Hawaii Day 4

So, we're back from Hawaii....SAD. But, I still have tons of pictures to post hopefully thats okay!This day we went to the Polonesian Cultural Center.

It was a beautiful drive along the coast!

We also walked around the temple grounds and went to the visitors center because the temple itself is closed for a year and a half for renovation.


At the "PCC" we learned a lot about the culture of all of the islands of Polonesia.

After making our way around to all of the different shows for each island, we went on a tram over to the temple.

The buffet dinner and the show were really good!! I can't believe that most of the employees are BYU Hawaii students! They did an amazing job!

And thats the end of that day!

Long day.....but fun and interesting!

Hawaii Day 3

Our 3rd day in Hawaii we went to Pearl Harbor. This is a picture of a faux newspaper of when pearl harbor was attacked with picture of Branden and I standing in front of the U.S.S. Bowfin submarine...I thought it was cute!

Here I am inside of the submarine! It was SO claustrophobic inside! I don't know how the navy does it....living down there for months!!


Here is a pic of the U.S.S. Arizona under the water....creepy.

This is the wall with all of the names of the people who died in the attack. I couldn't believe how many...crazy and sad.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked many ships were sunk including the U.S.S Utah, I had no idea...here we are with the Utah flag at the memorial.

I am glad we went, we learned some new things and mourned for those who lost someone that day...it hits a lot closer to home with Branden being in the military.

On a completely different note, we also went to the army museum in Honolulu. We passed this tree on our walk there and I just think they are so cool looking!

Branden took a bunch of pictures inside of the museum and this was his favorite...of course the one with all of the guns, he loves them!

Just another cool pic of a palm tree! They never get old to me!

Later on we went to this magic show called Magic of Polonesia which was REALLY COOL! We just left sooo confused, I guess thats the point though! We couldn't take any pictures during the magic show, darn, but the magician was way good, but we weren't expecting an elvis impersonator as an opening act...he was okay.

But, overall it was a fun day and night!!!

Thanks everyone for the comments! There is still more to come! Days 4, 5, & 6! I got behind on posting because we have been having so much fun!

Hawaii Day 2

Aloha!

I have always wanted to go parasailing and today we went! It was awesome!

Here is the boat that took us out....


Getting ready to take off!

Up...Up...and Away!!!!

We were SO HIGH in the sky!!! The view was AMAZING! I had our water proof camera and was taking pictures from up above, but we have to get them developed.....ya, developed. I forget how awesome digital cameras really are....especially my new one!!

Being dunked!!! The water was actually pretty warm!

Then, later on at night we went to a luao at our hotel.

Here is the traditional pork roast ceremony.

At the luao!

Branden hula dancing on stage.... Hilarious!!!! You can hear me laughing in the background!

Hawaii Day 1

We are in Hawaii!!! It is sooo beautiful here, we love it! This is the hotel we are staying in.

The scenery is AMAZING! I have never seen such cool looking plants, trees, and flowers! I think I am in heaven!

This is a dove we saw while eating breakfast one morning.... we noticed that he only had one foot just a stump....sooooo sad :( We felt so bad for him! Now every time we are down by the retaurant we look for poor "stumpy".

We went to the Dole plantation

and rode the train around the grounds.

So Amazingly Beautiful

Pineapple fields

(if you look close you can see all the pineapples)

These fish were at the dole plantation as well, I just had to post the video because I thought it was disgusting how many there were all flopping around on top of each other.... so slimy and nasty!

The North Shore

Sooo many pictures I know, but how can you resist when you are in such a beautiful place!..... And this is only the first day!!!!!

He's Home!!!!

Branden is FINALLY HOME!!! Well, for a couple of weeks anyways.... but he came home on the 7th at midnight, which I didn't think he was going to be home until the next night so I was SO EXCITED!!! Everything worked out so well! He ended up having a layover in Salt Lake City and was able to see his whole family, and even go to dinner with them! It's just crazy how things work out!

Here is Branden and his family at the SLC airport...he was so happy he was able to see everyone in his family, most of which he hadn't seen in over a year!

The whole family went to Olive Garden for dinner, here is Branden and his brother Blake with Alicey and Avenley. So Cute!! Thanks Chantel for the pics :)

And then he finally made it to Alaska!! I can't even describe how happy I was to see him! Here he is coming down the escalator!

TOGETHER AT LAST!!!

My emptiness has been filled, even if it is for a short period of time!