Hawaii Kai Sunset

Despite flat tires on two different cars,

generally never knowing how to get from point A to point B,

and not being able to find a house I like that we can afford...

I am so grateful to be in Hawaii!

I love the breeze as I walk to the cliffs and watch the white foam crash against the rocks. I love the lush, tropical plants growing wild. I love the clouds hanging over the mountains.

Makapuu Lighthouse

Here's our happy family on the hike up to the lighthouse. I thought the weather was perfect for a steep climb, but there was a family ahead of us that gave up before the first turn. I wanted to tell them that the beginning is the worst part because you don't have the cool wind to help you survive.








Well, maybe I enjoyed the climb a little more than the family did...












I did let the children rest & sightsee occasionally on the way up.














Pa relaxed by the trail... I think it's because he didn't think he would have the energy to climb back up.











"Today is you day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way."

- Dr. Seuss











We reached the top! Time for a smile before we head back down...














And time for a pose to prove how cool & awesome we are in all situations.

Goodbye Oregon, Hello Hawaii

Things I liked the best about our house...

the pond outside my kitchen window, where we would put the goldfish from Chase & Lanea's wedding reception (plus any other random fish)

I think the cats loved the pond also :)







the bay window in the living room... a perfect plant place and our Christmas tree perch












although you can't see it too well, the granite topped kitchen counter & workspace was perfect for rolling out cookie dough

plus we used the counter to eat at way more than we used the kitchen table








our second go-round with the master bathroom was better... upgraded to granite counter top & granite tiles in the shower


Things I didn't like... plumbing issues with the front bathroom shower, the cracked tile right in the middle of the floor (front bath again), the nasty storage basement, and the skinny posts by the dining room. If I had the chance to do it over again, I would build a new, two story house in the back of the field, and tear down this house instead of trying to adjust everything while living in an old house that's falling apart.

My dream home would have two stories, with extra bedrooms & a bathroom upstairs so I could close it off when not in use. I would make the master bath a square rather than a rectangle & have a linen closet. Every area looks huge until you start filling it with stuff, especially the closets.

Of course, that's a mainland dream house. I couldn't afford a real house here unless I got a job again.

My "realistic" dream house in Hawaii is pretty sparse. I just want a place for Cookie to be happy, an ocean nearby, and a little room for the kids to stay when they come to visit. Life should be less materialistic here.

Hawaii Action

Here's a better pic of the Marriott Resort that we stayed at in June...














We rented a kayak one morning and all had turns around the lagoon. Carley & her dad got into trouble for riding the crest of the waves out of the "protected zone". I think Marriott is worried about lost equipment... or lost patrons.











Took the kids to Hawaii Motor Speedway to race... even pa burned up the track, but he didn't want to pose with his awesome head gear.












Met up with Chase & Lanea, then drove to Sharks Cove for some snorkeling. There are always seems to be tons of people there, but I think it's because the actual beach is so narrow. The water was fairly uncrowded, so the snorkeling was good.








Here's the favorite part of my day... watching the sun set over the palm trees. Everything is so peaceful & calm. People tell me that I will get bored with the climate, the scenery, the laid-back island life... but I hope I never take for granted the slow pace and beauty of the North Shore.