Aulani

For the last few days of our Hawaii trip, we went over to the island of Oahu to Disney's Aulani resort! I never thought I'd get to stay there! It was a really beautiful place.

 These cute Mickey towels were waiting on our beds when we checked in. (See the Hidden Mickeys on the quilt?)

 Even nicer, our California Disney contacts sent us all this amazing Disney treat!

 I made quick work of the gift shop. You can't see the other big bag hiding behind this one. :)

Aulani is a kid's paradise. The pool and beach are perfect for family fun. There is a tube water slide and a lazy river that we loved. Bruce played on the beach a lot.

 He also went golfing.

 Aulani is not as "Mickey-fied" as I thought it would be. In fact, you don't see any Disney characters except in the gift shop. They do, however, have a special soundtrack for the elevators- Disney songs sung in Hawaiian. Think: Be My Guest or Just Can't Wait To Be King- in Hawaiian. Cool stuff.

Maui- What's Not To Love?

Some other fun moments from Maui:

We went to the local ward:

The guys bought these hats and wore them to dinner that night. Then Bruce started wearing his all the time and I had to tell him to stop.

We ate here. Several times. :)

This accommodating native posed for me!

Bruce and his signature pose:

The blowhole on the north part of the island:

Beautiful, tropical, so-not-like-Utah nature:

Valentine Mason Jars

Happy Valentines Day! I hope you and your significant other have a wonderful day. I saw a cute idea on Pinterest that fit all of my crafting criteria: quick, uncomplicated and cute!

Step 1: Spray paint mason jars with matte off-white spray paint. (Looks like I need another coat on my jars- especially on the "shoulders"!)

 Step 2: Decorate jars with ribbon, baker's twine and washi tape.

Step 3: Fill with flowers!

I'm planning on changing out the colors of trim for other holidays- perfect!!

Excuse Me, But Where Are Your Clothes?

We were spoiled and pampered on our Hawaii trip. All of the ladies went to the spa one day for a good soaking and a massage.

This particular spa had a series of 5 pools, representing 5 Hawaiian islands. Each pool had it's own concoction of salts, oils and scents. (None of these are my pictures, by the way.)

 In between each pool, you had to get a fire hose spray down. Some ladies at the spa (not us!) chose to wander around and soak in their birthday suits. It was a little disconcerting at first, but then it turned comical. The human body is funny looking. Enough said!

After my massage, I visited the sauna and steam rooms- my favorite part of any spa. Then I soaked for a while in this pool:

 That small whirlpool looks like a hot tub, but really it's a cold tub. A little Japanese lady strolled into that pool and let out a Japanese-style yelp. I guess she and I don't see the logic in cold baths at all.

A Whale Of A Tale

Our original plan was to go scuba diving while we were on Maui. That didn't work out because they were in the middle of a storm system that was creating big surf and churning up sand on the ocean floor. Not ideal for seeing fishes. Instead, we went on a whale watching tour!

We saw so many whales!

A mom and baby whale even came right up to the boat. Pretty neat stuff.

We saw lots of whale tails:

And whale arms, also known as fins:

And I caught this jumper! This is not entirely in focus, but when you don't know that something like this is going to happen, you really can't prepare yourself.

We had a great time watching whales!

Warm Hawaiian Holiday

Bruce and I got to go to Hawaii a few weeks ago, and it was wonderful! Our friends who own the company that Bruce works for took us and some other people from work, along with their own kids.

 Our flight from Salt Lake was delayed for a few hours, but the timing was just right to get an evening picture of Waikiki out of the plane's window.

 We started out on the island of Maui, staying at the Grand Wailea resort. It was so beautiful!

 It had a nice beach...

 A wedding chapel with picture-worthy stained glass windows...

 There were statues...

 And flowers everywhere.

 We spent most of our time lounging on the lawn in front of the beach, sliding down the pool's water slides, riding up the world's only water elevator, (think of locks in a canal), sipping tropical drinks and soaking up the sun!

 Bruce kept himself and others occupied with origami.

 So warm. So relaxing. Wish I were there now!

MoTab Moment

Bruce and I had an anniversary last week, and to celebrate we went to Music and the Spoken Word last Sunday morning. We'd never been and it was fantastic!

It sounds different than on TV- you can really hear the orchestra. Props to the trumpet section!

Before the broadcast, they introduced visitors from around the world- France, China, and Mexico. We gave them a round of applause.

The music was so amazing, and watching Mack W. was great. I cried a bit when they sand his arrangement of Love One Another- incredibly beautiful. The closing number was Worthy Was The Lamb Who Was Slain form the Messiah. Oh, yes!! It was my favorite! Ahhhhhhhhhhmen!!