Aloha Oe-

On Sunday we went to church like normal but I experienced something that I had never seen in this ward before. One of the young couples was moving out of the ward and after the closing prayer was said in Sacrament Meeting they were asked to come up on the stand by the Bishop and the ward stood and sang Aloha Oe to them, at the end of the song the Bishop escorted the couple to the door. I stood and cried like a baby, it was very touching. I told Kerry I thought it was very sweet, the next Sunday I said I was glad that didn't happen very often because I couldn't handle it again, guess what it did. I was told that a few years ago the ward would walk in front of those moving away and give them lei's as they sang to them but with the block meeting schedule they had to just sing to them now. I thought it was such a neat tradition.

Haaheo e ka ua i na pali
Ke nihi ae la i kanahele
E uhai ana paha i ka liko
Pua a hihi lehua o u

Aloha oe, aloha oe,
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace, a hoi ae au
Until we meet again.

Aloha oe, aloha oe,
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace, a hoi ae au
Until we meet again.

Proudly sweeps the rain cloud by the cliffs
As onward it glides thru the trees
It seems to be following the liko
The a hihi lehua of the vale

The a hihi lehua of the vale
Thou charming one who dwells among the bowers
One fond embrace, before I now depart
Until we meet again, until we meet again

The Hawaiian version of "God Be With You"

Turtles-Laniakea Beach

This is my FAVORITE beach on Oahu right now. I am mesmerized by these turtles. I wanted to go back and see them again so Kerry gathered up the snorkel gear and we headed over to the North Shore. These turtles were up on the beach with a ring around them placed by the beach guardians. It allows people to walk up close and take pictures without touching them.

The coastline on the North Shore, I think this is what Rebecca envisioned the Island to be rather than the big city on the more desert side of the Island.

Most of the turtles that come on the beach here have been tagged and have names.

I didn't even see this one on the way down to the beach but on our way back it caught my eye.
I had been able to snorkel here before when we came in July but the water was really murky
so I had a really tough time in the water which made me so frustrated. Kerry went out and chased a couple of turtles for awhile but didn't stay in the water as long as he would have liked to because of his "wimpy wife."

These turtles are so big but to see the tiny little head poking out of the water is deceptive.

On our way back to the city we decided to go by and see if the new restaurant had opened
where Rosie's used to be and "much to my surprise Rosie had not yet met her demise." Rosie's was still open so we went in for dinner. They still didn't know when they were going to close so I hope we at least get to take Dave, Jes and the boys when they come over in Sept. Dinner was yummy!

Sweet Time with Kerry

This summer was so crazy and it was only 2/3 of the way done and Kerry has been in Hawaii most of the time. I was there in June but headed back in August to spend some quiet time with him. I think he knew how exhausted I was and my hip and lower back were just out of control he booked me into a first class ticket so that I could relax and be comfortable. He however, flew in coach, usually he gets bumped up because of all of his miles and I am in coach so it was a little strange. I sat next to this older gentleman who liked to talk, turns out he was an extra in the original Star Trek and even had some episodes on his Ipod to show me. It was interesting to talk to him. Once the out of control family behind me finally quieted down I was able to sleep for a little while.

I really like the place that he is staying now because it has kitchen and a separate bedroom but I miss the views that we had in a couple of other places. One thing that we see quite often are the long boats and teams on the Alwai Canal it is fun to watch them

Kerry has been attending the Mikiki Ward for over a year now, and feels more at home with this ward than our own at home. The Saturday after we got to Honolulu the ward had their annual beach party and Kerry joined in playing volleyball. People actually know his name now.

This is Magic Island across for the Alamona Mall and makes you feel like you are in Paradise with the water views.

It was a fun, relaxing and enlightening afternoon.

Ghost Pains

I have always respected the title of Doctor. I can only express how frustrated I am with my current physician's. Early this summer I was experiencing pain in my lower abdomen, again the test for appendix...and on to an MRI which proved inconclusive.

Then a literal pain in my neck several tests and another MRI and another inconclusive result just a vein that is lower than most, so why is it so painful now if it has been that way all my life?

Next a bad pain in my hip enough that I couldn't walk for weeks. Went to see another Dr. and as a result of xrays I'm told that my back is the cause and that I need to see my neurosurgeon immediately because the disc in my back is completely gone and it is now bone on bone. On to the neurosurgeon who simply told me that I am too young for surgery and to come back in two years, and for the pain, no time! Back to the ortho for the continual pain in my hip, and guess what another MRI the third of the summer. And guess what inconclusive, actually the diagnosis that a physical therapist told me years ago that I have arthritis in my hips bad was not correct and that there are no signs of that thank goodness but for the pain....

Next one for feminine problems which we had a huge fight with the insurance to get some shots to help me shut down! After months done and hopefully the effects are done as well. The binding thing in all of this the headache the ever present headache I saw the Dr. before I came to Hawaii and this time there was a viral infection, the time before a sinus infection through all of this the headache persists.....never ending. I just wish that all of the Dr.s would talk and work together to finds answers and get rid of the word inconclusive and find help me find some answers.

Tonight while Cameron was mowing the lawn for me this strange storm came from behind Timpanogos and to the west of Utah County. The bottom of the clouds had the erie green tint on the bottom of them. I was glad Cameron was done and we stood and watched the clouds move and the rain start.

It's hard to see the colors but it was fascinating!

I just love this man!

I treasure the time we have together and try not to hate it when we are apart.

And like the saying goes "kiss the cook."

We were able to get tickets for the last day of the open house at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I thought because it was the last day that the lines would be extremely long and it would take us forever. It wasn't that way at all it was so organized and it ran so smoothly. It was just beautiful. Just before we went inside Kerry and Rebecca were looking at the Angel Moroni statue on top to see if you could still see signs from where it had been struck by lightening.

Afterwards we just stopped for some pictures together. It was very beautiful I am glad that we were able to attend yet another temple open house, and look forward to my 7th dedication.

"Families are forever."

Goof ball!

Need I say more, he was focused on what Rebecca was holding in her hand, food of course.

Good friends!

We were lucky to have our good friends the Toyn's come and spend a weekend with us. We have been talking about getting together for a long time and it is nice that we were finally able to do so. We went to dinner and Red Lobster and then they stayed over night at our house and went to church with us the next day and had dinner at our house. It was so great to be with them, it made me miss the good old days. It was so good to talk and laugh with them again. I was dumb though I didn't take one picture while they were here. I just hope that we are able to things with them on a more regular basis, good friends are hard to come by!

Later that day the Lunt's came from Maryland and we were able to have them over with all of our family for a BBQ. Spending time with them is great fun as well. We were lucky to see them because I was leaving the next day with Kerry to go to Honolulu for three weeks. It was nice to visit with them, they also feel like old friends even though we have only known them for a couple of years now. I just wish we had been able to spend a little more time with them.

Playing with the twins, he was hiding.

The twins still have these boys wrapped around their fingers. They are really cute with them.

Just chillin and talking.

Safe!

24th of July

My own immediate family doesn't get together very often since my brother and his wife live in Arizona. They were here for the 24th and we were able to have a large family barbecue at my sister's house. It was fun to be together for a little while.

Aren't these kids cute?

Just visiting inside for a little bit Nichole, Elaine, Jessica, and Lindsey with Colston on the floor.

Rosemarie dishing up her yummy strawberry ice cream.

With all of the combined fireworks, they were getting all set up for a show.

Just look at that stock pile of fireworks.

Still not to sure about some of them.

Let the show begin. It was fun to be together even if it was just for a little while.

Swimming lessons

One of the fun things this summer is being at Rachel and Cameron's pool to play. A family friend agreed to teach the grandson's how to swim. So Kerry and I went to watch them get started. Getting them to jump in was the first task, but the time that we got there they had finished the first lesson and were just playing in the pool, but the boys got to show off for us.

Rachel floating with Spencer
Caleb jumped in on his own!

Practicing using the legs.
Look at that big grin!
I think she's loving this time with the boys.
Last jump into mom's arms and his head went under and he didn't panic, good sign.
Thanks for taking the time Tyler!

The Garden of Weeden

The peas in our garden did really well this year, they were so sweet we mostly ate them right off of the fine. I love the contrast of the hanging baskets behind them.

Unfortunately the peas and beans weren't the only things doing well. Between all of the trips this summer I spent a great deal of time weeding. The moss ivy was everywhere and huge. It took me days to get to where you could actually see the dirt between the rows of tomatoes again.
Just look at the wheel barrel

and under the Tee pee

Just a little glimpse of what I was contending with.

I guess this is part of the curse from Adam and Eve I know that the thorns on my roses are!

Dr. Dave's treat for his patients

When Harry Potter came out Dr. Dave reserved a theatre and hosted his patients, it was such fun to be a part of it. The movie was fun but it was also fun to watch Dr. Dave interact with his patients. Everyone bailed before I was able to get a group picture taken but here is the fam anyway.

Thanks for the treat Dave!

Getting Ready for Baby

While visiting with Natalie one evening we got her to show us some of the things that they already have for the new little one. We are very excited to have yet another baby join the family this year.

I don't think they are very excited for the new arrival though!