Hawaii!!!

I've been putting off blogging about Hawaii. It was just so awesome, I don't even know how to describe it in a blog post that I don't have time to write. Plus, lots of photos–where do I begin? Well my sister's husband, Daniel, made a slideshow of all our photos. Hooray! So I'm stealing it for this post. Thanks, Daniel! Haha. There's lots of pics of him and Megan, but just ignore those, because this blog is about US! Haha, j/k.



For those who can't tell by the pictures, we went with my parents, my sister and her husband, my brother, and A.J. We spent our first two days in Honolulu in an amazing suite on Waikiki beach. The hotel lady thought it was my parents' anniversary so she upgraded our room to a $$$ one. We had a great view. We visited Pearl Harbor one day, and another day we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was super cool, and one stop I'm really glad we made (stop? it was like 6 hrs!) It was so beautiful there, but if I did it all over again I'd skip Oahu and go straight to Kauai! That's where the magic REALLY happened. Hehe. But seriously. It was incredible.

We stayed in Poipu at a gooorrrrgeous resort. I'll probably never stay in that nice of a place again. It's on the Southern tip of the island. From the beach there we could watch the sun both rise and set. We watched sea turtles in the coves there and Humpback whales off the shore. We saw one jump all the way out of the water! How do they do that?! Our timing was perfect because it was the beginning of whale season there. The temperature was around 70-80 degrees every day. We just missed the Christmas rush of visitors. It was Christmas time, so we heard "Mele Kalikimaka" everywhere, and got to see the weird ways Hawaiians try to decorate for the holidays. There's this cool tropical tree there that's shaped like a Christmas tree, but it's not even close...it's cool.

We went all over the island of Kauai and did lots of outdoor things like hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming (aka drowning in the waves) and driving through some beautiful scenery. I've never been to a more beautiful place. I've never wanted to move anywhere more impulsively. It's like a dream world. From the moment we landed in Hawaii I was sad we'd have to go home in 10 days (yeah, not a good attitude).

When we got back to cold, dry, icy, gray, dark Utah, I was pretty much mourning for a few days. I'm better now :) But it definitely took a while to get back to reality. I could write forever about how awesome Hawaii was, but I gave myself a time limit, and now I'm done! Do I want to go back? Yes. But I'm glad I'm home now so people will stop hating on us for taking ONE vacation. Geez.

Our newest family photo!

AJ's sister Ashlee took our picture on Thanksgiving at their parents' gorgeous home (I can't pretend that front porch is ours). We only got a few shots (the sun was setting!) and Grizzly was actually looking at the camera in most of them. Score! Thanks Ashlee! I think I need to frame this one.

And in case you didn't get a Christmas card, here it is! It's pretty much a combination of this last Christmas and the Christmas the year before: a big dog and a big tree :)

Christmas Cards

Well, I decided to illustrate our cards this year, thanks to all the votes! I've just ordered them, so I'm hoping to mail them out before we go to Hawaii in 10 DAYS!!! Anyhoo, please e-mail me at hilperk@gmail.com to send me you address if you'd like one. Yay!

Here's a sneak peek: Haha.

Facebook Manners and You

Christmas Card

In the usual American retail fashion, I'm moving straight from Halloween to Christmas. For a minute. This year I'd like to design our Christmas cards and send them out. But I'm stuck...and I need your help! Should our cards include a photo of us, or an illustration of us (by me of course)?? See, a photo would be quick and easy, and you could actually see what we look like. And how big our Christmas puppy is compared to us (what–did you actually think Griz wouldn't be in the family picture?). But then an illustration could be pretty cute. And I could "dress" AJ up as an elf. Haha...just kidding. Or am I?

So please vote. Maybe just with a comment because I don't feel like making an actual poll for the blog right now. And I'll need everyone's addresses, but I'll just wait and announce that later because I'm afraid I'll lose it before December!

Halloween Pictures

Here's AJ and I at our friend Blaire's party (she's the one in the second picture that I totally beat in the doughnut contest :)

Thanks for the pictures Blaire!

News:

I loved Halloween. If I can gather the costume photos I will post them later. I was a silly witch with a tutu, high tops, and green face, and AJ was THIS guy. I had some fun decorations which I may have to post pics of too. But it's late.

I got called at the primary chorister (I teach kids songs at church). It's a big job and I get stressed out every Sunday. Today was a good day though, surprisingly, because I had 40 minutes to fill instead of 20. Twice. We have our program coming up, so it's been a challenge to just figure out what songs they know. I'm also on the enrichment committee too which is right up my alley (versus singing in front of kids). AJ has been called as scout master which I think he'll rock at once he gets a chance to be there, work permitting.

For the last 3 weeks AJ has been working in Rock Springs, only coming home for a day or 2 on the weekends. We miss him. A lot.

Something's wrong with me. All evening the room spins every time I move. Vertigo? It's weird.

My highlights are totally growing out now and I think I'll dye my hair dark auburn tomorrow to cover it up, instead of paying a professional to do a great job fixing them. $3 is cheaper than $60.

I was only home last night long enough for 2 trick-or-treaters. Anyone want some candy?

I made Griz the coolest dog bed ever (kinda old news). It's 46 x 36 inches which is just right for him = huge. He slept on our bed last night.

It snowed a week ago. And stuck. And I was a little sad instead of excited. But the real problem is all the leaves covering my lawn. Not only do I have to rake those up, but I have to find the dog poo to pick up underneath too.

I almost won 2 doughnut-on-a-string eating competitions yesterday. I'm pretty much awesome.

It's officially my dad's birthday now. Happy birthday Dad!!!