La'ie Temple

Well, here we are at at the temple. It is really pretty, the fountains run down in steps from the temple and you can see the ocean from the entrance. We got there on a Wednesday night and so it was pretty quiet, we didn't think we were going to make the session, and it turned out that we were the session. The workers were all so nice and it was a wonderful experience.

If you were quiet and slow walking around the grounds, you can see these little geckos

The visitor center looked alot like the one in Salt Lake, there was even a Christ statue

Amber wrote: After a very long, traffic congested drive to the temple we made it in two hours. It was so frustrating but once we got there it was well worth it. We were the only couple and then one lady joined us. We were very welcomed and they were so glad to have us come. The spirit was strong and it was so peaceful. It is a small but pretty temple. The temple grounds are just so amazing. It was fun to have a night like that with Spencer. We are so blessed to have the church in our lives. It is amazing what a big difference it makes in our marriage to have a common ground like the gospel. I am so grateful for it. It was so nice to go to the temple. I love you Spencer.

The PCC

On Saturday we got tickets to the PCC and spent the day there watching the shows and eating the food. It kind of had the feel of Disneyland. It was like one big Tikki Room. I had been to the Paradise Cove Luau before Amber got here and now that I have been to both, I definately liked the PCC better.

Upon arriving for the dinner show, we got leied, he he he. The food was great and the show was good too. They sang a bunch of songs and had a bunch of dancers come to entertain us as we ate.

The night show was the best part of the day, the Samoan fire knife dance was incredible and we had really good seats so we really enjoyed ourselves. By the time we got out it was too late to go and see the temple but we plan on going through it on Tuesday after I get off work.

Diamond Head

Here we are near an old piece of lifting equipment, the view was amazing.

At the base of the trail there was a little yellow school bus selling shaved ice so we got some.

This is one of the tunnels that led to the top. We got there about a half hour before they closed the gates to the tunnel leading to the parking lot so we pretty much ran up it and then ran right back down it. The lady that ran the park turned the lights out on us just as we were coming down the spiral staircase from the top tier. It was kind of freaky cause there were spiders every where and the stairs did not allow much room per person to move. Luckily we had our cell phones to light the way...

Here is a picture of the view from the top. Diamond head used to be a small military base so there are alot of old 1950's era leftover pieces or equipment.

We hiked Diamond Head and wow it is so pretty. You look over the whole city. You can see how beautiful the ocean is. I have also been enjoying during the day while Spencer is at work going to the beach here close to our hotel. It is so awesome to lay out on my towel and listen to the waves hit the rocks. I love that sound, it is so relaxing. I am also reading Harry Potter for the first time and enjoying that too. Now I am just like a little puppy excited for my owner to get home from work. It is fun to be here with Spencer. I love him so much.

Amber & Spencer in Hawaii

I am now here in Hawaii with Spencer and having a blast. It was sure hard to leave my little Logan. Yes I was crying I just love the kid. But......after a long, long, flight I am here and am enjoying every minute with my best friend. Spencer met me at the airport with a flower lay. SO cute I love the guy, I thought that was so sweet. It is so fun and nice to be able to give all my attention to Spencer. I guess I didn't realize how busy I am when we have Logan too. We miss Logan and talk to him everyday. In fact while I lay on the beach reading a book I feel guilty knowing my mom is running around crazy after Logan. He is a busy little boy. I sure do appreciate her letting me have this time in Hawaii what an experience. It is so beautiful and relaxing here.

A quick drive around the Island

Today was my first Saturday in Hawaii, my coworkers and I got up early and headed out to a little kitchen called, "Boots and Kimo's" It is famous for its home made macadamia nut pancake sauce. It was delicious. Next we drove to the coast and just kept on going until we made it back to where we started. We stopped at a couple of beaches to take pictures and we also made it to the Temple.

We got snow cones at Matsumoto's, it was very good. Next we went to a Korean festival in Kapiolani park. It was fun and I just kept thinking how cool it would be if Judd could have come and seen it. There was alot of great food and music, as well as a tent set up with historical artifacts. They had a couple of general's helmets from the Imjin war...

The weather was a little overcast and it rained off and on throughout the day. Tonight we went to Paradise Cove for the dinner show. It was amazing, the table was facing the ocean and we got to watch the sun set. The show included a lot of Hula Dancers and an amazing Fire dancer. He was throwing fire around like nothing I have ever seen before. There were also fun games that you could play to win shells, I tried throwing a spear and playing Hawaiian horse shoes... It was alot of fun. I am really excited for Amber to get here. The is so much here that I am sure she is going to love as I have.

Buddies

Congrats to ELDER ASAY.

We have been waiting 5 weeks for Judd's mission call and it was worth the wait. Yesterday Friday the 13th mom went to the mail box at about 2:30 in the pouring rain and sure enough. A big white envelope and it was the only piece of mail. Elder Judd L. Asay what a cool thing to see. So we got so excited and planned a little get together to celebrate. We got on the phone and started calling all of our friends and family and told them the news and then asked for there guess of where Judd would go. We made a big poster for all the guesses. (the kids guesses were adorable Nathan --California Disneyland or Spain like his daddy, Ben said Finland like Grandma Larsonn, and Jade said Idaho) Just to give you a fun glimpse. Dad ran to the Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake. Jason hurried home from work to be with Janet and the kids on the web cam. Spencer we didn't think was going to be home from work in time to hear but he got off an hour early and made it just in time to hear the big news. Chad and Emily and the kids all came over. And Cam, Tiff and Jade were here. Bri called about every 30 minutes her and Ryan were wishing they were here and she didn't want us to wait any longer she just said to open it now. But we waited for everyone and at about 6:45 after Judd's favorite pizza dinner, Judd opened his call. The spirit was really strong. It was so awesome. Judd was shaking and I think just a tad bit nervous. He read the call Elder Judd L. Asay will serve for 24 months to Busan, Korea. I couldn't believe it I thought he was joking I had to look at it myself. That is Spencers exact mission. Unbelievable we were so excited. The spirit was amazing and I felt so grateful for Judd leading such a great life and being so worthy to be an example to all of our kids. Nate and Ben will always remember this and Chad and Emily's kids too. It was awesome. I am so glad that he chose to serve a mission. He is going to do wonderful. I know he has lived a worthy life and is strong in the gospel. He will do a fantastic job. Judd is smart and will be able to learn the language. I am so proud of him. It is pretty awesome to have 3 brothers and all of them serve a mission. And then Briana and I both married wonderful guys that have too. Plus our dad. What a huge blessing it is to our family. Judd leaves soon August 29 and we will sure miss him but can't wait for the many experiences he will have. We had a fun night.

Fun, Fun, Fun.....

We are having a great time at my mom and dads. They have been so great to make it feel just like home for Logan. They found a crib, bought a mattress, bought Logan a bed set of cars. They had a humidifier going in his room. (Coming from Maryland it is pretty dry here for him.) They had balloons and swim toys, a swimming pool and big boy underwear waiting for him when we first got here. Plus Grandma and Grandpas house just has so many fun toys. He loves jumping on the trampoline and playing in the pretend kitchen.

He loves playing with his cousin Jade. Everyday they just play, play, play. The other day they were on my brother Judd's water bed and they were wrestling. Logan had Jade in between his legs and he wouldn't let her out. We were laughing so hard how did he learn that move. Then Jade would body slam him, they have a great time. Jade is so good to Logan she will be a great big sister someday. Logan has been playing really well by himself too. He loves the sand box and the slide it is such a fun Grandma house.

We sure do miss our daddy but he is having a blast. We have been talking to Spencer on the web cam but oh he sure wants his daddy when we do that. He was kissing the monitor one of the times.

Logan is so attached to Judd. He is Judd's little shadow the moment he walks in the door. He says "Juuudd". We were out on the front porch one day and Judd walked across the rocks and leaned against one of the pillars on the house and Logan stood up and walked across the rocks and mimic Judd pose exactly. We thought it was adorable. Every morning the first words out of Logan's mouth are papa and Juuddd.

He loves his Grandpa which he calls "pa pa". He always gets so excited for papa. His little voice goes higher the moment my dad walks in the room. Logan just lights up. He loves to wrestle with Grandpa on the floor. One night Logan was playing with his toys and Grandpa was lying on the floor and Grandma said Logan get Grandpa. He stopped and then ran over to papa and started getting him. We just laughed it was so cute. He even lets papa sing to him and put him to sleep.

Logan has just started saying Grandma and is getting pretty attached to her. He loves to read books with Grandma, play games, watch cars and cuddle. Last night he let my mom rock him and sing and then put him to sleep. We have been doing this so when I leave on Tuesday he won't be so lonesome for me. He plays with Grandma all day long. He had a water fight with her the other day and she came out soaking wet. He thought that was so fun. Logan also loves to help Grandma cook and clean. Today Grandma Dana was teaching him how to play bingo and then we listened to music and danced. They sure do love Logan so much. Thanks for all you do.

I feel so blessed to have such a great family. I appreciate them letting me come and stay and play while Spencer is away. It helps me not to be lonely. They are so great with Logan they love him tons. I also appreciate them letting me go to Hawaii for so long. I am going to miss my little man but we will have a great time. Lets hope Grandma and Grandpa survive.

한국 만세!!!

Today is a happy day!! Amber's little brother, Judd got his mission call to Busan Korea! that is the same mission that I served in. I am so excited for him to get to know and fall in love with Korea. He is leaving for the MTC on August 29. From then on he will be known as 에시 장로!!

김치를 많이 먹고 공부 잘하면 한국 과 한국의 문화를 사랑하게 될것이다!

Pictures from Paradise

One of the first things that I noticed when the plane was landing was how clear the water is. Once I had the chance to experience the water up close, I was amazed how warm the water is. If you look close in the above picture you can see little fish. There are millions of them and if you don't move for a while, they come up pretty close.

Please excuse the extreme closeup, I was alone and it was dark and I wasn't prepared to lose my camera on the first day at the beach...

The pictures don't do this place justice, it is so beautiful and perfect here and this is not even one of the really scenic beaches. Today was much better than yesterday and the jet-lag is starting to ease up. My first day a work I really had to fight to stay awake. It gets dark here earlier than in Maryland so there is not a lot of time between work and nightfall to do too much, but this weekend I plan to go out and see more of what the island has to offer.

ALOHA!

After what felt like a lifetime on a plane, I am finally here. It is beautiful here and I still can't believe that I am really here. Here is a pan from the balcony. Work starts tomorrow and I don't really know what to expect, but I don't think anything will be able to keep me from having a great time. The only thing that could be better is if Amber and Logan were here. I am really tired so I am going to get some sleep.

Cousins having bonding time. Grandma Dana taking picture they say "cheese" but really just want to watch Shrek.
Logan chowed down on his popcorn. This was a fun new first experience to have at Grandma and Grandpas house.
This is what I call lounging after a fun filled day.
I couldn't resist this cute shot.

We made it!

Hey Spencer and friends,
After a long flight but very helpful, happy flight attendants we made it. Logan was awesome, he is one great flier. We made it to Albuquerque and are having a great time. Mom and Dad have painted the house and it looks fabulous. Logan has been having so much fun. He is running around playing with all of the fun toys at Grandma and Grandpas house. Logan and his cousin Jade are enjoying having each other to play with. They played inside chasing each other, outside on the tramp, swimming pool etc. We will post more pictures of all our fun adventures soon. I finally got him to go to sleep at 8:00 which is 10:00 Maryland time. Jade and Logan were having fun eating popcorn (a first) and watching a movie while holding there special monkeys and blankets. Too Cute. We miss you so much already though.
Amber

Take me to Hawaii

Tonight we did a test run on packing for Hawaii to make sure that we fit, and Logan decided that he didn't want to be left out so he hopped in. I still can't believe that the trip is already here, I have known about it for so long and have been waiting for so long that it feels like it shouldn't be here yet... I am looking forward to white beaches and postcard sunsets, but I sure am going to miss our little monster.

Breakfast with the Ward

The morning of the 4th, the weather was perfect. We woke up early to make a delicious breakfast dish. It was so hard not to eat it as we cooked it, I am a big sucker for breakfast foods... We met up with the ward at Laurel Lake. We had never been before, but I am sure we will go again. The lake is a tad smaller than Elkhorn and there are apartments right on the water's edge. Just like every other park we've gone to, the play ground was amazing, and Logan and all of the ward kids had a blast playing. Logan is so funny when it comes to Ethan and Jeffy, the whole trip to the park he kept saying, Zefsy. He calls Ethan and Jeffy, Zefsy. Ethan is a great substitute older brother.

Down on the bank of the lake, there was a semi-gaggle of geese. (I have always wanted to type gaggle...) Okay there were only a hand full but still... Logan can't really distinguish between ducks and geese so when ever he sees one or the other, he starts quacking. He got a little too close to the white one though and it came after him. Logan put his arms out like he was going to give it a hug and thats when I grabbed him and ran away like a little girl. When the geese saw my running skills, they became intimidated by my "superior" size and abandoned their territory. Logan smiled and kept saying, "bye bye" as they waddled away.