Day 1 in Paradise

The morning started off early...the boys and I got up at 5:30 am in order to meet Brian and Elizabeth at 6 to drive out to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

But, our first stop was Leonard's Bakery for malasadas and coffee (for Mom!)


We finally made it to the memorial before the 7am opening...after viewing the movie, we caught the 8:30 tender to the memorial.


Afterwards, Marsha and the kids met us in the parking lot and we took Brian to Pali Lookout...it wasn't extremely windy, but, there was a strong breeze...


After a tour of Honolulu, we went to Punchbowl...if you haven't been there, you should go...at the very top is a gorgeous view of Waikiki...


On our way into Punchbowl, we saw this...



And this...


...do you know what that is? The lunch setup for the Hawaii 5O film stars and crew! I think we were early...there was no one there...but, there were lots of expensive cars!

Then, the REAL FUN started...shopping at ala Moana! First we ate at the food court...this is Jordan's hamburger...it is stuffed with Portuguese sausage and cheese!


He chases this with saimin noodles. A nice surprise was bumping into my uncle's childhood friend. We met then a few times, and I knew they looked familiar!


We snacked at Waiola's newest location....they moved from Kapahulu to this wonderful store on Mokihana...



I would like to say that our culinary excursion was complete, but, we met Leonard at Side Street Inn for dinner...


...followed by dessert at Bubbies...MOCHI ICE CREAM!!!


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Aloha!

So, we made it to the airport, kissed Jeff goodbye, went through security and got to the gate in 15 minutes...just press the EASY button!

During the next 15 minutes the boys asked me 5 times, "what time is it?". I can't tell them to check their phone since I had them turn it off....sigh! More when we land....



We arrived! The Santiago's picked us up from the airport. Our first stop....Zippy's! Neil is awake, just not cooperating with the picture taking...PJ is excited to have the boys over...he has been with his sisters and Mom for about a month, while Len is working ... needs more guy time.


Turns out I don't have wi-fi at the hotel...so, I am going to save the blogs and post on Saturday.

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Salinas Obon

It was a beautiful day in Salinas. We saw a ton of people, ate some good food, the boys played a few games and I even helped a little...

Jeff's cousin Karen was there with her baby Kalena...she is such a good girl...she loves her Auntie Sheri...


Elizabeth, Brian, Jude and Jude's friend Esther where there to eat..afterwards Elizabeth, Brian and I worked in the pastry booth...boy did it get busy! A new item in the pastry booth...Dark Chocolate BACON cupcakes...it has bits of bacon and bacon drippings in the cupcake...it was surprisingly yummy...I even came home with 2...I bought 4...we sampled one at the booth, Jordan, Dean and Dave ate the other one...


Thank you to Silvia for stopping by...and yes, Rick, I guess I am on FB a lot...but, it is easier now that I have my iPad! Still loving it!

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Dr. Kyle @ work

Today we had our chiropractic appointment with Dr. Kyle. Today, Kyle worked on my right arm...it gets a lot of abuse from my crafting...here he is working on Jeff...supposedly, my photo-taking is not conducive to his therapy...yeah, whatever!


Even better then Yelp! Here is Dr. Kyle (in the Stormtrooper shirt) with patients Kyle, Jeffrey and Lori...there was a party in the waiting area during Jeff's treatment...


As usual, we went for our traditional bowl of ramen after our appointments...Lori joined us at Ramen Dojo...it's spicy ramen. Lori and Jeff had the mild spicy, Jordan had the regular spicy, Neil and I wimped out and had the non-spicy....Jeff is hating life...Neil and I are fine....Jordan is laughing at his Dad...

Here is the picture of Lori's mild spicy ramen...


Do you see all of that neon orange...yeah, it had a nice kick...I am glad I had the NON-spicy...Jeff probably should have also!

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Queen Lauren

The boys and I went to the Gilroy Garlic Festival today. I haven't been to the Festival in 20 years..so, it was interesting to see how it has changed.

One of the best things this year, is that my little cousin is Miss Garlic Festival Queen!



Isn't she a cutie? More about the Home Depot apron later...

Much to my dismay, Jordan and Neil refused to try the garlic ice cream...but, they did eat a corn dog, chicken strips, smoothies and lots of water.

This was one of my favorite pictures from today...I told Jordan that he was going to stand there until he smiled..so, it on,y took one shot....smart boy!


Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Neil making his tool carrier...I was too busy avoiding the hammer...crazy boy, but, he did enjoy his visit to the Home Depot craft center...he received an apron, achievement button and certificate and of course his tool carrier...


Another of Jeff's college friends was in town...and the boys took a picture with her kids....


One last picture...here is my cousin, Teri, the "Queen Mother"...hahahahaha...



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San Francisco for dinner

One of Jeff's college friends is in town from Tokyo so, we thought we would meet David and his son for dinner.

Since we left early to try to avoid traffic, we were able to stop by Japan-town.


And a quick stop at Ocean Beach...I tried to tell the boys that we should take pictures of them from this side of the ocean, and then one from Hawaii and see if it looks different...HAH!


Dinner was at North Beach Pizza. Seems like we used to go there more often when we were BK (before kids).


Dave and his son Max...


...and the rest of the boys....


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Busy Bees

I have been busy with a new pattern this month...I finally had time to sit down and do some stitching! I love the material I bought, not too thrilled with the pattern instructions, and I am not keen about the open top...but, it's seems to be a great tote!



Of course, it is purple....

Over the past few days, we did our raids to the bookstores. Jordan and Neil both reached their goals at Borders and Barnes & Noble...albeit, their read the Yugioh manga books towards the end...but, really, they would get through 10 books by the end of the summer...so, okay, at least they each read 2-3 "real" books...here is their booty from the stores




The books are packed and ready to go on the plane...of coursse we also hit Half Price books up...all in all the boys turned in about 4 certificates each...so, they got $12! Yeah! Gotta love free book money!

Tomorrow we are heading out to the Garlic Festival in Gilroy. my cousin Teri's daughter is the Festival Queen...so, we want to go...Jordan wants to eat...big surprise.

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Location:Bridgewater Pl,Fremont,United States