Tomorrow - 7am - Finally!

Rachel and I will be up at the crack of dawn for the opening. Thank goodness for tax refunds! Hello old friend, I have missed you!!!!

Bellows AFB

Yesterday, Ella and I took Diane to Bellows Beach and Kailua for one of her last days here visiting. It was a beautiful day for the most part (considering it was raining up where we live all day). It's always great to see Diane and listen to stories of her and my mom. It gives me a chance to see my mom as the friend through the eyes of her best friend, rather than just as my mom. Diane is family to me and I'm always grateful that Ella and I get to spend a bit of time with her when she visits. Of course Ella has been talking about no one else since...

Hale Koa and Hilton Hawaiian

We met Diane at the Hale Koa pool today for a swim and some lunch and then walked through the Hilton Hawaiian village to look at all the animals. They have parrots, penguins, turtles, fish, flamingos and ducks throughout the grounds. Ella loved the animals and all the beautiful statues.

Fire Trucks

Today at playgroup, the fire department came and let the kids explore the fire truck. There was even "Sparky" the firefighter dalmatian mascot. Ella was so excited to go today and was all over the fire truck, the mascot and even said "Nice to meet you" and "Thank you" to the fire fighters. I also noticed she was the only one to say "Thank you" to the fireman when he lifted her down from his seat. That's my girl!
Waiting patiently for her turn in the truck:Waving goodbye to the firemen:

Great Aloha Run

We've been so busy I didn't get a chance to post this. Ron participated in the annual Great Aloha Run on Monday. Ella and I were going to go down and meet him at the finish line and show our support until I learned how many people were actually running the race... early morning chaos with a rambunctious toddler... So Jason was up early and went down to meet him. Ella and I are so proud! :) We love you!

Aloha Friends...

Suzanne, Jason and the kids left this afternoon and we are all so sad. Ella cried in the car as we left the airport, and all afternoon she's been asking "Where Joey? Where Bella go?" :( The good news is, Joey invited us to stay at their house next time! It's been a quiet afternoon, cleaning up and doing laundry... we have to get used to boring again after so much fun and entertainment.

Here are some pics from last night. We spent the day at Hickam Beach and then roasted hot dogs, played football in the sand and watched the sun set.

Suzanne -
Opened a bottle of wine you left and wish you guys were still here to share (and make fun of the tv). Miss you. Hope you had a safe flight home :)

More Beach

Thursday we went to Hickam Beach on the air force base...

Friday we went back to Hanauma Bay for a few hours before the wind got the better of us and we headed for a drive around the island and back to the North Shore for a sunset...

Today we rested with Ella while Suzanne, Jason and the kids did Ko Olina.

Hale Koa Poolside in Waikiki

After some shopping at the flea market, we headed to the Hale Koa in Waikiki for some pool time, complete with poolside drinks. Then it was off to wander around Waikiki where we found the best restaurant... Senor Frogs - good food, crazy atmosphere with free shots, dance floor & DJ, karaoke, balloon hats and line dancing. Totally crazy and kids welcome. So fun! Joey and Ella turned out to be our dance entertainment for the evening. All the kids crashed out for the night on the way home...

Kailua Beach

We took Suzanne, Jason, and the kids to one of our favorite beaches...and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (according to travel magazines). Suzanne and I spent most of the afternoon "surfing" while the guys watched the kids. Ella, under Ron's watchful eye and in an inner tube that was too big for her, took a tumble in the surf and ended up with half the sandbar in her hair, up her nose and in her ears... I looked over to see Ron carrying Ella, screaming from the surf while the inner tube washed up on shore. After that it was "I want to swim with only Mommy"... geez, ya think?

BEACH!

Suzanne and Jason arrived on Wednesday and we've done nothing but beaches - we love it ...and so does my tan. Yesterday we went to Ko Olina for the day and today after hiking Diamond Head (except Ella and I) we headed to Hanauma Bay. After closing down the beach we ate pizza and watched the sunset ...