Treasure from the Depths

I got our three, cheesy underwater digital cameras back today. Sadly, the developer said that the film was all exposed to light. We were able to save one or two pictures though, one of which is below. Kahuna took the boys out snorkeling way too far one morning. Here they are standing on a reef. Look at the end of the Coronet Fish (on the right). That's right. There's only half a fish left. Something must have been hungry out there. The boys, of course, considered it a treasure and kept it...

...until it stunk to high heaven.

Boys!

I ♥ Faces- B&W

A blog that I absolutely love is called I ♥ Faces. This week's theme is B&W. There can't be any color tinting involved in the photo at all. Some of the photos submitted look so professional, while others, like mine, are amature (but I have a desire to learn!). I love the tips on this blog, too. The photo that I'm submitting is Beach Bunny asleep in her stroller at the beach. She played her heart out and just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. I hesitated turning a color photo into black and white because I love color, but I can tell that B & W adds a new emotion.

If you ♥ Faces, clickety HERE to see more.

Ugh! Blog Not Updating

I've been having major troubles with my Google Reader not updating this blog. This is a test post with a collage of pics from day one. I'll see if this updates in a timely manner, or I may have to kick some Google butt!

Tropical Goodness

I ordered a Lava Flow for you. You didn't drink much. I had to help.

A cute, little, old Italian man in a Speedo (not so cute) kept calling her Miss Waikiki. I think it's because she is the only one in our family with a decent tan.

Hangin' out in Honolulu

The Surprise

At three o'clock yesterday, Kahuna had us travel up to the 12th floor of our hotel, put the key card in the door and opened up the opportunity to stay in the Presidential Suite. The kids busted in and immediately started playing hide-and-seek. This place is bigger than our own home! I, of course, had a million questions... Are you serious? How much is this going to cost? How did this happen? The answer from Kahuna was always GOD. Kahuna explained to us that it's just an incredible surprise from the Lord for our family. When he checked us in on Saturday, they asked him if we'd like to stay in the Presidential Suite. K. asked What's the catch? The receptionist replied simply that it was available (at no cost) and would we like to stay there. K. kept it a secret to surprise us, and boy were we!

Well, since you've come along on this vacation with us, why don't you pick out your own bedroom. There are three extra rooms to choose from. I'll even bring you breakfast in bed!

Extra bedroom #1- downstairs w/full private bath and HUGE jacuzzi tub and ocean view

Extra bedroom #2- upstairs with private full bath and huge jacuzzi tub. Private lanai with ocean view out two windows.

Extra bedroom #3- downstairs with private 1/2 bath, private lanai with ocean view.




Above is the floor plan. This is CRAZY!

OK, which room did you pick?

After I bring you breakfast in bed, why don't we take a little walk down to the beach and hang out here. We'd have to play Rock, Paper, Scissors for the hammock, though.

Come on... close your eyes and join me...

Tu-tu Fun

Beach Bunny is going to go through some serious withdrawal when we go home. She just loves going to the beach every morning. She won't go near the water by herself, but can't get enough of the soft sand. She's eaten her fair share, too. She shakes her head yes and says num-num when she puts it in her mouth.

Kahuna says that he has a little surprise for us at 3:00 tomorrow. I wonder what he has up his sleeve?

Lei Making 101

The boys made the most fragrantly scented leis today. They are made with Pikake blossoms. Oh how I wish you could scratch and sniff your computer screen and catch a whiff! It's pure heaven!

Kickin' it Old School...

err, homeschool.

Behind the scenes at vacation central are some really hard-working boys. They normally attend school, but this week is a little different. They brought a week's worth of school work along with them. Any time they even think about complaining, I remind them that they get to do "school" at Starbucks this week. Yes, Starbucks... and that's where we headed today during Beach Bunny's nap. While the kids did their work (huge, decadent chocolate brownies included), I read my Bible and wrote in my journal. I didn't even give in to the temptation to blog on their free wi-fi. Toot! Toot!

-----------------------------------------

Back at the beach...


Ku'u aloha (My love)

Wai Nani...

...means "beautiful water".

I just can't get used to the color of the water. It is insanely gorgeous!
We spent more time at the beach today. Kahuna and I took turns taking the boys out snorkeling in the deep water. We took an underwater camera with us, so it will be interesting to see if the pictures turn out.

Oh, in case you've ever wondered...
If you're out alone snorkeling in the deep water and decide to wave enthusiastically to your family on the shore, expect a cute lifeguard to come join you in said deep water.

Oops!

My bad!

------------------
Highlight pics from day 2:

Beach Bunny checkin' out the surf.

She quickly reached her S.P.I. (sand per inch) quota.

Kahuna, Goofy Foot and Big Surf snorkeling way too far from shore.

Gearing up for more fun

Goofy Foot and I playing in the water. Yep, that's me in all my snorkeling glory!

Mahalo and see you soon!

Mahalo Ke Akua

Aloha! Here are a few highlight pictures from today, our first official day of vacation. It is so fun to have absolutely NO schedule! We are appreciating and enjoying every second. I learned a new Hawaiian phrase today. It's "Mahalo Ke Akua", which means "Thanks be to God". Our hearts are truly thankful to Him for this much needed family time. You wouldn't believe all the things that happened to us the last week that almost stopped us from coming. Kahuna and I had to stop several times and just pray. God took care of the details, and here we are. We hope you'll check back in with us each day and "virtually" join us on vacation! We'd love for you to come along! Goofy Foot throwing "mud bombs", while Big Surf and Beach Bunny make a "jacuzzi"

Kahuna and Beach Bunny chillin' in the sunshine

Energizer Bunny Beach Bunny on the go!

Rainy Sunday

Big Surf and Beach Bunny goofing around on a rainy Sunday...

Digital Scrapbooking Q and A

You guys asked some really great questions regarding digital scrapbooking. While I'm still very much a novice, I may be able to answer some of your questions or point you in the right direction to get you started.

1. Did you do your own blog make-over with digital scrapbooking ?

The answer to that question is actually yes and no. Yes, it was made with a digital scrapbooking kit (HERE); and no, I did not make it myself- although I wish I had. All the creative goodness belongs to the illustrious Jaimee (HERE).

2. Do you have a specific program (software) that you use?

I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 7. It's super user friendly... and I need friendly! I got is on sale at Best Buy, but I've seen it a lot cheaper at Costco.


3. I'm a traditional scrapbooker but have suddenly found myself way behind. I thought I could do some digital pages (and print them) along with some old school pages to get caught up. Have you done any printing? I am hoping to print through Costco.

Yes, I've recently done some printing of the pages I've created. The calendar pages at the top of this post are an example of what I created with Photoshop Elements and then printed at a local copy store. I was super impressed! I have to say that printing color copies, at first glance, isn't cheap, but it is much cheaper in comparison to buying special papers, stickers, other embellishments, plus the cost of developing photos. I haven't used Costco yet for printing of projects, but I hear that you can upload your finished projects (like individual 12x12 pages) to their site and pick them up in an hour. Then, slip the finished pages into an album, and boom... album complete.


4. What (digital) sites have you found?
Here are some sites for Photoshop Elements tutorials that I watched when I was getting started:
http://smjtutorials.blogspot.com/2008/01/darling-layouts-with-smj-quick-pages.html
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/tutorials/software_tutorials.asp
These two sites have some really cute digital scrapbooking kits to download, too. Check them out!

Here is the link to the kit that I used to create the personalized calendar pages (at the top of this post) (HERE).

Happy scrapping!!!

February Desktop

I am in love with digital scrapbooking, but I have a lot to learn. I made this little February desktop for my computer. It was easy. Clickety HERE if you'd like to make one, too!

What's Up And Coming

Scholastic & Parent & Child Magazine have teamed up to find the best Mommy Bloggers out there in the Mommy Blogger Awards 2009. I just voted for some of YOU! Nominate your favorite Mommy Bloggers today!


From play dates and daycare to adoption stories and potty training, ABC wants to hear about your poignant, hilarious, emotional and even your most banal mommy moments for its new comedy series, In the Motherhood, premiering this spring. The show will feature stories inspired by real life experiences of viewers shared through the website at http://www.inthemotherhood.com/. Watch the trailer, and then click on "Tell Us". Your submission might just become inspiration for a story by the writers of the new comedy series, and you might just be thanked on the air! I am positive that some of your stories could be chosen.