Macy's Balloon Inflation for the Thanksgiving Parade

We arrived in New York the night before Thanksgiving. After finally making our way to the flat in SoHo that we rented and grabbing a quick bite to eat we headed out to brave the crowds at the Macy's Balloon Inflation.

Once we got off the Subway, the NYPD were already posted everywhere, and sidewalks and roads were already blocked off. Tons of people were walking up and down the roads to look at the filled balloons that were tired down in the streets. So much fun seeing all the balloons up
close...not so much being packed in like sardines not being able to move.

The first street we walked down it was really easy to take pictures next to the balloons. The next street with the rest of the balloons was a different story. We couldn't even get close to the balloons, you can see how far we were, and while we were there we heard at least two announcements for missing parents from children.

Quad Riding in Florence

we had so much fun quadding...kinda by Florence. It was beautiful and such a fun ride. Good times with the Banfield Boys and their families!

Finger Food

I was asked to bring a finger food to a potluck at work tomorrow... I hope this is ok

Sunbeam Halloween Party 2009

Here is the picture we got of almost everyone. If you would like more photos from our class party, email me and let me know.

Food we ate in Hawaii

Shave Ice from Island Snow...i love Island Snow
mmmm....manapua from Char Hung Sut.

this is where we purchase it from in Chinatown. They are always busy

We ate at this Chinese restaurant for Chinese New Year in 2006 before we got married. Kenyon, who cares less about food, really enjoyed the crab. So, of course we stopped at Ho-Ho Chinese Cuisine for the Chinese Buffet with huge crab legs, and prawns.

Yummy! Chocolate Caramel dipped shortbread cookies from Big Island Candy Company

Papaya in Hawaii is A-MAZING!

Guava, Taro, Mango Sweet Bread from Punalu'u Bread Shop on the Big Island.

Korean Pears...Kenyon hadn't ever tried this before. It's kind of a cross between an apple and a pear.

Our Big Island Adventure

Sunset on the Big Island....

This is where we stayed the Fairway Villas at Waikoloa. If you are looking for a great place let me know and I will send you contact information. We used Vacation Rentals By Owner - vrbo.com

Pu'uhonua O Honanau - The City of Refuge. In ancient Hawai'i, if someone was in danger of being killed for breaking one of the laws, they had to make it to a City of Refuge and find forgiveness from a priest. Once they made it here, they were no longer in danger.

Hapuna Beach

In front of Akaka Falls

Kenyon in the Lava Tube

Over looking Kilauea

View of the lava flowing into the ocean...can you see the speck of red?

just after the helicopter ride over the Volcano on the Big Island

American Dental Association Conference

Since we first got married I have been waiting for this year's ADA Conference because it is being held in HAWAII! This is my first time going home in almost 3 years. It's been so nice. It's always a little hectic on O'ahu because there are people to see and catch up with and running around to do, and lots of food that we can't eat in the mainland to eat. Plus, I have been Kenyon's chauffeur driving him to the Convention Center and then picking him up. On Thursday we met up with Brian and Melissa and went kayaking at Lanikai ....i love Lanikai!

While Kenyon was at the Convention Center I got a massage with Desiree and then we had lunch together. Another day, I got to have Spam Katsu Musubi for the first time. I really like Spam Musubi, but Spam Katsu Musubi is so good! I'm definitely going to try to have that again. I also went to the Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium, and bought some treats, but was too full from the Spam Musubi to eat any of it. Later that day we had Chinese food from Kin Wah in Kaneohe. So good. I really miss eating Minute Chicken and Cake Noodles. Kenyon didn't really like it, he thought it was too salty, I thought he was crazy!

We had shaved ice at Waiola's on Kapahulu, and we had Beard Papas cream puffs. They fill these cream puffs when you purchase them. They seriously melt in your mouth! Later, on Friday night we went to Waikiki for Dinner with my cousin and his girlfriend so of course we stopped at the International Market Place to take a picture. Kenyon hasn't been to the International Market Place in about 20 years.

On Saturday night we met up with my brother Nick, and his family Titi and Reggie and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center to their new night show. It was awesome! Definitely a must see!

Kenyon said my little Hawaii inflections come out more when I am home, and every once in a while I will catch myself, but I still am not even close to speaking pidgin.

August - Flathead Lake Montana

Kenyon wakeboarding at Flathead Lake in Montana at our family reunion. It was my very first time in a lake and on jet skis and trying to wakeboard.

This is the house we stayed at in MT. There were 17 of us there. It was beautiful. We were able to enjoy 6 acres, with a garden of fresh vegetable, apples, cherries, blueberries, a couple of raspberries, and access to the lake every day. It was wonderful!

Our Zucchini Patch

So obviously we have too many zucchini plants planted. Next year I will only plant one plant. We've had a really good crop of zucchini and have had a zucchini summer dish with tomatoes, bacon, chesse, and onions, I've made zucchini bread, and fried zucchini. It's been kind of fun.

Last weekend we went to check out our plant and see if there was anything new and found this:

YEP! a nest of 9 quail eggs. I've tried to get a picture with the mama quail sitting on them, but she won't let me get my camera inside the plant to take a good picture.

July

I just hit the 35 year mark and my husband gave me a big Costco size bag of Skittles for my birthday. I guess I will have to learn to love them, or just let him continue to eat all of them like he has. At least he has something to eat when I'm still at work and dinner isn't made.