There comes a time....

...when you have to realize these kids are just growing up and there's not a darn thing you can do about it. Just spent the week with George and his family....what a good kid he is. I can't say enough about this #2 grandchild of mine and I'm paying tribute today to his "athletic" active side 'cause we all know he's made his mark in the piano world....but he loves the outdoors too......

This is one of my favorite pictures of him of some of the best times spent with him and his family at Lake Powell but this past week in Hawaii has been amazing too. He's willing to try it all.....

Cliff diver, triathlon participator, (that wasn't in Hawaii but I was proud of him for doing that)  para-sailor (awesome "selfie taker" too") and the best brother anyone could ask for. George is "all that" and more. Happy Birthday, to my cool #2 on his #14.....celebrating in Hawaii. Awesome kid....Mahola, George for being such a great example to me and those around you.  Make sure you eat some cake from Ted's Bakery for me!!!!!

"Just enjoy....."

"Put the cameras away and just enjoy!".....Kyle said this to me the last day we were at the beach in Hawaii....I was on my way out snorkeling and just mentioned that I needed George's underwater camera. It took me back a bit because I realized I'm a bit obnoxious with my wonderful, new Canon EOS that Randy got me for Christmas and that I've taken thousands of pictures trying to get the perfect one. A question was posed to "Dear Abby" about a daughter asking..."why can't my mom put her camera down and just enjoy the grandkids." I know it's about as annoying as electronics in everyone's hands 24/7 but I guess my answer to this might be...."I don't want to miss a thing"....but I did go out into the ocean that day without the camera and I enjoyed it. I know the camera could never come near to capturing what I saw that day....the brilliance of the turquoise blue fish, the shiny silver school of fishys that swam by, the turtle that swam under me and the feeling of stillness, feeling like I was in an aquarium with these creatures. Feelings that a camera cannot capture, like this quote I found in an article on the airplane...."It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential, is invisible to the eye." So I could end this blog now and say....."I experienced Hawaii with my heart on many levels".....but, anyone that knows me, knows I couldn't put the camera down and I got thousands of perfect pictures so I'll share just a few....but there will be no rhyme or reason to this blog. Just fun pictures to help me remember the wonderful experience I had with my family.

My beach family....Kyle arranged this exchange several months ago and it has been amazing for them and all of us that get to share it with them. He teaches three days a week at BYU Hawaii....and plays the rest of the time.

Our wonderful Aloha welcome at the airport with the leis made by Emily and JoEllen. So good to see these kids. I've missed them so.

An afternoon at the swap meet on the way home to get the souvenir buying out of the way then on to our accommodations. This wonderful home up the hill at the North Shore.....but a quick change and we couldn't get down to the beach fast enough. My beach pictures are all out of order but we experienced Wiamea Bay that evening....later we would go to Three Tables and Pipeline and Wiamea again in the course of the week we were there.

Randy donned his snorkel equipment and was off....came back with a sea slug. Top center was Kyle's reaction after JoEllen tossed it to him and he thought it was a rock. He quickly tossed it back like a hot potatoe but the kids all enjoyed checking it out.

Some major cliff jumping was going on while the rest of us just explored the little caves and crevices around the rocks.

Over the course of the week we enjoyed the beach multiple times, kayaking, snorkeling, sand burying and just lounging....and yes, I did snorkel.....

...and I did see this fish. I got Matty this t-shirt 'cause she told me about this fish and she really could pronounce it....I can't but she can. "Humuhumunukunukuāpuaa" (click on it for the song about the state fish.)

At Pipeline, even though the waves were few and far between, everyone was patient waiting for the "big one" to ride to shore.

The kids have all adapted well to beach life....

Fearless.....not sure if that's good or bad but they certainly are enjoying life. Not sure they'll ever want to come back.

...especially Matty. I think she'll be the first surfer......bottom right, she's standing on the boogey board.

One of our really great finds was the seal that came by....even looked like he turned to pose for the camera.

The first morning we were there, we woke up to a beautiful, cool morning and took a walk around the neighborhood to see what we could see......

Beautiful place and I never tired of seeing the ocean as we traveled down the road....the many views of the ocean. Our much anticipated day of Parasailing would arrive but on the way, we stopped at Kualoa Ranch....a filming site for shows like Hawaii Five O and Lost.....

Did I mention Parasailing????? Yep, we did that too....

Please visit this link for a more detailed account of this adventure.  (http://wanderingwellsclan.blogspot.com/2014/05/parasailingwwwhhhhhaaat.html)

I think it's the bravest thing I've ever done....didn't have a bucket list before but now I do and I've crossed off the first item.

I do highly recommend this activity. Very easy and very fun....but, on a more relaxing note, we enjoyed the PCC....a must for all island visitors. I had done it once before when I came with Jean Jolley in 2001 but once again, learned a lot about the culture and enjoyed the atmosphere there....had a great time meeting and talking to the missionaries in the quilt store and ukulele  shop. Evan and George are learning to play and Dave who is a missionary there, gives them lessons. Randy and I even renewed our vows at the Tahitian Wedding.

Hula lessons, greeting one another Maori style, (top left), and an entourage of New Zealand visitors that participated in the ceremonies honoring their ancestors (bottom right)...a very humbling experience.

We enjoyed the luau in the evening and the show later that night...and speaking of eating, can't do a vacation blog without mentioning the dining experiences and we had a few of those.

We dined at Turtle Bay Ole restaurant, Kyle's favorite where they serve complimentary bread with truffle-infused butter and we enjoyed some fresh fish and a gorgeous view of the ocean (top right). Of course, Ted's Bakery is a must, home of the chocolate-haapia cream pie and breakfast at Hukilau Cafe. Not pictured is our lunch at Zippy's with Malasada....yum. Ours were coconut pudding infused. So good.

We enjoyed church with the family....and visiting after with some of the members there. We ran into some people from our former Silva Valley Ward here in El Dorado Hills....the Wagners and had a good visit with Dave Evans, the coach of the BYUH Basketball team. Such a small world in the LDS Church.

After church, Randy and I took off exploring...took a beautiful hike to Wiamea Falls.

The Punchbowl Cemetery was a very appropriate place to visit on Memorial Day....

...then down to the ocean to see the floating of the lanterns. Thousands of people show up to this ceremony and float commemorative lanterns (I don't have pictures but maybe JoEllen will post some).  wanderingwellsclan.blogspot.com  It was very impressive....to say the least.

Time for goodbyes....what a wonderful time we've had with this sweet family. This is an experience of a lifetime with them. I'm sure they will miss "island life" when they return to the mainland but it's been great to share it with them.....

The Hawaii Temple in Laie. Aloha...until we meet again and Maholo....for everything. It was all so very amazing. Can't think of any words to describe it. So many pictures....but I'll make a book so when I'm old, I can remember having "the time of my life" in Hawaii. It will take many times back here to experience all of the beauty of this island and this state. I definitely have it on my bucket list to return.

Aloha....

"Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello." I'm using it to say "goodbye" to my family and "hello" to my family....as we head out tomorrow to visit Kyle and his family that has been there for a few weeks already....scoped out all the good stuff to see and do.....(see it all at wanderingwellsclan.blogspot.com) and we are pretty excited....but before I go, I need to wish my two little Staheli boys, Happy Birthday as that event will happen while I am gone....

Jake will turn 6 on Sunday, the 25th....not a sweeter little kid in the whole world. Couldn't find exactly the pictures I wanted but you can see his sweetness in his eyes and his kindness in the picture with his little brother Max. He's so smart, thoughtful, innocent and most of all, so very huggable and I can't wait to see him again in a week or so. Catch his little acting debut at hurricanedental.com and you'll see how adorable he is. Happy Birthday, Jakey.....you are so awesome. Then the next day, Scott turns 8.....

What a handsome guy and all ready for baptism. He's smart, energetic, creative, and such a big help to his mom. I was amazed at all he was willing to do when his mother was sick a few months ago and we were there watching the kids. He's an amazing kid for sure. Happy Birthday, Scott. 

These little Staheli guys certainly keep their mom busy....boys through and through. Love 'em....Can't wait to see them again. Once again, Aloha.....this one meaning goodbye. See y'all real soon.

Same pictures....

....different day....but good to be out on the lake again....enjoying some sweet scenery on a Saturday afternoon....

This is still one of my favorite views from my Kayak....never can resist just one more picture.

I have been away for almost three weeks but I have been enjoying some quality time with my family and taking care of more "leaky" business at my house....but the most important item of the day is wishing my "Minner" a great big Happy Birthday today....I have enjoyed my "Miller Time".

He's 6 going on 16....loves his Under Armour sports attire, proud of his Nike socks but mostly loves to win ball games (just ask him, he's won 'em all 18 to 17). He also loves to  hang out with friends, do what the big boys are doing and smile for my camera. He's such a cool kid....love hangin' out with him. Happy Birthday, Miller....you're awesome on many levels. Speaking of awesome, I've also been able to take in a couple of Laynee's track meets. She's done well this year...as a Freshman, broken school records, had an amazing photo finish 2nd place with a girl she's chased all year....so emotional, and those are tears of joy, pure hard work and accomplishment. I'm sure there'll be more about this and Drew's soccer tourney on Spencer's page, http://wellsweirdos.blogspot.com/. Check it out.

All the kids are doing awesome stuff. Check out my family in Hawaii...they are having the time of their lives. wanderingwellsclan.blogspot.com. Randy and I will be joining them in just two more days....and I am counting. I've been able to take in Maycee's end-of-year dance recitals and her last soccer game.....

....... and some mighty fine ballgames, the most exciting being with my two little grand-son's playing each other on separate teams and my sons coaching. It was a win-win situation for me and fun to see them pitching against each other and chatting at first base, one the runner, the other the baseman.

I'm loving having Lauri and James (jamesandlauri.blogspot.com) in my home and I can't wait to spend some time again with Traci and her family....but for now, Hawaii, here we come!!!!

I have two little hands....

...not folded snuggly and tight at this moment....they are picking up rollie pollies....

...and holding on to ooey, gooey suckers. I've always wondered why a little child can't just eat a sucker....what is it that makes them want to grasp on to the sticky part instead of just hold onto the clean, dry stick but I do love little children's hands....

...and speaking of hands, I've got to put mine together and hand it to Kyle for finishing the race. He truly is an "Ironman"....and I still shake my head and wonder...."why?"....and especially how did he really possibly even finish. He made it out of the water fine, and we saw him at three different places on his bike and he looked great....and he even looked pretty good at the beginning of the run.....but we waited forever at the finish line. JoEllen finally got a call from a stranger that said...."your husband told me to call this number and tell you he would be another hour".....which at this time was about an hour past when he thought he could finish so we just hung around waiting, and waiting and waiting. He finally showed up.....looked good, even at one point had a smile on his face but walked right from the finish line into George's arms and right straight to the car, fainting on the way....but JoEllen got him home and Penny pumped in the IV. He had run the whole 13 miles with heat stroke. What a guy.....I still can't believe it!!!!!

This adds a whole new dimension to "finishing" as far as I'm concerned. I think these "Ironmen" must feel like they can do anything....if they can finish this beast. I just can't put my brain around even why but I'm still so very fascinated by it all. Those of us that stand by and wonder probably really just wish we had it in us to try.
I'm enjoying my time here with my family....we had an impromptu "Tres De Mayo" party, celebrating Kyle's big finish and his family's departure for Hawaii....

Lauri is good at these wonderful, last minute family gatherings, Pinata and all. Great food and good times.... and speaking of Lauri, I'm loving having her and her family in my home.

She and I have caught 2 different leaks that could have been disastrous...and it's nice to have James around for all the "man" things that need to be done (and he cleans)....he's awesome. I've enjoyed some "grandkid time"....

...enjoying the new Children's Museum we have here now. I took Lucy last week and joined Kix and Lux (Joyce and Jay's grand kids) then I took Miller there this morning while we were out on his birthday date. Such a cute place and so fun for the kids. I especially love the stage, decked out with all the right equipment for little performers.

I've been able to take in the little boy's ballgames, most every week-day night, Laynee's track meet a time or two, seen a wonderful rain soak that is so desperately need, enjoyed walking around the Dixie College Campus and listening to the new Bell Tower and on the way here last week, I stopped to see my dear friend Audrie who has endured her fourth hip surgery and a good friend from our Fresno days, Carol Lambourne, stopped by and we had a good visit over some yummy pizza. Next adventure, Hawaii....Kyle and his family are there for 8 weeks....and WE GET TO GO.....Randy and I head out a week from Tuesday. Can't wait.

Click HERE to check out their wanderings so far.....and enjoy your wanderings wherever they are. Near or far, wandering is good and it doesn't have to be far to be enjoyable. Some of my most favorite places are just a walk away from my door.