Friday, May 23, 2008

Sand, Surf, and Matsumoto's



We went into Honolulu one day and since there was no line at Pearl Harbor (usually there is a huge line), we saw the movie and went to the Arizona Memorial.


We also went to the Waikiki Aquarium and saw some of the fish in tanks that we had seen when we were diving at Shark's Cove.





Ian and Alana went surfing at Alii Beach Park and got some surfing lessons from friends of Ian's that live in Hawaii.


No explanation needed here.



Here was the joint birthday celebration for Gavin and Brielle.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Hawaii - Turtle, Tots, and Tat



Here we are at Malaekahana Beach in Laie. It really is our favorite beach because it is never crowded and has good sand for the babies. Both Brielle and Gavin loved the warm water and even rode the boogey boards in with the help of their parents.




The surf wasn't too big this day, as Ian and Alana both caught a wave.


A turtle swimming offshore got a fish hook caught on its fin. Ian held the fishing pole while James dislodged the hook from the turtle. The honu was unharmed and James took the reptile out into waist deep water and it swam off.


We had a dinner on Sunday night at the townhouse and cousin Tat brought her friend, Kevin (left), and we had a young man, Gombo from Mongolia (he served his mission in our ward and is now going to BYUH) for dinner also. They are pictured here holding Gavin and Brielle.


Pictured here are Megan and Tat at Sunset Beach. We had haupia pie for dessert that night and watched the sunset from, where else, Sunset Beach.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

More Belgium and Holland

I have never seen flowers like I have at the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, etc - all absolutely bankrupt the artist's palette. We loved being there as the gardens are only open for 2 months of the year.
This next picture is of Alana in the cheese factory. She was applying the wax to the newly made cheese. The cheese was soooooo good. We learned all about how the cows in Holland really are the happiest cows. . .forget California.
Pictured here is our "Dutch" family, Simon and Ankie, in front of their lovely cottages in Oostkapelle. They treated us so well and we are grateful for their endless hospitality. We can't wait to have Katinka and Marjolein, their daughters, stay with us this summer. And then we will have a room ready for Ankie and Simon in November - right, Simon?
Pictured here are Helen and Erin in downtown Brussels. We visited the European Parliament, where Alana had her internship this past semester.
Finally, here is Alana with one of her "little sisters" that she stayed with for 4 months. We are so thankful to Paul and Sarah Scherbel for sharing their lovely home and 4 darling daughters, Carrie, Sydney, Lauren, and Rachel, with Alana for her stay in Brussels. Then they opened their home to all of us when we visited Brussels. What a wonderful time we had with the fabulous people that we met and stayed with in Belgium and Holland. Thanks to the Wondergems and Scherbels for their friendship and love.

Monday, May 05, 2008

"A pe _ _ _ for 200"


For those of you who are familiar with the "Best of Will Ferrell", this picture, taken in a Paris hotel, needs no further explanation. And yes. . .we did enjoy a petit dejeuner!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

I'm a big girl now!

(If you want to see the long cake eating video click here)

I went to get 1-year-old pictures taken at the studio, but the camera was scary. So when we got home Mom took some more pictures to show that yes, I do know how to smile.

My name is: Brielle (aka Ellie, Roots, Snorts)
I'm: 1 year old today!
Things I love:
-My Blanket
-When Daddy comes home
-Dogs
-Being Outside
-Baths
-Story Time
-Mom's purse
-Eating cell phones
Favorite book: Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins
Pet Peeve: Getting Diaper Changed
Catch Phrase: Haaaayy!

I loved opening my presents

This is what was in all those wrapped up boxes.

Dad baked my cake, Mom decorated is to look like "little fish" from my favorite book.

And it tasted sooooo good!