Hawaii...day three!

Day three started off with a visit to Teds Bakery. I stayed behind to get ready for the day so I didnt go. We heard that the food there was really good and were glad that we went and tried out all the yummy baked goods. That wasnt the only trip we took there:)It was definitly worth going back to.


Now for the rest of day three.... we spent at the Polenysian Cultural Center. We spent all day there and it was worth it! Ron and Luanne paid for us all to go. We had out own tour guide named cousin Franky. It was nice to have someone in charge that just took us one place to the next. We didnt all have to decide where to go.....he did that for us.... so it definilty made the day hassle free. After we walked around and saw the different shows, we headed over to the Luau. The food was great and the company even better. After dinner we went and watched the show that they put on at night. It was definitly the highlight! It was fantastic!. We didnt get done until after 9 but we all enjoyed spending the day there. That was so nice of my in laws to pay for it all. Im sure it was pretty spendy. Thanks Ron and Luanne!

We got the royal treatment and even got some sweet Ambassador stickers to wear

Doesnt Emily look so proud? and I think Jared liked where she put her sticker.

The boys doing a dance


Tattoo time!



Tree Climbers

At dinner.


We were all brave and we tried Poi...not too shabby. Ive eaten some Diet food that taste worst than that!

Youve gotta love Blaine...you can always count on him for a good laugh!

Now....If I could only shake my hips and do the Taihitian dance....I would be one happy girl. How do they even do that? Im afraid if I tried...I would throw out my back. This girl was talented!

Isnt this palm tree cool? Its one tree that grew to the other side of the water and back.

Day four to come...

Hawaii...day two!

Day two started off with me waking up very early! Surprise....surprise. I am in the habit of getting up at 5:00 am at home so....in Hawaii that was 1:00 am. I didnt get up THAT early but it was stll around 3:00 am when I got up. It was dark but I sat on the beautiful wrap around porch and got online. I was so happy that they had the internet. While on the computer...I discovered all the geckos in that were living in the house. I have to tell the truth and tell you that they freaked me out a little. They were cute but I just dont like suprises. I dont like it when things come out of no where and jump on me. That is what I was afraid of. I know why they were there too. Not to jump on me, but because there are lots of bugs in Hawaii and lots of bugs in the house. Its so jungly and green and so they are everywhere.....so obviously they were there getting some snacks. In the end, I made friends with them because they left me alone and all was good.

When Loren woke up, we decided to go for a run and watch the sun rise. We ran on a road that bordered the beach. We watched the sunrise and it was gorgeous! Humid...but gorgeous. I have to say that I sweated more there...than I have in my whole life. I have never dripped like that before but I have to say that I liked it. I love to sweat(while exercising) it just feels good...like your working hard.

I know its not a very good picture of Loren but it shows the pretty view.


Have I ever mentioned..... that I LOVE running!


I just have to say that all the hours doing Bodypump are finally paying off! Watch out Jillian Micheals!( I wish!)


After some monkeying around.....



and after breakfast............



we headed into town to get some kayaks and snorkeling gear. Renting snorkeling gear was one of the best decisions we made while in Hawaii. We always had them in the car and if we ever saw a good beach and wanted to snorkel...we were prepared and ready to go!



Jim and Dave bought some spears to do some spear fishing and the rest of us snorkeled. Thanks to Melissa and her holy book on Oahu....we found this beach. I think it was one of the prettiest ones that we went to.




At this beach.....I did have a panic moment while snorkeling. I was following everyone out and it was really murky because of the sand being kicked up. I couldnt see and started to freak a bit. I got up out of the water and then my brother in law Ben was standing up saying that he didnt like this so I freaked even more and swam as fast as I could out of there. I eventually calmed down and went back in with Loren later on. I had never snorkeled before and Im a big woose when it comes to the ocean, so it scared me. I did better though and by the end of the trip I was snorkeling in 30 feet of water.

On our way to Wiamea Falls we stopped at a fruit stand. I love fruit stands! Why cant we get good fruit in Utah? I have to rely on trips to Mexico, Portland and Hawaii I guess. Everyone dug the baby bananas. Especially Melissa and baby Moreton!




I LOVE orchids...there my favorite flower! I loved seeing them grow wild.


This was the biggest stephanotis flower I have ever seen. Almost as big as my palm.


Isnt this beautiful? After we took the pic....we swam to the fall. After a hot hike it felt really good.


After the falls..... we headed over to get some hawaiian shaved ice at the famous Mastumotos. They even had sugar free and I thought it was pretty good.


and...so did Loren:)


On our way home we stopped to see the Temple. They were remodeling it so we didnt do any temple work while we were there. It was beautiful and I learned that it is one of two temples without a spire.


As you can see we did a lot of fun stuff and we were busy, busy. It was fun though and we had a ball. Ben and Melissa drove in our car that day and we had soooo much fun with them. I loved getting to know Ben a little better and enjoyed all the laughs. The whole Nielsen clan are fun that way! They are all so much fun! Day three to come.

Hawaii...one day at a time.

I have been wanting to blog about Hawaii since we arrived home but every time I think about It.... I get REALLY overwhelmed. We did a lot of really fun things in 7 days and I took almost 300 pictures. That's a lot of stuff to blog about! So...I thought maybe I should post about our trip a few days at a time and just post a ton of pictures. So here goes!

We left Tuesday June 9th in the morning. We took the kiddos to Grandmas and Grandmas to stay. Rowan wanted to go there well before it was time. He begged for three days to go to Grandmas and Grandpas house. They have a lot of fun there.... so he also had a little vacation himself. They went to the zoo, to see a movie, to the mountains, swimming and lots more. They were spoiled! Dropping them off went well. Loren and I often talked about how we were going to feel dropping off our kids and how it would feel to drive to the airport. And Yes.... It was all cracked up to be what we expected. Pure Bliss! Done get me wrong...we love our kids, but a week off.... is a much needed thing for every parent. We try to do this once a year and it is HEAVEN!

The flight was good...we were with his parents,all of his 7 siblings and their spouses. 17 people to be exact. The trip was paid for by his parents! They are the most generous people I know! So giving! So here we were, one HUGE group without our children and feeling pretty giddy. It was like Christmas morning but better!

Can you see my excitement? And yes...if you haven't guessed it...I am doing my version of the hoola!


When we arrived Ben and Melissa from Seattle were there waiting for us. This is what we saw! I always wanted a lei when I arrived in Hawaii!



We then headed out to the Plantation, where we were to stay...in 3 minivans. We were quite the caravan! When we arrived and saw the place....we were even more exited! 3 houses, a pool, and beautiful view! What more could we want?





My brother in law Ken was so dang excited when we arrived that he started to strip...he couldn't contain himself!


You know...I have to say that Ken was fun to be around and fun to watch. He had a blast the whole time and was always ready for some fun!


The Plantation.

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I had to take a picture of this statue that was on the porch. It freaked me out CONSTANTLY! Every time I looked outside I thought someone was out there. Its scary when you are up by yourself ay 4:00 am. Can you say FREAKY!

After we arrived at the Plantation...we got settled and were starving so we hit up the BYU Hawaii Cafeteria for some grub. All you can eat baby!


After we were fed, we headed home. We swam a little and hit the hot tub. We went to bed really late and I still couldn't sleep in. This is the story of my life! Up at 4:00 am no matter where I am! Stay tuned for more Hawaiian adventures....

The Hawaiian way.....

Loren and I are having a blast! We don't come home until Wednesday so we still have some time for some more fun. Cant wait to blog about the trip...we have had a lot of laughs and some amazing experiences so far. Right now... I am sitting on the beautiful wrap around porch, watching the sunrise while a mother hen and her babies walk around on the lawn. The birds are singing as the ocean waves roll into the sand.....peacefully and so calming. I'm living the easy life.....I'm living the Hawaiian Way.

The backyard view

The pool

Our home away from home

Hallelujah!

If you cant tell......I am singing praises! Something wonderful is happening in our home! Rowan...is FINALLY fully potty trained...hallelujah! Sometimes I wondered if we would EVER get here. Man...its been rough. As you all know..he took to going number 1 really well. No probs...he did great! The number 2 thing was the issue. He wouldn't really ever go. He went a few times, but just because I seemed to have caught him at the right time and not because he really wanted to go. It has been a difficult journey but I'm glad I never gave up. It was worth it.

It all started a few days ago when I sat him down and we had a good talk. I talked to him like a big boy with no frustrations and told him that it was time. Time to be a big boy, time to get ready for preschool and time to not be scared. I told him that I knew he could do it and that I loved him. We then said a prayer that Heavenly Father would help him not be scared and to help him go number 2 on the potty. After the prayer, he said he needed to go and that was it. We then made a potty chart and after everytime he goes he can put a sticker in a square. I told him that he could pick out whatever toy he wanted after he got 15 stickers. He is talking about getting a race car or a bike. At this point I dont care what he chooses or how much it costs...Im just so happy that hes fully potty trained! Thank goodness for prayer! I know THAT is what helped him. He has worn underwear for three days NOW with no accidents. I am so proud of him! Lia is still in pull ups because she cant tell me when she needs to go... but if I'm consistent with putting her on the potty....she stays dry. I cant believe my kids are potty trained! ITS A MIRACLE! Hallelujah!