Congratulations Gini and Dan!

On February 6th Gini and Dan were married in the Boise Temple.  Bo flew over to attend.  We were sad we weren't all able to go, but it just wasn't going to work out.  Then when the weekend came and almost everyone was sick with a cold we were very glad we hadn't bought tickets.  

We are so happy for you two and are excited to get to know Dan better.  He's is a great man.  Congrats!

February: The Month for Visits from Friends

We had two sets of our closest friends come for a week long visit.  It was so fun to see them and spend time with people we know so well.  The thing I've missed most about being here is that we are so far away from our family and friends.  We did many of the same things as we did with my parents and Bo's family when they came.

Jake and Bonny came February forth through the eighth.  We did try a few new things.  We ate a Ted's Bakery.  Bo liked it, nobody else did. :)  It's a really popular place.  So, we thought it would be good.  But, I think it's liked more for the bakery than the actual food. EEEEEWWWWW!!!!!  We watched a couple of sunsets.  They were gorgeous.  We also went to Lanakai Beach (where we spent a day with my parents).

Jack and Bonny Shumway

A pretty rainbow we woke up to

Manoa Falls Hike

A bamboo area on the hike

These next few trees are on the temple grounds

Bonny snapped this pic of us on a sunset walk for Valentine's Day

Waimea Falls Hike

Sharks Cove.  Jack and Bonny loved snorkeling here.

Of course we hit up Masumotos

Brayden playing while they snorkeled

Con having fun planting his face in the sand.

Kris and Kendra Stowell and their two kids Ilzay and Maggie came February 20th through the 26th.  It was so fun to have some kids over along with the adults.  Our kiddos loved being with friends from back home, especially at the beaches.  We were able to get into Hanauma Bay which didn't happen with Jake and Bonny.  It was way to busy that weekend.  (Total bummer) We spent time in Ko'Olina and the beach for the Marriot.  We also hit up the Hukilau Beach the is right by our place.  They also made the usual places.

We swam at Wiamea Falls

Hanauma Bay

Hukilau Beach

Group Shot

Our kids plus Ilzay

Maggie

Manoa Falls Hike 

Thanks so much for coming to visit us!  We loved it!  It so much fun to go do all of this with great people!

Biggest Ocean Swell in 50 Years Plus The Eddie

Last Monday we woke to an ANGRY ocean and it was AMAZING! The ocean was completely white. Usually with a swell the waves are big but there is still a lot of blue in the mix.  I was reading about this particular swell and learned that the reason the water was so white and ferocious was that the waves normally come in sets with some time in between sets.  But, these waves were constant and pretty much on top of each other.

A normal day

Wiamea Bay last Monday (These waves are at least 40 feet although you can't tell in the picture)

Another interesting happening the same day was on Laie Point.  You can see how the water blows through the hole of this rock.  See the difference between the middle and bottom pic?  Two huge boulders were blown out!  They have been there for years.  I just can't get over the force the ocean can produce.  I am in awe of the waves every time a swell comes through.

This picture was from when Jake and Bonny were here.

This pic was from last Monday.  Two rocks blew completely out!

Now to the Eddie! A short history:  The Eddie surf competition at Waimea Bay was started back in 1985 to remember Eddie Aikau for the outstanding life he lived and his talent as a large waves surfer.  After a boat he and some friends were on had capsized, Eddie went for help attempting a 12 mile swim to shore.  Eddie never made it home.  Waimea Bay was Eddie's Bay.  It had ties to his ancestors and this was where he first made his name as a surfer.  An interesting fact:  Eddie was also the first life guard for the bay and he never lost a person in the time he guarded there.  This is one of the most dangerous areas on Oahu and that is quite a feat.

In order for the Eddie to take place the waves (at least 40 feet for 6 hours straight), weather, and wind conditions have to be perfect.  It has only happened 9 times in the last 31 years. This was also the biggest one in the history of Eddie's. Competition planners watch the waves from the end of December through February for perfect conditions. We were lucky enough to have it happen this year.  It was last Friday.

We weren't able to attend because There were just too many people attending (25,000 on a single lane road) and with all the kids it just wouldn't have worked.  But I watched most of it online.  And can I just say the 28 surfers that participated are pretty crazy but also incredibly talented and fearless. Check out this three minute video to see the incredible talent of these surfers.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg5rdDyxRdw

Here are some pics. FYI: The average size board out there is 11 feet long.  That's how big these waves are.

This guy had to bail.  When they are covered by the waves they are under water for a few minutes at a time.

Brayden's First Lost Tooth!

A little over a week ago Brayden was eating breakfast and was a bit perplexed because he was taking a bite of his food and his tooth was wiggling.  Then it clicked!  He realized his tooth was loose.  He couldn't have been more excited.  He's watched the magic of the Tooth Fairy replacing many teeth with two dollars sometime throughout the night.  He couldn't wait to lose this one.

It was really loose today and I knew we was going to lose it soon.  I left to pick Bo up from BYUH and when I got back he had his tooth in a ziploc bag.  He was so excited he couldn't wait for me to come inside to show me.  I was a little bit sad that I wasn't there when he lost it. But, either was we are proud of you bud.  This is one of those physical signs that you're growing up on us!  We love you buddy!

It was very easy to get Brayden to bed.  I was getting Caleb dressed and realized he was already in his bed waiting for me to tuck him in.  He wanted the tooth fairy to come as soon as she could. 

Another "Super Citizen"

Last Friday was the Super Citizen Assembly at Laie Elementary.  Conrad was picked from his class.  His teacher said she could see he has truly been trying to work hard in each area to do better.  I've seen it too and it's been fun to watch.  Great Job Conrad!!! We are very proud of you!!!