2011 ALOHA

Aloha! Each time I visit the islands of Hawaii I am amazed that there are atheists. When I experience the creations of God with my eyes and heart from flowers to huge volcanic land masses to sweet 8 year olds to rainbows and waves to dolphins dancing- I just don’t believe in atheists- I just don’t believe they exist.

We are spoiled to have friends on Oahu who have showed us for years now that there is way more to Oahu then Waikiki. Sure years ago we had done the Waikiki experience and it is a fun busy city beach but just not our thing. So the next time we went to Kauai we stopped first in Oahu to see if they were for real. They were. The Capinpins showed us main-landers island spirit. We have been excited for a repeat visit ever since. Part of what we love is seeing what real island life is like. We eat where the locals do and run errands like locals and we love it. Yes we also play tourist with them. They are the best we just love catching up and laughing and soaking up Sami- she is a little sunshine.

After we crashed there pad we forced them to come stay with us in Ko’Olina at the Marriott Beach Club. The black Pearl was dry docked as Disney will be opening its mega resort within weeks. I avoid it at all costs as I would think I need to buy Disney timeshare when I don’t so I did find myself drift that way all week I stayed strong and did not buy. But the Black Pearl was super cool. I talked Scott into driving into a restricted area so I could get a closer look. No Jack Sparrow. But Scott hung out at the marina with the cast and crew of the new series of Hawaii 5-0. We have not seen an old episode nor a new one but we hear it is good. Scott lives to deep sea fish and loves making friends with all the fishermen who happen to be attorneys. Why is it all Scotty friends are attorneys?

Scotts amazing mom and dad and niece came and met up with us. Seriously Scotts mom is an angle she is perfect. Kind, smart, funny, beautiful, warm, compassionate, she spends so much of her tie serving others be it Sir Optimist fighting human trafficking or friends who need help with tax questions to anti aging. I really look up to her and my hubby has the biggest respect for this woman. If you like Scott you can thank his mom who takes after. There is some of his dad too. His love for the outdoors and his constant joking and teasing we can thank Neal for. Thanks Neal.

Our niece we don’t get to see very often so it was sweet to get to know her as an 8 year old. I was really worried that she would be bored and I know grandpa would have a fit and make her start chopping wood like he did if Scott ever complained about being bored so I made up a special Kira activity for each day. I asked Scott for 50 bucks and went to the craft store. We did a stain glass fish, jewelry, sea creatures, coloring, fortune telling, journals, postcards- thanks to my bff Hilary for thinking up that idea! Kira is very talented with creating pipe cleaner animals they were whimsical and delightful and Sami went to town with a Cars and Chipmunks comprehension book. They were both kind to talk to grandma Marianne and make her some treasure from Hawaii.

We were so thrilled to have Sami come linger longer for a few days past mom and dads visit to hang with us. Sami won over Neal at breakfast one morning when the girls said they were bored and I said well I guess you will just have to go wash dishes in the back. Kira scream No and Sami jumped up and YES. Aunty Missy needs to be more firm as the two pulled an all nighters consisting of eating cake at 3am and putting princess tattoo on their eyes. I wore them out in the pool and delighted in not letting the sleep all day they slept get the next night. I then called my mom to apologize for all the sleep overs and cranky I had dished. She seems pleased to have some pay back. I deserve it and then some my poor mom. I was sure good at being a kid. I tell mom sorry often and did so to dad before he died also.

They had this amazing waterfall swimming pool with layer to explore and a dark long waterslide that I rode over and over. Kira was my little fish buddy and it was hard to pry us and our pruned hands after 15 hours of beach and pool some days.

Koa Pancake is my favorite Hawaii food. I LOVE it. We ate most breakfast there at like 6:30 am. Neal and Lynda are early risers but the girls would not eat and then in a few hours they were starving so one day I was naughty and slept in and I am sure grandpa had a fit but when we ate at 8:30 we had two little piggy’s. They made the locals laugh as we walked in the two 8 year olds recited all they wanted. Eggs, Bacon, Pancakes, Corn beef hash, rice, waffles, juice, potatoes, milk, chocolate chips, fruit… They then proceed to eat all we ordered. Seriously kids eat better when they are awake:)

At night I would sing the girls a good night song based on our day to a familiar tune but with the words changed. A favorite was the one about the stupid jelly fish keeping us from getting our snorkel on.

It was my first time to the Punch Bowl. What a peaceful resting place for our service men. Just beautiful and we went to Pearl Harbor again and again it suck my air out and leaves this sadness at what man is capable of. We went to the north shore several times and looked for turtles at Sharks cove. I had the best shrimp I have ever had at a local truck Miranda showed us. I don’t even in general like shrimp and they were so tender and tasty. We had shave ice Scott likes his with ice cream in the bottom.

Sitting on the beach with Kira by my side as we watch dolphins dance and the sun set was just pure bliss. Sami and Kira were both finalists in a hula contest out of like 45 kids they were up there shaking their booty like nobody’s business. Kira was really shy at first but with Sami by her side they made it to the end and won coconuts and tiaras. I am super sad we did not get photos of this they were so cute. Kira thought the crown was made from a pine tree and Sami said a money tree. I did not get a chance to read or relax but t be with kids as they live in the moment is priceless.

So my review of Hawaii—you need to go often over many years. Maui was the best snorkeling I ever have had anywhere we stayed at Sheraton by Black rock and walked out of our door on to the best spot ever. The road to hana and biking down volcanoes oh the tiny island Lanai. But it feels like I am in California when on Maui. Kauai is hands down our favorite island. We have stayed in several spots on the island and all were pure magic it feels like Hawaii to me. Ohau is where our hearts are with the Capinpins- the Temple is there and Ko’Olina the North shore OH even memories of staying in a high rise on Waikiki. But still the best island I think is Kauai but we have yet to see the big island and you don’t have to take my word for it- Go To Hawaii:)

The following is borrowed from my Miranda blog for my memories too. Aloha to you Miranda and Mano we sure love you!

Last week our good friends, Scott and Missy Riffle came to visit us along with Scott's parent's Niel and Lynda and their granddaughter Kira. It's always a good time when the Riffle's are in town. They stayed at the Ko Olina Marriott Resort and were kind enough to invited us over for a few days. We decided to take them up on their offer and have a mini "stay-cation" before Sami started school again. Here are a few pictures of our adventure.

Here is a view from the property. Not bad...can't complain...4 words...Lucky We Live Hawaii!

While we were there the Mermaid Kariel swam in to spend some time with the kids. Sami walked up to Kariel at first and said to me, "Mom, she's not real." However, Kariel kept Sami and Kira's attention for the next 2 hours. Not bad for a "not real" mermaid. Kariel started with a story about accepting people for who they are and not trying to change them. Next Kariel panted "scales" on to each of the children.

The finished product. Lucky for us they told us after they panted the scales that they were water proof. It's cool to go to church with scales above your eyes...right?

Karial eventually made it into the water...big fin and all. They stratigically kept the kids busy learning the rules while Karial made her way into the water.

ventually they let the kids in the water to swim with a mermaid.

My little Polynesian Mermaid

The island girl coming out in Sami. Kira was fascinated with how people could climb coconut trees. Sami wasted no time in showing Kira exactly how it was done.

"Help Mommy, I'm stuck!"
My handsome husband
View of one of the pools
Sami's favorite part of the property...the water slide!
Sami, Missy, Kira, and Miranda
Kira, Missy, Sami, and Mano
(I love Sami's face)
Aunty Missy and Sami

It was so wonderful to have a little taste of home here in the islands. Thanks to the Riffles for allowing Sami to stay with them while Mano and I worked. Thanks to the Riffles too for inviting us to come and stay at their time share. We had so much fun with you guys!

2011 Zurmatt

Scott had a Wells Fargo conference at the Zurmatt resort and it was great. We were there from Wed to Sunday. I got to help introduce him to his fellow bankers with the other families. Wells Fargo is amazing to work for. They really take great care of Scott and reward him for his hard work. His work ethic is strong and he is consistently a top performer. He wins trips and awards and makes us all very proud. They have the best support team and business plan. With next day funding and little to no reports Scott can focus on helping his clients and selling like mad. We had a seafood dinner yum yum. Gelato daily. Explored new places went for walks and drives. Saw wildlife. I got to hold Sarahs baby which I love doing. Window shopped with Anth and Salina. Worked on youth conference and Phantom. We enjoyed time with friends and family and the great outdoors.<
Here was his intro
The TOP TEN things you might not know about David Scott Riffle
1. This could have been a TOP Eleven list. Scott was born with 11 fingers. Maybe that’s why he has a green thumb.
2. LIKES: travel with his Missy, the smell of gunpowder, time with family, Golden Retrievers, Hawaii, Deep Sea fishing, Backpacking, hunting, and Disneyworld, Montana, Wind Rivers, National Parks, Mexico, water skiing, and snow skiing.
3. His OCD makes Mister Clean look dirty. DISLIKES: being cooped up, blue cheese, dry feet, bare feet, messes, loaning things, and choirs. A great fix it man. Tim the tool man has nothing on him.
4. Enjoys wearing Billy Bob teeth while playing games and begins each turn with the phrase “Why you little”. (His mom is so proud.)
5. He is Loyal, honest, warm handed, NRA member who prefers melody over lyrics.
6. Laugh if you will but baby face Scott only shaves once a week; yet he received tickets for breaking the city noise ordinance with his loud snoring.
7. He is celebrating his 17th year of marriage, which proves his wife is lying about her age unless she wed at age 13.
8. Survived hurricane, tsunami, jelly fish, shark, and overzealous salesmen in Jamaica.
9. He does a mean Elvis impersonation while under hypnosis.
10. If it moves it’s a target to sell too or shoot at (what did that dove ever do to you?).
Just for that 11th extra finger...
11. Spent the 80s as a Sammy Hagar look alike with perm, combat boots and all.
Missy’s TOP TEN things she loves about “Sammy” working for Wells Fargo
1. Angela. Need I say more?
2. He can spend his time selling-- not doing absurd reports.
3. Amazing internal support and ongoing trainings.
4. The stage coach logo- fun.
5. Next day Funding.
6. Generous time off.
7. Internal referrals from building working relationships with bankers. Win WIN.
8. The Top Gun trip (If just for the hot cocoa in the lobby of the W.)
9. Awesome co workers.
10. He is so happy at Wells Fargo.

2011 We All "Do"

We are so excited to have three new members of the family. Steve married a beauty inside and out Kim and she has two amazing children. We went to AZ and were able to be present as they tied the knot. It is so fun to see how in love they are. I can't remember ever seeing a couple so in love. It was neat to see Scott be best man and try to top Neal at embarrassing toast with quoting the wedding singer. Evan Leah and I danced tons. The decor was out of this world and Kin did it all. She is patient brilliant an artist funny warm beautiful and we just love her.

Kim flew up here months ago and stayed at our new home and Aunt Sue taught she was just precious and loved that her and Steve were all over each other. They both have troubled vision and she said. They are blind as bats and only have eyes for each other. They had both had challenges in their first marriages with spouse who wanted out and we are happy to see them with such peace and happiness and confidence. It was great to meet Kims dad and brother who are just awesome.

While we were in Arizona my Uncle Olaf had been close to death and Scott's parents were kind to let us borrow the car and go to him at the hospital. It was awful to see him on the Virge of death. He is tall strong and handsome and he seemed so tiny and fragile with barley a speaking voice. He told us that he prayed for the first time ever for his sweet Ilse. It was an hour each way to the hospital each day and the hospital was a zoo. It took a 1/2 an hour to get up the elevator and there was scary people all over and traffic and parking a nightmare.

Plus they are two buddies that love being together. So we are happy to know that as of July he was feeling better a miracle.
It was also great to meet my nephew Jared's wife who was the epitome of elect lady. Kind beautiful funny smart. I sure am glad that all my married nephews have married these amazing women. I got to see my brother and his wife who I adore Scott and Karen and my cute Teddy who is named after my dad. He is a handsome guy and very smart. Jared is a selling machine which my honey Scott predicted the moment he meet him has a young boy 17 years ago.

Another fun thing was seeing all Steves old buddies from college they were super happy for him and it was a great wedding.

2011 Puerto Vallarta

Back in 2004 we purchased a 20 week time share for a killer price in Cancun with Palace Resorts. The best part of it was the RCI membership which we pay a yearly fee for and use what is called extra vacations or last call all the time. You get a super nice upscale property for 7 night from around 99.00 to
400.00 total for all 7 nights. Another perk when we bought our 20 weeks was a free all inclusive week in Mexico which we have been shy to use. In 2004 Scott was deathly ill and required hospital stay with spinal taps on returning home and I wore diapers to Anthony s wedding form the Montezuma revenge. Then we went with the Riffles in 2007 to Puerto Penasco and Scott got really sick again so we have been hesitant to return to Mexico. After Aunt Sue died I was really sad and needed some time away. Aunt Sue loved the ocean in Mexico and California and spent time on the Baja with her friend Ginger. We decided to try out our free week at Peurto Vallarta. It was the Palace resort and everything was included from massages to swimming with dolphins. I drank sweet non alcohol drinks at the beach non stop. The weather was perfect they picked us up at the airport. We had free calls back to the USA. The spa was heavenly. Overlooking the ocean. Our room had a ocean view and I loved laying there reading and looking at the sea while the gentle wind blew in our room. We had a two person jacuzzi in our room. Room service was awesome and free. They took our photos on the beach. We went on a sunset cruise. The dolphin swim was amazing. They had nightly shows. The food yummy! Sushi, Italian, Chocolate fountains, crepes daily in the lobby, fruit, Brazilian steak house, you name it was yummy. The service was wonderful they just pamper you. We had so many choices of activities all included. We had a romantic surf and turf dinner by candlelight on the beach with live musicians. Each day I would watch the huge sun set and disappear int the ocean it is a beautiful sight. I would cry really hard about Aunt Sue. The sun seems to melt in the horizon I had never seen it look like that before almost like a movie unreal. There was a Japan disaster while we were there. A huge tsunami which made it sad to be so happy when so many were suffering. We had to evacuate the beach then the pool while it hit us less than 24 hours later. It did no damage just a 4 foot swell and ti hit at low tide which was fortunate. But it did make the water murky and it was a reminder about life being so fragile. Kelly and Teri flew in and stayed at a condo I got them from RCI about a half mile from our resort. They did not want people not staying at our place to be there as tot he loss in alcohol but none of us drink and Teri needed to call home so they came over a few times. Scott got Teri a day pass and we really had fun that day while Scott and Kelly went deep sea fishing. They had the federalies try to get $5,000 from them on a private boat to fish where there were fish. It is corrupt. Kelly speaks Spanish and that made it so cool to hear him talk with the locals. Teri and I totally relaxed and laughed and I had to keep making sure her drinks were virgin as she is not familiar with spirits. The waiter would tease us and say here is your virgin drink with tequila. They would laugh and think it was so funny. We always meet nice people from Europe and America and this trip we had people staying form Mexico. I did good with not getting burned only a tiny bit from the dolphin swim because I was not wet and my burn shirt only protect if wet I learned. The dolphins were our favorite. Pegusus and Nala were the ones we swam with the were playful and huge and strong. We did not go to town as we are a little wary of the drug lords and trouble. But Kelly and Teri did and they had a blast. One night we sat under the stars on the beach and talked till dawn Scott said his favorite is silence which is hard for the three of us to grasp as we like to talk.

2011 San Fransisco

Scott won a sales award trip for Wells Fargo this year called Top Gun. He works hard and loves every minute. I really enjoyed watching him receive the award in person. The award dinner was at the top of the Wells Fargo Museum. We went on a Bay cruise. Melissa drove us all over to see the city sights we had never seen before and to quirky neighborhoods and little towns. We rode all kinds of transportation. They put us up at the W. The hot cocoa in the lobby was worth the entire trip. We spent several days after the city time with my cousin and her family. They call us Uncle Cott and Uncle Missy. They think I smell good. We went for drives to the beach and ate two seafood places I can't wait to visit again. One in the city called The Waterfront Restaurant and Cafe sourdough bread oh yum and Barbara's Fishtrap in Half Moon Bay crab and key lime. Allisons boys a so cute and Jason always gets Scott into the nest best tech stuff. I just love Melissa and Allison and love any chance I can get to spend time with them.

2010 Colorado

We did a pricline get away last minute. I tried about 14 different cities and then called Scott "Honey do you like Denver?" I asked. We had not discussed Denver. "I like the outdoors and Boulder is close." he said. "Good cause that is where we just got round trip tickets to." We got $90.00 round trip tickets. It was an awesome trip. The Stanley Hotel haunted for sure. The views. Being together. Priceless:)

Oh Cupcake

This was taken by me in Germany in Epcot and it tasted better than it looks. Life is sweet. Cupcakes are one of my favorite things in the world. Disneyworld has the most amazing different kinds of cupcakes. I learned that there are shops which sell only cupcakes a few years back while traveling in California. YUM! I giuess to me they are the best only if the frosting transports my whole self to a happy place. Sure I like the cake part to be moist and have flavor but generally the cake is just a method of transport of the yum frosting to my waiting lips.

Turn Back Time?

This has been one of the most challenging years ever with Aunt Sue so ill and up and down and my working 12 hour days 6 days a week I have not gone on a single trip all year. Scott went without me and I kept the home fires burning. I came across these layouts and felt like I was there all over again. Can I please turn back time and relive this awesome trip? It was 100% pure magic. Being with Miranda and family, Lynda and Teri. I don't know why but it was the best ever. I know most moms never get to travel but I think I may be losing my mind. I have got to travel again.

Flying the friendly skies

Guess What? I have flown a ton of times and I am still alive. It kind of makes my fear silly when I keep not dying in an airplane. I have a friend who tells me that it is more likely I will have a baby than crash in a plane. Since I do not have the right parts to carry a baby I laugh when she says this but I think she may be right. So I am starting to enjoy flying again! I like to look out the window and see the world below. I thrill to see Temples dot the land and love to see a new perspective. I prefer to fly during the day I think on clear days but the

clouds are so beautiful in the sunlight. I like to have several things to occupy my time with. 1. a current Ensign 2. My Book of Mormon 3. My I-Pod shuffle 4. A sudoku game 5. A pencil and paper to write my feelings down and keep track of how I am doing. 6. my blankie 7. my neck pillow 8. Scott 9. a window seat I am really proud of my overcoming this fear. It was changing my life and I was so unhappy and felt so sad. It is empowering and builds my faith in God that I have somewhat worked through this. I am starting to love to travel again:)

California

My cute friend Melissa lives in a darling historic town called Point Richmond. Not to be confused with frightening scary Richmond. It sits with this beautiful view of the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge and the Bay. It has these amazing churches and steep hills. There is a cool old ship yard which James and Scott loved to explore. James is in a Band which was recently on David Letterman. Melissa has the coolest apartment I have ever seen. It has huge high ceilings and old crown molding and the quirkiest little nooks and cranny's. The sink and tile and windows and doors I was just in love with it. We slept on the old pull out form the wall Murphy bed. I wish I had taken photos of how she has it decorated. Such charm. They introduced us to a brand of ice cream made locally that was yummy. We also walked around Marin County in this town full of Christmas lights! It was too short a visit and I cried to say goodbye to her and my cousin Ally as I drove away. We next spent time in Half Moon Bay before getting Scott business associate at the air port and heading to Santa Rosa. Half Moon Jason had mentioned to us so we went exploring to this awesome town which had all these pumpkins and flowers and Halloween decor! We saw lots of tsunami warming signs with evacuation routes posted. It is cool that each visit to the Bay area is full of brand new adventures and areas to explore. Plus old friends to catch up with. I drove over the Golden Gate a few times this trip and each time was different. At night it is magical and I like it best at a distance to see the lights and sparkle off the water. During the day sometimes the fog is so thick it looks like you are headed into no mans land. The weather is always pleasant in Northern CA every time of year we have visited in. They have many bridges and tunnels and old historic homes and buildings. Our next place was at the Vineyard Creek. We have stayed there once before for Valentines and I was excited to be back. The beds are very comfy and the town is great. I saw Luther Burbank's home and garden this time which is beautiful and I drove past the Snoopy Museum. It is closed on Tuesdays:( which is the only day that would have been good for me to go. Charles Shultz lived there for many years and they have lots of cool things relating to his life and work.

Our visit to San Fran

We are back from another trip. We miss everybody in the fall as we travel so often. It is the one really busy time for Arbonne as everyone LOVES the holiday line and Scott is busy with High Cotton. We spent the first few days with my cousin Allyson and her family. I have always looked up to her all my life. She was the cool older cousin that I wanted to be. I would follow her around and then when she would get annoyed we would wait for her to leave and then sneak in her room. Yup we would touch her stuff and jump on her bed and pretend to be her. It was awesome to be with her darling little boys and fun hubby. They have a neat house and I just loved every minute. One night they spoiled us with whole dungeness crabs! Ally is amazing at deco and creating a mood. It was beautiful in the backyard with little flames to melt the butter and Jason helping me when I was squeamish with the crab insides. We went to this Delicious ice cream place that made me want to move there. They have a fun train set. We even went to church with them and I got to see Ally teach! She has great faith and a love for the scriptures and prayer. One day we went to the top of a mountain and there were huge creepy crawlers- yuck. The view was great. I will post up more about the trip soon!

SHarks Blood and Kauai Kuzins:)

" Hey bro- da blood in da watta da sharks is comin dis be da last ride" I was glad that the locals let Kelly in on some insider info. A lady smashed her face into the sand and her surf board and was bleeding bad so all the locals cleared out of the water. They noticed me white cousin Kelly and gave him the heads up. Kelly was non stop action the entire time on the island. There was no kick back and relax he was surfing, boggy boarding, walking, swimming, fishing, eating, climbing and dragging Teri all over the island. Never mind they have a tiny baby with them . Have baby will travel. Kevin is the most laid back baby I have ever seen. He cried 2 times the entire week! I sure love Teri she is one of my role models of charity. She is one amazing woman. I love Kelly and think it is cool we got to spend time together on the island thanks to Lynda and Neal!!! Kelly and I never knew each other were fishes. We both LOVE the water- maybe it is in our blood! Kelly kicked my butt on the sugar consumption. Scott could not believe someone could eat more sugar than me but Kelly won hands down. We wish everyone could have been there with us.

The longest day of Neals life in Hawaii

One of the million things I enjoy in Kauai is the drive to Princeville. Scott decided we needed to go to the very end of the road... literally. It is not the end of the world but you can see it from there. Neal had it about 30 miles before we hit the end but Scott pushed on. The vistas and colors overwhelem me. From the tall green cliffs to the turquoise waters. Truly paradise. We noticed hippes have kind of moved in up there. I think they are back in the 60s still. There were these spooky caves and ferns and trees I had never seen before. It is like living in a postcard! Lynda and I bet the boys about this water cave and boy did we lose. Scott almost jumped in to prove they were right. Poor Neal could not find bathrooms. It is neat to see movies sights and see how they enhance things to look like other places too. What beauty!

Kauai SMILES

I wish I had taken more photos but some days I just enjoyed the day and forgot the camera back home. Most days we all had huge smiles. Lynda and Teri are 2 of the women I just admire and adore so what a treat to spend time with them both. They are both so happy, positive and beautiful. Kelly and I have great gospel talks and he and Scott just are great buddies. Neal is always teasing and saying the funniest things like "Nothing grow in Kauai here in this red dirt". He says this becasue there are no wild cucumbers growing onthe road side. Most days we all had flowers in our hair or around our necks. I guess they smell magnificent. I was a little sad to not be able to smell. We went to church over there and it was cool to see how faithful the people there are. Big welcoming smiles.

Hawaii and some Unique Food

I had pure joy in my mouth. This gelato place on Kauai makes heaven for my tongue. I got the lilikoi or passion fruit flavor, bring on the happy times. It is Delicious! Lynda had one treat the whole trip which was this fresh hula pie with mac nuts and whipped cream, we thought Leah would have gone nuts over it. Scott liked the Puka dog where you choose exotic relishes and the bun has a hole for the polish sausage. The owner gave Teri a free lemonade. The pineapple we got from the road side vendors was so fresh and sweet. I had fresh fish everyday, ones I had never tried before like ONO and marlin. Kelly wondered who caught them since it was not them. Scott ate raw fish each day- yucky. But he enjoyed every mouthful. Neal found this chocolate factory and he and Kelly hit it up several times. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate myself but did like the few creations I tried, like papaya. It was good. Scott got hooked on a morning breakfast thing with rice, eggs, gravy, and meat. He craved it and ordered it where ever they offered it. I enjoyed the guava jam and coconut syrup. Kelly ate a real coconut. It tasted fatty to me like meat. Lynda says it is the most healthy oil to cook with. I decided I like processed coconut better with all the added sugar. We kept the blender busy with virgin pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris. Kauai Kookies were good. We also had our share of local fruits nuts and I even ate raw flying fish eggs. Yup they pop in your mouth and are bright orange and green. I feel queasy now just thinking I ate them. Scott had calamari, lobster, shrimp, raw fish and raw fish eggs. I had a goal of finding 40 different flowers. It was easy. I have never seen so many flowers. No wonder it is the garden island. Some of them you can suck on and they are sweet, like honeysuckle. Sami taught me a few of the safe ones.

Kauai Waterfalls

Knowing how much I love water it only makes sense I would love waterfalls. We drove by two different ones that are accessible by car since we had the baby. I would one day like to see a few of the ones you can swim in but you have to hike these pig trails where they advise bringing an extra pint of blood to feed the mosquitoes. SO I stuck to swimming in the larger pool at our resort which had a waterfall. Kelly was always laughing at all the chickens they are everywhere they wake you up in the morning. I slept with ear plugs because of the Kelly and Scott snore fest. OH was it loud. Some nights Teri and I would laugh instead of cry it was so loud. You can see rainbows in the waterfalls. Up stream from the falls it is so quite and you would have no idea what lays right ahead of you until it was too late. How often in life do I miss the warning signs about falls ahead?

The big one got away Deep Sea Fishing

One of the things I love about Scott is his patience and never give up attitude. They went out fishing and did not catch a thing for 6 hours and he was happy as a clam. He says that is part of fishing sometimes they hit and sometimes they don't. The down side was that Kelly and Neal were not as happy. Kelly commented that it was just awful and only 3 minutes of the whole time was exciting. Scott had a blast he likes to talk to the captain. He would really like to be a fish boat man. He could do it everyday. The thing I enjoy most about Kauai is the boat ride to see the Napali coast. We did not do it this trip as we had a full schedule but if you ever go you must see this amazing sight. The last time we went it was also whale season so we enjoed dancing dolphins and whales and scenery out of this world. You can really only enjoy it by helicopter or boat-- I prefer boat. Neal did get a huge fish on his line this trip so they say but it got away.

Catch a wave!

I think of of the things I loved the most was being in the water and then having a warm rain start to fall. It felt wonderful as it massaged my back while I snorkeled and then I would lift my head out of the water to see a magnificent rainbow. Even a few times during dinner it would rain as we ate outside and I would just turn around in circles and giggle in the rain. I love it. Scott always headed for cover. Storm blew past usually very fast. Right outside our door was this perfect beach. Perfect meaning it had something for everyone in our group. To one side Kelly and Scott could catch waves (I retired after one big wave smashed me into the sand. I am more of a in the water rather than on the water type of girl. Plus I am kind of sissy and do not like pain or risk). Teri is terrified of fish and water but for the first time she enjoyed just floating in the gentle waves. When we snorkeled together she would grab a hold of my arm and squeeze so tight I lost the feeling. But i was proud of her efforts and I think she kind of liked it. Lynda and Neal loved to sit and read or watch the ocean surrounded by lush tropics. I loved the assortment of fish and the number of them. We swam with sea turtles and seals. The turtles are little little dudes just like in Nemo. They totally love to catch a wave and poke their heads out to watch us frolic. How nice is it to walk back to the shower and not have ride in a car first? The only other time I loved snorkling so much was at black rock in Maui when we stayed at the Sheraton and could aso walk right to the beach. I was very glad to have my Arbonne sun screen which when I have used it and reapplied it I have never once been burned. I use the Arbonne baby spf30. I try to put it on 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and reapply every hour or sooner. Works like a charm. I have 2 clot options white or red. I never mastered the beautiful tan look so I keep to my shade loving sunscreen wearing plan. Scotty however got some sun and look adorable with that blond hair big brown eyes and a healthy looking glow. Thanks to Sherilyn who warned me about the sea urchins which I saw lots of I never went with out my water shoes or fins. I did get stung one day. By a bee! I was in the middle of the ocean and a bee dive bombed my bum and wow did it hurt. I screamed and cried. Scott went under to see what it was and the bee was still stuck to me and drowning. I am allergic to bees so we then waited to see if I would react. It had been years since my last sting. nothing happened the first day except a huge 6 inch welt and pain. The next day it was sore and itchy so i rubbed it in the shower really good. Bad idea I puffed up. Teri kind of freak and called Scott who was fishing and said I was blowing up before her very eyes. I started to cough a little but did not have to see a doctor:) Anti swelling drugs and not rubbing helped a bunch. I LOVE the water. One day we also went to this place called Lydgate Park where they also had excellent snorkeling. I saw 20 plus under water crabs there. They looked like big spiders so I swam away not wanting to get pinched. The fish were huge and Scott pointed out some eels.

Monk Seal and Spouting Horn Hawaii Kauai

I did not know that the Monk Seal is endangered. We saw 3 during the week. One morning I hit the beach at 6 am and watch 2 of them playing in the waves and then they rolled up onto the shore and sunned themselves. They are darling and watching them is really cool. They kind of like to be alone thus the name monk so we all gave them plenty of space and just enjoyed the fun nature of them. I also did not know that the chicken is revered in Kauai. It is a federal offence to harass the chickens that roam the island freely. They all got blown around back during a cat.5 hurricane which destroyed the fern grotto and Lynda's beloved Coco Palms. Another local spot is Spouting Horn which can be spectacular. It shoots water 50 feet in the air. It sounds like a dragon lives in there and is very great to imagine all kinds of things about the place. It used to shoot 200 feet up but they blew it up in the 1940 so the sugar cane would grow better without the ocean salt spray You can see the old hole.

Kauai Breakfast on the Green

Lynda and Neal are early risers. I like to get up early with them and go to breakfast. They have a spot they like on the gold course. I wish I had tried out the macadamia nut banana pancakes with coconut syrup earlier in the week- yum! The view is awesome with the mountain on one side and the vast ocean on the other. The flowers and birds surround us and they have a totally cool old fashioned clock that looks stellar on the course. I did not wear my make up much as I was always hurrying back to the water. There were tiny birds that would wait for people to leave and then drink out of the water cups. The service got better with each visit. One day just us girls went and that was really a special day or relaxing and wonderful conversation. Lynda is a health nut and one can learns lots from all her studying and healthy living.