Hawaii 2009 Trip

We love Hawaii!! This trip was especially relaxing because we have already gone and done most of the touristy stuff there, so we were just able to do a whole lot of nothing and it was the exact kind of vacation we both needed. Having a week of no schedules is quite liberating!

Geoff had two papers accepted for an ED-Media conference held on the island which is why we went. I am so proud of him and all the hard work that he does--and all the great places we have been able to go because of it!

Aside from Delta loosing our bags for TWO WHOLE DAYS, it was a perfect trip. We're so grateful for family who watched our kids for us. We didn't worry for one second about them because they were in such capable hands. That made our trip all the more enjoyable. I am so blessed to have a husband that is not only the best companion I could ever ask for, but the best travel buddy too!


Geoff looking out of the window in the room he presented at.

Randoms

Geoff did lots of surfing while were there. We sure wish we had a beach nearby so we could do this more often.



We walked out to Goat Island in Laie and spent the day enjoying our own private little beach and a nice walk around the island.



We were giddy as school girls to find the set of Lost, one of our favorite TV shows. They aren't currently shooting so we didn't have any celebrity sitings, but we did stand where Mr. Echo stood so that's pretty much the same thing. This is the church he built.



I'm kind of jealous of my husband's flexibility.

Giovanni's Shrimp truck

My mouth is salivating just remembering this meal. Sooo delicious! We ate the best food ever on this trip. We talked to the locals and they recommended several spots. If you're planning a trip there, email me and I'll give you some recommendations.

Geoff anxiously awaiting our shrimp.



Devained and divine.

Some details

I had Geoff try is first guava while were were there. It was sub par unfortunately, but definitely part of the tropical experience.



Every morning we went out to the tide pools, one of my favorite things to do! We collected several shells for the kids and saw all sorts of crabs, starfish and other ocean life.



A heavenly Dole Whip. These are soooo yummy! Why in the world do they not have this on the mainland? If they do somewhere, let me know.

Waimea Valley

We were the first ones up to the falls here and it was so peaceful and serene. It's a beautiful walk up to them, and serious eye candy if you are a lover of tropical plants. We swam to the falls and enjoyed the cool and refreshing fresh water.

Turtles

When I lived in Hawaii for school (BYU-Hawaii), I never once saw a turtle. When Geoff and I went back three years ago, he saw one while snorkeling, but they still alluded me. This time however was a totally different story. It was almost comical how many turtles we saw. I would say close to 50. I'm totally fascinated by them.

This was the first turtle we saw and were unaware that you aren't suppose to touch them by law. Whoops!



It was HUGE!






Holding hands over another turtle, so romantic I know.

Paddle Surfing

This is all the rage in Hawaii right now. We met up with some friends who live on the island and they let Geoff give it a whirl. It was a perfect evening, warm, no wind and a gorgeous sunset. Geoff and the boys went surfing afterwords and Geoff caught one right after another. He was in pure heaven. Unfortunately, it was too dark to get any pictures.

Miracle worker

Mark got our pictures up on his blog and I'm blown away! Go take a look. I'm sure he had a good chuckle going through all the hideous ones, but he managed to get some awesome ones of Geoff and I. Beware, there's a lot of kissing going on. We were on a very romantic get-a-way obviously.

The Weston-Lee family

On our last day in Hawaii, we met up with two of my old friends from my BYU-Hawaii years who were in love even way back then. Two BEAUTIFUL kids later and a permanent residence on the island of Oahu, they are still such a joy to be around. Mark is a super talented photographer and treated Geoff and I to a shoot ourselves. And not just any shoot--an underwater shoot where I flailed around like a mainland idiot! Lets just say I'm REAL nervous about seeing the outcome of that shoot. His wife and kids met us at the beach and I tried to pulled myself together enough to get some shots of their amazing family.




I about melted to pieces when these two started calling me "auntie".






Isn't she just drop-dead gorgeous? She just got her hair cut and wanted a picture of her and her son with their matching dos. It's taking every ounce I have to not go get my hair chopped after seeing her.









I couldn't pick just one of these, so sorry, there's a bunch. I just love seeing daddys consoling their kids. Such a love between the two of them!

We went straight

And it was pure heaven. Pictures from Geoff and I's week-long escapade on Oahu to follow.

Happy Father's Day

I was blessed to have a wonderfully hilarious, adventuresome and caring father. It's wonderful to know that my kids are being blessed every day of their lives with a dad that loves them IMMENSELY too. Happy Father's day! I love you both!

Wild wheat

After Lucy woke up from her nap today, we went out with my camera to take pictures of Isaac and Geoff working on a fence for a neighbor. Incidentally, once I saw this scene, I forgot all about taking a picture of the fence they were putting up! I'm kicking myself for not having her dressed in any one of the darling hand-made creations that family and friends made for her for her birthday. I think a re-shoot is in order.







I knew the second I took this that it would be my favorite.

Provo 10 mile race

We did it!!! My little sister Laura, came down from Logan to join me in this race and boy was I glad! We kept each other going the entire time and we even managed to run 8:30 minute miles, which was a good improvement for me. I am so lucky to have family who support me! It was a surprisingly enjoyable experience thanks to her. Love you Laura!

Almost at the finish line.



After the race.

the Vandre Family

After having to reschedule our shoot due to Utah's CRAZY weather as of late(ie. torrential downpours), I was so happy to finally meet up with the Vandre family. Beautiful children, laid back parents, cute outfits = one awesome shoot.