Our Hawaii Vacation-Friday and Saturday

We had been saving for a couple of years to be able to take the family to Hawaii again. It was such a memorable experience seven years ago.

 Of course the family has grown with Cecelia being added to the family and two grandchildren so our group was now nine. A series of events took place that made this even more possible than we had planned. The first was our trip to Portland in January and our offering to be bumped from the flight and getting $1200 in flight vouchers. This was used to apply to our Hawaii trip. Then we were able to find tickets for $533 per person. (In 2008 the cost was $668 per person). Finally we got a deal on a van for only $248 for the week. A little later I checked and the van costs were $550 for a week. Anyway all those things fell into place and so on May 29 we were off to Hawaii. We rode the train and trax to the airport  leaving at 5 in the morning. We each had our own way of waiting for the flight.

Finally we were off on our adventure. After a stop in San Diego and a flight over the Pacific we spotted the islands. We flew over Maui and saw Molokai out the window which got us all excited to see the blue waters that we soon would be playing in.

We arrived at Oahu at 2:30 their time (6:30 p.m. ours.). We then got our cars. Yes, we needed a van and a car for the 9 of us and we drove west to Ko Olina. It was a Friday afternoon and many people were heading home from work when we were finally on the road so the traffic was a bit slow but we made it. The kids got in their swim suits and were out the door to go swimming while Cindy and I went to Costco to get our groceries for the week.

 We got back in time to just miss the beautiful sunset that Maddie photographed.

We had dinner and then we were bushed but were safe and sound ready for the week of fun.
Saturday morning we went on a hike along an area called Ka'ena Point Natural reserve. It is on the northwest part of the island and has very few visitors compared with other areas. We walked along the coast exploring tide pools, sea caves and sea bridges that the waves created on the lava rock shore.

We came across an area where there was a small blow hole and would make a loud noise and then we would see a rainbow mist.

We continued on and came across a seal sunning itself on the rocks.

We then headed to a beach portion at the entrance to the park which is called Yokohama Bay. There we played in the waves. We even got wiped out by a sneaker that came all the way up the beach to where our towels were.

We then headed back to the condo for lunch but first stopped at a local store in Nanakuli. The prices were a lot better for food there. After lunch then we drove to the Dole Plantation. We did the train tour at the plantation and had to have a Dole Whip. Of course we learned you do not buy pineapples there because they turned out to be $7 a piece where we got them in the store the day before at $1.50.

 We learned a little bit about chocolate also as this is the furthest north that coca beans grow which are pictured below. They showed us the dried bean and then we rubbed it to get the nibs from them which go into making chocolate.

 It was closing time so we took a group photo at the entrance and then back to the condo

After Dole it was back to the condo for more swimming to end the evening off.

2nd San Francisco Trip

One Monday I flew to San Francisco as part of a field trip to see how they do their bike routes in the city center. It was funny that this was the 2nd time their in  about a months time. This time it was only for a day though and I flew back home that night. Our small group met at Union Square and we were lead by a man (in the blue scarf) who works for San Francisco. He took us around everywhere. He said he could get to any point in the city within 20 minutes on bike. It was a rather cold day and I never got rid of my jacket.

We biked downtown along Market Street.













 Made a left turn at an interesting designed turn pocket.






Went to Golden Gate Park through the neighborhoods and at the park I was a good attentive student.

 We then made it down to the Embarcadaro. By the end we had traveled 18 miles on the bikes and it all felt very comfortable.

Memorial Weekend

It is hard to believe it is near the end of May, but that is what Memorial Weekend signals. It does not feel like the beginning of summer as it has stayed mild temperature wise and of course the rain. There was a break though over the holiday for us to gather as family at Gaven's grave. We first put flowers on Grandma and Grandpa Skeen's grave. I asked what do people remember about them and Archie said, " They were good people". He mentioned how Grandpa would carry a side of beef on his back as he made deliveries to stores. He worked during that time at Swifts Meat packing. Grandpa was very strong. Archie said he would come play basketball with him when he came home from work. I mentioned that Grandpa would come over a teach me some shoots to at our house.
We then gathered at Gaven's grave. I tried to take a picture but it kept being washed out. I said, "I don't know why everyone is so white." Cameron respond without hesitation, " It's mainly genetics." We all busted out laughing. So here is the genetic picture and then the real picture.

That was Sunday that we visited the cemetery . On Monday we went over to Joni's for a family picnic and games. Shannon, Nic, Maddie and I rode our bikes to Joni's and back after the dinner; a total of 19.5 miles. We ate and played games at Joni's and had a fun time. It was a good holiday weekend.

May Showers

I had mentioned how dry the winter was with the lack of snow and warmer than normal temperatures. The end of April and May have started to make up for the lack of moisture. (It also may be due to the fasts we have had for moisture.) It seems that every weekend it has rained good amounts of 2 to 4 inches and then cool weather. The mountains have received snow on the peaks while it rains in the valley.

The middle of May the pattern changed from every day rain. Instead of solid storms for a day or two the clouds would building up and then thunder and a down pour each afternoon.

It is nearing the end of the month now and I have still not turned my sprinklers on the lawn and it has never been so green.

May Graduations

Connor had a preschool graduation in the middle of May at the Kangaroo Zoo. It is fun to watch these kids grow up and learn so many things.

A week latter it was Payton's turn to have kindergarten graduation at Pioneer. The kindergarten sang several songs to proud parents and grandparents about what they had learned this year.  Each one of these events marks a step in their development and abilities to learn and grow and we are proud to be able to be part of this. And oh yes, Payton got a hair cut.

April Activities

We have had such a mild winter I have started riding my bike to work earlier in the season than I normally do. With Maddie's work near my work she has decided to join me at least once a week on a day that she does not have to go up to Weber State for class. This is the picture of our first maiden voyage together. Though the first time was exhausting, each trip she has gotten better and faster.

Not to be outdone Cindy also decided to ride her bike to work at Pioneer a few times a week. This is her first day going to work, much like the pictures we use to take of the kids on their first day getting on the bus.

 

Just as we were getting into this routine, only the third snow storm of the year hit in April and covered the flowering trees and tulips with snow.

Easter

We got back from our Spring Break trip on Friday and then had our traditional pre-conference breakfast at Jeremiah's on Saturday morning and it was Easter on Sunday. The week was full of activities. This year for Easter Maddie still did the follow the string but her basket was not candy since she and Cindy have a new diet. This time her Easter sack was filled with things she needs for every day.

We did an Easter egg hunt in the afternoon with the grand kids though everyone was included in the hunt. In addition Maddie did some paintings as a gift for Connor and Payton for their rooms.