Thanksgiving

We're taking a cruise to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving vacation. We are going with Taryn, Derik & his family. Derik's brothers, wives, and numerous children, & his parents! We are finding it so hard to get everyone together, with large families. This should work out great~ and we get to see something new, and not have to worry about cooking!

Our Room @ Turtle Bay Resort

We are home! I'm not happy about it, except that I get to see all the kids! I miss Hawaii, and I'm ready to go back! Kevin said only those who've been to Hawaii can understand the pull it has on you~I look at the picture of our Hotel room with fond memories~

View From Our Terrace

Honolulu

Honolulu

9/11

This morning at our hotel, they had a 9/11 service on the beach! And last night during our dinner, they had all the service men, and veterans stand and be honored! I was really proud that my husband stood, and was applauded!
Glen Beck had a very touching show today, which I got to watch in our room~ I do like him, especially since he's a member of the church. I've been thinking about that day the terrorists attacked, and feelings that went through my mind. I had just taken Phillip and Christtina to seminary, and turned on the TV to see it all! One of the things that I loved, was the feeling of togetherness the country went through after it all happened. How hard it was to find a flag to buy, to display~ However they were burning them in other countries~ I wonder where they purchased theirs? ummmmm
LET US NEVER FORGET!!

More Hawaiian Temple Pictures

This is the temple that Mallorie says she wants to be married in. She's been saying this for awhile, even before we came over here. We have no idea why?? But it's a good choice--So lets all start saving our money!

Polynesian Cultural Center

Yesterday we spent the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). It was an amazing day! These students of BYU Hawaii, work here to support their attending college. And I mean WORK--I can't believe they put on these shows every single night, except Sunday of course! Villages of the different Polynesian islands are throughout the center, with demonstrations of various kinds. It's hard to decide which island you might like best. Each has something different to offer. Many years ago my Grandma went on a tour of all the Islands, and loved Fiji the best. She thought the people were the friendliest! The Samoans are a crack up--love joking around. They are also the ones that do all the dances with fire---! Ok, let me name all the islands we visited at PCC. Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa or present day New Zealand, Marquesas, Tonga & Tahiti. In Samoa, the men do all the hunting, fishing, and cooking!! Not sure what the women do~ They demonstrated how to start a fire, rubbing sticks together, just like Tom Hanks did in "Castaway" which was actually filmed in Figi--There is also a replica of a Mission Home, and a cute little tiny chapel, with the history of the church! You can also catch a shuttle bus, and tour the visitors center at the Temple, and tour BYU campus. Now, for the important part: The Food! We had lunch, and the special dinner/show lu'au~ I think I preferred the lunch buffet the best. We had delicious shrimp and chicken with all kinds of salads, corn on the cob, and of course deserts! The dinner was a roasted pig, which we watched them take right out of the ground! It was a little salty for me--there was also fish, and purple sweet potatoes~
It was very humid~ Not so much hot, but there wasn't a breeze to be found! Unlike here at our hotel where the nice ocean breeze is constant! We were looking forward to coming back to it! I could go on and on, but I hate boring everyone~ Kilee says she doesn't read any of this anyway, cause she just looks at my pictures! ha!

Dole Pineapple Plantation

We drove around today/ more beautiful beaches! Stopped and messed around in the water for awhile. It's amazingly warm water! I was waiting for it to take my breath away--but it doesn't at all! Just very warm and comfortable. Then we went to the Dole pineapple plantation. It was interesting~ We knew that Trevor and Storie would love this picture of PaPa and the train! (The Pineapple Express) After the ride around the farm, with complete directions of how to grow and harvest pineapples, they give you a sample~ It is so fresh/ unlike what I buy at Costco! ha!
While at the beach playing in the waves, an older surfer dude pulled up. We had to take a picture of his "woody"--1948 and original--It was cool!
Tonight there is a Hula dance here at the hotel, put on by the Polynesian Cultural Center!

North Shore

North Shore area

Oahu

We had a busy day of driving! Saw the beautiful LDS Temple, the BYU Hawaii campus, lots of beaches, and ended up going to Pearl Harbor, and going to the USS Arizona Memorial. It was very touching! I was crying before we even got to the memorial~ I find that I hold a lot of bitterness towards Japan, and the people of that country! By the way they are also rude!! There were 3 young couples in the museum taking pictures, and laughing at the display of the carrier ship, which carried the planes that bombed Pearl Harbor!! Of course I couldn't understand a word they were saying, but I didn't find it amusing~

TURTLE BAY RESORT

Hawaii is beautiful, and this resort is something else~ The view is unbelievable from our balcony~ The downside however, is that the wind is blowing constantly, and the ocean is really loud~ I'm not really complaining--But I just didn't think about that before. I guess the wind is typical of the North part of the island~ and because of the wind there aren't any mosquitoes trying to eat us~ We aren't sure what our plans for the day are yet! Probably more exploring, and driving around. So far the names of the streets have been a problem for Myrle to pronounce! ha!
These pictures were taken from our balcony this morning:

Mallorie & Kolby

Kora

I feel bad, I don't have any new pictures of Storie~ You'd think I'd have more pictures of Kora & Storie since they live here in AZ, but I just never seem to take any~ This picture is of Kora trying to sit up~ She's doing a real good job of getting herself upright--however crawling is still backwards! We can't believe what a little blond she is. Her hair is such a pretty colour~ Women pay hundreds and still can't get this pretty colour out of a bottle!

Cabin even has an "Owl" House!