MAUI

For our ten year anniversary/graduation we planned a trip to Hawaii. We ended up going with Alan's brother Ben and his wife Jen and their friends, Jordan and Erica (who also happen to be newlyweds). It was really fun. Thanks to Jen's parents timeshare we were able to sped money on doing the fun stuff!! Thanks so much Morley's!! You rock!

We had an AMAZING time in Maui! Best vacation I've ever been on. I guess I really enjoyed having a break from the kiddos (even though I love them with all my heart) and just spending time with my man. It is an incredible island. And we did just about everything we wanted to do, so that made it an even better experience. We figured - we might not be back for a long time - so do it all!

On our way to Maui we had a few hour layover in Honolulu, so we took advantage and went to see the Pearl Harbor memorial. It was really cool. I can't believe that ship is still there in the water. We saw a documentary video and then they took us over to the ship on a boat.

On our first day in Maui we went to see the Iao Needle. It was sooo green and beautiful. Then we drove around the west side of the island on the smallest road I have ever been on. It was a crazy drive with such amazing views. We stopped at a beautiful beach called Ka'anapali and went snorkeling for my first time ever. I loved it - I pretty much was hooked from there and I wanted to snorkel all the time. I couldn't believe how much you could see under there and how close all the fish are. Then we stopped in what is now my favorite town in the world (it beat out Vegas) - Lahaina. It was so fun. This whole town's main street was right on the ocean. So we shopped and had dinner with incredible ocean views as the Sunset. I loved it and instantly fell in love. Not only that, but there was a guy singing and playing his guitar at the restaurant we ate at and he was really good. Can't wait to take Summer to see Lahaina. She would love it. The shopping is really great there! I miss you Lahaina!

The next morning (or should I say - middle of the night) was the most amazing ever! It was the funnest thing we did in Maui for sure. We were picked up at 2:15 AM and taken to a bike shop were we got instructions and were fitted for bikes and gear. Then they drove us to the top of the volcano (Haleakala) at 10,000 ft to watch the sunrise! It was INCREDIBLE! Not only have I not been up to see the sunrise very often, but I had never seen anything like this! Then we rode our bikes down the volcano (on roads) back to the bike shop. It was about 27 miles I think. It was soooo fun! I wanted to do it again the next night, but no one else did. It rocked, you should definitely do it if you go to Maui.

The next night we went to a Luau at The Maui Prince Hotel. It was a beautiful place. The food wasn't as good as I expected, but the fire dancing and the whole show and the also the view were spectacular.

When we were snorkeling at Big Beach we got to swim with a sea turtle! It was soo cool!! We fell in love with snorkeling! One morning we hiked clear out to a place called La Parouse Bay and saw tons of amazing fish. It was a cool place. Alan got stung by a jellyfish there, so I bolted out and that was my last time snorkeling. But it was cool, cause it was like our second to last day.

And just as a side note - Alan was totally fine. He kept snorkeling for like a half our after the whole Jellyfish incident-he is much braver than I.

So, I think that Alan's favorite day on the island was Thursday (it was definitely my second favorite). We rented B-E-A-utiful Harley Road Kings and took a LONG drive around the North East end of the island called the Highway to Hana.

It was crazy fun. We felt like we were riding motorcycles through the rain forest and I'm pretty sure I saw a "Tarzan" tree! I loved everything about that day. At the end of the drive we stopped at the Seven Sacred Pools. It was a very beautiful place. Can I just say that I am so glad Alan did so much research about what to do in Maui, because I am pretty sure that we did ALL the good stuff!

On the road to Hana we stopped at lots of cool places on the way. Like this waterfall on the left where all the guys jumped off of (they jumped off up by the bridge on the left side)! They are crazy, but it was fun!

Doesn't this tree look like the trees on Lost??

The first thing I noticed about Maui was this tree everywhere. I automatically thought it look ed like the tree of life. Don't you think it does? This is the tree where all those beautiful flowers grow on that you put in your hair. I think they are called Gardenia??

Of course the guys HAD to go golfing! Apparently the course was beautiful. Jen and I went and got massages while they golfed!

And the very last day we were there the guys rented surf boards in Lahaina! And they actually got up!! They definitely have got skills! Jen and I sat in the sun and fried, but it was a great day. We spent our last night shopping and having dinner in Lahaina. It was the perfect end to the perfect trip!

I am still dreaming about Maui! Thanks for taking me there baby! I love you!!

The end of a long road

Alan graduated in April from BYU (in case you cant tell from the pictures). I am so proud of him! I NEVER could have worked full time to support a family while going to school. He is an amazing guy! He is a great example to me and to my kids of the importance of getting an education. Maybe someday when all my kids are in school, I will head back and finish my degree..

Anyway. Graduation was long and boring (as usual), but we had a really fun barbeque afterward at the park by our house with all our families and Dewayne's family too. Elli and Dewayne graduated on the same day too!!

It was really fun to see them all graduate together. Elli got her Nursing Degree from BYU and just recently passed her exams so she is an RN now!! Way to go Elli! We are so proud of you! And Dewayne graduated from UVU!

It was a long hard road for all of us (graduates and families included), but so worth it!

Congratulations Babe! I love you sooo much! You are my rock.

Easter 2008

We had a really fun Easter this year.

The day started out with a visit frome the Easter Bunny and Bunny Pancakes by Dad!!

We went to Abu and Papa's and had a yummy barbeque! My Dad is a master barbequer. Alan learned all his tricks from my Dad. So, it was really good food and so fun to see most of the cousins. I love holidays! I guess I just love having an excuse to hang out with family(not that I need an excuse, but it makes it easier). And we have a great family!

Here are a few photos of the kids at the Egg hunt in the backyard and just some cute Easter pics...

I just realized. I didn't take any pics of my kids alone on easter. They all looked so cute, oh well. You get the picture.

Boys Weekend out

Jaxon Driving around by himself!

The boys driving the guys around.

So apparently Jaxon can drive a 4-wheeler all by himself! Alan and his buddy Scott took Jaxon and Tyler down to Moab to go camping, hiking, and 4wheeling. And Jaxon learned how to drive all by himself! I guess he threw himself off one time, but continued to want to drive it afterward.

What a brave boy!!

Jaxon had sooo much fun!

I love that my boys go and do fun stuff like that! It will be even funner when Tyson and Cameron are old enough to go too! Then we can have a girls weekend at home while they are out doing guy things! Of course they came home SUPER dirty, but I guess you win some, you lose some!

Where else can you do this???

Well, I guess Alan has lots of guys weekends away. Here is another one. Where him and his brother Ben went up to Strawberry to go Snomobiling. This is definately a frequent thing. Alan usually goes with Scott and borrows one of his machines, but since Scott didn't go this weekend he had to rent one. Which wouldn't have been so bad until he ran it into a tree!! Don't get me wrong, Alan is a very experienced snomobiler, but accidents happen. He was fine, but $1000 later, I really think we need to buy our own so we don't have to worry about stuff like that!!

A day with my Princess

Back in March we went to see Disney on Ice - Princess Wishes. A date with just me and Cinderella (Hallie). Of course her friend Belle (Sammy) came and her bestest cousin Sleeping Beauty (Deana) too. With Heather and Katie (their Mom's) and of course, my Mom!! It was a great Princess day out. We really had a lot of fun. I think their favorite part was the dragon from Sleeping Beauty who had REAL fire breath!! It was an amazing show and even though we had not so good seats - we still had a great show! And it was fun just spending time with my little princess.

Thanks for making this day possible Abu!! We love you!

I've been tagged...

I was tagged last week, so its about time I actually do it.
This one is short and fun!!

Here are the rules: each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names; then goes to their blog, leaves them a comment by letting them know that they've been tagged and invites them to read your blog.

Here I go...

1. I am totally and completely addicted to SHOPPING! I can't get enough. It's like a drug. I do it when I'm sad, happy, stressed, broke, loaded (which never happens), or anytime I want...
It's kind of like this thing I use to try and make myself feel better - but - as you can probably guess... it does not always work. I usually come home feeling guilty, because I spent way too much. Granted, I think I have gotten better over the years (Alan would probably not agree, but guys don't know everything - do they?). So there you have it - I love to shop, so call me anytime you find a good deal - I'm there!

2. OK, this is a dumb habit or whatever you want to call it - I cannot stand hair on the floor!!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!! It makes me want to scream just thinking about it, and if that hair is wet - its all over - I just wanna puke! So I literally vacuum my bathroom floor everyday after doing my hair so there is no traces of hair. And public locker rooms are totally out - I avoid them like the plague they are so disgusting, especially the Orem Rec Center's locker room - never go there unless you want to step all over wet hair - I about died!

3. I absolutely and uncontrollably LOOOOVE popcorn. I live for it. I have to have it practically everyday. Although, I have now learned to eat it in moderation (yay for me!). I can't resist the smell at the movies. Even if I have decided I won't have any, that deliciously wonderful smell always lures me back in and I cave! What would the world be like without popcorn? I hate to think about it!

4. I am not a morning person! Like Rochelle and Sandee I am not a happy camper if awakened before I am ready. I would so love to stay up late and wake up around eleven or noon, but kids
really put a kink in that equation quick. It's all good, I guess I can sleep in when I'm old...

5. I love doing laundry. I love the smell and having the clothes clean, but I HATE putting it away! Same with the dishwasher. I love cleaning the kitchen and loading it, but I avoid unloading it at all costs - thank heavens for kids chores. So I have piles of clean laundry in my room right now that need to be hung and put away and a dishwasher full of clean dishes, but I am dreading putting it away. I should really just stop procrastinating it - it just makes the piles bigger and makes the task more daunting!

6. I am totally addicted to my DVR and I watch the occasional naughty show, like Lipstick Jungle (its such a good show, naughty, but good). It's the new show with Brooke Shields. Me likey! I'm sad its over right now. It's my dirty little pleasure.
WARNING!!!! This might be too over the top for some readers....
But I am currently addicted to the dumbest show, but I cant get enough. It's called Little People -Big World And yes, its about dwarfs/midgets (whatever you want to call them). It's a reality show on TLC and it just follows them around. I love it - I watch at least one episode every night. This is kind of embarrassing, but I really like that show - I'm a total nerd! I love TLC. They also have this show called Jon and Kate Plus 8. Its about this couple who had twins invitro and then had sextuplets invitro too!!! Can you imagine? I really like that show also. And then there is What Not to Wear. TLC rocks!!!

Alrighty, almost all my blogger buds have been tagged, but I tag: Heidi, Heather, Eliana & Jen

Lets see your lists girlies!