Last June when Ryan and I went out for my birthday dinner he told me he just found out that his boss was quitting her job. This was the job he had been wanting and preparing for for several years. I thought he would apply and by the time she reached her last day, June 28th, he would have been hired. It was so exciting.
That was three months and six interviews ago but last friday he got the job! It's been a long summer and a test in patience but I'm so excited for him. He's worked hard to prepare for this and I know he'll do a great job. He is now the Director of Web Marketing for Novell. Congratulations honey!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Vacations Over
We must have had a good vacation because even Ryan didn't get mad when he came across this last Thursday...
We thought Austin was in bed asleep. Here you see baby powder, detangling hair cream, and toothpaste. And he did it all in silence. We became suspicious when he came downstairs and his hair was white. Ryan cleaned it all up, though, which I sincerely appreciated.
We thought Austin was in bed asleep. Here you see baby powder, detangling hair cream, and toothpaste. And he did it all in silence. We became suspicious when he came downstairs and his hair was white. Ryan cleaned it all up, though, which I sincerely appreciated.
Oahu, Our Last Stop
We had a whole day on Oahu and yet it seemed our luck had finally run out. We headed to the opposite side of the island to see the Temple...
BYU Hawaii...
And then we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, but we only had about 2 hours and it seemed it would only really be worth it if we could spend an entire day there. It was much larger than we thought. We were a little disappointed but we headed down the coast and found a beautiful beach where Ryan collected shells for Eden and Cameron.
We really wanted to see Pearl Harbor but thought we should have lunch first. I thought Waikiki would be a good place since it sounded familiar. I had no idea it's the one spot on the island where they've crowded about a million people in a few square miles. I told Ryan to find a parking spot on some random street so we could walk around and find a place for lunch, and a few last minute gifts from the ABC store. He was putting quarters in the meter when all of the sudden Kathy Cutler walks up to us. We had said our goodbyes that morning but it must not have been meant to be. They had parked on the same street! 
We had just a couple hours left before our flight and Ryan with his ever so handy blackberry found a movie at a theater only a few blocks away. We saw "9" and were still able to return our car and make our red eye flight in time.
BYU Hawaii...
And then we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, but we only had about 2 hours and it seemed it would only really be worth it if we could spend an entire day there. It was much larger than we thought. We were a little disappointed but we headed down the coast and found a beautiful beach where Ryan collected shells for Eden and Cameron. 
We really wanted to see Pearl Harbor but thought we should have lunch first. I thought Waikiki would be a good place since it sounded familiar. I had no idea it's the one spot on the island where they've crowded about a million people in a few square miles. I told Ryan to find a parking spot on some random street so we could walk around and find a place for lunch, and a few last minute gifts from the ABC store. He was putting quarters in the meter when all of the sudden Kathy Cutler walks up to us. We had said our goodbyes that morning but it must not have been meant to be. They had parked on the same street! When Dave came back from checking them into their hotel we all headed to a local Bar and Grill to have lunch and watch the BYU football game. It was just the sort of break I needed and I was really enjoying myself, until BYU started to lose. That was sad.
So we said our goodbyes, again, and headed to Pearl Harbor where we found out we had missed all the boats to the USS Arizon. The last one leaves at 3 and it was 3:45. It was a disappointment (just not our day for the sights) but it was still cool to see the museum and read about that dreadful day.
We had just a couple hours left before our flight and Ryan with his ever so handy blackberry found a movie at a theater only a few blocks away. We saw "9" and were still able to return our car and make our red eye flight in time. Whew, what a trip!
Kuaui and the Napali Coast
On Friday morning we headed north to Hanalei Bay and the end of the road. It was the wetter side of the island and a very rainy morning. But there were cool caves to explore...
We managed to find a nice beach for snorkeling and swam around for about an hour. I'm really going to miss swimming in the ocean. There's nothing like floating in crystal clear water that's 80 degrees.
Only one day left, but with all the fun we had I was ready to head home.
We managed to find a nice beach for snorkeling and swam around for about an hour. I'm really going to miss swimming in the ocean. There's nothing like floating in crystal clear water that's 80 degrees. Sometimes here the jungle takes over.
With all the fun we had I still missed the kids. I tried to call them everyday and it was such a comfort to know they were doing well. Dallin was a huge help to Erika and Grandma. One night he told me that Eden was crying because she missed us so he told her he missed us too but that we would be home soon. Then he sang You Are My Sunshine, the song Ryan always sings to the kids, and she went right to sleep. There were so many people who helped us with the kids while we were gone. I will be forever grateful.
The Napali Coast.
We got to sit out on our balcony as the boat sailed past the Napali Coast. There are no roads there so the only way you can see it is from sea or from the air. I thought we got a pretty good view. It was fun to get to do all these things with the Cutlers. They had us laughing all week.
Dinner was still a lot of fun every night. Here is Kim Gronneman and his wife Marilyn. Kim is the one who invited Ryan and I on the trip.
Our waiters were so patient and good humored.
And of course Dave and Kathy were being good sports.
With all the fun we had I still missed the kids. I tried to call them everyday and it was such a comfort to know they were doing well. Dallin was a huge help to Erika and Grandma. One night he told me that Eden was crying because she missed us so he told her he missed us too but that we would be home soon. Then he sang You Are My Sunshine, the song Ryan always sings to the kids, and she went right to sleep. There were so many people who helped us with the kids while we were gone. I will be forever grateful.
The Napali Coast.
We got to sit out on our balcony as the boat sailed past the Napali Coast. There are no roads there so the only way you can see it is from sea or from the air. I thought we got a pretty good view. It was fun to get to do all these things with the Cutlers. They had us laughing all week.
Dinner was still a lot of fun every night. Here is Kim Gronneman and his wife Marilyn. Kim is the one who invited Ryan and I on the trip.
Our waiters were so patient and good humored. 
And of course Dave and Kathy were being good sports.
Only one day left, but with all the fun we had I was ready to head home.
Kauai, The Garden Isle
Arriving in Nawiliwili Bay on Thursday morning. The island is beautiful.
We had a little trouble tracking down a rental car and lost a couple hours from our usual sprinting pace. Fortunately it was a small island and we were still able to get a lot in.
Spouting Horn.
Waimea Canyon.
Wouldn't you love to live here?
Our first idea this morning was to rent scooters but once we saw you couldn't ride double we got back on the phone looking for rental cars. At the scooter place, though, Dave and I noticed a map to a cool waterfall that you could jump off of called Kipu Falls. It was amazing we found it. There weren't any signs and the trail led through a jungle of grass that towered over my head. But the hike and the jump were worth it. (That really is Ryan letting go of the rope swing).
I had to do the jump three times to get a good picture, 'cause it's not worth it if you don't have proof, right? But the good one is on the Cutlers camera, I'll add it soon. I was pretty proud of myself, though. It was a long fall and I kept thinking, "why isn't this over yet" and "maybe I should close my eyes instead." Someone also forgot to tell me the importance of plugging your nose. But by the third try I had it all down.
Wailua Falls.
I think chickens are the Hawaiian state bird. But the chicken populations were the most severe on Kuaui. They were everywhere! Literally.
We had a little trouble tracking down a rental car and lost a couple hours from our usual sprinting pace. Fortunately it was a small island and we were still able to get a lot in.Spouting Horn.
Waimea Canyon.
Wouldn't you love to live here?
Our first idea this morning was to rent scooters but once we saw you couldn't ride double we got back on the phone looking for rental cars. At the scooter place, though, Dave and I noticed a map to a cool waterfall that you could jump off of called Kipu Falls. It was amazing we found it. There weren't any signs and the trail led through a jungle of grass that towered over my head. But the hike and the jump were worth it. (That really is Ryan letting go of the rope swing).
I had to do the jump three times to get a good picture, 'cause it's not worth it if you don't have proof, right? But the good one is on the Cutlers camera, I'll add it soon. I was pretty proud of myself, though. It was a long fall and I kept thinking, "why isn't this over yet" and "maybe I should close my eyes instead." Someone also forgot to tell me the importance of plugging your nose. But by the third try I had it all down.
Wailua Falls.
I think chickens are the Hawaiian state bird. But the chicken populations were the most severe on Kuaui. They were everywhere! Literally.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Kona, Hawaii
I woke up feeling so much better on Wednesday. Our big adventure for the day was Captain Zodiak's Dolphin and Snorkeling Excursion. This one we felt was worth paying for. We took a speed boat out to see dolphins and go snorkeling. The water off of Kona is crystal clear and you can see the bottom of the ocean down to 200 feet.
That's our cruise ship in the background.
We stopped in a little bay where there is a monument to Captain Cook. I think this was the spot where the natives killed him. I don't think they appreciated all the diseases he brought. Anyway, this was the spot where we snorkeled. It was awesome!
On our return to the Harbor we got to see spinner dolphins. I guess they're a little sleepy in the morning but we still saw a few jumping.
What Santa does in the summer...
That's our cruise ship in the background.
We stopped in a little bay where there is a monument to Captain Cook. I think this was the spot where the natives killed him. I don't think they appreciated all the diseases he brought. Anyway, this was the spot where we snorkeled. It was awesome!
On our return to the Harbor we got to see spinner dolphins. I guess they're a little sleepy in the morning but we still saw a few jumping. 
What Santa does in the summer...
Hilo, Hawaii
Ryan was up at the crack of dawn every morning, as you can see. The first night he wandered the library at 3:30 but as the days went by he was able to sleep in until 5:30 and then even 6 am! He took lots of sunrise shots but I thought the ones on Tuesday morning as we were coming into Hilo turned out the best.
It was strange to have a rental without Dave and Kathy. But I was feeling miserable enough it was probably a good thing. Ryan called Dr. J from Wal Mart and got some sound medical advice, and some antibiotics. Then we went sight seeing, just the two of us.
Volcano National Park, active as you can see.
Kapoho tidepools. It was like snorkeling in someone's aquarium except that it was miles' long.
We also went to a Lava State park before heading back to the boat. That night the boat sailed around the active lava flows from the volcano.
I actually missed this because once again I wasn't feeling well and I went to bed early. But our next days' excursion was the one I was looking forward to our whole trip and I really didn't want to miss it.
It was strange to have a rental without Dave and Kathy. But I was feeling miserable enough it was probably a good thing. Ryan called Dr. J from Wal Mart and got some sound medical advice, and some antibiotics. Then we went sight seeing, just the two of us.Rainbow Falls.
Volcano National Park, active as you can see.
Kapoho tidepools. It was like snorkeling in someone's aquarium except that it was miles' long.
We also went to a Lava State park before heading back to the boat. That night the boat sailed around the active lava flows from the volcano.
I actually missed this because once again I wasn't feeling well and I went to bed early. But our next days' excursion was the one I was looking forward to our whole trip and I really didn't want to miss it.
The Longest Day
Monday morning Ryan was up at the crack of dawn. He was so excited to be going to Hana with the Cutlers in our little PT Cruiser rental and to beat the traffic he wanted to leave at 6 am. Needless to say, we got there in just over an hour.
Usually there are waterfalls around every turn (it's one of the windiest roads on the planet) but this was a dry time of year so there were only a few and they were pretty wimpy.
Just before Hana is a little place called Waianapanapa State Park. Say that five times fast. Anyway, I've never stopped there before and was so glad we did. It's gorgeous. There's a blow hole you can walk right up too (totally dangerous at the wrong time of day) and look down inside. Then there was this black sand beach that had five different warning signs: jelly fish, manta rays, strong currents, undertows, sharp rocks... we opted not to swim.
This was a really cool lava tube down near the beach.
Hana didn't hold much appeal for us, and it was only about 8 am, so we went in search of waterfalls. We went to Kukui Bay the site of the Seven Sacred Pools, oooo. And hiked, 2 miles, to Waikapu Falls to see a 200 foot waterfall. (No, I wasn't feeling any better and yes, I'm crazy).
The hike was so awesome. It started out with a steep climb and the day was getting hotter by the minute but we crossed a bridge and all of the sudden there was this massive bamboo forest that went on and on. The wind was blowing through the bamboo and it sounded like something out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I just can't even describe how amazing it was.
When we came out of the bamboo jungle there was a little stream and a small waterfall. Dave looks and me and says, "Well, Lauren, what do you think? Was it worth the hike?" I tried to keep a positive attitude and said, "It's not exactly what I expected." And then he pointed through the trees and said, "then what do you think of that!" Two hundred feet of falling water is pretty impressive, and I felt a little silly, but everyone had a good laugh.
We were done with the hike around noon and with no food in sight we decided to drive around the back side of the island to Keokea. After lunch we still had a couple hours before our boat left so we kept going all the way to the top of Haleakala, Maui's volcano. We drove through clouds on the way but the top was sunny so I thought we would have a great view of the crater. But what did we see... a big fat cloud. There is a huge crater down there, but you only get to see it a few times a year. It just wasn't one of those days for us.
Dave and Kathy Cutler were so much fun to travel with. I don't remember what was so funny in this picture but I love it because it reminds me of how much we laughed that day. 
Speaking of good laughs, I finally made it to dinner Monday night. Thank you Dramamin. And to my delight the Sys Ops boys were a riot. I've never been so entertained at a two hour dinner. One particular gentleman from Scotland insisted on showing the waiter the true way to open a champagne bottle. He wacked the bottom rim of the bottle with a butter knife and sent the cork flying (denting the ceiling) and champagne pouring down the waiters head! The waiter was a good sport, though...
And got even in his own waiter way.
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