It would have been a cute picture if I hadn't been so mad!

On the 24th Quate' was so worn out from running all day he actually sat and watched the fireworks with us. Imagine him sitting still while outside!

He is such a cute dog. But today when I got home from running errands I opened the door to the house from the garage where he usually meets me with his tail wagging. I guessed he had gotten out before I closed the gate and was probably hiding under my bed. No, when I went further into the house I spied him standing on the counter in the bathroom. As I got closer I also noticed he had knocked the "Ti" plant off of the counter as he had done it and it was out of the pot on top of the toilet and the pot was on the ground. He obviously couldn't get back down because the lid now housed the plant and dirt was all over the place so he was stuck. He was happy to see me and his little tail was wagging until he realized I wasn't very happy with him. He finally gave in and jumped down and went to the back door where he usually goes when he gets in trouble. He wouldn't make eye contact and his tail was tucked between his legs, he knew he was in trouble! The soil was moist enough that we have had to let it dry in order to clean it up without making more of a mess. He's still outside looking through the sliding door and the blinds hoping we haven't forgotten him. As I fixed dinner, made Zucchini Bread and cleaned up the kitchen I have thought it would have been a cute picture if I hadn't been so mad! I had to chuckle at the thought of it and be happy it was me that found him first.

Never Still!!!

We all know how hard he works when he is at his job, but when he is home he tries to get all of the stuff done around here that needs fixing ....

I was all set up to start canning apricots for our storage and look what happened when Iwent in the other room, he just can't sit still.
The finished project, aren't they pretty?

He surprised me by washing the outside of our windows, sadly we had really bad wind and rain later that night:(

One of the many things he does is cook, and very well. For the 24th he made a family favorite "Manti Turkey" and homemade ice cream. All of the kids who were here (sorry Cyd and Ken we missed you) asked what the special occasion was, "family" was the occasion.

Before we know it he will be back in Honolulu slaving away again. At least it isn't Dubai!!!

Patriots and Pioneers

The flag blowing in the wind from the Arizona Memorial gave me the chills. I love the flag!

As a result of going to Honolulu with Kerry a few times I have wished I had been more inquisitive of my dad and his role in World War II. I stand in front of the memorial at Punchbowl National Cemetery and wonder where he really served. I know that he was in the Pacific on some small islands which is where he contracted malaria. From there he was sent to Hill Air Force Base to recover and meet mom. He had told us that his records had been lost and so he was sent back into action and went to Okinawa. I have sent for his records and sure enough there was no record of him being there prior to him contracting malaria. As I have stood looking at the history and the large map I can only speculate as to where he was based on some of the stories that he told. One thing I do know is that he had such a patriotic spirit about him and he always showed that by example.



One of the maps on the inside of the memorial which tells the story of the war.




The view of the memorial, if you have ever seen an episode of Hawaii Five O then you have seen this picture in the opening credits. (Kerry laughs at me because I know a lot of places on Honolulu from growing up watching Hawaii Five O or later watching Magnum PI.)

In church two weeks ago we heard talks on our pioneer heritage and patriotism. They talked about Joseph Smith and his love of our country but they didn't include his heritage and how the two are related. I have thought a lot about the talks since then and I am so apprectiative of both my pioneer ancestry as well as my patriotic ancestry since they're both through the same line and others as well. I am wowed by my dad and his service to our country and that he was able to return home, he is a hero in my book!

"Wook a duh" or in other words Look at the- Spencer

We all get a kick out of Spencer because he is in the fabulous world of discovery. Because he is still learning the "w" sound look comes out as "wook" and we all go around saying "wook a duh" after he says it. He is not afraid of much and is so entertaining. The thought of us going to Hawaii for any length of time is difficult when we think about the family.....

A study of Caleb from the 24th

You can tell that Caleb has been in front of a camera since he was born. He definitely likes to pose for the camera. And we love to stick the camera in his face constantly. This was on the "Pioneer" day or the 24th of July for a family BBQ.

Some of my favorite (fravorite) things in Hawaii

The view from Kerry's office in Ali'i Place in Downtown Honolulu.



Lunch with Kerry in the Plaza. I would ride the bus and meet him. We would go to lunch or I would make a lunch and meet him and we would eat in a plaza between buildings downtown.




These blooms are on trees all over Honolulu and they are so beautiful.



Another view of the trees, they are yellow and pink and yellow combined and various shades of pink.




Hibiscus in red or yellow. Of course there is the ginger and plumeria and... what beautiful flowers.

Making Grandma's Day

I got a text message from Rebecca two days ago from Dave's office, she is learning to assist from Dave and is thinking about going into dental assisting. She told me that Jessica and the boys had come into the office and Caleb said to her "Hey Rebecca, I need to get together with Grandma!" Of course she knew that would make my day. Grandkids are just the greatest blessing ever.

Christian the Lion Reunited, I love the message with it

This is not the one I had on here originally, this is the one that I really wanted to put on, once I had help figuring it out. I love the message so if you watched the first one please bear with me and watch this one.




Try and connect with someone you have lost contact with today.

Rosemarie's Surprise May 14, 2008

The school was very prepared for this day. They had worked hard to keep it a secret
and though she suspected a little bit they overwelmed her when she walked in by standing and singing the school song.



She continues to look through the visitors to see who have come to celebrate her final days at Amelia Earhart Elementary School and a wonderful career.




Many times during the presentation she was overcome with emotion.




Rachel got to present a check from Macey's Food and Drug for a program they had been doing for the school year.




Not all of the Smith family were able to attend but this is who were able to be there to help with the celebration and most of all the surprise. It was a fun day to be a part of and to help plan. The reaction was more than worth the effort.

Tackle, Tickle and Snort

All of this talk of memories has me looking at some of my pictures and I couldn't resist

Tag you're IT. I'll join in too!

Have you seen this little tag going around on blogs? I left a comment on one, so now I've got to do #2 on the list.So let's play:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

3. If you can't say anything nice, don't comment. If you do, I'll delete it.

Breakfast with the Finches; Diving with the Fishes -- Just Another Day in Paradise. . .

Big Month for Rebecca

For Spring Break Rebecca and I came to Honolulu with Kerry. Unfortunately he had to work while we played but we had a great time. We connected with Elmo on one of our nightly walks down through Waikiki. I couldn't resist having her pose with him.
One of the biggest days for her was her graduation from Timpanogos High School. She's learning to hate the question,"What are your plans for the future?" But she may have found her answer working the last few days with Dr. Dave. I can't believe my baby is all grown up.

In the Merry Month of May

In May I was able to be a part of a fund raising event for Natalie's brother in law and his family who lost their wife and mother in April. It was an amazing and very overwhelming event. Nate is pictured here talking to Peter Breinholt after the concert. Ryan Shupe surprised us by showing up to sing with Peter that night. It was so much fun and we are very grateful for all of those who donated time, talent, and money to make the event a great success. Jessica worked her tail off to make this event happen, the rest of us were there to help her where we could. The whole event from planning stages through the clean up was truely a case study of mankind. It was an eye opener for me to say the least.

Getting Started Finally

Our favorite place to eat on Waikiki, "Yummo"

Aloha,
Today is day five in Honolulu. It is beautiful to say the least but quite warm, thank goodness for the cool breezes. Even though Kerry is still working it is so nice to have the extra time with him. With the two weeks at home, then here, and the two weeks back at home it will be the longest stretch of time we have had together for quite awhile. I have been using the time to sort through emails and delete a bunch, reading, wandering around the area and just relaxing in general. I am just getting started with this blog so be patient with me it really is a learning experience. Pictures to follow!