Underwater Pictures

Pictures from the first snorkel spot we went. Warm water being disposed from a factory out of huge scary pipes was a perfect place for fish to gather.


I know this isnt a good picture, but I am including it because it repsresents us being together. If I didn't have Mike right there by me I would have been too chicken to go anywhere. Most of the time we were side by side or hand in hand. If we got split apart I tried to get back to his side as fast as I could.


This is the pod of 17 dolphins that was swimming around while sleeping or something like that. Absolutely amazing!


Next spot was just down the cost a bit where turtles liked to hang out in the sand. There were 5 turtles here. Everyonce in a while one would swim to the surface to get a breath and then head back to the sea floor to rest.





We were able to get so close and could not believe how big they were.

Just amazing! And it's only our first day

Aloha from Oahu!

The sun said to us, "Hello Mike & Emily! Welcome to paradise"!
This is what we saw our first morning in Hawaii as we headed out to sea to snorkel.





We went on a guided tour with a group out of Ko'Olina. Within minutes of being out of the bay we saw a mother whale swimming with her newborn calf. It was amazing!
We let them be and headed for a warm spot where there were two huge pipes draining into sea from a factory. The sun was out and we saw hundreds of beautiful fish. Minutes later we moved to a different spot to swim with a pod of bottle nose dolphins. I counted 17. They were so sleek and fast. Then we swam with the sea turtles. Mike swam so close to them. He had an underwater camera and got lots of great pics! We were so excited to have such a great advenure within hours of being in Hawaii.


After lunch a Ko'Olina Resort we headed up the west coast and stopped at this beach in Waianae.

While Mike was doing some work on the phone I explored the lava rock tide pools and found this crab.

Hiked Waahila Ridge and saw great views of Honolulu




Not used to having so much oxygen while hiking. Decided we had more hiking in us. Got lost looking for more falls, but saw many beautiful homes in Manoa Valley & Pacific Heights. Finally made our way to Manoa Falls parking lot.

Very thirsty after a very fast hike. Just a trickle of water. Ran back most of the way to make sure the car was still there.


We decided to head back to the hotel, but went to check out the dinner scene at Waikiki. A street performer stuck parrots all over us and I thought for sure he would steal our wallets, but we made it through with only Mike's hat's button being torn off.



What a wonderful day in paradise and a beautiful way to end it.
Waikiki Sunset

Thanks to my honey for this dream vacation

Happy 9th Birthday Kates!!!

Our little Katelyn is getting so old and growing up fast!!
For her ninth birthday she wanted her ears pierced. She did it and she looks great!


Katelyn chose to have cake balls instead of a big cake.

We had to celebrate early b/c mom and dad are in Hawaii! Thanks Gma& Gpa for taking care of Kateyn!

Congrats to Carolyn & Mike!

I remember how left out we felt in Florida. We would never see pics or had to wait a long time. Which reminds me that I should ask David and Ronni to see their wedding pics. Anywho, here are some pics of today's festivities.

Way to go for getting married in the temple!!

The Happy Couple with MaryLee

Sisters

Mike and Kristin debating politics


Monte bestowing wisdom on Curt

Do I dare comment?

Johns' Side of Family


Curt and Dave's splendid color assortment of men's clothing.
Mix n' match, if you will!

We went to the luncheon held in Bountiful's own Wight House.
It was a great intimate affair and it was fun to see everyone and visit.
Melanie & her fiance had prepared a video about the happy couple for all to watch.


Let's see some kissing!

Most of us thought the food was yummy!! I made her eat potatoes before she could have some dessert.

He knows if you've been good or bad...

so be good for goodness sake!!!
I have been saying this a lot ot the kids lately. I love December because I can defer to Santa like crazy.
"MOMMY- I want this!!"
"Ask Santa"
"MOM- I want a DS"
"Ask Santa"
"You're stupid"
"You better not let Santa hear you say that."
"I don't want to go to bed!!!"
"Santa's watching"

You get the idea...

Last night was Mike's family party at work and a very special guest was there.







Christian was asleep for the first round with Santa. So after some yummy cookies we came back and let Christian get his two bits in to Santa.





DEAR SANTA,
WE ARE SOMETIMES NAUGHTY, BUT MOSTLY NICE!
LOVE,
THE BLACK KIDS

Guess who is moving?

Christian of course! He is now 8 months old and all over the place.



Short Tail wants into the house and Christian likes to taunt her.



The newest cousin was over for a visit and Christian was enjoying getting to know Brinlee.


In November he had his first two teeth come in, perfected crawling and began pulling up.
No wonder he gets tuckered out.