Kauai: arrival and day one

Kauai saw record breaking rains the weekend we arrived. The entire island was under flash flood warnings for our first two days there. A bit of a bummer, but we didn't let it stop us. We got used to seeing all the fresh water areas looking like Willy Wonka's river of chocolate. Even the waterworks at the resort got flooded out a bit. Cori's sister, Brittany, and her husband, Cory, were able to join us. We had a load of fun together.

The activities of our first full day there were limited by the weather. The Hanalie bridge, which connects the one main highway that runs across the drivable area of the north shore, was closed due to flooding. So we explored the southwest end of the island. First stop was Spouting Horn. It is a little hole that has worn into the lava rocks. When the tide is up, sea water is forced through, causing a geyser-like effect. There is also a great market of local wares there that we returned to later in the week for souvenir shopping. We drove past the landmark out to where the road dead-ends and found a great lookout and some rocks to climb around on. I made what would be the first of many slips in the mud. But we were on Kauai! So I didn't care.

Once we had had our fill of the Horn, we headed for the farmer's market. We filled our arms with produce - plastic bags have been outlawed on the island. Next time, I'll bring some of our reusable grocery bags. The place we stayed has a kitchen and we enjoyed the fruits and veggies all week long.

It started raining again as we were leaving the farmer's market and we traveled directly to the Poipu Shopping Village to get us some Puka Dogs. At Puka Dogs, they toast a hole into the middle of a baguette, then fill it with tropical relish and sweet garlic mustard before sliding the hot dog in. They'll also squeeze you a cup of lemonade right before your very eyes. Very tasty stop.

We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to see Waimea Canyon. The drive up the mountain was severely misty, and the lookouts didn't yield much a view. We stopped at the Puu Hinahina lookout first in hopes of some kind of clearing. We stood at the edge (or on the fence, in Cori's case, as pictured above) just to get a cloud blown in our faces. It was a rather singular experience, feeling the wind blow the misty clouds up the mountainside. We hiked a bit on a trail we found there, but still only saw cloud and trees. We were still hoping to see the canyon, so we pushed on farther to the Kokee Natural History Museum to pick up a hiking trail map (Marriott won't provide them... they told us to go to the museum. Liability?) and to chase chickens.

There are thousands of chickens and roosters all over the island. There used to be a large egg production racket on Kauai as well as a large underground cock fighting community. Then in 1992, Hurricane Iniki parked itself over Mount Wai ale'ale for a while and flattened most everything on the island. All of the chickens and roosters were set free and have thrived in the wild ever since. We saw them almost everywhere we went. Waterfalls, canyons, cliffs, rocks, running along the beach... The locals don't seem to care much for them, but we thought it was funny to spot them throughout the week. And all the little chicks were very cute.

On our way down the canyon, we took a little hike around another lookout and caught a small glimpse of what was lying beyond the storm. We like to think we got to see Waimea Canyon that day in rare form that few get to enjoy.

mahalo, kauai

We made it back.

Had the children been with us we might not have come home.

Can't wait to show and tell.

Right now I have a baby that needs squishing and a dozen other things to catch up on.

A BIG thanks to my Mom who took care of her grandbabies all by herself for 8 days.

The travelogue is in the works!

ready to go!

These are some newly purchased things in the suitcase. Clockwise from the upper left:

• Trekker everywhere shoes from Lands End. Mine are yellow and grey.
• Cressi short fin, dry snorkel set. Cori got one too, though sans the pink. We've been practicing in the pool.
• Women's Camelbak pack. Ready for our day hikes and kayaking excursions.
• Flattering sheath one piece (also Lands End) to add to the bathing suit line up.

This plus a couple of skirts, a maxi dress, and some comfies to throw over the swimsuits for hiking and I'm ready for our week on the garden isle. Unfornately, Kauai hasn't made much preparation for us. The forecast shows a whole lotta rain. Maybe some of our Arizona sun will follow us there.

Grammy Marla arrives tomorrow to take the wheel at home and then we are off. A bientot!

while i'm at it...

I'm just about caught up with updating the things that have been happening. Here is just a bit more.

The day after we got home from UT, my parents came to AZ. Dad had a business thing in Scottsdale, and mom stayed with us. It was a great week for me, and good practice for my mom who is watching the kids while we are in HI next week. My poor Dad caught something akin to the plague prior to joining us on Thursday. So he spent most of the weekend under quarantined lock down... I mean, on bed rest. Mom took me shopping which was a dream come true on several levels. We went out to dinner a couple of nights, and, when Dad had gained some energy, we visited the Challenger Space Center.

I love having them stay with us. It feels good to have them be part of the ins and outs of the everyday routine. My parents are so ridiculously easy going. Towards the end of the week, Grant threw a pretty good tantrum. My mom just smiled. She was glad he felt comfortable enough with her around to not be on his best behavior. We'll see how she feels about those kinds of antics in a week or so...

In other news, work has begun on the Phoenix Temple. This is so exciting. It is being built on the same site as the church building we regularly attend (just 5 minutes from our house!). The neighborhood surrounding the site is still protesting the Temple's construction regardless of the concessions the Church has made along the way. There is always opposition like this, isn't there? One of the demonstrations the group has carried out in the past has been the flying of large black helium balloons. Each household that wishes to show their opposition to the temple is given a HUGE black balloon to stake to their front yard. The balloons all fly at the same height as what the temple's single spire will be. They do it on the weekend, so that we members can have the pleasure of driving under a lovely grid of black balls on our way to church. Another such demonstration was planned for a few weeks ago. The weather has been severely blustery the last few weekends, which has resulted in the effort being rescheduled twice and then indefinitely postponed. The last few Saturday nights that we have gone to bed with the wind gusting at our windows and young trees I have said a prayer of thanks.

***update*** The neighborhood did have their balloon demonstration yesterday. They were trying to get it in before the next Board of Adjusters hearing. This time, however, the balloons were smaller and WHITE- which was much nicer.

In our NP Passports: Glen Canyon Dam

Easter 2011

Easter Morning with their cousins. This is only part of the group. There are 6 more plus one baby on the way to make a grand total of 10 boys and 5 girls. Pictured here: Ashton, James, Nathaniel, Charlie, Grace, Eden, Grant, and Hunter.

The three newest additions to the family (Nathaniel, Eden, and Mason), that is, until baby Joshua was born later that day!

Cute treats made by Aunt Brittany and Grandma Sandy.

We extended our UT trip into the weekend so as to pass the Easter weekend with as many cousins as possible. We all had a lovely time. While Cori and I were attending convocation festivities, the children died eggs with Ashton and Hunter. Grandma reported that everyone was very polite. They all used their nice words and didn't spill or break any eggs!

On the Saturday before Easter, Grandma Sandy and Papa Ray hosted a big egg hunt and BBQ. The weather didn't give us much to work with. It was snowy and slushy outside, so eggs were stashed around the house. The kids were all so good about making sure everyone got a fair share of the loot (and that the big kids -us- got some chocolate!).

And Sara was able to come down to hang out with us for a couple of hours. She brought her Just Dance and Michael Jackson Wii games with her. I REALLY want a Wii now.

Back home in AZ we finished up with some of our own traditions. We spread the lessons and reenactments that we have done in the past over FHE lessons earlier in the month rather than doing them all in a row during the Easter week. We had friends and neighbors over for some of these lessons, and I didn't get a chance to get any pictures. The Plan of Happiness treasure hunt was a bit more exciting this year as we were able to use a few new clues spread out over the front and back yards.

Eden and I have been a bit under the weather lately.

Our 3rd annual Jerusalem dinner was of simpler fare. We had spiced lamb and barley with humus dipped cucumber and lettuce. The kids ate it up and it the lamb was, hands down, the best recipe we've tried to date (a modified version of the recipe found in this book). I love doing these activities together. Reading about, dressing up as, and eating food from the time of the Savior has made it all come more to life for me. And it makes us so grateful that the kids are catching the vision too.

Sara, esq.

Easter weekend, one of my beautiful and talented sisters graduated from law school. Hurrah! We made a family trip of it and drove to Utah en masse. It was a lovely convocation. The traditional home of the J.Reuban Clark ceremony has been the Provo Tabernacle which, very unfortunately, was gutted by a fire earlier this year. So the proceedings were held in the de Jong Concert Hall. I, for one, was a fan of the ticketed and padded seats.
With only so many tickets to go around, we happily left the children to play with Grandma Sandy, Papa Ray, Aunt Britt, Uncle Cory and cousins while we watched Sara sing in the law school choir and walk the stage for her diploma. And Cori and I took a stroll, hand in hand, through our alma matter.

My handsome boys celebrating the night before at The Chef's Table.

The after party. Sara invited us all back to her pad to eat food and make merry. Just Dance is really as fun as it looks! Well done, my dear- and congratulations!