Diamond Head Hike

Yesterdays activity was to hike the Diamond Head Crater. It wasn't the most beautiful hike on the way up, but the view at the top was really beautiful. The workout was great though.

practice, practice, practice

Peter came home last night and practiced his suturing. His skills were pretty impressive. Love that boy!

While Peter is working.....

I've been here. There is a pool on the beach that we have access to in Waikiki and I've been loving it. Lots of sun and reading while enjoying the sounds of the ocean. Seriously, my life is pretty great!

Peter delivered his first baby

Okay, maybe he didn't deliver it himself.... but he was there and helping. He also got to participate in a C-Section yesterday too. He is working in the labor and delivery this week so he'll probably get to see a lot of cool things this week.

On a side note, one really cute thing they do at the hospital here is that they play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" every time a child is born. Love that!

saturday was packed

Since Peter works 6am to 6pm during the week, we have to pack our Saturdays with activities so that he can have the most fun as possible. So Saturday we woke up and headed out for a hike up to Maunawili Falls. It's a gorgeous hike (REALLY MUDDY) and the waterfall is beautiful. We even jumped off the rocks into the falls. The boys were pretty daring and jumped from the highest rocks.

After the hike we headed to Hanauma Bay to go snorkeling. I was stunned by how gorgeous the color of the water was. We spent several hours swimming around seeing all kinds of fish and even a sea turtle. I'm still so surprised at how many fish there are since there are so many visitors that visit those waters each year. It was awesome though.

Afterwards we headed to Sandy Beach for some boogie boarding. That was one of the things on top of Peter's list. The waves were decent sized, but with the strong current, shore break, and how tired we already were, we didn't have that much success. It was still beautiful though. We will have to go back when we aren't so tired from the day.

I had so much fun on Saturday and I can't wait for Peter's next day off so we can go play even more.

Friday Fun

During the day on Friday, Jo and I took a hike up to Manoa Valley Falls. It's a small waterfall located in the jungle wildlife up the hill from University of Hawaii. The waterfall was smaller than I expected, but it was still nice to get out and do something active and enjoy the jungle.

Later that night when the boys got home we went down to Waikiki for dinner at Duke's and some swimming. It is just so gorgeous down there and the sunset was amazing. I loved people watching and seeing the many sailboats in the water.

Dragon's Nostrils

On Thursday of this week my new friend Jo (a wife of one of Peter's classmates) and I went out for the day. We started out at the beach in Waikiki and then headed east to check out what is called Dragon's Nostrils. The drive along the coast was gorgeous, we even saw the local lighthouse.

Dragon's Nostrils are two blow holes next to each other and when the water comes up, it really looks like a dragon is blowing snot out of it's nose. Plus the noise is really loud and kind of scary. It was definitely beautiful and fun to climb down the lava rock to see the blow holes. There were also some cool tide pools nearby and the waves crashing against the rocks were amazing.

our own private beach

Two nights this week after work Peter and I headed out to the Air Force base where there are some private beaches to enjoy the sunsets and swim a little.

we have arrived

We are here in Hawaii! We got her late last Sunday evening and have been really enjoying ourselves so far. Here is the view from our room. We are staying in a hotel on a hill that overlooks the ocean and the city of Honolulu. It's beautiful and so relaxing.

Peter works at the hospital just steps away and I spend my days working (okay, maybe just a couple of hours at the most) and exploring. We are excited to be here enjoying the great weather and amazing scenery. Stayed tuned for our many days-o-fun here in Hawaii.

Next week at this time

We will be here.....Honolulu, Hawaii for Peter's next rotation. We are so excited!

Fun for the whole Family

This last Monday Peter and I went to the Air Force Museum as it's not too far from where we are. We saw a really cool IMAX movie about a fighter pilot and then toured the museum. It was so cool to see the evolution of planes that have been used over the years through various wars. We saw planes from those flown in WWI to the Predator and F-22 planes used today. This place was absolutely huge and there was so much to learn. You could literally spend days here, we didn't even see half of it.

Josh and Karee's Wedding

My brother found the most darling girl almost 2 years ago and she just recently became his wife and part of the family. Josh and Karee were married on August 27, 2010 in the Salt Lake City Temple. I was lucky enough to be there and witness how truly happy the couple is. I'm grateful my brother found someone who adores him and whom he adores as well.

A reception was held up the canyon at the McLean's house that evening. Although we had some struggles while trying to set up the outdoor reception during a rain/wind storm (table clothes in the pond and centerpieces in the lawn), it was a beautiful indoor reception. I loved watching how the couple could not stop smiling and how loved and admired they were by those who attended.

my sister with her two girls, and her fiancé with his two boys

Josh and his friends

The following weekend a reception was held for them in Karee's hometown of Rupert, Idaho. It's such a charming, peaceful feeling town.

the new Mr. & Mrs. Green

the details

the cake

cutting the cake

my parents dancing

dancing in the gazebo

G'ma Hutchins waiting for the opening of presents

The night before the Wedding

My brother recently got married and the night before the big day we had a little celebration with both families. We went to the McLeans to set up the tables and chairs for the next day, had a great dinner (made by my Dad), and then Mike put on a little concert for us. It was really nice to see extended family and get to spend time with the Jurgensmeiers too.

Then Mike sang a few tunes as a tribute to the lovely couple. It was such a great feeling being in a room with so many people I love so much and hearing music about the importance of love and family. I love my family! I am so grateful for a loving God who gave us one another and allows us to be together forever.

And of course, we ended the night with some smores around the fire. How can a night that ends with smores around the campfire not be great?!