Our Hawaii Trip

SATURDAY

So let's just say traveling with a 9 month old that is SUPER busy all the TIME is not the funniest to travel with. The trip started out well. We arrived at the Jolley's right on time, and started our trek into LAX. We were excited for the trip to begin, but we were dreading the 5 hour plane ride. Well thanks to some luck, and not a super full flight we had 3 seats to share. So Lizzie got a seat all to herself which was a blessing even thought she only got a 35 minute nap on the plane. She enjoying playing with the kids behind us, and always tried to stay happy. We landed in Honolulu around 6 pm and got the rental car and headed for the condo. Thank goodness we have AMAZING husbands who went out to Sam's Club and Wal-mart and got us all set up with yummy food and essentials for the girls.

SUNDAY

Lizzie had a HORRIBLE night sleep and I think we were up at 4 am. LUCKY US!!! I guess that is what you get when you travel with a 9 month old, and her schedule becomes non-existent. We heeded to church, and lo and below we got to attend church at the Honolulu Tabernacle. It is such a beautiful building. Then we went to the beach and enjoyed the rocky shore and Lizzie had her first wipe out (by a wave). We spent the next hour getting all the sand out of her eyes. She was a trooper, but she wasn't to excited about Daddy sticking his fingers in her eyes. Then we ate dinner at the Shorebird Restaurant. If you ever go to Honolulu you really should try this restaurant. It is super yummy! The best part is that you get to grill your own meat! Trust me its a must! The girls loved taking baths after a long day at the beach.

MONDAY

Since our alarm clock (Lizzie) kept waking us up so early we decided to take a early morning walk, and we ended up at the International Market Place. It is a fun place to shop. Kinda expensive... well more expensive than the Swap meet.

Then we wanted to go to the Aquarium, but since it was Labor Day Waikiki was packed so we decided to head to the North Shore and visit the Elkington's We met up with them at a little beach outside Laie. Lizzie had fun playing with Waimea and trying not to get stung by the blue bubbles. The beach was beautiful. Then we headed over the Turi's mothers house and had dinner and had a fun time visiting with one another. Tuesday

We took another morning walk this time with the Jolley's. Then we headed to the Aquarium. It is not one of the biggest aquariums, but we really liked it. We saw a lot of cool things plus it was air conditioned. Here are some of the pictures of Lizzie from the photo shoot. Here are some of my favorite...

Then we headed to Sharks Cove to do some snorkeling. We had a great time, but we didn't see very much. After we were done we figured out that we needed to go a little to the right of where we were at to see better fish. Then we headed to Matsumoto's and had shaved ice. Another spot you need to hit up when visiting Hawaii. It is so yummy!

WEDNESDAY

We headed to Peal Harbor. Lizzie tried her best to be quite, but she started to scream during the movie so I got to go out with her. It was neat to go over to The Arizona Memorial and see the tomb of soldiers.

After Pearl Harbor we went to the Aloha Stadium Swap meet and picked up some souvenirs. It is another hot spot to hit while you are in Hawaii. Cheaper souvenirs but not always the greatest quality. It is a fun place to shop!

Then we headed to Hanauma Bay and did some more snorkeling. The water the perfect. We saw a lot of cool looking fish, and the girls got to play in the sand but the HIGHLIGHT of the trip was the SEA TURTLES. Jay and I were out snorkeling and we saw a sea turtle with our very OWN eyes. Jay even went down and swam with it. We were really far out so I just stuck my head under the water and watched as they swam together.

THURSDAY

One of my FAVORITE DAYS while in Hawaii. David and I got to attend the temple in Laie and do a session. Thanks to Mandi and Turi for watching Lizzie so we could experience that. You guys are the best!!! The Temple is so beautiful I wish I could go to that temple everyday. Then we went to the PCC (another hot spot but more expensive) we only got to experience a couple of the islands while we were there, but David threw the spear in the ring and won a weaved fish hat, and then he performed in the Tongan Drum Show and got another hat. Jay and David had fun banging on the drums. I think they are naturals. We even learned how to throw fish nets like they do in Hawaii. We had a great time. Thanks to Turi's dad we got in for free!

FRIDAY

Our Last Full day on the Island. It was sad to see our vacation coming to an end, but it was time to go home. We stopped by The Dole Plantation and had some yummy pineapple ice cream and cinnamon roasted macadamia nuts. Then we headed back to the North Shore to end our fun vacation with a little snorkeling at Sharks Cove. We saw some pretty cool fish, Lizzie really liked this area since it was REALLY rocky and she loved to eat the rocks. SUPER SCARY!!!
We were going to go to Waimea Bay to end the day, but Lizzie and Irelynn were pooped. This is Lizzie after a long day, and she was sure happy to be in bed!!!

SATURDAY

We finished packing and enjoyed one last meal at Denny's. Lizzie loved all the waitresses they would always come up and play with her. She has a new love.. PANCAKES... She thinks they are intresting to the touch, but yummy to the taste.

So now I'm inform you about the WORST part of our trip. When we got on the runway and Lizzie had a real bad diaper so we changed it right as we were getting on the plane, and to our surprise the flight was full. There was not one EMPTY SEAT. You will NEVER guess where my seat was? As I was walking toward our seats I noticed ONE empty seat in between 2 people. Okay I can Deal with that with Lizzie... but the story gets better the two people I was sitting between was a HUGE fat man and a large lady. So I had a 1/2 seat for a 5 hour plane ride with a 9 month old that can't sit still for longer than 2.3 seconds. Let me just tell you it was the flight from HELL! The man was so large that when he got up to use the restroom my leg was covered in his sweat. So I put down the arm rest and it took him 4 different tries to get his fat butt in the seat. Next time he flies he should buy two tickets not just one! When I got off that flight my legs were numb, and I could barely walk. Thank goodness I will not be flying for a while.

DRESS UP WITH PAPA

Last night at FHE we went to the Ontko's and helped them with a couple of projects around their house. After dinner Papa was giving the kids a ride in the wagon, and I decided to enhanced the picture a little. They sure do love their PAPA. Thanks Josh and Marla for a great FHE!

A couple shots from Irelynn's photo shoot

While we were in Hawaii we decided to do a photo shoot with the girls. Here are a couple shots of Irelynn playing out in the grass.

Our Trip to Arizona to Visit The Parker Family

We had a great trip to Arizona. We left Friday and returned Sunday. It was a short trip but totally worth it even though we got SICK! It was so great to see the Parker/Shumway families. It had been a long time since we all got together and we sure had a blast. Danny just got home and Spencer is leaving on his mission to Guam. These Parker boys are sure AMAZING. I'm so glad we are related. Here is Lizzie and Grammy on the car drive to Arizona. Lizzie loves playing with her Grammy even though she puts her diaper on backwards.
Trying to pass the time. Lizzie thought it was so funny to put a wipe on her head, plus it kept her cool as we drove though the desert.
My FAVORITE.... Aunt Carol... I love spending time with her. She has a heart of GOLD! She is putting together her Primary sharing time. She is so creative!

When we got there on Friday we ate dinner as a family and then we played games till all hours of the night. Bekah and I thought it would be fun to learn how to drive the Vespa so here we are riding it like PROS!

Well when I get the rest of the pictures from Bekah I will finish the post!

Picture Tag

The rules are you have to take ten pictures of the following things. And you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag five others.

1. The Fridge Our fridge is pretty empty since we are leaving on 2 SUPER FABULOUS VACATIONS within the next 2 weeks...

2. My Closet

I'm a little crazy about my closet. This was the selling point of the house for me. I have always dreamt of a walk in closet, and I FINALLY got one. The rest of the house could have been blah... and I still would have bought the house because of my LOVE for the closet.

3. A Self Portrait

Thanks to the timer on my camera you get this super amazing shot of me after a LONG day working on the house. Thanks to our family for always having great FHE ideas, and coming over to help us with our sprinklers and hanging pictures on our blank walls.. you guys are the BEST!!! I couldn't have asked for a better family because I got the BEST!

4. My Favorite Room

I know I'm crazy but I love this room of the house. It is just so cozy and warm. Plus this is where we spend a huge chunk of our time playing and just hanging out. I love snuggling up on the couch and reading a good book.I can't wait to turn on the fireplace....

5.The Kitchen Sink

My sink is pretty gross I really need to clean it! You caught me!

6. The Laundry Room

Our Laundry room is always pretty clean nothing too exciting to see in here...

7. The Toilet

Our toilet is pretty clean my flash really washed out the picture.

8. What my kid is doing right now

SLEEPING OF COURSE. DO you really think that I was going to turn on her light and take a picture of her? this is the best shot you are going to get. She looks beautiful and sleeping like a baby.

9. Your Dream Vacation

This vacation is going to come true in less than 2 weeks. Hawaii here I come!!!

10. Your Favorite Pair of Shoes

These Reef Sandals have treated me well. I LOVE these sandals and I hope we will have a lot more years together.

Well that was fun, I now tag BETHANY MONROE, ASHLEY PATTERSON, CHELSEA FENN, ERIN ELLSWORTH, & HEIDI SHIRLEY

HAVE FUN GIRLS! YOU HAVE TO DO IT! I'll be checking!

Welcome to the family... Leslie Valiant Parker

Lizzie hasn't been feeling well, either she is starting to come down with a cold or more TEETH are coming in.. TYLENOL has been Lizzie's new best friend the past week.
Fun story... Today in church they read in our names to our new ward ( when you move building and change wards the Bishopric will read your family names to welcome you to the ward so everyone can put a name with a face) Well when they read Lizzie name they called her

LESLIE VALIANT PARKER. Welcome Home Leslie... Welcome Home!!!