Wow, I don't even know where to begin with this post! First, this is for all you Olsons out there: "Aloha oink!" (There was a family in their ward years ago who stood in sacrament meeting wearing pig noses, playing eukelalies, singing "Aloha oink!" Do people seriously do that!?)
Adelle and I spent nine days on the north shore of Oahu with my parents and Suzanne and had such a wonderful time. The sun came out for about a day and a half during our entire stay so I didn't come home with much of a tan, but had a great time regardless. Our condo was just down the road from Turtle Bay so Suzie and I would often walk there while Adelle was napping (thanks, Dad and Mom for helping me with her!) This is a picture of the sand through the crystal-clear water:
There is an amazing, let me repeat, amazing swap meet held just outside Aloha stadium where I spent way too much money. One of the days we spent there it rained and rained and Suz and I were running from tent to tent trying to find shelter from the rain. This is what a rainstorm did to my beautiful, soft, hair that was previously full of body. (let me just say, I LOVE what the Hawaiian humidity does to my hair!) Do we have the Farrah Fawcett hair-do going on or what!
I am probably going to embarass myself by saying this, but I never knew that pineapples grew in the ground. (Um, blonde!) I loved seeing the acres and acres of pineapple crops and loved even more, eating some!
Here are a few more random pictures which require no explanation:
Adelle hated the ocean and the sand. I think it was because it was loud and windy and she's a little princess and hates to be dirty.
My dad, Suzie, and I went snorkelling several mornings in Shark's Cove and saw a lot of really pretty fish. I love snorkelling so much and can't wait to take Phillip there to go snorkelling sometime. It was so fun being out in the water and spending a little daddy-daughter time with my sister and dad.
I missed Phillip and my girls SO much and hated being away from them for so long, but had such a wonderful time in paradise!
My baby is turning one year old today! I haven't decided yet if I should be happy or crying, but regardless, I am so blessed to be her mommy. Adelle was born at 11:11 am on March 26, 2008 and has been such a joy to our family. From the very beginning Adelle has been a little "mama's girl" and I have loved every second of it! I love the way she gives me tight, cuddly hugs and wet, slobbery baby kisses. I love the way she crawls to me as fast as she can, screaming with excitement when I come home from school each day. I love the way she tucks her little knees under her belly when I tuck her in her bed at night. I love how excited she gets to snuggle up with her blankie and giggles and kicks when she sees it coming. I love that she's a fiesty little girl who knows exactly what she wants and won't settle for anything less (which is why we are always on our toes!) I love that I have been blessed to spend every single day of this last year being a mommy to a sweet and precious little angel and look forward to every day to come.
One of the highlights of the trip for me was going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We started our afternoon there by watching a boat parade with each of the islands being represented. This is the Samoan float and video of the Tahitian float:
We were able to visit the Samoan Village and see a man climb a palm tree, eat at the Luau (yum!), and watch a really great fire show put on by each of the islands. I loved it so much there and left wishing I had beautiful brown skin and long black hair!