Hawaiian Bliss...

May 24, 2008
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!

May 23, 2008
Happy Birthday Cousin Karen!!!
You're the most caring and genuine person that I know.

I hope that you experience a beautiful day...as beautiful as you are!
I love you.

The Good...The Bad...The Ugly...

May 18, 2008
The Good:
Today is a day that I will NEVER forget! Rich, Gannon and I started the day off well. We left the house around 9AM, went to Jamba Juice for a little pick-me-up and headed to Woodland to the Thomas the Train event. Our Thomas tickets were for the 10:40AM ride and we arrived just in time (around 10:30AM). Gannon had a pretty good time, but it seems that he has grown out of the Thomas obsession because he was much more excited about this event last May when we attended. Here is a photo of Gannon "driving" Thomas the Train and a photo of Thomas himself.
After his train ride we took our photo with Thomas, headed to the merchandise tent where Gannon got a new piece for his train set, and then went to the bounce house. Because it was so hot...we left around noon.

The Bad...
We walked to my car, which was parked on the street. Rich was putting Gannon in his seat and I was putting our purchased items in the back of the SUV when Rich said, "what is all of this black stuff all over Gannon's seat?" Little did we realize, our back passenger window of our car was shattered! Glass was everywhere! The worst part is that my purse was stolen. LLLLOOONNNGGG story short, the Woodland Police Department seems to think that we were watched and the theft knew exactly what he wanted because nothing else in the car was taken and my purse wasn't out in the open...I put it in under the back seat on the passenger side and covered it with a flap (part of the car). Plus, the windows are so tinted that you can't see inside.

The Ugly...
The worst part is that it wasn't just my purse (yes my Louis Vuitton!)- because we just returned from Hawaii I hadn't unpacked my purse, so all of our check books, Visa cards, debit cards, my social security card, Gannon's immunization card, my driver's license, cash and some VERY important jewelry were in there. The thief worked quickly...within one hour the individual that took my purse used one of my debit cards and a visa card at Target in Sacramento for a couple of purchases and at Wal-Mart in Sacramento for one purchase respectfully. We figure that the thief made about $5400 off of us within one-two hours and that doesn't include the cost of the window for my car. Below is a photo of Richard vacuuming the pieces of window after we were done making the Police Report. It was very dangerous for us to drive home with little pieces of glass flying around.

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

In Loving Memory of my Little Sister

Nicole Diane Bull
January 25, 1977 to May 17, 2003



When we lose someone we love, it seems that time stands still.
What moves through us is a silence...a quiet sadness...a longing for one more day...
one more word...one more touch.
We may not understand why you left before we were ready to say good-bye,
but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you LIVED.
And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.
We will see you again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting.
A place where there are no words that mean good-bye.

Forever in my heart.

Back to School

May 15, 2008
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!

Aloha Maui...until next time

May 14, 2008

Swim and Snorkel

May 13, 2008
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!






For lunch we went to the Hula Grill - I loved this restaurant because it was right on the beach and because you ate with your feet in the sand...my kind of place to eat. To top it off, the food was fantastic! After lunch we played more at the beach and ended the day snorkeling...today was the best snorkeling day. Dad, Rich and I went out right off of the shore in front of our condo. We saw so many great fish AND an octopus AND an eel AND we swam with a green sea turtle - AMAZING!!! We took some photos with an underwater camera, so I will post some of these photos once I get the film developed.



Just Hanging Around!

May 12, 2008
Today was all about R & R. Today certainly felt like a true vacation. We spent the early part of the day in Lahaina where we shopped and ate lunch. We ended the day back at the condo and the beach snorkeling.


Mother's Day

May 11, 2008
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!!!





We completed the evening at the most delicious Polynesian restaurant that I have ever been to...Mama's Fish House in Paia. Richard and Gannon ended the night by giving me an unexpected gift - a smoky quartz ring, in which I LOVE!
A special "Happy Mother's Day" to all of my girlfriends that are celebrating this wonderful day with their families!

Becky and Dean's Wedding Day!!!

May 10, 2008
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.


Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Scott!
We love you.
We are honored to have been your Matron of Honor and Best Man!!!

Molokini, Turtle Town and a Luau!

May 9, 2008
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.

A photo of Kathy and Steve at the Luau.
The soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Dean Scott.
My Mom and Dad.

I think Gannon fell a little in love with these beautiful dancers...and they loved him right back!