Hawaiian Bliss...
Becky Scott (isn't it so much fun when your girlfriends gets married and you start using her "new" last name?!) just emailed me some wonderful photos from her Hawaiian wedding. The above photo is the entire wedding party and guests in Maui. We'll celebrate Dean and Becky's vows in a few more weeks when they hold their local reception - totally looking forward to that!
The next photo is a few of us at the rehearsal dinner luau. And the last two photos are my FAVORITE photos of Becky and Dean - the lovebirds! To see more of these beautiful photos - log onto http://www.aiharavisuals.com/ The photographer was amazing.
Happy Birthday Dear Karen!
The Good...The Bad...The Ugly...
On a somewhat better note: the Woodland Police Department has been great to work with (I have faith in them) and both of our financial institutions have been extremely helpful.
I need to thank a gentleman, a father named Chris (works for Citrus Heights Police Department) who helped us tremendously that day. He and his 2 year old son were on their way home to his wife and 10-day old son/brother when Chris stopped to assist us by calling the Police Department for us and allowing us to use his cell phone to call our banks right then and there. He stayed at the scene with us for a little over two hours in the HOT sun. Chris certainly and quickly restored my faith in humanity. Thanks Chris.
So - for the next few days I will be busy running to the bank, DMV, Social Security, the Auditor's Department, dealing with the insurance company, etc., etc.
Nicole Diane Bull
Back to School
It was extremely important for us to send Gannon back to school today in an attempt to get him back on his usual schedule. As you can see from the photo below, Gannon is all decked out in his Red Dirt Shirt, shell necklace and armed with gifts from the island for his teachers and friends. Gannon was so excited to go to school...watch the video to see how excited he truly is!
Swim and Snorkel
Gannon serenaded us this morning with his ukulele. What a silly boy!
We headed down to the pool to sun bathe and swim...you can see from the photos below that Gannon has become fond of demonstrating the shaka sign and saying "Hang Loose Dude" to everyone, including the camera!
Just Hanging Around!
Mother's Day
I need to thank my family for making this Mother's Day such a beautiful day and for helping me to create some of my most favorite memories of us together...memories that I will forever have!
Today we did the Hana drive...saw many wonderful water falls, walked on the black sand beach, ate local and fresh food, entered secret caves and experienced a fun picnic. But - the most remarkable part of the day was within minutes of me waking up...Rich was yelling for me, "Honey, come quick!" Believe or not there was a dolphin swimming in the ocean right in front of our condo...it was amazing!!!
Becky and Dean's Wedding Day!!!
Richard and I woke up this morning and headed to the Marriott Resort, where the wedding was being held to meet with the wedding coordinator and the bride. All I have to say is WOW - the grounds are beautiful.
Me, Becky and Kathy the morning of the big day.
Below are photos from the wedding reception. I will post additional wedding photos once Becky's photographer gives her the link. I'll also get more from my Dad's camera because he was able to take photos during the ceremony
The wedding was incredible. I have been to many weddings, but this one was definitely special - maybe because it was a wedding of two very close friends, or the unbelievable location, or the fact that Becky looked like a true princess...I swear to you that complete strangers were taking photos of her as she was walking down the isle (like the paparazzi) - it was wonderfully crazy.
The reception was held at a delicious restaurant in Lahaina - Pacific O. Becky and Dean truly treated their guests to a five-star menu...I'm talking Lobster, caviar, steak, etc. They are too wonderful! Below is a photo of Gannon and his new friends Regan and Devin at the kids table.
The Newlyweds!!!
Giving the speech.
Dancing the night away.
Molokini, Turtle Town and a Luau!
We woke up very early this morning to head to the harbor to board a snorkel tour to Molokini and Turtle Town. Molokini is a partially sunken volcanic crater just 2.5 miles from Maui and is a wonderful place to snorkel because there is tons of marine life that live there. Gannon had a wonderful time and never got sea sick...which is something that neither me or my Mom can say. I should have known better because I always get sea sick and did not remember to take Bonine. I was doing fine on the boat ride and in Molokini, but as soon as I was in the water at Turtle Town - I was doomed! Throwing up in the water (I know, gross), just like I did in Monterey when I was getting certified to dive seven years ago. No matter how sick I was though - nothing could ruin the beautiful morning!
I was so proud of Gannon. He tried to get in the water with his Daddy and I - and successfully did for a few seconds, but then got a little frightened and went back on the boat with his Grandma. The waves were very big due to high winds (hence why I got so sick) and that is the reason he became unsure about being in the middle of the ocean. Good job Buddy!!! You're very brave.
After we "landed" and recovered and rested...we went to Becky and Dean's rehearsal dinner - a luau rehearsal dinner and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! Not only was it wonderful to spend the evening among friends and family, the luau entertainment was too much fun.
I couldn't believe it when the luau host asked, "who would like to come on the stage to learn how to hula?" and Gannon yelled, "ME!" He dragged me up on stage with him. I was so proud of Gannon - he did a great job at his first hula lesson. Photos of him on stage below.Richard, Gannon and I at sunset...I love this photo of us!
Gannon really liked climbing in and out of canoes during the entire trip to Maui...canoes were everywhere because the week we were vacationing in Maui was also the International Festival of Canoes celebration.