if's" that have occurred while away...but I am getting to the reality that I hope will always do my best to protect my kids, but when they do make some bad choices or Nature takes over that I will have the understanding that it's life or something like that. I am not making any sense, but my husband would understand what I am saying. We've had this discussion too many times with my parnanoid self.

Onto a breathing treatment for Eli!

Journal Entry...It's a long read for my memories sake

Ficus benghalensis Indian banyan tree -this one is located in Maui

Monday- blogged, was and still is under the weather, and did nothing in the hot house.

Tuesday- continued to not feel well. The kids went to the beach with dad after he got home from work and afterwards swam in the pool. I stayed home with Eli so he could nap some...HA. He's having the worst time taking naps. It has to be on a car ride or exhausted at dinner time. If it's at dinner time, he then sleeps through dinner, wakes up just 2 hours before bedtime, then doesn't go to bed early that night. It has been tough for me to get any mommy time/quiet time and then I am never fully awake in the morning to deal with the kids in the morning.

Wednesday- grandma's last day. We're sad but happy she'll get some much needed cool air and rest. She also got the cold that Eli, myself, and Kezia have.

I called and was able to make an appointment just down the street for the kids. Thank goodness they were able to see us. It's walking distance from here and most convenient compared to the other places I may have had to take them to. Eli and Kezia both have bad ear infections in both ears. Eli's started the fevers last Friday and they continued off and on. After getting a mild fever Tuesday night, it was a for sure he needs to be looked at. I hesitated taking Kezia because her fevers never went over 100. I am glad I took her too. Her ear infections tend to occur often and with little pain...so it's hard to know when she gets them. She had the cough too, but Eli's was a lot more deep.

He was given a breathing treatment while at the doctor's office. I was then handed a machine and 3 prescriptions later, we are now giving antibiotics to both of them 4 times a day and breathing treatments to Eli 4 times a day. The antibiotic is suppose to help with the pneumonia/ deep coughing that they both have. Since Kezia's coughing wasn't so bad, he just left it up to the medicine for her and breathing treatments for Eli.

Who would have thought? It's June in Hawaii and we have possible pneumonia occurring!

After the doctors, pharmacy, vacuuming the rental car, getting a few groceries, library, it was time for the "exciting" doctor appointment. What will baby #4 be? A shy or stubborn baby it was being. The doctor's office was very quaint and unusual. She loves cats and for no particular reason she loves the Neuschvastein German castle...pictures of them both are everywhere. Her older nurse/assistant was very "touchy" and sweet....like a cute grandma would be. I was told just a week before that I wasn't going to get a big ultrasound until the doctor saw me first...and then I wasn't even sure if was going to be a "prescribed" one. The doctor's machine was old school and I asked about the big ultrasound and she said she gives an ultrasound to her mother's to be at each appointment and that she'd be able to see any problems...it was just odd to me though. I was hoping to get an ultrasound technician to give me DETAILS. Thank goodness the baby didn't move much and the machine was older, so yeah on the 9th I get to go to the hospital for a "Big Ultrasound". So we left her office with a couple of fuzzy pictures of the baby. Only a few days to go....I am wondering if we should even find out...but with having to wait 4 weeks and now another week...I have waited long enough...I have to know.

Later that day/early evening we went to Los Garcia's for dinner. We were referred to go there by the McGerry's. We were put in the cooler room thankfully and there were no other customers in that side of the restaurant. Eli fell asleep as I was parking the car. The parking situations around some parts of downtown Kailua is a JOKE. The Mexican food was pretty good...pricey, but to be expected. The waiter was good to us. He kept calling Jason "Bra/Bro" and he also was complaining about how hot the island has been. It was good to hear that from a local...that it wasn't just us visitors doing all the whining.

After dinner we took grandma to see the Iolana Palace from the outside. It was in the evening and the daily tours cost $. Kids under 5 can only go on the basement tour, so it was something we never pursued. We walked around the courtyard (after 6 p.m. free parking, wow some good news about parking). Across the street you could see the statue of King Kamehameha. In the back of the Palace you can see the Capital building. It is a unique shape. In between the buildings is a Ficus benghalensis Indian banyan tree. These trees produce limbs that go directly down to the ground and plant themselves into becoming another tree stump. They're crazy looking.

We got grandma off to the airport. Things went pretty smooth. It was a tad tricky with 2 cars and doing the whole curbside drop off when they're is security and lots of other cars around. We went to drop off the rental car afterwards and that became a joke. Trying to find a public restroom in and around Honolulu is next to impossible. I filled up the car at the Chevron (no restroom), the 24 hour drive-in restaurant (no restroom), finally we got to the car lot and thank goodness they were open (usually they are closed) and they actually had a restroom. While running up the stairs to inside the building a bug flew into my shirt (the 3rd time this has happened to me). I thought I got it out and then while I was using the bathroom Kai and Kezia notice it crawling on me while I was on the pot. So I stripped down while on the potty and never did find out where it went. As this was occurring we discovered that gum in Hawaii is very sticky. Kai let us know this. With all the driving around, finding parking, finding potties, etc. it all made for an adventurous evening.

Thursday- Grandma made it home safely...with my cell phone charger :) It's in the mail. I decided to venture with the kids to the beach. The trade winds are picking up. It made the waves quicker but the breeze was very nice. I hesitated putting lotion on my back for awhile because I need to get a base on my skin so I am not burning every time. I waited too long...I fried my back. It made it a hard night to sleep.

After the beach and a dip in the pool, we walked to the Pediatricians office and found out that Eli will need to continue breathing treatments 4 times a day till next Wednesday. So next week there will be 3 doctor appointments. The treatments are helping! Afterwards, Jason picked us up and drove us around the Marine Base. It was fun. To get to the beach you have to drive over the runway of the base. It's a beautiful base. Hill AFB is so blah compared. They had a really fun park. Finally a decently shaded and clean park to go to. The kids got to play for a bit (I have to be extra careful when I have Kezia and Eli in the sun because their medicine makes their skin extra sensitive to the sun).

When we got home, Jason took off to go surfing, and I microwaved leftovers. The kids were so good to me when I was so tired. Eli fell asleep at 7 and slept all night. He was my bedmate and kicked me all night, but I was glad he stayed asleep. I had a hard enough time coughing and dealing with my sunburned back.

Friday-Today, we're being lazy for my sake. The air inside the house is getting better. We did school work and now I need to go and make lunch and administer meds. Hopefully I'll have energy to go swimming (with a shirt). Jason has a work thing tonight, so we'll be spending the evening without him and hopefully a lot of the evening in the pool.

Nature Oh My! Waves, Jellyfish, Shrimp, and Centipedes!

No, Jason hasn't taken up smoking.  It's a picture from the web...it's about the same size that we found approaching the kids while sitting on the carpet.  

Plumerias are everywhere in several colors.  So Beautiful!

The USS Utah....what's left of it still remains.  It was hit by 2 or 3 torpedos on December 7th.

A Surfer hanging ten at the North Shore Sunset Beach.

The Shrimp on the left were staring at me.

Thursday-lazy day...finally some rest time in the HOT house.  My mom and I watched "New in Town".

Friday- swimming, Eli got a fever, the older kids with mom and dad went to see the new movie "Up" at the Windward Mall.  Great movie.  The boy scout reminded me of my friend Jack that I used to do daycare for.  The old man reminded me of my sweet friend Heinz.  He lost his wife several years ago, has problems with his hearing aid, has a cute dog, and raises all kinds of birds in his backyard.  I used to take my scouts to see his animals. Miss you Heinz and hope you're doing well while your sweet wife Gisela is away for awhile in heaven.

Saturday- Eli still not feeling well.  Instead of him napping, he insisted on getting in the pool with everyone else.  It helped cool him off some.  After we walked to the beach and enjoyed it full on.  We didn't pack anything and just walked while wearing our suits.  

Kai and I got pummelled by a wave.  Thank goodeness I made him wear the floaties.  I had a hard enough time pulling him up out of the water with them on.  One floaty got ripped off his arm because the wave hit so hard.  Eli and I had sores on our inner legs while walking on our way home.  We are still not sure if it was a jellyfish sting or not.  There was no stinging sensation, but the redness and stinging feeling it had when applying lotion killed.  Pizza Hut delivered....even with a free medium pizza, it cost $30 for our large specialty pizza.  Crazy prices!

Sunday-I stayed home with the tired me and tired Eli.  He was still fevering off and on.  Dad, grandma, and the older kids attended Stake Conference....well half of it.  They didn't find the correct building right away and the speakers in the gym weren't working, so they got to hear about half the conference.  

Afterwards, we had to get out of the house.  It has been so miserably hot in the non a/c house.  The trade winds are suppose to come on Wednesday, just after grandma leaves....sorry grandma.  We took a Sunday drive to the North Shore.  It was insane to watch those surfers attempt those crazy sized waves...and they aren't even as big as they get in December.  

We then drove around BYU Hawaii campus and stopped in at a Shrimp bus for a snack....it's really hard to pack enough food for that long drive....so yes, we were a little naughty on the sabbath.  It wasn't quite a snack though.....I thought the shrimp were going to come alive and eat us.  Not really appetizing for me to see dead shrimp staring at you.  

That night my worst nightmare came out to greet us.  The biggest centipede was in the house coming toward the kids from under the t.v. stand.  Jason hosed it with poison.  It started wigglying even more as it came to a hault to die.  I didn't sleep well.  The kids are no longer allowed to fall asleep on the carpet.