Spring Break in Hawaii: Our Too-Short Time On Oahu (

When we took our Disney cruise to Mexico last Spring break, we thought that would be our last big family trip before Tanner left for college, but then Jim offered to put us all up in Maui for Spring Break 2012 if we could make it there.  That was an offer we could not refuse.  When purchasing our tickets, the flights were cheaper to go to Honolulu and then on to Maui and we figured, since we were going  to have to stop there anyway, we might as well spend a few days on Oahu too.

On March 28th, after the kids got out of school, we jumped on a plane bound for Honolulu.  We arrived in Honolulu at 10 PM (felt like 1AM to us) got our rental car, stopped for a few groceries and then drove across the island to the Turtle Bay Estates.  The kids slept the whole way there (which was fine since it was dark and there wasn't much to see).  It would be fun to see the surprise on their faces when they woke up in the morning and got a good look at their surroundings.  We just hoped they wouldn't wake up too early.  Eric and I were beat, and our bodies were screaming by the time we dropped into bed at what felt like 3 or 4 AM.

The next morning we woke up and went for a little jog around the golf course and on the beach.  Watched the movie Pearl Harbor while we ate some breakfast, got Tanner's BYU housing secured and then took off to visit BYU Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC).

Paddling around the lake like pros.

Palm frond weaving.

Tanner, master fisherman.

Spear Throwing

We had a great time at the PCC learning about all of the different islands and cultures.  We played fun games, enjoyed the shows, paddled a canoe around the lake and enjoyed an authentic luau.  I am sorry to say I fell asleep in the evening show.  I am sure it was spectacular, but the travel from the day before, the fresh air and sunshine, walking all over the PCC and a full tummy did me in.

A friendly game of Hawaiian checkers.

Family Ukulele Lessons

Poi Balls-done successfully...

...and not so successfully.

Poi Tasting

Rhythm Sticks

Hawaiian Luau Welcome

We loved the little condo we stayed in at Turtle Bay.  We were sad to leave it on March 30th. There was still so much we wanted to do on Oahu and not nearly enough time.  On our way to the airport and our flight to Maui we packed in a trip to the LDS Temple, Waikiki Beach, Leonard's Bakery for world famous malasadas and of course a visit to Pearl Harbor.  We made it back from the Arizona Memorial in just enough time to run to the airport and catch our flight to Maui.

Tanner, McKenna and Austin Chill-axing in the condo.

Harmony Talent Show

McKenna and one of her best friends, Sage McKague sang “The Rainbow Connection” in the Harmony Talent show this year.  They did such a wonderful job.  McKenna’s voice has really developed over the last 5 years of performing.   This year we chose to write parts into the end of the song.  It proved to be quite a challenge, but the girls took it on and it turned out great.  The first show was a little rough but we worked on a few things before the evening performance and they were able to amaze the audience.

The end of this show marks the end of an era for me.  After being involved with this production for 7 or 8 years, it is time to move on.  I think this was the first time it really hit me that I won’t have a child in elementary school next year.  I even got a bit teary about it, if you can believe it. 

Wicked

Several years ago Eric surprised me with tickets to go see the Broadway production, Wicked.  I loved it!  I came home and shared the story and the music with my kids.  I thought about how much they would have loved to see it with us.  Well, when I heard it was coming to town this year I wanted to get them tickets so badly.  With our recent family vacations, we just felt it wasn't in the budget. I was so disappointed.  Wouldn't it be great to be made of money?

My mother-in-law knew how much I wanted the family to see it together.  For Christmas she surprised the whole family with tickets to attend the show.  I don't know if you can imagine the calendaring that took place to find tickets to a show we could all attend together.  In the end we still had to buy and resale tickets due to overlooked schedules.  Half the family went one weekend and the other half of the family followed the next weekend.

Carson, McKenna, Eric and I enjoyed the show with Cathy and Steve.  My parents and a neighbor bought Tanner, Austin and Lani's tickets for that night and attended with us, so Lani, Tanner and Austin could attend another weekend due to choir conflicts.  It was a wonderful evening.

Lani made us a delicious St. Patrick's Day dinner before the show then we piled into the van and headed downtown for the show.  It was so fun to take Carson and McKenna before the show to look into the orchestra pit and then watch their faces throughout the elaborate production.  Needless to say we all loved it.  McKenna was singing the songs for weeks leading up to the performance and she still hasn't stopped singing them now that she has seen it.

Republican Precinct Caucus

This year the state of Washington was holding Caucuses for presidential candidates.  Eric and I went to our precinct caucus and were able to participate in the delegate selection process.  It was so neat to see democracy work on this level and be a part of it.  I was able to help organize our precinct, count votes and then be the representative of the Romney campaign in the straw poll tabulation for our area.  This caucus event was also a great way to get to know people in our area that we normally don’t get to rub shoulders with.  I would have loved to be a delegate for my precinct, but my schedule wouldn’t allow it this time.  Maybe sometime in the future I will have the opportunity again.

Union Soccer

      Austin made the Union Soccer Team.  After participating in the speed and agility program at Union the months of November, December and January, Austin tried out for the soccer team-again.  There were about 80 kids at tryouts.  Last year he made it right down to the end only to be cut in the last round.  This year his hard work paid off.  Less than half of those that tried out were chosen.  Austin is starting defender for the JV team.  It is not the position he is used to playing (he usually plays mid-fielder or forward), but he has a good sense of the field and can help direct the team and use his speed to keep the other team away from the box.  Yes, Austin and speed in the same sentence–can you believe it?  He is the fastest on his team.  It must be those long legs he’s grown this past year.  That combined with his determination and hard work makes a winning combination.

BYU!

This past fall Tanner filled out and submitted his application to attend BYU for the 2012-2013 school year.  We have been anxiously awaiting a response.  While Tanner was out on the scouting adventure this weekend with his brothers and Dad, I got a phone call from a friend down the street asking if Tanner had received his acceptance letter yet because their daughter said he was showing up on the BYU student directory.  I quickly logged in to Tanner’s email, and sure enough, sitting there was his letter from BYU.   I was so excited.  McKenna and I decided to surprise Tanner and have the house decked out in cougar fashion for Tanner when he got home.

 He was so surprised.  It took him a second to figure out what was going on, and then as he continued to read the letter his smile got so big he could hardly see the letter anymore through his squinted eyes.  

Way to go, Tanner!  You should be so proud of your hard work and effort to make this dream come true.   Tanner will graduate June 11^th and will start classes at BYU Provo on June 18^th.

Valentine's Day

A family tradition that always creates excitement around our house is our valentine dinner.  This year was no exception.  It seemed everyone was anxiously awaiting the big event.  The kids were talking about it weeks in advance.  Everyone made sure it was on their calendars and that nothing was going to interfere.  No one wanted to miss it. 

Tanner and Austin had the option of bringing dates this year,  but they both decided that just the fam was the way to go.

The menu: 

Appetizers:  Little Smokies and Cheesy-Onion Bread

Soup:  Chilled Strawberry Ginger Soup

Salad:  Caesar

Main Dish:  Bacon and Scallion-topped Filet Mignon, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables

Dessert:  Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Cherries on top

We spent the time around the dinner table (lots of time by design in serving five courses ;) getting to know each other a little better.  What is your favorite color?  What school subject do you like the best and why?  If you could go back and do something over again, what would it be?  Inevitably we ended up talking about some favorite memory or silly story that someone’s response elicited. 

This always turns out to be such a fun evening.  I love having my family around the table and spending good quality time with them.