Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hawaii 2013

 The long awaited trip has finally arrived.  We are on our way to Hawaii with Dan & Deb and meeting Ron and Karen there.  We are leaving 14 below weather to bask in the sunshine.

 Friday morning we went to Blackrock and had a great day at the beach.  Debra and I decided we wanted to paddle board so we rented one.  Since I had done it before, Deb wanted me to go out first.  I did and paddled up and down the coast for 20 minutes or so.  Debra was swimming around in the water waiting.  She swam out to switch places and she got on the board and paddled away and then tried to stand up. She got a cramp in her leg and couldn't stand and fell off the board and could not swim!!!  She hung on to the unstable paddle board and luckily there was a guy in a kayak close by who paddled over to save her.


 In the meantime I was trying to swim back out to her and finally got there and got on the board and then paddled her in to shore.  We were pretty close and she thought she could make it the rest of the way so I let her go and went back to paddling.  She wasn't as ready as she thought and struggled to get back to shore.  Dave, Dan and Karen were on shore watching so Dave got in the water and helped her get back to shore.  It was an exciting time!!!



Dan, Deb & Karen enjoying some sun.  Well Deb and Karen enjoying the sun and Dan is careful to stay covered up.  He sprayed sunscreen on his legs but missed a few spots.  He had some fire red stripes to deal with for a few days.

                                      Walking back to the car after a fun day in the sun!!!
                                                                  That's my man!

   We walked around Whalers Village for a bit.  We have already seen whales in the ocean.  They seem to be out in abundance.
                                       I spent a lot of time in the back of the van.  Great times!!!!
                                                         Iou Valley......beautiful!

 Yes we are still in Hawaii but Dan & Deb tend to be either cold or afraid of the sun!
From Iou Valley we drove around the small end of the Island and enjoyed the scenery.  The blow hole!

 Sunday we went to church.  I love going to church here.  It was another beautiful day.
 Kent & Dawnette Orem were in Hawaii the same time we were.  They came for a barbecue on Friday night and then returned on Sunday because Dawnette decided to stay with us for a while because Kent was going home and then returning in 2 weeks.  Almost a month in Maui.....she is one lucky girl!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Christmas 2012

 We had our Christmas program on the Sunday before Christmas this year.  Rachelle planned the program and did a great job.  Karl & Cindy came with their family and Jason & Kris and Bryce and Becky and their kids.  It was a full house!!!  Lots of great music, the Christmas Story read from Luke by Grandpa James and dessert afterwards.
                                                            Grandpa ready to read.
                                                     And the shepherds sang.......
                                                          The angels sang.........

                                               All the children acted well their part.

 Oh Holy NIght!!!
                                                   Were you there when the world was filled with
                                                                       the Holy Light?

                                                   Skyping with Luke & Casey (we missed them)
                                                        Mary & Joseph (Cutler & Josi)
                                                The men volunteered to sing.....
                                                          Two angels! (and a bump)
                                                        Willing Shepherds

Mary pondered in her heart.

 On Christmas Eve we had our annual feast and scavenger hunt.  This year John & Janae Smedley and their children joined us.  It was noisy and fun.  This is the winning team (minus Luke :))
                                                              The Smedleys
                                                                    Present time!!!!

                                                             

Christmas in Florida

 Luke & Owen

 Grandpa is having a nap.

 Florida sunset!



 Cooper helped Owen open his present.

                                                                         Best buddies





                                                               Look at the bird!
 We went to Florida to see Luke & Casey and the boys for Christmas.  They were unable to come home for Christmas this year so we spent some time with them.  The weather was beautiful.  Cooper sure loves his Grandpa!!!