Pot O' Gold

After Kerry and I had breakfast on the Lanai, the finches haven't found us here, I started to get ready for the day and he left for work. I just happened to look out the door and saw the rainbow.
From Ala Moana Park

clear to the City
and then to Treasure Island, it wasn't raining for the moment but it was sure pretty. And it looked like you reach out and touch the pot of gold at the end. (one could hope huh?)

The View (and certainly not the one with those mouthy women)

After the traffic jam and getting checked into the room this was the relaxing part of the evening, what a "View" from our Lanai, just enjoy the sunset with us.

I HATE TRAFFIC-Honolulu at it's best?

No matter where I go I hate traffic but most places try to deal with it better! This was on the way to our hotel after Kerry picked me up at the airport at 5:00 in the evening. Further back on the other side it was bumper to bumper six lanes across.

Notice the speed limit sign, more than that notice the minimum speed sign!

Notice how fast we were going for miles! (less than 10 miles an hour!)

Like I said for miles!

So there are plans out there to make transportation better. When I learned that one was to put lanes above the current freeway that are directional I just about died. I am not an engineer but even I know that you have to reinforce and modify a current structure to support something like that. It wasn't designed to be built on. And then where would all of the ramps go that get you up there or off, you would have to take up current lanes to make that change and face it there isn't room. Nor is there room on the side streets to take up the load of traffic coming off of those lanes. Not to mention that it would be so high in the air in order to go over the existing overpasses it would be crazy. As far as more buses go they weren't moving any faster than we were, more would only make it slower. The people who work as part of the tourist trade here need a good system to get to and from work. I have seen fights to stop rail systems coming into local areas before, I have also experienced the rail system in Salt Lake City, Portland, and Washington D.C. and they are wonderful. Not like the subways you see in movies that are dark and dirty. They are fast, efficient, clean, and QUIET. Honolulu would be so smart to make this one happen here. And I have not been brainwashed by my husband who is an engineer, I have experienced it myself. Ok, the pictures talk for themselves and I will get off of the subject now.

After about 45 minutes at 10 mph we finally got to the hotel.

The color of fall

Before heading to Honolulu to spend time with Kerry, Rebecca and I drove up the canyon to check out the fall colors because I knew when I got back that they would all be faded. Afterall, the fall colors are one of my favorite things in this world. While Hawaii offers tropical year round I love the four seasons in Utah and of course Colorado. My only disappointment is that is has been a relatively hot autumn and so the red leaves aren't as brilliant as usual.

This was so beautiful in person with the color of the leaves and the sun shining between the peaks and of course the snow from the past season still hanging on. I thought I would try and capture it but...

The last time I came up to take pictures in this canyon it was with my mom. It has been too long and it was a good afternoon spending time with Rebecca.

There is nothing like fall in the Rocky Mountains

And the walls come tumbling down (or at least tearing down)

It all started the night we had a Lia Sophia party at our house. While I was in the family room I hear this tearing noise. When I came around the corner into the kitchen Natalie and Jessica were tearing the wallpaper off of the wall next to my fridge, and laughing hysterically at the expression on my face. True that I have hated the wallpaper since we moved in 15 years ago but I wasn't quite ready for that. Two weeks later after the BYU-Wyoming game Natalie was at our house and the next thing I know she is pulling more off of the walls and Kerry is just standing there watching her!

One thing leads to another and more people as Rachel and Cameron get involved.

Kerry even took the blinds down, even though I agreed I didn't think he would. No more ivy on the walls, just the backing from the wallpaper. So who knows what comes next. Paint? Paint on the cabinets, new flooring, new curtains......

I am excited to finally have that nasty wallpaper down and that my girls, who knew I hated it, are more daring than I am. Stay tuned for all of the fun.

Can you see the difference?

Since our home was built in the late 70's we have gradually made updates to the house. Last but not least comes the kitchen! When we bought the house fifteen years ago the trash compactor didn't work it was just wasted space. You can tell that the drawers are new because of how pretty the stain is, but it is amazing how much difference four drawers can make! Ben did a great job matching things didn't he?

Happy Birthday Rosemarie

Happy Birthday to Rosemarie, we love you and love spending time with you.

Congratulations on another great win BYU Cougars!!! BYU 44-o over Wyoming.

My New Hobby

So next week I will be in Honolulu for a few days. I look forward to time with him and seeing more sights. But I do need a new hobby while I'm there. I am opening this up to you for suggestions. Diving in NOT an option. I will have a little time on my hands while he is at work and doing various things so for those of you who have been there or want to go there the suggestion list is open for consideration! Be realistic!!!!

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Ghandi

There is so much talk in the political world about change right now so when I heard this quote the other day I had to write it down. We have to be the ones responsible for change, face it electing a new President won't make any difference unless Congress changes as well. Bush gets the blame for all the ills of our country right now but who has been in the leadership roles of Congress lately? We heard about change two years ago and we have done nothing but spiral down even further than we were before. It is time to get away from the "Party Lines" and do what is best for everyone. So If we want change we have to make the decisions that will make that happen. We all have a responsibility to VOTE for local and national leaders this November. If you don't take the time to vote and make a choice then don't complain to me!!!

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Breaking down and buying a new canner!

Out with the old one and in with the new. So after 25 years of canning with a used canner it decided it was done, it wouldn't hold pressure anymore. I had to buy a new canner yesterday to do chicken with. They make me nervous so breaking in a new one wasn't fun. Actually it wasn't too bad and we were on our way to bottling 40 pints and 9 half pint jars of chicken.

What a CRAZY Fun fall day! September 13, 2008

Kerry flew home on Friday and we have not stopped since he stepped off of the plane! On Saturday we went to see Caleb play soccer again. I just love to watch him grow and learn. He's still a little timid when he gets on the field but at least his coach is helping him and teaching him. They are so fun to watch. From Caleb's game we went to the BYU-UCLA game. We were a few minutes late because of traffic and coming from Caleb's game, so we missed the first touchdown but we heard it in the parking lot. I was so excited for this game, in my mind it was payback time and I guess the team felt the same way, they certainly didn't disappoint the crowd. What a fun game to be at. While the picture below is small the game was a HUGE one for BYU.
BYU 59-UCLA 0

This week the Wyoming Cowboys- Rise and Shout Cougars!

After the BYU game we headed to Sandy for the last of the summer concerts. They call them "The Summer Sunset Concerts" and you will see why. Tonight's concert was "Colors" and it was a delightful concert. The first one this summer was Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband and it was so cold. The next two Richard Marx and Peter Breinholt were in the heat of the summer. We returned to a cooler temperature on this one. They were all such good concerts and fun to be at with family. It is hard to believe how fast this summer has gone, so many fun times and great memories.

A beautiful fall sunset.

From here we went to pick up Jessica and Dave's car from the airport, they had flown to California earlier in the day for their much anticipated Disneyland trip. If I could divide myself in half I would have to be able to watch these kids experience Disneyland for the first time. I can't wait to see pictures. At the end of the day Kerry and I literally fell into bed but it was a great day just being together.

Slow Cooking Show

Last night I planned a fun night at Thanksgiving Point with the girls. Taste of Home was doing it's fall cooking show at Thanksgiving Point and I thought it would be fun for all of us to go. Jessica and I attended one two years ago and we really had fun. Last year we were so immersed in weddings that we didn't go. The event was scheduled to start at 6:30 about 35-40 minutes later they finally got started. This should be a well executed presentation since it is delivered all over the United States but it was slow and unorganized. There were a lot of "goodies" given out at a mercilessly slow pace. Three hours later we all walked to our vehicles ready to go home. We did have fun but ended up kind of in our own little world talking and playing like bored kids in the back of the room. Next girls night will be a little more fun girls I promise! (You really didn't miss anything this time Cyd.)

Aren't they gorgeous?

Natalie is trying to figure out what was in the bottom of the goodie bag we got at the door.

GO COUGARS

I can't tell you how excited I am for this game on Saturday, more so than for any game I have been to in a long time. GO COUGARS.