Polynesian Cultural Center...

These are pictures from the polynesian cultural center. We also took a bus ride over to the BYU hawaii campus, the temple and the visitors center. All of it is so pretty! We even bumped into Elder Mark Eubanks (yes, the weather man from channel 5) who is serving over at the visitors center.

The roasted PIG was a little strange for me! Not sure how I feel about that, but Charley loved it. He said it brought back memories of being in the Phillipines. It was nice, however, to know that the actual pig that this picures of is not the actual one they served that night!

Pearl Harbor...

Here are a few pictures from Pearl Harbor. We didn't get to spend as much time there as we would have liked, but it was a neat experience anyway. Charley's favorite part was the aircraft carrier that happened to be in town and docked there for a few days. It was HUGE! We toured the USS Missouri, but didn't end up with enough time to go the the USS Arizona memorial. We did get some neat pictures though.

One Year... Already!!

Can you believe it's been a year? I just wanted to share a little about our anniversary dinner. Well, actually, it was an anniversary week! It started Tuesday when we left for Hawaii.

Last year, on our wedding day, (June 4th) we went and got massages in the morning, went to the courthouse and were married, then went straight to the airport for our honeymoon. As soon as we got to Long Beach, it was late in the evening, so we went to dinner at a fancy steakhouse, Ruth's Chris. I had never eaten there (I'm not much of a steak person), but Charley had and loved their steaks. It's a very nice restaurant with excellent service. Of course, you pay for the service because the meals aren't cheap. We figured it was a special day, so we wanted to go somewhere special for dinner. When we sat at the table, the host pulled the chair out for me, said enjoy your meal, Ms. Blackwood, and put the napkin on my lap. UM, ok as soon as he called me by my name (my new name of about 4 hours, that is) I knew that it was a nice, expensive restaurant.

Fast forward one year. We're in Hawaii for our anniversary, we're at a nice time share resort & spa with free massages, and there's a Ruth's Chris down the street. We did have a relaxing massage and went online and made reservations for dinner. There was an area online where it asked if we were celebrating a special occasion, so I checked the anniversary box. When we arrived at the restaurant, they took us right to our table, it was covered with fresh rose petals. They also greeted us with "complimentary" champaigne and he asked if we wanted him to pour it for us. When we told him no thanks, we didn't drink, he soon arrived with two glasses of non alcoholic sparkling juice. After dinner, he brought a free anniversary dessert. Chocolate & coconut covered strawberries in the prettiest display i've ever seen! Then he gave us an anniversary card with a $25 gift certificate in it for our next visit. Whoa! Although we don't go there often (twice to be exact), I am so impressed with the service and will definately go back again. Not to mention the food was awesome! The best steak I've ever had. (They serve them on sizzling 500 degree platters). And the other food was just as good!! I would definately recommend going there for a birthday or anniversary. They really make you feel special on your special day.

Doesn't this dessert look awesome?? It came on a glass tube filled with rose petals. Almost too pretty to eat! But, you know me and chocolate covered strawberries! Of course we at them. The sticks were edible shaved dark chocolate. Not bad for free, eh?

And speaking of feeling special on your special day, This is for Charley...

Happy anniversary CBabe! I am truly lucky to have you my life. When we are together, I know that you truly love me for who I am. Thanks for having patience with me and for everythng you do for me. I am so glad we have spent the last year together and am looking ahead to the many years to come. Hopefully I will make you feel as special as you have made me feel. I love you & am so blessed to have you as a husband.

Aloha... From Tropical Hawaii...

Yes, Yes, we are here in Hawaii! Very tropical, and very humid, But definately gorgeous!!! It's a long (five hours from San Francisco) flight, but definately worth it. It's only 9:53 here, so I'm really not posting this at 2 in the morning. *wink*

Here are a couple of our first glimpses of Hawaii... The welcome escalator at the airport, and the floral lei's they hand out. (This one isn't ours, we're too cheap and they are quite expensive).

And here's some pictures of our awesome room...

Here's a couple of shots that are taken from the Hotel Lobby

And these were taken from the balcony in our room

Last, but definately not least, we got a kick out of the name of the Taxis... it's even spelled right!

Much more to come! Stay tuned...

A Great Weekend

We had a great weekend. It started Friday when I was able to go to a party to celebrate Denise and Heather's weddings. They both were married last month, but it was just hard to find a time everyone could get together. We all met at a pizza place and just sat and talked. I haven't done that in a while. It was good to see everyone outside of work and talk about more exciting things.

Saturday was National Scrapbook day! To celebrate, Roberts had a free all day crop. My wonderful friend Jen hosts the crops so they are so much fun to go to. Lauren and Holly were excited to go and make something. They both made chipboard word books. Lauren's said "Friends" and Holly's said "Party" I think they both had a great time. Holly also made a summer page and both girls made bookmarks and photo frames.

Meanwhile, Charley and Nate went and saw Wolverine. They loved it! Afterwards they came and picked us up and we were headed to Addison's First birthday party. It was at the Living seas Aquarium. The place is so much bigger than it was when it was at the gateway! They had tons of family and friends there, pizza, veggies, bread, drinks fruit, lots of food. And of course cake! It was so fun to watch Addi open her gifts with the help of Travis and her bio parents. it was a neat party for everyone to be at. There was also a video playing highlighing Addi's first year of life. Very emotional and very exciting to watch. After the party the girls were able to come spend the night at our place with Kendal. Clint & Sheri & Grandma Blackwood came by to visit also. It's always so fun when Charley's family is in town.

Here are a couple pictures from the aquarium...

First Piano Recital...

A few months ago, Nate mentioned he wanted to play the flute. Hmmm... Where did that come from? So, I told him when he was in 5th grade in school, he could join the band. I figured that gave him a couple years to decide if that was what he really wanted to play. (I'm certain he'll change his mind by then). But I told him in the meantime that we would get start him in piano lessons so he could learn to read music.

So Nate started piano lessons two months ago. Tonight was his first recital. He was nervous, but he did a great job! He played "Popcorn Party" and "Star Wars Theme". Afterwards we went for ice cream with grandma and grandpa J to celebrate.