Having Fun With the Ellsworths

After five weeks of vacationing we finally are back home. Although all the trips were fabulous it was nice to sleep in our own bed, drive our own car, and settle back into our normal routine which included spending time with Natalie, Thomas, Cali and Ashton. One of the first things we did when we got home was spend an afternoon over at Ellsworth's apartment complex enjoying their swimming pool. Cali turned three on July 20th, so we had a "Tinkerbell" party for her at our house. We had dinner, played games, opened presents, and had a yummy ice cream cake that Natalie made. All in all, I would say it was one fantastic birthday party!!!!

Hawaii 2009

Aloha from the North Shore on Oahu, Hawaii,

We are having a wonderful vacation here enjoying mostly what we've enjoyed in past vacations in Hawaii. Things seem familiar and as I remembered except the temple is closed for remodeling until late 2010 and Turtle Bay Resort has torn down their gorgeous one-mile entranceway as part of a road-widening project. Besides the usual visits to Waimea Falls, the Dole Plantation, BYU-H, the swap meet, the ocean for countless snorkeling trips and water fun, trips to various sites to view unbeatable sunsets, stops at roadside stands to purchase delicious fruit, we hiked this year for the first time to the top of Diamond Head. It always has looked so formidable on the coast in Honolulu. However, this time we took the challenge sparked by Sheldon and made our way to the top. What a view it was and how happy I felt when I actually reached the rim!