Hawaii Temple/Polynesian Culture Center

We went to the Polynesian Culture Center. It was awesome! We loved it there. If we would have had more time we would have gone back another day. We were there all day, and yet did not see everything. But it was one of our favorite things we did. And I loved, LOVED the purple rolls! We also went to the Temple grounds. They are renovating, but still was a beautiful place.

Denny took this picture of me at our hotel

The Hawaii Temple.....Beautiful

Our favorite treat in Hawaii was the shaved ice. I kid you not, it was the best shaved ice I have ever had....and look how huge it (and Denny's eyes) was

This was the canoe pageant at the Polynesian Center...was lots of fun to watch

This was a guy from Samoa...those of you that have been there before, I am sure you know who he is. He was sooooooo funny. Had me laughing tears. He was hilarious! (And Solid)

These men and boys would climb the coconut trees.....amazing

Me and Denny with our guide Alex...He is going to BYU and is from Guatemala. He was great!

Me and Denny in front of the famous tree. This tree was used in an Elvis movie. It was really neat. It started to to grow on one side and, arched over to the other side of the river, then curves back like a snake to the middle

These were Hula dancers are out Luau. It was really fun. The dinner was great. I just loved watching the Hula dancers...wish I could dance like that.

So, I had way to many photos to post of this day....so I am going to put them in slide show for those that would like to view them. Next post will probably be Pearl Harbor, will try to get them posted over the weekend!

Most of these photos are of the North Shore of Oahu...very very beautiful

Hawaii Vacation!!

We have just returned from the most amazing trip to Hawaii. It was the time of my life. For those of you that may not know...Denny won a trip from his work anywhere in the US for 7 days. They put your name in a drawing after you have been there for 10 years at the Christmas party. Denny has worked there for 12 years. They pay for hotel, airfare, car rentals, and $500 spending cash. Days before we left Ryanne came down with Croup. And Colby was starting to come down with something. I was actually up with Ryanne all night before we left, got her to sleep, slept for an hour and then left at 3:30 in the morning for our flight. When we finally got to call home and check on her--amazingly she was doing much better! I was really nervous leaving the kids for that long. My Mother-in-law was awesome. She just said go--we will be OK. Enjoy! (She is an amazing woman and I am so thankful for her) But once we were there...I am not going to lie--I really had a wonderful time. I have never left the kids longer than a night or weekend. So being away in Hawaii for a whole week was huge for me. I am still going through all the photos but getting allot of requests for photos so I thought I should get started and do a day at a time....Enjoy! (I will try to keep them coming but try not to bore you either)

The first four days we were in Oahu. This was our view from our hotel room. Ocean View! We were stoked and spent many morning and evening sitting out on our balcony, just looking at the ocean. We actually slept with the door open many night so that we could listen to the ocean. Loved it!

Me and Denny out on our balcony

My hubby enjoying the view

Our first day out there and the last day we were able to see these sea turtles in the water below our room. I LOVED the sea turtles. In this photo above you can see them in the water as people are swimming towards them. Denny actually went down there with snorkel gear and underwater camera trying to get a picture. It was so funny. I would be standing on the beach and sea the turtles head poking above the water, then Denny would poke his head up. I would scream 4FT TO THE LEFT! He would go and look but the water was so murky that he never saw it....but they were always so close to each other.

We finally got our leis! We were pretty excited about that. But after that we actually got them like every day. (these are what I call myspace photos...lol. We took allot of these photos, we got better)

This was the first time we put our feet in the sand. Loved the feeling of the sand in my toes.

Denny in the ocean for the first time

Waikiki Beach

Me and Denny enjoying the Ocean....

I loved these trees. They have them everywhere. They are like big bonsai trees!

Me and Denny at the Pineapple Plantation...Let me just tell you, I overdosed on pineapples. We had pineapple slices and pineapple ice cream. Yummy!

The cutest pineapple I have ever seen!

This pineapple needs to hit the gym!

This was the LDS church that was by our hotel. I thought it was so beautiful. I was like what is this building? Then when I found out--I was so excited.

Our pool....I never actually got to swim in it. They closed at 5 every day for some stupid reason. Never made it back from our activities in time. But it was a pretty pool with a slide!

We loved walking along the beach...especially in the evenings

Surfer Dudes

Waikiki Beach at night

While walking the beach one night we stumbled along the cutest little hula girls. We sat and watched them for some time. Sorry this was the best photo I had, it was kind of dark.

Mason's Baptism!

Mason was baptised on May 2, 2009. What a joyous day. It was so spiritual and wonderful. I was so proud of him and Denny. Denny did such a wonderful job with the baptism and confirmation. Colby gave his testimony, it was so wonderful. I am so thankful for my family and the choices they have made. We had so much family and friend support. Thank you everyone!

Denny and Mason

Me, Denny, and Mason

My boys!

All of my boys

Me and my wonderful family...I am truly blessed

My Dad and Sandy with Mason

Me and my little boy

He went into the water a boy....came out a man.

This has got to be one of my favoite pictures..What studs!

Mason is his new church suite...so handsome.It was an amazing moment. The spirit was so strong in that room. And I was so proud of all the boys in my life. You did a great job..

I am so proud of you Mason for making this choice. I am so blessed and honored to be your Mom. Love you Lots and Lots.