Car Race!

Tanner had to have a car racing buddy with his new toys bought but Buma at the Hospital gift shop only Grandpa Eric was not satisifed with available track options. They decided to build their own...

Aunt Lisa's House on Sunday

On Sunday after the party, Aunt Lisa had a bit of an impromptu barbeque due to the Monday departure of the Chicago clan, all of whom were staying at her house. It was nice to get in some additional chat time with a few of the people I missed the day before. Besides, who can refuse a day at Silver Lake on the floating Rolls Royce of a pontoon and the always stellar menu of the Seller’s household. Tanner was very stoked to get his first SeaDoo ride thanks to Bobby.

40-60-80 Party

One of the main reasons we made the trip back to the mainland this summer was for the big birthday party in honor of my Aunt Lisa (40) my Mom (60) and my Grandma (80) all hitting milestone birthdays in 2007. It was a nice way to see all the Casalou's together in addition to the Chicago contingent as well as some family friends I haven't crossed paths with in years. The festivities were at Uncle Steve's freshly landscaped backyard thanks to some backbreaking labor from Aunt Susie. I loved the gardens although as I'm sure you can see from the pictures, the pool was the biggest hit with the munchkins.

Lanikai Beach

Another day at the beach I guess however the weather was near perfect (not very common on the windward coast) and Dave took some great pics of the day definitely worth stealing. Yes, I did not take either of these as my current camera is no where near this cool…

Preschool Graduation

Graduation is considered a HUGE deal here but even so, it was a bit of a surprise to us when the program turned out to be such a huge production followed by so much celebration. Really, it was adorable. Each student took their turn at center stage while the schools director introduced them and said what their favorite part of school is, what they want to be when they grow up and what elementary school they were going to for Kindergarten. Cute!

The real surprise was afterward. I had a little heads up from Ku’ulei to get a lei for each of his teachers and another from Bobby the boat driver to get a candy lei for Tanner but did not anticipate the amount of leis and gifts from the other students for Tanner. You would think that after Christmas, Easter, Valentines, etc., I would have learned my lesson…

Day at the North Shore

We don’t have a ton of friends on this island yet so it’s nice to spend time with the ones we have. This was a Saturday afternoon a while back complete with beach time, BBQ, and spontaneous puppy adoption. No we didn’t get another dog but Dawn, Billy, and the girls did and isn’t he a cutie?

Really Pretty Moth

Definitely ducked when this guy dive bombed my head on the way into the house but once it landed, I couldn’t help but get a pic. Scale is difficult from this picture but I’d say it was 4+ inches across minimum. Isn’t it stunning?

Camping at Kualoa

Our first camping trip since getting here. Must say that it was loads different that our camping on the mainland. Aside from the fact that we're back in a tent for the first time since Tanner's birth, the campgrounds aren't exactly what we were used too. The main difference is there is no charge for a site, you just have to go to city hall and get a permit. On the Leeward side on the island this accessibility leads to gigantic homeless camps. On the windward side, it's only at certain campgrounds but you have to know which ones are safe. Lucky for us, Liz and company had scoped things out long before we got here but all the same, the people in the next site over where a bit sketched out for my taste.

All in all, we had a ton of fun. Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like smores and Corona. It was nice to hang out with a group and laugh at some silly antics. Hanging next to the beach and waves all night was nice too. Tanner declared at the end of it that he was "NOT happy with us! One night was not enough! Next time, we are going for seven nights!" Guess that means he had a good time :)

Poor Kona

So Kona had a very special appointment with the vet two weeks ago that left him a bit less of a man than when he got there. Within a few days, his over attention to his wound earned him the lampshade. Directv anyone?

Nugget's Arrival

Nugget made her journey out to the islands yesterday. Luckily for her, the trip went far smoother than Kona's journey out. I think she was less than thrilled to see Kona but reverted back to old habits almost immediately parking her butt right on Yooper's pillow - her former favorite sleeping spot. I think she does it to push his buttons. I can just see the little kitty smirk when he gets all huffy Yooper style about waking up to a fluffball in his face.

I was a little worried about how she'd adjust but now I'm convinced, she'll be just fine :)