Hawaii In A Nutshell

I'm trying to catch up on all the happenings in our life within the past few weeks. I had an opportunity to travel to Hawaii with a friend from church, Heather. We had a great time, although I don't think Hawaii is for me. I think I prefer vacationing in the trees, or if I am going to go somewhere tropical then I prefer somewhere within the latin culture. Here is a run down of the trip...

Six and a half hour plane ride, 45 minute shuttle to hotel, ABC Stores, hit the beach, numerous hours of people watching, too many speedos, beautiful sunsets, drinks at Duke's, a day in Honolulu and China Town, tea shops, botanical gardens, an extensive bus ride to and from Pearl Harbor, hit the northshore with World Champion surfers (no really, we rode over with them), made some new friends, 4-foot swells kayaking trip (scary), outdoor international market, coffee and more people watching, our own tours through hotels (we acted like we were guests and took random/funny pictures around the hotels), 1980's/cruise ship/hockey announcing luau (it was free), dinner with a friend from Seattle (random run-in), street performers, sunrise hike to Diamond Head (this might have to be another post), more laying on the beach, trip back home (long and exhausting environment of an out of control daycare)....definitely excited to see Chad.

I must note that while I was in Hawaii, Chad spent a few days in Vancouver, B.C. with 15 other guys...a bachelor party for Anthony. Chad didn't have the camera so pics were not taken of his travels. Maybe this is a good thing.

Home Opener

The Mariners are well into their season and off to a great start. For the past five years I have attended the home opener with a handful of friends and family. Last year, by far, has been the best with the home opener landing on my birthday. However, each year that the tradition continues of us attending the home opener, it seems to get bigger and better and I love every minute of it. We almost didn't make it this year, but we were lucky enough to scrounge tickets from friends who love us (thanks Barrans). Also, this year Chad's parents weren't around and many friends asked about them. Maybe next year they will be able to make it!

Busy

The past few weeks our lives, or rather my life, has been crazy busy...but in many good and fun ways. I enjoy being busy and always on the go. I like to be active and social, see new things, and constantly catch up with friends all over the world. It's my nature and there is no way around it...I like to be busy. I find myself definitely being busier when the weather is nicer, late spring through early fall; however, that does not stop me from socializing and maintaining my busyness throughout the cold-winter months. Although, I'm beginning to wonder if there is a "too busy" and when I reach that point what should I do about it.

(Chad here. I am officially making this "our" blog. Okay, now I am done.)

What has been...Mackenzie visiting for a week, being a Seattle "tourist", constant training for sprint triathlons and other races approaching, Survivor nights, small group, weekly Girl Scout troop meetings, Tuesday "family nights" with our 5-plex, trivia nights at Wilde Rover, subbing every day (horray), Mariner games, trip to Oregon, trip to Canada, trip to Hawaii...

What lies ahead...trip home to Spokane, Bloomsday--8 mile race, subbing in elementary music (yikes), taking care of a dear friend after having knee surgery, more troop meetings, my brother's birthday, chad's birthday, first troop camping/overnight experience, additional subbing, continued sprint-triathlon training, Memorial Day camping at Rasar State Park, continued Survivor, Trivia, small group and "family" nights, many more Mariner games, first sprint triathlon (chad is looking for any additional "pit crew" members that care to join him), mom's birthday, a girls trip to Eugene--quality time with my in-laws, Chad's fishing trip to alaska, family reunion on my side, trip to Idaho for the 4th (hopefully a couple more trips squeezed in somewhere), trip to California for friends' wedding, followed by a trip to Boise, Idaho for friends' wedding....

Phew...I'm pooped. We have quite the schedule/spring/summer ahead of us.

I've attached a few pics from Mackenzie's visit. Enjoy!

Granny and Ear Piercing

For as long as I can remember my birthday has meant going to Granny's house. I am the oldest grandchild, therefore the first, born on my Granny's birthday. As we have gotten older it has been a bit more difficult to spend our birthdays together, but we always call one another on our birthdays.

The first birthday memory I have with my Granny is getting my ears pierced. When I was three and in preschool, I remember seeing other girls in my class who had their ears pierced. At only three, more than anything, I wanted to be like my friends and have my ears pierced too. As the story has been told to me, I came home from school one day and asked if I could get my ears pierced for my next birthday, knowing that it wasn't that far away. I begged, pleaded, and I'm sure threw quite a fit, but my parents stood strong and continued to tell me "no". Finally, after many days of me being persistant, determined and stubborn (traits I still possess...just ask Chad) to get what I want, mom promised me that when I turned 5 I could get my ears pierced. In her telling me this, I think she was hoping that the issue would not arrise for some time and that my persistance and determination would go away.

A year later when my fifth birthday was approaching, I asked mom if we were going to be in Oregon at Granny and Papa's house. Mom shared that we would be traveling to Oregon to celebrate not only our birthdays, but also Easter together. I was ecstatic and I responded with, "That's so great! Granny and I can get our ears pierced together!" Mom laughed hesitantly and said, "What do you mean, 'You can get your ears pierced together?'" I then proceeded to share with her that when I was 4 and I wanted to get my ears pierced, but couldn't, she had made a promise with me that when I turned 5 I could get my ears pierced. As the story goes, when we got to Oregon, Granny, Mom and myself went into Eugene and I got my ears pierced with my Granny.

I love my Granny dearly and this year we were able to celebrate our birthdays together. I don't think we have ever spent our birthdays together at a Mexican restaurant. The sombreros were great!