Hawaii- Big Island

This picture above isn't actually the Big Island (Hawaii), but after a LONG and stressful day of traveling, waking up to this made it all worth wile! Jon's brother Jos lives on the Big Island, so we flew there the next day. This view made me excited to dive in a few days.

We got there in the morning, so we set off to see what the Big Island is famous for - volcanoes. This is what we saw at Kilauea:

It was a wet, cold, rainy day, but we still saw some great things on our hike - other than clouds:

Cold and wet, but happy!

And at Mauna Loa:

The next day we woke up to a gorgeous, sunny day - we should have planned better!

Waipi'o with Maui in the distance.

Akaka Falls:

Last time we went to the Big Island we were only there for one day since Jos and Dina had just had a baby, so we didn't see much and we were excited to come again. It didn't disappoint! Next stop Oahu . . .

Austin City Blues

I am a month behind, so here goes with some catching up. . . Last month we made a tour of mostly food sites in Austin with some friends of ours. He wanted to go to this famous donut shop, so that's where we started:

This was made famous on food shows because of their Texas Donuts (You know, "Everything's Bigger in Texas"), the size of . . . any guesses? This shot might be deceptive:

But this shouldn't be. It's got it's own box. The other donuts are normal Non-Texas size. The Texas is cut out with a FIVE GALLON BUCKET!! My dad would love these.

Grace announced that she had "always" wanted a cowgirl hat and since it was almost her birthday, we obliged. Here we are trying on different hats:

The next stop was the Museum of the Weird. Don't think I'd recommend that one though.

The State Capital building. Ginormous and beautiful!

A close up with the flags flying:

Still working off the donut, we went to McKinney Falls again since our friends hadn't been there. Look at that sassy cowgirl!

I thought these rock formations were so beautiful and interesting and I took about 20 pictures of all different angles. See Grace over on the right for size?

And a wet, swampy Grace after sliding in the stagnant, stinking pool - usually Collins job:

The last stop was for another famous spot - the Salt Lick BBQ restaurant. Here we are waiting for our pager to buzz. We've had one hot day this year and this was that day. (Also, Grace is steaming because her clothes were still wet and she had to wear Collin's shirt, so she wouldn't look at me):

A very tired cowgirl. (She looks like she was born to wear that hat):

The meal is served family style and they just keep refilling the dishes until you tell them to stop:

The Meat pit:

We had to work that meal off for the next week!

Coming Soon . . .

Taking a shopping break

Right after getting home from Hawaii I packed up and flew home to Utah to surprise my mom to hear her speak at Women's Conference and to have a girls weekend with my sisters in St. George. Lots to post and tell but I'm still trying to get settled back into real life. More to come . . . soon! (Maybe)

So Long . . . Farewell!!

Having older kids definitely has some perks. Sent them alone up to Utah to stay with the fam:

So Jon and I can head to Hawaii for some R&R; Sun, Sea and Sand; good food, alone time, beach time, pineapple smoothies, diving, hiking, malasadas, farno . . . .

See you in a couple of weeks!

Happy Birthday Scoobs!!

Although I had the least amount of fun you could have being pregnant with my Goozle . . .

It was worth everything!! We love you Midgie Moodles!!

Love It!

Last weekend Jon and Collin went on a Scout campout. I asked Grace what she wanted to do for our Girls Weekend. She said, "Order pizza and watch Pride and Prejudice." She really does have some of my genes in her despite looking all Bybee!! We did just that and through out the movie she kept saying "What a pretty dress! . . . . He is so handsome! . . . Look at that carriage!" and the like. We didn't get to finish it since the boys got home early, but we shall soon. I've got a budding BBC watcher - Hurrah!

Texas History

We recently had our annual Taste of Texas school tour. Here is a former post on it. The owner does free Texas History tours every day the whole year. She is so entertaining and the kids all love it. Collin got to help out as Davey Crockett which he had fun doing - especially because he got a huge piece of cake after. . .

After the history presentation they give everyone there a plate of Chicken fingers, fries and a coke - a Texas staple. Here is Grace eating with her friends Hannah and LeAnne with Collin in the background. . .

He is the Champion My Friends!

Our annual ward (church) Chili Cook-off was Saturday night. Jon has made up a recipe from a few different ones into Jons Famous Chili. It is aptly named. He entered it into the contest and it won Best Overall. And despite all the bitter comments from others dear, YOU still got to take home your gold bowling ball with a little cowboy hat, bandana and apron. Oh! And the cowboy hat! Now, next time I take a picture and the flash doesn't work, please let me take one more!

Spring Has Sprung

The mosquitos are back . . . the azaleas are in bloom. . .

And we can play "guess that substance in the gutter"!! Is it florescent yellow sidewalk chalk (the yellow doesn't show up as much in the picture)? No. Is it dried soap from someones washing their car? Nope. That would be the pollen that is causing me so much misery and making my car a black with pearl yellow tint.

I love spring!

Big City Sights

Our local Costco returns counter helper:

How dare she move RIGHT when I take the picture!

What you see: a blur of red from head to toe. She has worn every shade of color on earth and every animal print natural or otherwise. What you don't see: the 2 inch long eye lashes, 4 inch long nails, or red eye shadow - always matching the daily color.

This was taken while driving, so no time to zoom. These are our local "day laborers". They hang out at the corners of Long Point and Witte and wait for people to give them work. Always a fun sight.

Seen from a crane: the Lone Star flag - of course, and the Jolly Roger - of course.