Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Malaekahana

Hubby and I took a detour into Makaekahana Park.  I'd never been in there and he had, but it
had been many years ago.  This is such a pretty park.
Huge old trees, so there was plenty of shade from the ironwood trees for the camp spots.

You can see the weather wasn't so nice, but such a pretty beach.  This time of the year,
it's pretty windy over there, but still nice.  That's Laie Point off in the distance.

right offshore is Goat Island.  We found out that at a low tide,
you can wade out there, it's a bird sanctuary.


 Plenty of open space for picnicking
Makleakahana, another hidden treasure

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

All Time Favorite...


 Yesterday our cable, internet and phone were out for hours.  Hubby suggested we
watch a movie, his choice.  First choice..."Once Upon A Time In Mexico"...no. His
second choice was this movie...
We've seen this so many times and actually own 3 copies of it. 
It's still so darn funny. 
We were laughing so hard that one of our neighbors came over to see what
we were laughing about. 

We both decided the reason it's so funny is that it reminds us of
funny holiday stories we've had over the years.
It's a classic...have you seen it?

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Decendants...


I'd read this book almost two years ago, then found out they were making a movie
from it and I couldn't wait!
Hubby and I went the other day.  He thought it was going to be a "chick flick", but came
away loving it as much as I did.
Loved the opening voice over...that's a true picture of living here.
The director got it right...leaving shoes outside the door, gecko sounds, goats, even the
old kamaaina house decor.
Sometimes I think "local" audiences are the hardest to please.  There are so
many wrong depictions of Hawaii...we can appreciate when someone actually
gets it right. Not often movie audiences clap throughout a movie.

So, if you'd like to see a great movie about modern Hawaii, this is the one.
*the girl's language can be rough*
also loved the soundtrack, pure Gabby.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving~Hawaiian Style...

You can take your turkey to the imu at the high school and cook it there ( I heard it was full),


Thanksgiving was beautiful with warm water and off-shore trades blowing
(Sunset Beach)


We had our traditional Kaamooloa Road Thanksgiving Feast at the
Watanabes next door...30+ people
                                                 tables were decorated with the flowers
that I had made last week for church....majority of them came from
cuttings in our yard


Malia LOVED my cranberry sauce

no words can describe the goodness...

We're so thankful for another year of
"Hawaiian Style Thanksgiving."

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful Thursday~Family

They mean the world to me


Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

1/2 hour East...

I'd always wanted to just drive for 1/2 and hour and see where I was at the end of that 1/2 hour.
This morning I had to go to the east side and decided this would be the perfect day.
At about 28 minutes, I was at the Malekahana Bike Path, so I figured Laie would be the 1/2 hr mark.


Laie is well-known for several things; the LDS Temple,
BYU Hawaii

Polynesian Cultural Center


There are a lot of other things that make this a great place...
the re-done Laie Palms Cinemas (two smallish screen, really good popcorn and cheap prices!),


Laie Village Center,

Laie Point,


a great little market,

more round-about signs than anywhere else,

also probably more ulu (breadfruit) trees than any place else on Oahu
and

the famous Hukilau Beach.

We love Laie for its mellow local feel.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Can't Wait...

*can I just say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this invite.
So classic, just perfect for a classy couple and a very classic venue

Monday, November 21, 2011

Monkey Business...

Sweet Sadie turned 1and had a party that was full of "monkey business"
It was held at a cute little water park in Scholfield Barracks.  I didn't know that
anyone could go and use those facilities (except the PX). Really a nice park.
Kelsey, Sadie's mom made the cutes cupcakes that looked like monkeys! The kids played
a few games, find the banana, etc.






Happy Birthday Sadie, you're the cutest monkey ever!

Friday, November 18, 2011

A Classic...

Our neighbor, Ed, recently got a classic...a 1988 Chevy El Camino.
It's such a cool car.
What is it about those classic cars?  Just plain coolness!





Hubby and I can appreciate just how cool this car is.
These classic cars have history, they have class but most of all they bring back memories~ cruising,
drive-in movies, races, car hop service and more.
Mahalo Ed for bringing "coolness" to Kaamooloa Road!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thankful Thursday~Faith...

Everyday I'm thankful for my Faith and what it means to me...

(pinterest image)

Life is so much better because of it...can't imagine a life without it.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Welcome Home...

Our neighbor, Billy, is home from his deployment in Iraq.  Doesn't seem like a year
ago we were bidding him aloha and a hui hou
Its so good to have him home and safe. 
The surprise welcome home party was at Steve and Christine's house again.
Christine made all of her wonderful "heavy pupus".  Everything Billy loves!






Welcome home Billy! Glad you're back!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Wall Street comes to the North Shore

I came across this protest the other day.  A guy told me it was a fragment group
from the Wall Street protest that are going on in town.  This was across
from the Turtle Bay Resort.
Right next to them was this group of HPD officers, part of the
special task force.  I knew this because they were wearing their
"aloha shirt uniforms". 
These new "uniforms" are supposed to help the officers blend in :)

We don't get much of this type of thing going on out here...
most protesters don't want to drive out this far.
Just thought it was funny because if you've ever been to Turtle Bay,
there's not a lot of traffic like Haleiwa.
I caught one of the officers taking a picture of the group...wonder what
that will be used for?  

Monday, November 14, 2011

600!


If someone had told me almost 4 years ago that I'd still be
writing my blog, I would have laughed.
I never thought that I'd find stuff to write about our life here, but
even with some post about our family on the mainland, most of
this blog has been about life here in Hawai'i.
My blog has been more of a journal for me... a chronicle of
the good, the very good and some pretty bad. 
I've never wanted to dwell on the bad, but since it has been such a HUGE
part of our life here, I had to mention it. 

I'm always surprised when someone tells me they read my blog or I see the counter change( I added
the counter because I was curious).

So, I've been through three cameras, thousands and thousands of
pictures.  I've loved it all...
here's to another four years of
"North Shore Notes and Living Our Dream"

You may notice that I have a new blog header/design.  In honor of my 600th post, I asked
our very talented and bright daughter-in-law, Bri if she could design something new for me.
Needless to say...I love it! Thank You, Thank You. 
Please check out just how talented she is by clicking on the
Emerson Grey Designs 
button on the my sidebar.