Spooktacular Party on Halloween Eve

Cute Lisa invited all us "sista's" over for a Pot Luck Dinner and Scary Movie Night!  It was a blast....I love getting together with my "sista's".  Lisa's house is awesome!  She does everything so cute....she's one talented gal!

The Pot Luck was very colorful and yummy....at least the things I tried.  I didn't try everything which I am proud to say.  I am finding some control in my life. It was a nice variety.

Lisa had a little gift for each of us.....glasses with mustaches!  So funny & cute!  I had thought about bringing headbands or masks or something since it wasn't a dress up party (even though I did dress up)  but decided not to since it was at Lisa's and she was in charge.  I'm glad I decided the way I did......Lisa did good! (my glasses glow in the dark)

I can't help but think that my mom didn't have this much fun at this age.  I am having a blast and love hanging with my friends.  In fact as I was leaving tonight I told Larry to have a good time. (he had YM/YW and meetings) His response was: "you have way more fun than me".  I know I do and wondered if that was a problem for him.  The difference is I choose to have fun!  I make my days fun and I am loving life.  I think so often we get stuck in a rut and just exist.....doing our daily routines and not really enjoying where we are.  I know that I have lived that way and even though I was happy to a point I wasn't really happy....I was just doing and being what and who I needed to.  This point in my life is my favorite......but in all honesty I can say each step of the way to get here was my favorite at the time.  I'm just glad I reached this point.  I certainly "feel" younger than my age or my face.

We watched "The Lady in Black" and it was scary.  I don't really like being scared but watching a scary movie with a bunch of "sista's" makes it more fun than scary.  We jumped and we screamed and we laughed....it was fun.  My first scare found my hands upright, together in a praying position....hahaha (doing what comes naturally)  

This group of ladies enjoy being crazy.....we all enjoy making memories and catching them with the camera. I think it is so much fun.  I get told that I have more fun than anyone.  Now I'm not sure that is true but I do have fun and it is fun documenting it with pictures.

I know I say it every time I write about my friends but I always learn to much from each of them and my life is simply better because of my friends.  I am finally at a  point in my life that I realize I am important to others also.....I like knowing that and finally believing it.  A simple but lovely "gift" from God!

 Halloween is fun and celebrating with my friends is priceless!  I sure do LOVE them all!

Shawn

My nephew, Shawn became a daddy!  Shawn is Bennett's son and since Bennett and Terri were divorced we haven't seen much of Shawn.  I made sure to always send Shawn a birthday card and even went and saw him occasionally when he was young.  I also sent him Christmas cards hoping that he would at least know our family from pictures.  I think it has helped.  I have talked to Shawn and have even gone into his work a few times to stay connected.  I love Shawn!

A few months ago he got his own son.....sweet little Nash!  I am glad that we are able to see pictures and stay a little connected to Shawn and his life.  (I think Terri texts Bennett now with the info)

I think Shawn and Kevin resemble each other.....I think Shawn is a cutie.  His family is also very cute.  Abby and Nash are darling and I wish we did know them better and I do wish that they were more apart of our lives.  That's the part of divorce that is hard.  Divorce separates more than the couple....it separates families.  I am thankful for my nephew and his little family!

Hawaii......BIG Island

I think Alan and Sue were inspired to take us with them to Hawaii.  They asked us when they first planned this trip and we declined.  We knew that the Brinkerhoffs were also going since Cole and Alan were going to attend a Pharmacy Conference and so we didn't feel to bad.  We just felt like things are too tight right now and we wouldn't be able to swing it.  Well a few months ago we went out to dinner with the Winters and they asked us again if we would consider going.  Alan told us that he already had us a condo and so he was hoping we'd take them up on the offer.  We have sky miles and so the trip looked more affordable to us.  I appreciate the Winters for inviting us......they are some of the few people that invite us before we can invite them.....that is nice every once in awhile.  This trip was very needed for us.  Larry has been so stressed with work and church and we have both needed away time.  I could have stayed longer.....like forever.....but the time we had was great!  The Winters and Brinkerhoffs took good care of us and I appreciate them for it.

We got to Hawaii a day after the others and everything was planned and ready for us.  We got pampered!  Our first day there we toured the whole Island.  We visited the Parker Farm which is pretty awesome.  It's neat seeing how nice some lived even on a ranch back in the day.  One little cabin off of the big house was completely covered in Koa Wood.  It smelled good and was absolutely beautiful inside.  We own a vase made of Koa wood.

For lunch we went down a very steep and windy road.  I think Lori was a little nervous but I loved it.  I would have enjoyed going faster even. (you can tell where we are in our lives....Lori still has little ones....mine would survive just fine w/o me....I really hope that's not true)

At the bottom of the windy road it was gorgeous.  Trees and ocean and river all around.  I had to get a few pics and all at different angels so see the beauty.  Oh how I enjoyed all the beauty and our wonderful friends.

We found a nice long log that we all fit on and enjoyed a wonderful lunch that Lori and Sue had prepared.  It was so relaxing.

We also visited some waterfalls.  I love seeing the waterfalls and they are every where.  It rained a little but the rain felt good.  My hair doesn't like the rain or humidity but other than that it was welcomed.  The rain helps keep the temp good.  It was pretty nice the whole time we were there.  No complaining from this mouth.

It was fun seeing the whole Island.  One side is tropical and gorgeous and the other is pretty much pure lava.

Every morning we had time to get going slowly because Cole and Alan were at their conference.  Larry and I usually took a walk and would watch surfers.  We enjoyed the quiet mornings.  On Wednesday we had a tour of the Maunakea Observatory scheduled.  It was an all day thing.  While the guys were at their class Larry & "his" girls went shopping.  (Larry doesn't enjoy shopping)  I enjoy looking but seldom buy anything...Larry comes out ahead.  When we met up with Cole and Alan we went and got some lunch....kind of a mistake because a few hours later we were being fed on the tour.

On the tour everyone got lasagna and a brownie.  I only had a bite of my lasagna to taste it but was still too full from lunch.  I saved my brownie though and enjoyed it the next morning. ;)

The observatory was neat.....looking down through the clouds while waiting for the sunset.  The guides were really hoping for the clouds to clear but I liked how they looked and the sunset was still beautiful.

We are all so glad they provided warm coats and gloves....it's a bit chilly 14 thousand ft above sea level. (just saying)  When I took our picture we noticed the reflective tape....adds so much to the picture. haha ;)

After the sun had set we climbed back in the van and went down the mountain just a little.  Telescopes were set up and we learned a little about the stars and some constellations. I enjoyed the things we heard....our little guide did a great job at presenting her information.  I really enjoyed looking through the telescopes and seeing the stars and my favorite was the moon.  It was a neat thing to do and I'm glad that Alan had heard about it and suggested it to everyone.

The next two days after the classes we kayaked.  I quite enjoy kayaking and had to really help out both days.  I usually sit back and relax a little while Larry paddles us around but both days were a little breezy and I needed to help the whole time.  I didn't mind though and didn't feel tired or sore which made me wonder if I really was helping since the others were all mentioning their discomfort. It felt good to me and I enjoyed both days.  The first day of kayaking was Thursday and we went across the ocean to a Turtle Reserve.  I didn't get my camera out because Larry and I didn't open our dry pack. (I'm hoping to get some pictures from Sue and Lori)  We snorkeled a little there but it really wasn't good.  So visiting there was the best.  There were plenty of turtles to look at also.

On Friday we climbed back on the kayaks and again crossed the ocean to the Island of Captain Cook.  We really just kayaked to the monument and stayed in the water.  We snorkeled here and it was wonderful.  Our best snorkeling ever was our first time to Hawaii on Maui and this was just as marvelous.  I really enjoy good snorkeling.....this was good.  My face hurt when I took the mask off.  I had an imprint of it on my face because I finally got it to seal properly.  We were really hoping to see spinner dolphins but we didn't.  Sue and Alan have seen them every other time they have been there.  I won't lie....I was a little disappointed.

Our condo was right by the Ocean and it could be seen from the balcony.  The middle of the rooms had little waterfalls and lots of pretty vegetation.

Our last day was spent on beach that Sue and Alan had found when they first got to the Island.  We went there while Cole and Lori went for an Airplane ride.  The road to the beach (park) was really bumpy but worth the drive.  The water was nice and there were great waves with lots of people surfing.  It was like catching 3 waves because each wave swelled up a few times.  Lots better than the ones we watched by the condo. (they were behind Larry in the picture of him watching the turtles)

We were glad we saw some turtles.  At first there was just one sunning and then another one came up out of the water and sunned too.  The larger one (which came second) had a cuter head and reminded me of the turtles off of "Finding Nemo".  It was quite enjoyable just watching them.  The little one was more aggressive and even got the bigger one to move out of it's way.

On the big Island you will see "graffiti" along the roads.  However the graffiti there is white rocks spelling out names and sayings on the lava.  It's everywhere and this place had it too.  Alan had just told Larry that it would be cool if he wrote "Larry ♥ Dawn" and at that moment Larry came across the "I Love You" which was good enough for us!  Alan took a little time and wrote AW ♥ SUE....he wrote it with white sand! (ahhh)

I am grateful that we were able to go again and spend time together.  I have always cherished the time I have with Larry but even more so the older we get.  It's priceless to me and very needed.  I don't think I will ever get enough.  I sure do love Larry.  I appreciate all my kids for taking care of themselves and each other so that we can.  I absolutely love my family more than words could ever express!

Halloween Carnival

I absolutely love being around my grands.  They are all so stinkin cute and fun.  I love Mondays because I get Zaden.....then on Thursday I got Kamryn & Ivy for awhile.  Today I got Mya & Parker and get to have them over night.  I think part of what makes having the grands over is that they love coming over.  They just get as excited as I do.  Who knew being a gramma would be so much fun? (I didn't)  Tonight Kamryn invited us to her preschool carnival.  It was a fun carnival.  The teachers go all out to make it fun. On our way to the carnival the sky was beautiful.  Mya thought I should pull over and take a picture.  I love the sunsets here in Hooper.......stunning and marvelous.

After driving for about a minute I looked at Parker and all I saw was a puppy head.  I laughed and told Kimleighel our little puppy was sleeping.  Kimleighel looked back at Mya and said I princess was too.  I forget that the littles might need naps....so they usually don't get them while they are at my house playing.  We had to wake them up to go into the carnival.  They woke happy though and were both ready for some fun.

Kamryn was already inside and moving from place to place very quickly.  That little one is usually on high speed.  She makes me laugh.  We almost had to tackle her to stop and get a picture with her cousins.  Julie was "Robin" and I think she was just wondering helping people know what to do and where to go.  Kevin was a football player and helped with a hula hoop game where the kids threw a football through it as it was suspended from the ceiling and moving.  It's fun seeing my big kids as adults.....totally makes me smile from the inside out.

There were a lot of games in a lot of rooms and the kids enjoyed it all.  They got a prize or treat at every place.

 Both kids were excited to be painted on. Mya chose a butterfly to be painted on her hand and Parker chose an Octopus for his face.  They were both so still as they got painted.  

 I loved seeing all the little kids and had to keep my eye on our little puppy.  He loved exploring everything.  He's a curious little cutie who knows what he wants.  I tried talking him into being a cowboy so we could just put a hat on him but he wanted to be the doggy and stuck with it.  He loved being a doggy.

While we were trying to decide what Mya should be I would suggest things like: how about a clown, or a bunny, and she just rolled her eyes and said no gramma....I will be Snow White.  She had to be a princess....everything else was silly.  I was hoping for her and Parker to both be clowns and wear the same costumes that Trichelle & Justin both wore when they were little.  Neither would go for it!

Kamryn was also a Princess.....Princess Jasmine!  What a darling Princess she was too.  One of Kam's friends said Hi to her and she couldn't tell who it was until the little girl told her.  Kam started laughing while she told her she didn't recognize her.  It was a cute exchange.

It was fun taking the kids and I'm glad we were able to.  I'm glad Kimleighel came with us.  Jared was helping in the Spook Alley which we chose not to go through. ;) (I hate being scared and so does Mya)

Our little sleep over was fun.  I let Parker sleep on a mat instead of the playpen and he did pretty good. I love waking up to those cute little faces and getting their sweet hugs.  Oh my crud....I am blessed!