My first Christmas in Hawaii

I survived Christmas by keeping busy and realizing that fact I'm able to be in Hawaii for Christmas!  I was able to talk to all the kids and even did some ichatting.  Almost like being there.  Im very much excited that Michelle is coming for a visit with her husband on the 7th to help celebrate the fact that I made it to my 60th birthday.

We went to the home of my new friends, Myra & Herman, for Christmas Eve dinner.  Delish!  This was the first Christmas Eve that I can remember where I had not cooked for my family.  I only had to make dessert (I did it from scratch!)  The new me!  WE also played Scrabble and the Dombrownski's were the champs.

One of the best things we were able to do is add three more geocaches to my finds in Hawaii.  These were all west of were we live in a very remote part of the island.  We climbed hugh bolders to a cache I found, we walked up and down a steep hill looking for this cache.  Forrest finally found it and it turned into the most unusual cache of the day.  One the way back, we found our last cache, which was an easy find.  We came back to house feeling like we had our exercise for the day!

Our first cache was overlooking this beautiful view

These boulders don't look big but we really did struggle to get to this cache.

WE found this one on a very steep cliff overlooking the ocean.  A funny story is associated with it.

Our last find.  Notice the clouds are moving in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Years and counting!

Just recently returned from my first trip to Vegas since July, when I moved to Hawaii.  A whirlwind trip for sure.  I drove my rental car 450 miles!  I went from one end of the valley to the other several times.  I LEARNED that the Vegas road grid is wonderful. (I cannot believe Im saying this) I could find my way around easily and the roads are wide and straight.  In Hawaii, the highway system is anything but basic - 3 main freeways - and lots of curvy streets with names I cannot pronounce.


That brings me to the street names and the Hawaiian language:  The Hawaiian language is also very basic - too basic. Ive got Honolulu & Kapolei down, along with Hawaii but I dont pronounce them right.  Here is a link:  http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/words.html for some explanation of the language.  I just skip through the language and hope for the best so far.  You can easily do this but it does get hard when trying to find street names.

Ok, back to anniversary.

Janelle, Me, Forrest, April Suzy, Michelle, and Heather

Today

Here we are December 16, 1995.  This year Forrest and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary by exploring more of Hawaii with a new freind, Myra, through geocaching and out to a wonderful dinner.  Just think, when we were married we had 8 children and two grandchildren.  Now we have 12 grandchildren!  Ive watched all of our kids grew into wonderful, useful, loving adults.  When we first married only Kimberly was considered a true adult with two kids.  Its hard to believe that but everyone of them are heading in the right direction.  This summer we are looking forward to another wedding.  And this is very unusual now, no divorces!  Yes, some hard times, but they are got through it.  Both Forrest and I are very proud of "our" kids!  Here is a photo of Alex, are latest addition:(he was not in the photo below)

Newest Arrival - Alex Boelter 5 months

And here is a photo of the Vegas grand cousins:

Owen Davis, Mason Boelter, Haylee Zitello, Abby Davis, and AJ Zitello

  

Other family pics taken over that last 15 years.

                          Jerry and Aubrey(high school graduation), Kimberly,

                                    April & Heather

                                   Everyone in Vegas for Kimberly's big 40!

                                  April & Brian(engaged)

                                  Aubrey and Rebekah(sisters)

                                  Lexi & Madison(cousins)

I searched for some pics of Allie & Sierra but did not find any photos.  I got these off of blogs! Since we have moved the photos are scattered.

Then came our big move to Hawaii and retirement for me, I love retirement but you all know that!  I know Im still in the adjustment period.  So far, so good.
Life is good!







I do spend a lot of time on the computer.  I would be very hard not to have the computer connection with the mainland!  The holidays are a bit lonely but those are the days Im will be using ichat for sure!  Such a great invention!

Until next time...........