Friday, May 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Louisa!

Today is my sister Louisa's 2_th birthday. I don't know if she wants me to tell her age! Louisa could be lovingly described as free-spirited, open-minded, romantic, creative, earth-loving, and whimsical. She is very generous and believes that "what goes around comes around." She is a licensed massage therapist and is great at it.

She loves skin care and make up and has some of the nicest facial skin I've seen. She taught me how to wear make-up, how to dance, and how to open my first email account. She loves to laugh, read, tease, eat peanuts, ;) listen to music, and dance. When we were younger we formed a club for red heads complete with a secret handshake.

I always valued Louisa's opinion on my clothes, looks, actions, and secretly wanted to be her! When her favorite color was yellow, so was mine. Soon after she started shaving her legs, so did I (I was 8!). When she wanted to be a model, so did I. When she was in love with Joey from New Kids on the Block, he was my favorite too! I played clarinet and joined pit like she did. Even my best friend was her best friend's sister! What can I say? I love my older sister.

I have always looked up to her and I want her to know that I love her very much. I love to spend time with her and learn from her. Thanks "Maurice" for being my big sister and happy birthday!




Friday, April 11, 2008

"We came here to eat dinner and to party. This is a dinner party right?"

Can I just say I'm soo happy The Office is back? Rob and I both love this show! Last night's episode was so awkward it was hilarious. I loved it when Jim tried to leave Pam there.

For our fellow Office fans:
Michael Scott: [after sipping wine] That is sort of an oaky afterbirth.
Jim Halpert: What was that?

Dwight Schrute: Uh, what seems to be the problem officers?
Police officer: Not now Dwight.


Michael Scott: I also built this table.
Jim Halpert: What is that? Chestnut?
Michael Scott: No I think that is either pine or nortic cherry.
Jan: Pine.

Michael Scott: Man I would love to burn your candles!
Jan: You burn it you buy it!
Michael Scott: Oh good! I'll be your first customer!
Jan: You're hardly my first.
Michael Scott: THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Time with Todd

Our friend Todd, who we met last summer with APX, came out to stay with us on Tuesday. I didn't get to do everything with them because of work but we have had fun so far.
On Tues. they went to Pearl Harbor then boogie-boarding at Hukilau.
On Wed. they went scuba diving at Electric Beach. They saw lots of fish, an eel, and a turtle but sadly no shark. Then they walked around Haleiwa and got Shave Ice from Matsumoto's.
Thursday we went to the PCC which was a fun experience.
Friday Rob and Todd tried surfing at Turtle Bay and saw more turtles.
Saturday we went to Pali Lookout, the Swap Meet, hiked Diamond Head (I didn't almost bust a lung this time-I'm getting in shape!), and ate at Kua 'Aina Sandwich-so good! When we got home we roasted marshmallows on our stove and made s'mores.
Today we watched conference and hung out at the apt. Right now they are at the priesthood session. Our camera is broken so we had to get pictures from Todd. Sorry there aren't any from scuba diving or the beach. He leaves on Tuesday morning. :(

Shell lei greeting at PCC. I was at work for the first few hours.
Showing off the tats. Todd was in love with his. :)

Wait, where are we going?
Orchid greeting at the Ali'i Luau. It was fun to try the Hawaiian food and have entertainment while we ate. We saw several people from church and school working there.

Imu Demonstration

Waiting to eat.

On top of Diamond Head.

Todd slept on our floor at the foot of our bed. Although we have a small apt. it's not too bad having guests over so who's next?

Monday, March 31, 2008

Past, Present, Future

I was tagged by Kim. It's been fun trying to remember when...

20 Years Ago... I was 3 living in Twin Falls, Idaho hanging out at home with my mom and younger brother. We were getting ready to move in June to Tennessee where I grew up.


10 Years Ago... I was 13 and in the 7th grade at Newbern Junior High. I was learning clarinet in band and making new friends, some I still have to this day. Every day after school I played Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega Genesis. I think it's the only game I ever beat. I also played outside with my brother Will, our neighbor Jessie, and our dog Maurice. I got my ears pierced that year too.


5 Years Ago... 18 years old and ready to graduate! I was in color guard, indoor drumline, jazz band, and 1st chair clarinet in concert band. I also was in the high school choir and surprisingly won the Most Outstanding Choir Member award on Senior Award Day. Go altos! My best friends were Stephanie, Amy, Tiffany, Millie, Gabby, Germaine, and Will. I was boy CRAZY, ask my friends. I was a car hop at Sonic making big tips. I got accepted to BYU-Idaho and won several scholarships from different organizations including Wal-Mart! I moved to Idaho in August and haven't lived at home since. :(


3 Years Ago... I was 20, had been married for a year, and still lived in Rexburg. I was in my soph/junior year of college and started working at Broulim's in the meat department. In March, Rob, Will, and I drove out to Indiana for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. In June Rob and I drove to Denver for his sister Tamera's wedding reception. In November we drove down to Arizona for Rob's grandma's wedding! Lots of travelling. I was busy with school and work. Will left for his mission that fall in Paraguay.


1 Year Ago... March 30, 2007 was my last day of student teaching in Phoenix, AZ. We lived with the Tubbs and enjoyed having a warm winter. I graduated April 6, then we left a few days later for Herndon, VA to sell APX. I enjoyed my summer with no work and played at the pool, worked out, and visited my sister Kim and hubby Jacob in Richmond a lot! I also went to D.C. for the first time (and several times) and got to watch fireworks by the Washington Monument. That August we drove back to Idaho and packed up to move to Hawaii. Rob started school at BYU-H and I worked as a substitute teacher all over the windward side of Oahu. I started as an ordinance worker in the temple in October. We made lots of friends and I gained a workout partner, Rose, and tried to work out everyday.


So far this year...I worked as a sub until Feb. then got hired as a skills trainer. We played softball with our ward and won the tournament. I've been on 3 beautiful hikes. We've made more friends and are feeling more at home here in Hawaii.


Today I... worked with my student, helping him with his assignments and "skills," I was jealous as Rob got to go scuba diving with his friend, and I checked everyone's blogs and realized I really need to update mine.


This year I will...earn lots of money (hopefully), have fun being a tourist when Kim and Jacob come and also when Rob's family comes, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center 3 times, go to Utah for Rob's family reunion in July, visit 1 or 2 other islands, go on more hikes, explore more of Oahu, get in better shape, try surfing again, soak up all the fun in Hawaii while I can.


I tag... Ashlyn, Rose, Becky, Kelsy, and Lou.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Katie Éireann

Our newest niece was born just after midnight on Feb. 28th to Kareena (Rob's sister) and Matt. She looks really cute and we can't wait to meet her in July. Her middle name is Gaelic for "Ireland" which is where Matt served his mission. She is their first girl and has 3 older brothers. Congratulations Kareena and Matt!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Fun Stuff

Our friend/neighbor Jess made this video last week for Mitt Romney. The 2nd guy (in the beanie) is our neighbor Mike, Rob is the 4th person, and the girl at the end is Jess's wife Rose, my friend and workout partner! Go F building!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5p-wxaH410

On Wednesday for enrichment we had a Japanese culture night. We learned about Japan, made origami boxes, tried on yukatas (lighter-weight, less expensive kimonos), and ate Japanese food. We have several people in our ward from Japan so it was nice to learn more about their culture. Thanks Hikari for the pictures.
Concentrating on making the boxes
Miha, Chelsea, Rose, and me. Look at their shoes! I don't know how they walk in them. Plus you have to have 'Japanese Barbie feet to fit in them' as Miha said.
Showing off the bows. The Japanese girls had to dress us and it looked complicated.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Two weeks ago the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away. He is the only prophet I really remember since he was called when I was 10. I love President Hinckley and will miss hearing and seeing him. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and was a great example to all of us. I am thankful for technology and that I was able to watch the funeral even though I'm so far away. I was sad to see his empty chair in the conference center during his funeral but I know I can see him again. I know that President Monson will be a great prophet.


Rob's sister Kareena sent us this link. It is a tribute to President Hinckley. Please take a look.
This is a video of when President Hinckley visited Hawai'i.