Friday, March 25, 2011

Photo(s) Friday

It's okay to pretend you are Irish on Saint Patrick's Day, right?  
I mean...we pretend to be good at Christmas!  ;)  

Saint Patrick's Day festivities in Honolulu, Hawaii this year:

 looking up Nu'uanu Ave...


looking down Nu'uanu Ave...

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

When on Oahu, visiting Pearl Harbor is one of my favorite touristy things to do.  I have probably been a dozen times with different visiting friends and family.  To me, it never gets old. (And being FREE doesn't hurt)

looking across the harbor at the Arizona Memorial

And now, they have built a brand new Visitors Center and exhibition space, and it's pretty nice! 



model of Oahu showing significant locations.  Pearl Harbor is at the center, bottom

 

The "Mighty Mo" - Battleship Missouri can also be toured

one of the best "features" - getting to meet Pearl Harbor survivors!

Mr. Weatherwax is from Honolulu



Mr. Dyga was stationed at Schofield Base when the attack happened.  He told me that he saw the Japanese planes as they flew low & undetected (until too late) through the Kolekole pass.  If you have ever visited us in Hawaii and we took you to the North Shore...we probably pointed out the Kolekole pass to you, across from Dole.


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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

One Year Ago Today

I got my current cell phone in February of last year.  Today I was looking through all of the random pictures I have takeover the course of one year;  It is a pretty interesting "snapshot" of the year in review.  Here is what our day looked like on 3/22/2010...


 


Ethan and Darren on the ski lift - Northstar Tahoe, California!


Danka and Martin riding up


strapping up to ride down...


some of my favorite ski partners!  Danka and Martin




the reward after a long day on the slopes



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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Hilo Farmers Market

The Hilo Farmers Market is seriously the best farmers market anywhere!  

Where else can you get gorgeous flowers, home-made tamales, smoothies, malasadas, organic veggies, Kona coffee, orand original jewlery and clothing...all in one stop?  If you are ever in Hilo side on the Big Island on a Wednesday or Saturday, you have to stop by!





the coconut guy.  He will machete a coconut for you to drink.  Yum!







Kona Coffee fresh from the source!

mmmm buttery avocados...

Mangoes & Mangosteen.  What is a mangosteen?  Why, I'm so glad you asked.

breadfruit, a staple of the Pacific Islanders



home-made tamales and doughnuts on a stick!  So Ono!

 





Friday, March 18, 2011

Photo Friday

Wow...so much to catch up on!  I promise it's coming soon.

But first...this:



No, you have not died and gone to heaven.

And it can be yours for the nightly rental of ~$250/night.
Not a bad price for paradise.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Photo Friday

Crested Butte, Colorado sunset

We had the great pleasure to ski with family in Colorado this past week...my first time in Colorado.  The light bouncing off the mountains and snow was magical...


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Miami Quiceanera

When we were visiting the historic mansion Vizcaya in Miami in February, we noticed that there seemed to be a lot of ladies taking bridal portraits in the gardens.  Then I noticed that these "brides" were young...and had multi-colored dresses.  Hmmm...



Do you see the poofy dresses in this picture? (click to enlarge)

There is is!  Two of them!

giving attitude




more covert picture-taking

So then we had some wine with lunch, and brainstormed this poofy dress phenomenon...
could it be....Quinceanera photos?!

Quincineara is like a coming-of-age party for Latin American ladies when they turn 15.  

Apparently we had stumbled upon the best place in Miami to take photos!  Never ones to waste such an opportunity, and knowing that my birthday was coming up, we promptly scouted locations for my "Treinta y uno" photos.  Behold:



bashful

confident

regal

What do you think?
:)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Ventura Farmers Market




pies!





the best strawberries I've ever had!

agave!

asparagus

Saturday Farmers Market friends

live local music

dancing time

Haka boy


.....all this leads to...


delicious lunch!