More Visitors and the video competition

Earle left on Tuesday at nine in the morning and Kris and Kendra (our good friends and business partners) flew in at 9:05.  It was a fun week with them;

The Willes Center that Bo is in puts on two competitions each year.  They give away $21,000 in award money.  The videos were suppose to tell the story of your business.

Kris and Kendra came and spent a few days with us to see what goes on here.  The competition was great. Bo was in charge of coming up with how to judge the videos and get them cut down to eight per category. Thanks to all of those who spent the time to help them choose the top eight. When that was done, the eight videos had to be put together so that they could be watched in the IMAX theatre at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  

Four Judges were flown in to judge the videos and pick the top four in each category:  John Heder, Marco Lui, Zach James, and Ricky Ray Butler.  These guys were all so down to earth and brilliant.  It was awesome to meet them.  

Each judge was assigned to someone in the Willes Center.  Bo got to show Jon Heder (AKA Napoleon Dynomite) around.  He decided to put together a zip line group for anyone who wanted to go.  We spent Wednesday morning at Kualoa Ranch riding the zip lines.  There were seven different zip lines and two rope bridges to cross.  I was SUPER nervous!  It took me three zip lines rides to realize I was having fun.  I hate heights!

There were also two "Indiana Jones" Bridges.  I've always wanted to cross one of those!

That evening we had dinner and the CEO of VIVINT spoke to the students and faculty.  He had some great advice and I took a few things away for my own life.  The one was I need to have a motto for myself.  Still working on that.

Thursday morning we watched the videos at the theatre.  They turned out so awesome.  It was really fun to see the talent they had in puting a video together.  I'll put the links on here when they are up.

That night we had a dinner at Pounders and the PCC with the winners and those others involved.  After dinner they were showing us how to hulu.  The judges got up and showed us their moves.  It was pretty funny!

https://goo.gl/photos/gSVA8VyEVMiAscLx7

Kris and Kendra-Thanks for coming to visit!  We had a great time with you guys!  It's so nice to see familiar faces in a place that is so unfamiliar in every way!

And Then There Were None...

....in diapers that is!  This cute boy is potty trained!  I am so excited. The first time in almost eleven years I haven't had to change diapers.  I have to say I won't miss that :).

We are so proud of you Caleb!  Good job!

Grandpa Porter's Visit

Grandpa came to visit us for a week.  He was the first family or friend we've seen in four months!  It was so nice to have him come.  Although, I'm sure after his first step into our house he may not have been thinking the same thing....

Just before stitches were removed

...on his way in he tripped and he fell on the hardwood floor.  We had a trip to Ko'olauloa Health Center for seven stiches.  But, everything went uphill from there.

First fun stop was at Pearl Harbor.  We visited the USS Arizona Arizona Memorial

This is the Memorial built over the Arizona.  One of the many ships that sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Taking the boat to the memorial:

Looking down through parts of the floor you can see a bit of the ship

Front Veiw:

The younger boys had a great time spending time around grandpa while the kids were at school.  We were able to see some fun things while we were here. The two younger boys went with Dad and Grandpa to the Dole Plantation.  They rode the train and ate yummy pineapple ice cream.

We also went to a parade for the 150 year celebration of the church in Laie.  This is the only pic from that:

Jackson with nine of his suckers stuffed in his mouth.

Of course, we had to stop for a snow cone...

Okay, we may have stopped at a couple of places

Best snow cone yet!

The last night Earle was in town was Bo's birthday.  We went to a Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center to celebrate.  It was really fun and they put on a hulu show while we ate.  

I love this picture.  We were getting a picture of Con and Grandpa because Conrad had a stye and it looked like he had a black eye.  But, it didn't she up.  Caleb photo bombed it!

 It's such a long trip to come see us but thanks so much for coming to see us Earle!  We love you!

Missionary Letter and Tags

We got this letter a while ago but just got our tags. Just posting for our family history.

Halloween 2015

Halloween in Laie is a bit different than back home.  Everyone goes to a certain block and trick-or-treats there.  I can only imagine how much candy they have to buy to have enough for the kids.  But, it was fun to see so many people dressed up.  When we got done I was sweating!  I checked the tempurature and it was 80 degrees and 90% humidity,  No wonder.  I am still fooled every time the sun goes down.  I always think it will cool off.  But it's not Idaho.  It is warm no matter what: rain, wind, sun, overcast, or nighttime.

Caleb was so tired that he rode most of the way on Bo's shoulders resting his head on Bo's.

Halloween was once again a success!  The kids had a great time and got waaaaaaaaay toooooo much candy.  Hailey went to a trunk-or-treat with a friend the night before our ward party and brought home at least 5 lbs of candy.  Then we went to our trunk-or-treat.  The kids got a good amount there too.  By then I was thinking we were good and we hadn't even had Halloween!  They got even more on Halloween of course.  I think we'll be good until Easter!

The Mad Hatter

Skeleton:

 Freddy Freeman of the Atlanta Braves: (Conrad refused to let me wash his pants because dirty pants make a better player!)

Spiderman:

 Bumblebee:

 These kids aren't excited for their haul, are they!?