Trip to San Fransisco

Georgie's niece came to visit us for a month.

We took her to San Fransisco!

Louise took a boat tour to ...................................................

Alcatraz!

On the way home I asked Kami a series of questions starting with, "What did you enjoy the most today ? Was it having fun with oupa?" She said "No!"

"Did you enjoy the Ferry the most?" She said, "No!"

"Did you like chasing the pigeons most?" She said "No!"

"Did you like the Xmas tree best?" She said "No!"

"Did you like the 'Hindenburg' most?" She said "No!"

"Did you like the merry-go-round (carousel) most?" She said "No!"

"Did you like going to the aquarium best?" She said "No!"

" Did you like touching the sharks and the stingray best?" She said "No!"

"Did you like touching the star fish best?" She said "No!"

"Did you like the tin men best?" She said "No!"

"Did you like the cable car best?" She said "No!"

Kami said "I liked the skeleton man best!"

At the end of the day as we put the children in the car, Kami started crying. She said, "I want to go back to the merry-go-round!"

Dylan was an angel all day! Here he is just chilling!

Dylan really chilling!

Happy Birthday Dear Garreth, Happy Birthday to You!

Twenty eight years ago I held a baby boy in my arms and felt the overwhelming love that only a mother can. As that baby grew to boyhood I felt the overwhelming need to protect him like only a mother would. As boyhood changed to teenager, I felt the overwhelming desire to teach him to make good choices, like only a mother would. As teenager grew to manhood I feel an overwhelming pride, like any mother should. Garreth, thank you for making me so proud. You have become everything, and more than I had hoped you would. You are just like your dad, and I feel like the luckiest person on earth. You are a wonderful son, husband, brother, uncle and I know that you will be the best dad. I love you!

George and I spent the Thanksgiving week in Paradise.. or the Hawaian Island of Oahu.

We woke up early on Tuesday the 24th November. Here we are waiting impatiently for our flight to Hawaii. We had just enjoyed a breakfast at San Francisco airport.

Flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Best way to cruise around the island.... in a Mustang Convertible.

On Tuesday after unpacking and settling into the hotel. We went to swim at Waikiki Beach. I have never seen ocean water so blue and clean as in Hawaii. Crystal clear!

On Wednesday we travelled up the Western side of the Island until we reached Sandy Beach. The waves were at least 26 feet high. I heard that they sometimes reach 30 feet. George braved the waves but it proved too violent for him I have never seen waves as big as these. Unbeknown to me I was being filmed while I read 'Falling Leaves' a true story about an unwanted Chinese girl.

On Thursday we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. We saw a variety to fish and corral.

At the Culture Center.

On Friday we went to the Polynesian Culture Center on the North Eastern side of the island.

The Aotearoan dancers (I think this was 'New Zealand')

My personal favourite the Samoan dancers

Fiji dance at the center

Polynesian people would build one of these statues to honour a deceased king.

They bury the pork underground on hot coals to cook it. (Polynesian culture)

He made this fire by rubbing two sticks together.

A Luau fit for a queen

Can0ing around the center.

Our tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Saturday morning we went to movies and then did what I enjoy doing most.

Hawaiian Dancers

On Saturday evening we took a stroll down 'Beach Walk'. Some shops on this road are Tiffany's, Gucci, Billabong, Couch (who would pay $1000 for a purse????), Rolex (cheapest watch was $4000), and even Ferrari!

Polynesian Cultural Center

A memorial that was built over 'The Arizona' a ship that the Japanese sunk.

On Sunday afternoon we browsed around Pearl Harbour.

On Sunday morning we went to Church. This chapel was built when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

On Monday (and Tuesday morning before going home) we bathed in Waikiki on my favourite beach.

Packing up to go home. Sob!

Before I forget, I was on the news the day before Thanksgiving. We had been to the North Shore to see the huge waves and, they were interviewing this guy from Denver about the surfers. When we arrived back at the hotel Georgie put the the TV on and no kidding, there I was on the local news channel . Check the link below:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11576658

I spent five days in Utah, saw Garreth's apartment for the first time (It's neat and beautiful), also Melissa's almost finished basement.

I saw Sleeping Beauty on the airplane!

Above the clouds.

Winter-wonderland.

Katie throwing snowballs at ouma

I have never seen Katie laugh so loud and so long.

Ouma throwing snow at Katie.

Deep concentration!

Big Sharon throwing a snowball at old Sharon.

Old Sharon throwing at big Sharon.

Who thought ice-cold could be such fun?

Now to throw this monster at ouma!

Snow angel.

Rolling a snowball to make a snowman!

Katie made this snowman all by herself! It's almost her size!

Fun, fun, fun!

Sledding down the hill!

Taking Katie and her friend Marie to school. Notice the school uniform. I was impressed with her Charter school!

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