Maui

Gil got back last week from his training in California. Shortly after he got back he went on leave, so we took advantage of that; we put Kai in a boarding place with her friend Meka (whose parents were also going on vacation,) and jetted off to Maui. Here is a view from our roomHere is the view from your room.Fountains leading the the pool for adults (only 18 or older)

The best way to explain it is that it was the best vacation I have ever been on. We stayed at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa. We did nothing but relax all weekend long.

Our weekend started off with a bang! Saturday morning we headed to the spa which apparently is the best spa not only in Hawaii but the south Pacific (...don't know how we are going to beat that!)

Amazing doesn't even begin to explain how great the spa was! An hour before our couples massage we had access to all different types of water therapy; roman baths, aromatherapy baths, waterfall massages, saunas and steam rooms. We then had our full body massage; which was indescribable! We left agreeing that we definitely have to do this more often. We have decided when he gets back we want to go to Vegas and go to a spa while we are there.
The only other planned event we had was golfing on Sunday. I made a tee time for Gil and I rode along with him. The course was beautiful and they really take care of their customers. The golf carts were all decked out with a GPS system in them (informing you how far the hole is as well as any sand traps or water hazards) and a cooler with ice and two bottles of water. The GPS also gave you information about the hole and kept your score for you. We ended up joining these other two golfers who were all spiffed out; afterwards we found out that they are pro golfers from the other side of Maui.Our GPS/Scorecard! It also had a sports ticker at the bottom.

Also on our way out back to the hotel a man answered his cell phone and said, "Hello, Mr. President, it is so great to hear from you again." Now, I don't know about you but I don't know any one who refers to any body but the President of the United States as Mr. President. I was super excited! So in my mind and my story he was talking to the president. On top of the pro golfers and the Mr. President guy we had dinner at the table next to a woman who is best friends with the wife of a coach for either the Lakers or Utah Jazz...I think. Yeah, we were rolling with the high rollers. It was crazy. I really enjoyed it. Gil just thought I was funny.

Hanging by the pool

Between the spa and golfing we lounged by the pool, reading or making our rounds of the different pools. Their pools were amazing. There were two different levels connected by the only water elevator in the world. All the pools are connected by different slides and there is a currant that pushes you between the different slides and pools. There was also a swim up bar, grotto and hot tubs.
One of the many pools. To the right is a slide leading to a pool and in the the far end there is a big slide leading to rapids.

I hope you are all doing well. I have one more post coming, updating on everything that has been going on in March and now April, so stay posted.

Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I apologize I did not post on your birthday!

So happy belated blogging birthday!

I hope you enjoy the wine pairing dinner at Burdicks!

I miss you so much!

I can't wait for your visit to Hawaii!

I love you!

TARGET!!!!

At last Hawaii has joined the rest of the country in the amazing ownership of a TARGET! All us transplants were very very very happy when we found out shortly after we arrived in Hawaii that we would be getting a Target. Well it is finally open! The grand opening was Sunday, March 8th but it actually opened March 4th. Of course we were there the very day it opened and went back again just 4 days later for the grand opening. Not only did we get a Target but it is the largest in the world! Yes you heard that correctly! Largest in the WORLD!

Of course Meredith and I were so excited we just had to take pictures! Here are photos from our first trip.On the road...In line at the light to get into Target... Still in the car waiting to get into the parking lot...Police directing traffic...

Our first view of the Target sign...with the cop!Finally in...Meredith with the amazing new shopping carts...Our car full of loot...Us with our loot after a great first shopping trip to Target and a great southern lunch at Dixie Grill...we might have to make this a regularly scheduled event!

February & March

We have been pretty busy the past several weeks. February started off with me finishing the guest bedroom for our upcoming guests.

Then we celebrated Valentine's Day with a home-made cupcakes, roses and a nice dinner out in town. Our family (Marisol and Big Gil) came for a visit for two weeks in February. Marisol arrived first (Big Gil came second and it was a surprise! A very good surprise) and we went to a Kaneohe Spouses event. It took place at the Generals home. It was a very nice event with amazing southern food.

While they were visiting we headed up North to the Dole Plantation. We took a train ride tour of the Plantation.

I managed to get one decent shot of a pineapple while on the train. Truthfully there isn't much to see; mostly field upon field of pineapple bushes.

After our tour of the Dole Plantation and a stop off at the North Shore and Turtle Beach we had another pit stop on the way home at the Macadamia Nut Farm. Very small but so much to look at. We tried all sorts of macadamia nuts and managed to find quit a few things to buy. Below is a picture of Marisol and Big Gil outside the farm with the mountains in the background. One day the guys went golfing and the girls tagged along as photographers. Our base has one of the best courses on the island so both Marisol and I wanted to check it out. It makes me want to pick up golfing...which might happen in the near future.This is a view from hole 13. This is what the golf course is known for. Another weekend we went to the Polynesian Culture Center and learned about all the different Polynesian islands. We got there late and were only able to spend about 1.5 hours there but it was still fun. I can't wait to go back and spend more time there. We took a canoe ride so we were able to see more, then stopped off at one of the villages and saw them climb a coconut tree, make coconut milk as well as many other cultural traditions. We ended the Desroches' trip with a Luau. Lastly here is an updated picture of Kai. She is growing so fast! She is almost 4 months old and about 35 pounds. Gil left last week for California. He is there for a little over 5 weeks. This is there last training before deployment. He seems to be having a lot of fun training with his Marines. Both Kai and I miss him a lot and can't wait till he comes home!

To My Mom...

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

I miss you so much!

I hope you had a fabulous birthday with that amazing guy I call Dad.

Eat a piece of yummy cake for me!

Thank you for always being there for me!

I can't wait to see you in May!

I love you!

Simple Pleasures...

Kai amuses and amazes me every day.

I love how...

every day she grows more into her long floppy ears, lanky legs and massive paws.

when I go to get a chew stick for her when I turn around she is already sitting there patiently waiting for her treat.

things we spent no money on amuse her the most...

blind cords

cardboard

rain

seeing herself in the mirror

even though she gets older she still loves to chase her tail over and over again.

she likes to walk herself on the leash.

she finds sticks along our walk and considers it her job to rid the streets of them and carry them all the way home. Thats my baby Kai for ya!

Apologies

So first off I have to apologize. I have been meaning to write for almost a month now and have no good excuse on why I haven't. But maybe this photo will make everything better.

Kai likes to find things during her walk and bring them home.

I did write a post in January and never posted it because I hadn't added pictures so I will post that one as well.

So while Gil was in the field for 2 weeks I did finish the office but I barely made a dent in the guest bedroom. Don't worry though I just finished it yesterday. It took a little longer because the purple was darker than I thought it would be. So I ended up doing a two tone like I did in the master bedroom and living room. Since it is more difficult to lighten a color than darken, (which I think is ridiculous) I had to go buy white paint to add to it and mix it my self because the stores apparently don't do that. In the end it turned out really well. I love it! While Gil was in the field my dad was in Japan so my mom and I talked on the web cam every day. We kept each other company during many lunches and dinners. It is so great to not only hear their voices but see them.

Meredith and I went to Ross' the other day and I got some great things. I found this adorable sign for the guest bedroom that says "Sweet Dreams." It look so cute against the lavender wall. I also finally found a curtain rod long and sturdy enough to hold the curtains. Both, Meredith and I got some great serving platters and we found so much more we could have gotten but we managed to control ourselves.

Since Gil has been home he has mostly been working a lot. He has had the weekends off which is great; at first we didn't think he would. Super Bowl weekend we went shopping. We finally found a Wii Fit board and decided to get it. It was a total spur of the moment splurge but so worth it! We have had so much fun with it! I have already lost 1.1 pounds! Go me! There was a change in the schedule for duty and Gil ended up getting stuck with it on Super Bowl Sunday. So, after dropping him off at 8 a.m. I got ready for the party we were suppose to go to. I only stayed till halftime but it was fun to get together with friends and have great food and funny commercials.

Meredith and Pat came over with Meka to check the Wii Fit and Meredith got attacked by the dogs. Just thought I would share these. I love her facial expressions.

This weekend we went to the movies. Gil was nice enough to take me to see He's Just Not Into You. We both found it pretty amusing. There was a couple behind us and the guy had some great commentary which was funny! We also finally got our car washed so it looks brand new again...it really needed it!On Sunday Gil finally got to enjoy his birthday present which was tickets to the Pro Bowl. For a while we were actually trying to sell the tickets because they were suppose to be in the field but luckily the schedule changed and it all worked out in the end. He went with our friend Pat (who is Meredith's husband.) Meredith and I drove them down in the morning and the tailgated with some of the other Marines then enjoyed the game from some pretty good seats. Meredith and I went out to lunch at Dixie Grill, which is an amazing southern BBQ place, hush puppies and all! They also have amazing sweet ice tea and homemade lemonade. We had a good lunch then headed back to pick them up after the game.Pat loves his sleep...I took Kai to the vet for her 3 month check up and she weights 22 pounds!!!! We can't believe it. Her husky friend, Meka, who is 6 months only weights 31 pounds! I feel she is going to just shoot up any day now! My parents are having fun seeing her on the web cam everyday. They went to South Carolina to visit our relatives for a week and when they got back they couldn't believe how much she had grown in just a week.So there is a lot getting ready to happen. At times it seems like it is so far away but other times it seems to be just around the corner. Gil's mom will be coming to visit for 2 weeks. She arrives on the 17th of this month. Hopefully we will have nice weather so we can show her all of our great beaches...so far it is looking good. After she leaves Gil heads to California for his final training. He will deploy and I will fly out soon after for a fun filled 2 weeks of friends and family. I will first be heading to Alabama for Elizabeth's graduation and bachloret party. Then off to visit Sally since I am unable to go to her wedding (Sally's and Bob's are the exact same day...crazy, I know!) We are hoping to be able to pick up her wedding dress while I am visiting. From Sally's I head to Boston for Anthony's graduation. I will go home with my parents for a day or two before flying back to Alabama for Elizabeth's wedding, after the wedding I am homeward bound.

Were you able to keep up with that!? I know it is crazy isn't it! And that is just May! I can hardly believe it myself. I am very glad that all the tickets worked out though and I will be able to spend a little time with everyone. In June my parents will be coming to visit then in July/ August I will fly to Washington for my brother's wedding. I will be staying a few days more to visit with family.

As much as I am worried about how this deployment is going to be I am also very excited to spend it with family and friends which I think will be very helpful. I just wish Gil would be able to take part in it all as well. He will be there in spirit though!
I hope you are all doing well. And for those I am coming to visit, I can't wait to see you!!! It is just around the corner.