Cake and Cookies - Oh My!

When I got back from Hawaii, I promised my sister I would help her make a cake and cookies for a bridal shower she was throwing for a friend.  (After all, she did watch my kids for 10 days).

Here's the finished product.   It does look more like a child's birthday cake, but she assures me that it looked great with the theme of the party.

The Hawaii Run Down!

Alright!  I am back!   Are you ready for the marathon of pictures I am posting from Hawaii?  Well what do you expect... we were gone for 10 days!!

In the airport!  I hadn't flown in 9 years!

Yippee!  We made it and the plane didn't crash.

Real mature - I know, but that's Jeff for you.   We stayed in Volcano (that's the name of the town) on the big island - and yes- it's currently an active volcano.  Thus the spewing gas.

We explored a volcano tube underground.  Spooky and black.  Something kept grabbing my bum.  (I am assuming it was Jeff).

Cool black sand beach with lot's of turtles.

We snorkeled so much that every night at dinner I still felt like I was moving in the water.  I had a queazy stomach some days.

This day we hiked out to see the lava flowing into the ocean.

It was really cool at night with big explosions of red lava!

We had to stop and get a photo of Jeff in front of BJ's training center! (For all you UFC fans).

Jeff really got into the whole laid back Hawaiian style!

Posing in front of the Kona temple on a Sunday afternoon.

I love it when I have a tan!

You gotta love the poser pictures.  My hubby the "Iron man".

Here we are on a charter boat for the day, checking out all the great snorkle sites.  Very fun!

This was the highlight of the trip!!!   We signed up for a manta ray night dive.   These things had a 12 foot wing span.  They came so close I could reach out and touch them.  Seriously the coolest thing I have ever done!

This ray came up to the boat after we got back in.  

We kayaked out to Cook's monument - very cool and great snorkeling!

But on the way back, we were surrounded by dolphins!!!!

So Jeff decides to jump in the water and check them out.  Pretty soon I was out of the boat too, and we swam with the dolphins.  (Honestly I was afraid they might bite me.  This wasn't Sea World!)

The last day we hung around as all the fishing boats brought in their catch for the international Bill Fish competition.  This one was over 300lbs.  Pretty fishy!

I just thought I would give you a  little glimpse of what my friend Becky and I got to enjoy each and every day while driving all around the big island!  Press play and enjoy my friends!!!!!

It's good to be back!

Wondering

Are you wondering where I am?   I am with computer troubles.   I am taking my computer in on Friday (tomorrow) and hopefully I will be back up and running with pictures of my new office and pictures from Hawaii!

10 Days in Paradise

That's right, I will be in Hawaii for the next 10 days (I can't stop smiling!).  When I get back, school starts, so that means I will be back blogging.

I will think about you all while I'm gone...... probably not!

Another Year of Beach Camping

We're back and I finally finished the last load of laundry - SHWEW!!

The best part of camping is the food!  Jeff always cooks us up something delicious with Wayne's help.

This year we went and picked fresh strawberries.  They were sooooooo yummy.   The next morning we made french toast and buttermilk syrup topped with fresh strawberries!   My mouth is watering just talking about it!

Nathan and Tanner played in the sand everyday - all day.

Mckenna and Allison have got the boogie board thing down.   This was a rare moment caught on film that they weren't in the water.

Becky and I didn't get in the water the last day.   The sun never came out and we were both to cold.  That didn't stop the kids though.   We got in some good reading.

We had a great time but it's good to be home!

Happy 4th!

Here's what I've been up to this last week.  It's been crazy (and sticky) around here.  Now I am off to the beach for a week!  I will be back and yes - I will post pictures of my new office.  I am just waiting for a few more things for the wall and then I will be ready to reveal.

In the meantime, have a happy 4th!

One Year!

Today is my blogs birthday.  I started the "Good Apple" one year ago today.  I can't believe it's been that long.  I am still swamped with cookie orders and kids, but I just had to celebrate a little.  Here's my first post.  Sigh.........

Here's to another year of blogging!  Cheers!