Monday, June 25, 2012

Hawaii Trip for TWO!


 Just the two of us... in HAWAII!


A HUGE thank you to my mom and Jonathan's mom for keeping the boys so that we could get away!  Our trip was AMAZING!


Our VERY first stop after checking into the hotel was the Laie Temple ... we were able to do sealings which was really neat!  This was the 5th operating Temple - and one thing I found interesting was that the ceilings were really LOW!
After the Temple - we headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center for dinner and the show!  WOW ... they sure can dance - and we loved the FIRE!
 On Oahu - we got to do a few fun things such as...

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay...




 Visit Pearl Harbor...

Drive to some amazing views (even with the wind blowing!)



 Go to church at the Honolulu Tabernacle - the grounds were AMAZING!

 Grab some shaved ice (although I think my Dad's snow cone machine makes better ones... don't tell anyone in Hawaii though!)
Stop by the Dole Pineapple Farm...
 Love this Otter-like picture of Jonathan (and the Chaccos!)
and visit the NORTH SHORE...
We then headed to Kaua'i ... and this was the view from our Hotel Room!
 Jonathan had to go to class some ... so I enjoyed the pool!  When he wasn't in class... we were able to go on some fun adventures!

Drove to Waimea Canyon...
 Snorkeled at Poipu Beach...
And our BIGGEST adventure was Kayaking 21 miles along the Na Pali Coast!  What an adventure.  It was fun and exhausting, amazing and thrilling - all at the same time!
 Jonathan and I in a Sea Cave...
 One of the sea caves that we kayaked into - under a waterfall!

 A shot of me in front of the Cathedrals along the coast...
 Another favorite ADVENTURE was our helicopter tour!  I HIGHLY recommend it - if you're nervous - it is BETTER than take-off in an airplane! 
 
Waterfalls...
 The Napoli Coast which we had just kayaked 2 days before...
 Us inside the helicopter...
 
Another amazing view...
 MORE waterfalls... there are 100's on Kaua'i!!
Jonathan was SO excited to squeeze in a round of golf!  I played 9 holes with him before heading out to go shopping - what a great view - right?
 We were able to eat dinner at the Beach House Restaurant...
What a GORGEOUS sunset!
Our last day included a zip-lining tour - which was on my MUST list (although the kayaking trip beat it as far as ADVENTURE goes!)
We had lots of fun and tried all the "tricks" - including - upside-down, backwards and into the water!  Fun way to end the trip!


Oh and last but not least... on our way to meet the zip-lining tour, we stopped by to see the Spouting Horn - so amazing what this earth - and Hawaii itself has for us to enjoy!
So grateful Jonathan and I were able to spend time together doing so many fun and amazing things!! 

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Benjamin's 6th Birthday... Camping Out Style!

 Benjamin wanted to have a camping birthday party ... so we did a camping themed party which turned out to be lots of fun!  Bummed that I didn't take pictures of the tents, fire pit etc!

We just had cupcakes for "cake" and the kids all got to decorate them with grass, rocks, make tents, dirt - all the things you have at a campsite!
 We went fishing... some got a worm or two before they got their swedish fish!
 Benjamin getting a worm!
(Friends = Elaina, Andres, William, Noah, (Reece behind him), Benjamin and Van!)
This was our firewood pickup game...
 Here are the kids getting to make their cupcakes...
 Reece running in our marshmallow game...
The kids got to decorate their bags with camping stickers... then they collected their fish, worms, bugs on the "nature walk", they got a flash light and a few other fun camping things!  

Benjamin had a fun party and was so glad for all of the friends that came!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Ruby Falls!

 Finally saw RUBY FALLS!

 After all the years that we've been to Chattanooga, we finally made it to Ruby Falls in between Lindsey and Dane's wedding and reception!

It was fun to go into the cave, and "hike=walk" to the falls - and the boys were troopers the whole walk!
The falls were kind of small but it was still a fun family outing!
 We did a little photo scavenger hunt along the way and won some ice-cream at the end!
 Love this picture with my boys!


We did get a quick shot afterwards outside under the RUBY FALLS sign!  

The Newlyweds!!

 Mr. and Mrs. Dane Olenslager...

 Jonathan's sister, Lindsey, got married on JUNE 1st, 2012! 
 Here is the cute couple on their wedding day...
 Here are ALMOST all of the Owens-Mitchell siblings ...

Wish I could've gotten the BIG group picture ... the family continues to GROW!