A Moment in Paradise

Well, my first trip to Hawaii was a success! I should also say, Jordan and I's first "real" trip together was a success. I guess you could count our Las Vegas honeymoon trip but for some reason I don't want to count that. Anyway, we had so much fun and I am so glad we got the opportunity to go. It was hard to come back but I am not sure how long I could really stay there before I felt claustrophobic or something. Plus, even though we wish we could never come back we have to face reality again eventually. It really made it hard for me to be motivated at work. I am in a kick again where I wish I could just make videos and stay home. But, I will get over that when I kick butt in my sales again this month so I can pay for our next trip with my commission. I told Jordan that I want to pay for our Costa Rica trip with my bonuses so it is really a big incentive for me. I really have to work hard this week and half of next week. Being gone for a week makes it really hard to bounce back at work. But, I think I can, I think I can. 

So, the weather was absolutely perfect and we had a great view from out hotel room. We got to go snorkeling, visit Pearl Harbor, go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, meet up with friends, and just kick back and enjoy each other's company. Shout out goes to my father-in-law Rick for buying me snorkel gear. I would have been okay with just renting but the fact that everyone else has their own I had to have my own too. Thanks Papa K, I really enjoyed snorkeling and can't wait to go again when I get the chance!!

Here are our fun photos: 

So, we left Pocatello late Thursday night to drive to Salt Lake because our flight was at 6:35 Friday morning. We needed to grab dinner heading out of town and really wanted a Little Caesar's pizza. Seriously, who can't eat it without Tabasco? Only problem for us, we have a huge bottle and it froze in the car while we were gone. Don't worry, it's back in the fridge! :)

DAY 1 - Friday

The plane ride was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I kept myself busy quite a bit and I enjoy flying so it wasn't bad. Once we got to our hotel room and settled we went for a walk to check things out. Then we just ate dinner and relaxed. You will see that I saw relaxed a lot... because we relaxed a lot. :)

Flying out of LA and soooooo pumped to get there already!!

The view outside our hotel room was awesome.  

Loved all the scenery and was amazed at how clean the area was 

So, once we got there we walked down to "the strip" and ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Jordan saw the Kobe Burger and was so pumped that he asked the waiter if it was dedicated to Kobe Bryant. The waiter just laughed and said that it is actually pronounced like "Kobay"... Jordan was crushed and ended up getting the mushroom swiss burger. 

These are banyon trees. They were so awesome and huge

These little whatever they are called we down an alley way trying to lead people to a tattoo shop...  Maybe I got a tattoo maybe I didn't... Okay okay I didn't but the signs were nice.

Need I say more? 

Did I say how much I liked the trees... all of them? haha 

Unexpectedly, there were fireworks on Friday night so we had a great view of those. That is the rainbow tower where Rick and Alene were to be staying but they hadn't gotten off their cruise yet.

Jordan's spirit left the bed from watching EPSN to come check out the fireworks. Haha see the transparency?

DAY TWO - Saturday

Rick and Alene arrived Saturday so  after relaxing by the pool for a while we met up with them and spent most of the day with them. Can I say how nice it was to just relax when we wanted and not have to worry about being on the go go go all day everyday.

On our way to get snorkel gear!!

Hard to see... but if you know me I like to take pictures of random, different, weird, interesting, hairy?, funny people... Hence the coat this guy is wearing in 80 degree weather

Rick and Alene's awesome view from their room. Loved all the night lights 

Do you see what I see?

This banyon tree shades the entire back space of the Royal Hawaiian... I think thats the right hotel.

DAY THREE - Sunday

We didn't do too much on Sunday. We slept in, sat by the pool, ate and really just relaxed. It was actually a great day!

This was the view of the streets from our room.

I was able to capture a lot of pretty sunsets

Crazy how fast the sun sets

Just another night life picture

DAY FOUR - Monday

Monday was an awesome experience. We drove to the Pearl Harbor Memorial and was able to take a boat over to the USS Arizona. We watched a movie before going over and it was somewhat emotional for me. Seeing the old live footage and just the video as a whole it really brought a feeling over me that I cannot explain. It could be that I am easily moved and emotional but it was just awesome. The feeling being over the Arizona was eery. Jordan and I watched as some black blotches of oil surfaced from the ship and just talked about how crazy it is that the bombing happened right there, right where we were. Such an experience...

All of the flags at the entrance to the Pearl Harbor Memorial

This is the building over the USS Arizona

Crazy that oil still surfaces after 70 years

The wall of names

The buoy, a little below the center of the picture, is where the front of the USS Arizona is. The ship still afloat is the USS Missouri

Part of the USS Arizona

Just catching another beautiful sunset

Second time eating at the Cheesecake Factory.... yummy

But Rick and Alene came with us this time. Hope they enjoyed it as much as I did :)

DAY FIVE - Tuesday

Tuesday morning was so much fun!! Jordan and I woke up early and headed out to Hanauma Bay so it wouldn't be way busy for snorkeling. Boy are we glad we did go early. We got there around 8:00 and started snorkeling about 9:00 and were gone by 11:30. It started getting so packed by 10:30. It was nice going so early because you didn't have to worry about people being so close to you in the water. Snorkeling scared me at first. I felt so claustrophobic in the water breathing out of the snorkel but I got used to it and had a blast with Jordan.

Hanauma Bay... Isn't it beautiful?

Good morning sunshine

Let's do this!

It was cool to see all the different fish. No turtles though :(

This fish reminds us of Finding Nemo... You know, the fish stuck in the fish tank at the dentist? Yeah, that fish

This fish was so colorful!

Snorkel Jordan

See my sweet gear!! Teal baby!!!

Snorkel Jordan is ready to lay out in the sun

YAY!! I DID IT!

DAY SIX - Wednesday

We drove over to the North Shore Wednesday morning and ate breakfast at Ted's Bakery. It was a little tiny building that looked a little old but the people there were working so hard and their food was really good. We were able to watch the waves for a bit which was pretty neat. They are huge on the North Shore. The temple there is so beautiful. The pictures will tell it all but the road leading up to the temple is just so long, pretty and so well kept. The rest of the afternoon we spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center. That place is awesome. We were able to catch all of the different cultures and see the different things they do. What a great day! To top it off I was able to meet up with Chelsea and her husband. I think it has been pretty close to graduation since the last time we saw each other so it was so good to see her and catch up. 

Ted's Bakery

Did I say how much I loved the warm weather? Well I will say it again because it was amazing! I could easily live away from the cold.

Yes, this is Jordan's photo... He was pretty proud

Mama and Papa K

Oh you know, just admiring the beauty of the ocean

What a stud muffin

Laie Hawaii Temple

Jordan loved the mountains... Every time they were in sight he had to tell me how much they reminded him of Costa Rica

See what I mean? So pretty

First stop was Samoa... He climbed the tree and had to pose on the way down

Holy buff guy

At the luau waiting for our turn to eat 

My visit with Chels!!

DAY SIX - Thursday

We took the red eye flight Thursday night so we didn't do a whole lot that day. We got up and met up with one of Jordan's old companions and had breakfast and then met up with Rick and Alene to take all of our luggage to the airport. After that we just went back to the strip and walked around a little bit then ate Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. Then sad to say we headed to the airport to wait for our flight. I was a fun trip and glad I was able to go but sometimes it is nice to come back to my home. 

Making memories...

Loved the statues

The Kalia Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian... the tower we stayed in

Sad day to leave such warm weather and fun

Until next time Hawaii, Aloha!

We hope to continue to make 2012 a year of fun and adventure. 

End With A Bang & Begin With A Boom

Well, another year has come and gone. Like we say every year "Wow did it go by fast". I think we will always say that. I remember my parents always saying how fast the time has gone that their baby is all grown up. I can't even imagine that in the blink of an eye, Jordan and I will be saying that when our kids are all grown up. Feels like forever away but it will come and go so quick we will wonder where the time has gone.

It's been a fantastic 2011. My most favorite part of the year was getting married to my best friend. Like I said before this year has gone by so quick. It's hard to believe that in three months it will already be our one year anniversary. It has been a journey so far getting adapted to each other and learning to really communicate. I still think men should just know what you want but it just doesn't work that way. Men can't read minds even though they should. :) Okay just kidding. Last night my mom asked what one of my new year's resolutions is and I said I was going to be nicer to Jordan. Boy, did I speak without thinking... Now I really have to think of my words and actions towards Jordan. Poor guy has just been tortured it seems. Last night while we were laying in bed he said how excited he was for my resolution. So that is when I thought of "communication" and decided right then and there that communication is going to be another one of my resolutions. If I can learn to communicate every time something bothers me then maybe it will help in my first resolution. This is all too funny. Jordan and I are very opposite. He is very laid back and I just let very little things bother me. It ranges anywhere from his best friend always treating him like our lives are a joke or something as small putting his shoes away when there are already four pairs in the middle of the living room floor. Instead of me kindly asking Jordan to help out or to say something to his friend I just get frustrated and then it builds up more and more to where nothing is right and I am always doing everything. So, "cheers to the new year and another chance for us [me] to get it right" - Oprah Winfrey.

I am so excited to start this year right. I had strep throat last week and also had a migraine that sent me back to the doctor because it was so painful. So, with the way I ended 2011, I am glad to start 2012 with some sun shine and fun. In just a few days Jordan and I get to go to Hawaii. Jordan's dad is the CEO of Idaho Farm Bureau so he is always going places for meetings. Yeah, the life I know. He deserves it though with all the work he does at his job and also as stake president. He is definitely a hard working guy. I am so excited for a vacation to a place I have never been and also to spend time with Jordan. I have been having some crazy dreams the past couple of weeks and if Hawaii is anything like my dreams and of what people have been telling me I know it will be amazing. I can't wait to be in warm weather and wake up to the beach at our door. Everyone says that you will never want to come home. I haven't even left yet and I know I won't want to come home.

After Hawaii, we will go back to work for a while then head off to California with the Keller family in May. We are going to Disneyland with all the nieces and nephews. I am excited to go on a trip with Jordan's family. Omaha didn't really count because none of the kids went so it was all the adults and with the wedding going on it wasn't a real vacation. Jordan and I are also trying to plan a trip to Costa Rica in the fall but have yet to really sit down and choose a date and time. I'm hoping we can get back there before anything life changing happens. But we shall see... You never know what life will bring.

I am excited to continue to progress in my job and also try to do more videos here and there. I have decided to take yet another semester off. I know I know, I really need to just hit school hard and finish but I have a good job and I just can't justify cutting back hours to do both work and school. All the classes I need to take are during the day. When I have the opportunity to do otherwise then I will finish. I WILL get my degree no matter how long it takes. I am grateful that Jordan and I have been blessed with our jobs and the comfort that they bring us. 

Once again, I am excited for the new year and anxious for what it may bring. Grateful for Jordan and both of our families and the friends that we have.