Hawaiin Boys cover Rolling in the Deep by Adele.

You don't have to watch it all because it is a long video but I was so impressed with this band that played at a restaurant at which we had dinner one night. I love Adele. I love the beach. I love eating out. I love live music. What's not to love!
I didn't get the whole thing. I should have, they were that good.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum.

I volunteered to work in the DUP museum today.

I have done it twice before.

There are some amazing things there.

Many things were brought over by Utah Pioneers that came over in covered wagons or handcarts.

Some things are from the early 1900s. 

Some things beautiful. Some things heartbreaking.

All things interesting.

The cutest things there are these four sweet ladies that quilt almost every single Monday.

Two of them are sisters-in-law and two of them are cousins.

The cousins grandfather (great?) made the mantel behind them.

There are pictures of some of their ancestors in that place.

They sell those quilts to raise money for the museum.

Belonging to the DUP is the one thing in my life that makes me feel the oldest

(I have only attended the last several years).

I am usually the youngest member that attends our monthly meetings (and I'm 46).

Many of those women are so amazing 

(we have around 20 women that attend every month).

I learn something new every time I go.

It gets me out of the house and gets me to do something I wouldn't normally do.

Many have become my friends.

I am hoping their goodness rubs off on me.

That meeting is like one giant warm and friendly hug to me.

 When I worked as a nurse I couldn't do much more than work and family

(I had some good friends from work).

But it was hard to socialize much more than that

(I worked nights for my family but I was tired so much of the time).

When Davis was at his sickest (he started hearing voices at 10 years of age)

we had him home or he was only half day at school.

Those first few years were the most isolating years of my life.

Life is a new normal with me being able to stay home now

(which I am extremely grateful for).

It still has been a little isolating because of the demands of family

and raising a son with High Functioning Autism (and a few other things too).

This is why DUP has been such a saving grace for me

and why I still go to those sweet monthly meetings.

10 months old and on the move...

I got to babysit for just a little bit.

Rian is trying to walk everywhere.

She recently fell and got her first laceration.

She is quite fearless, so it may not be the last

(considering she is only 10 months old).

She is so adorable and busy.

She chased and followed those two puppies.

She played and played.

She got up, walked and fell: over and over.

She ate, had her bottle and we walked the dogs.

I rocked her.

I sang to her.

She fell fast asleep.

Absolutely priceless!

Loyal Dog.

Have you seen this video?


I have been thinking about this since the first time I saw it.
I have always been amazed that anyone would be so brave to serve in the military and be willing to die for our country. I am saddened by any soldiers death. This one touched me deeply.

Welcome Home.

This mystery plant has grown like a weed

while we were gone.

It blooms mostly in the evening

and has those little tendrils that curly cue over other plants.

I love when that happens.

Friday was the last day...

We spent the day going to a couple of different beaches and playing in the waves and trying to avoid getting sunburned.

That's Davis, me and Sheyla enjoying the water (even though Sheyla really shouldn't be in the water...we tried to be careful).

Davis and Sheyla couldn't surf so next time we go (if ever....some how Jeff and I will go again...we just have to) we will go surfing and I will try to stand up so at least I have a long time to get ready!

We went to The Kuhuku Grill in Oahu. It's an amazing place that really is just a little shack with beautiful, scrumptious food!

Sheyla got coconut macadamia shrimp and Davis got the garlic shrimp plate.

Jeff and I got hamburgers and they were amazing too!  Those french fries were the best ever!  Yummy!

Both Davis and Sheyla said they would probably cry when we left. They didn't but we all were a little sad to leave! We all LOVED it so much!

We got to see the Temple. I stupidly erased the close up. It is a beautiful calm sanctuary.

BYU Hawaii is a quaint amazing place in Laie.

Our cute nephew attends BYU Hawaii and met his adorable fiance while attending school. We took them out to dinner Friday night.. They are getting married September 9th in the Laie Temple. How cool is that!

We got home late Saturday night and we are still trying to recuperate from an amazing trip!

Missouri and Arizona.

We saw The Missouri and The Arizona Site at Pearl Harbor.

It's a somber and beautiful site.

We learned things we didn't know and were reminded of what happened there.

"We Must Always Remember"