Hawaii!

Well I think I'm finally back to my normal routine enough to post about my fabulous vacation! I can't think my parents enough for bringing my sister and I along to enjoy that beautiful island with them! They've been there a few times, first for Tracy and I!

Happy to report that Sam did a fantastic job with Ali and the house! She is such an awesome daughter! I'm so lucky! :-) Ali was happy and well cared for and my house was CLEAN! AND there were still groceries left in the house and some cash left! Wow...she has certainly proved to me she is responsible! So proud! :-)

So Hawaii; we went to Oahu and stayed on Waikiki beach. Oh my GOD! Gorgeous! Fabulous! We landed late at night, so waking up the next morning was amazing! This was our first view;
We did so many things during the course of our 10 days there. Dole plantation, Pearl Harbor, Manoa Falls hike (the rain forest where they film Lost), Moped rides up Diamond Head, Luau, Waimea Falls hike (absolutely beautiful botanical garden!) snorkeling in Hunauma Bay, Sunset on North Shore, boogie boarding in Waikiki! We had a jam packed week, and somehow none of us killed each other. We had a great time, lots of laughter, yummy food, and FUN! The unbearable long flights getting there and back is for the birds, but worth the 13+ hours of travel! I took over 1100 photos, and all were pretty large and would take FOREVER to upload on here, so if you want to see some of the fabulous things I was able to capture with my camera, just head over to my Facebook.

Tracy and I were armed with new DSLR's for the trip, and we had an absolute blast taking photos! My kids loved them all, and Sam told me I need to print a few of the floral photos and hang them in my house. Best compliment I could have ever received! I love how supportive and loving my kids are!

Next on the agenda; Getting Ali ready for her spring orchestra concert (first with her cello!) and Sam has a busy spring! Prom (we started dress shopping and think we found the perfect gown!) and graduation. She is also trying to decide exactly what she wants to do for school this fall. It's for sure happening, she just isn't positive where, or for what! LOL

Jake is staying out of trouble, as far as we all know! (LOL Young adult and his bachelor pad!) But he's a good son and texts or calls me a few times a week, and has dinner with the girls and I once a week. At least I know he's eating something other than burgers and pizzas! LOL We miss having him around, but he's enjoying being on his own. Mr. independent since he was pretty young, so this doesn't surprise me a bit! I was the same at his age.

So that's my life right now. Things are much better this year! We are all happy, healthy, and grateful for everything we have!

Stay tuned for pictures of the birthday girl (Sam is 18 on Saturday!) and her prom dress!