Trissa comes to visit

Trissa flew to Spokane late Sunday night. James went to the airport and picked her up. She got to sleep in James Micheal's room. He woke her up early by turning on the light( it was still dark outside). She ask him to turn the light off because she was still tired. He said no I am not tired, read me a story. She read him several stories and told him she was tired and pulled the blanket up over her head. He hit the bed post and said "wake up that is a bell". He would not let her go back to sleep. She told him to go get his mom up but he said "no, she will get mad".
Jodi came and picked up Trissa, Audra, James Micheal and Makayla and took them to Newman Lake for Trissa's babyshower. The party started at 1:00pm. Grandma drove Tabby, Sophie and I to the shower. We had a fun time and returned home around 5:00pm. We had leftover lasagne for dinner and then had family night. We played Cranium for our activity and ate Grandma's apple pie for dessert. Trissa and I stayed up talking until 1:00 in the morning. Tuesday we had fun talking, making cookies and dinner together. We packed all of her gifts into two suitcases. We were both tired so got to bed before 10:00. Trissa and I left for the airport at 7:30am and arrived just after 9:00. We checked her bags and then talked until she had to go through security at 10:30.
I went to Leslie's after leaving the airport. Leslie cut my hair and then we went to the store for some last minute ingredients for Rip's birthday dinner. We got the bread mixed and set aside to rise and the meat in the oven before racing off to get Tori from the airport. She flew home for her dad's birthday. It is a surprise to everyone but her mom. We went out to lunch and then I headed home. I quickly got the last minute things ready for the Youth Halloween party and headed for the church. Things did not run smoothly but with a lot of help we did get it done and cleaned up. I am exhausted and ready for bed.

I made a jungle diaper cake for Trissa. She is decorating the baby's room with a jungle theme.


Autumn leaf sugar cookies


Checking Trissa's bags

Apple picking and Cider making

Saturday we picked apples from the Shannon's across the street and Grandma's tree in the backyard. After picking and washing the apples we got the cider press out and started making cider. We made at least 17 gallons of cider. We had the missionaries over for dinner and invited Grandma and Grandpa too. I processed 17 quarts of cider before going to bed. Monday morning I processed what we hadn't drank and got 7 more quarts.

William picking apples


Jim picking apples


Jim after his ladder started to fall. He held onto the tree until the boys helped steady the ladder and he carefully came down.


Making cider


It was a beautiful day and the bees enjoyed the cider.

Colville vs Clarkston Homecoming Friday Oct 24

This week has been a lot of fun for William. He has dressed up each day this week. He helped make the junior float and got to ride in the parade. He was nominated for homecoming prince along with 2 of his good friends. He was in the assembly Friday afternoon before the parade. At halftime he escorted one of the princess' onto the track in front of the whole crowd.




Dustin's team got off to a very slow start. They were 0-14 at the half. One of Colville's linebackers got hurt so Dustin went in on defense for the second half. Clarkston did not score again before the end of the fourth quarter. Colville scored twice in the fourth quarter and so ended with a tie. Clarkston won the toss and made a touchdown. Colville got the ball and Dustin made a touchdown. Now in double overtime Colville wins the toss and Dustin makes a touchdown. Clarkston gets its turn and Colville holds them barely. Colville wins 28-21.

October 9 Lahaina on Maui

We had to ride the tenders from the ship to the shore. We were on the first tender and we had to wait a long time before we moved away from the ship. The waters were rough as we waited tied to the ship. We were glad when they finally took off. We rented a van and went to the beach. Barbara's cousin met us and took us to one beach and then we went to a wildlife preserve. We saw a lot of cool fish at the second beach. This was our favorite port because of all the fish we saw and the chance to do a lot of snorkeling.

This is a Indian Banyan tree. It is all one tree. The branches send down roots and they grow into the ground to help hold the tree up. This is the second largest banyan tree in the world. This Banyan Tree was first planted in April, 1873, and marked the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina. The tree was imported from India was only 8 feet tall. It now stands over 60 feet high, has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core. It stretches over a 200-foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre.


At the first beach.


Jim just returning from his snorkeling adventure, ready to go to another beach.


Second beach. It was really rocky but once you got to the water there were fish everywhere.


We all posed for a picture with the ship in the background.


Boarding the tender.

October 8 Honolulu on Oahu

We started out the day on a cruise tour of Pearl Harbor. We visited the Arizona Memorial and toured the Missouri. We returned to the ship around 3:00pm. We ate and then took a shuttle to Hilo Hattie's and then a shuttle to Waikiki Beach. We had planned on hiking Diamond Head but we thought it was too hot and we would have to rent a van.

Looking across the water to the memorial and Missouri


We took this boat to the memorial.


Memorial


Missouri


On deck of the Missouri.


Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background.

October 7th Nawiliwili, Kaua'i

Breakfast before we disembark in Kaua'i.


Walking to the beach


View of the ship from the beach.


Jim getting ready to snorkel.


Brian getting into the Helicopter


Jacki waiting to board the helicopter


Jacki in the helicopter


Movie of some pictures taken from the Helicopter

October 6th Hilo, Hawaii (The Big Island)

The big island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian islands (4,038 square miles and still growing), the youngest, and the island considered to be the cradle of Hawaiian civilization. Hilo is the wettest city in the USA. The weather was beautiful, low 80's. We rented a van and headed for "Hawaii Volcanoes National Park". We then drove to Akaka Falls and hiked around the area. We ate at a small diner for lunch and then visited a Walmart before returning the van.

Monday morning there was a double rainbow over Hilo. Jim didn't have his camera and so he went to get it. This picture gives you an idea of how beautiful it was.


If you want to know some history click on this picture.


On top of the volcano looking into the crater.


Jim on active volcano.


Entering Thurston Lava Tube


Inside the eerie 450' tunnel created by a prehistoric lava flow.


Akaka Falls, 422 foot waterfall


Kahuna Falls

October 5th At Sea

The sun came out and the weather was nice. I attended a hula class, fresh flower lei class and learned how to make a Hibiscus Flower out of tissue paper. I sat out on a lounge chair and read, the seas were calm and the sun felt good. I stayed out too long though and burnt my legs.

Hula Class



Lei Class



Our Hawaiian Leis



Enjoying time together

October 4 At Sea

I started the day off with a game of paddle tennis against Barb and Carolyn. They kept me running all over the court. It was a lot of fun. Barb and Carolyn went with me to the Hawaiian Sarong class and we learned different ways to wear a sarong. In the afternoon we went to a hula dance class. We learned "The Hooky Lau".

We all got together and played cards on the deck.


Looking out and enjoying the ocean.


Frog legs were on the menu tonight. We ordered a plate and some of us tried it.




Jim really liked the chocolate ice cream. Every night he would order 2 balls of ice cream. Tonight when he ordered the waiter thought he said 2 bowls.



We went to the "Clever Comedy of Steve Bruner" after dinner.

October 3rd At Sea

We started the day with breakfast at the buffet and then when up on the sports deck for a 2 mile walk around the track. We found our friends playing paddle tennis and enjoyed a game together.


I went to the class on Kaui and Hawaii's singing Whales of Winter. I spent a little time reading but it makes me feel sick. It was formal night and we dressed and were ready to eat by 5:00. We had our pictures taken and then went to dinner.



After dinner we enjoyed the show "Words and Music"