St. Augustine

gellato.
seashells.
seafood.
cold wind.
peaceful.

white sand.

spanish architecture.

quaint cafes.

the oldest city.

it was really really cold...

the oldest wood school house in North America

Oregon Coast

A few months ago we went to the Oregon coast for a weekend. We didn't check the weather beforehand and ended up being there during a severe storm. Our little cottage by the coast howled in the wind at night and the electricity went out. As we were leaving, we finally got a break in the rain and spent our last moments in a town called Seaside. It was a cute little place with a carousel, swingset on the beach, and amazing salt water taffy. It was cold and rainy, but such a fun memory for our little family!

Hawaii

Last year I wrote a letter to the MS Society about why we deserve a vacation. They graciously awarded us a trip to Oahu. We stayed on Waikiki beach, saw a rainbow every day, and basked in the fantastic sun. We even brought the MIL along to help with the kids. Such Fun..and fantastic break from work! A real treat was seeing Lynn, a woman that Aaron taught on his mission. Gosh darn it if I didn't get any pictures of her and her family! Good news for us but bad news for them,; they are moving from Hawaii to Washington in 6 months..so we do get to see them again.

Object of our stay in Hawaii:

1. Eat at as many hole in the wall restaurants as we could.

2. Get really really wet every day.

3. Show off Aaron's ability to speak Samoan.

4. Swim with the dolphins.

5. Snorkle at Hanuama Bay.

6. Try the famous Matsumoto's snow cone.

7. Check out the Polynesian Culture Center and the Temple.

8. Eat a lot of pineapple.

These were huge waves on the pipeline which is famous for surfing. The tide was so strong that we could only stay for a moment (and this was the safe beach). I laughed so hard at these moments. Kai swallowed so much water that day...


This Haunama Bay. We did some fabulous snorkling and Aaron even swam with a sea turtle! So incredible!!

The Dole Plantation. We really loved this place and learned a bunch. Do you know how to tell if a Pineapple is good? The outside eyes have to all be the same size from top to bottom, you shouldn't be able to smell it a foot away, and it has to be firm. The color doesn't matter at all!
We literally walked out of a nice restaurant to come back here for their shrimp scampi. Soooo Good.


What a hunk!

Beach on the East side of the island.

Loved this moment. It's not unusual , but so easily forgotten as they grow...

This Place was called Keneke's near Lanai Kai Beach. They had the BEST Kalua pork sandwiches we have ever had. We also loved the sign in the window above Aaron's head..No Meth Around. A keeper for sure.