Summer Vacation

This year we decided to visit Nezhone in Denver for our summer vacation. John had a conference scheduled in Denver so we planned our vacation around that and then last minute it was cancelled. We decided to go anyway, but due to a conference John had in Seattle, he got to fly to Denver instead of driving the wonderful 17 hours it took to get there. After a week at girl's camp and then the drive, I was exhausted when we got there. However, staying with sisters (we picked up Maile and her kids on the way), we never get to catch up on our sleep. We always stay up late talking about "stuff" and catching up. Nezhone got strep while we were there and luckily no one else did. She had gotten tickets for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert at Redrocks ampitheatre. I wasn't too excited about it, but went anyway. After having served my mission on Temple Square I thought I had heard it all and never really enjoyed the choir anyway. That concert totally changed my opinion of them though. It was absolutely wonderful. There were so many non members there too. It was so spiritually uplifting and just beautiful. I took Nyah and Maile took Kalena. I asked Nyah afterwards how she liked the concert and she turned to me and said with a straight face "I knew it would be boring!" How in the world does a 5 year old know what boring is? She did tell me that her favorite song was 'This Land is Your Land'. She had heard Israel and Tealani sing it in one of their school concerts, so she thought that was great. Now when we listen to the choir on Sundays, she'll say "mom that was a song they sang at the concert". Isn't it amazing how great kids memories are-unfortunately the same can be said for their retention of bad thing.
For the Fourth we watched fireworks and got our usual custard cone from Goodtimes. That is the best stuff ever! Other than that it was a pretty uneventful day. Most of the time we just sat and chilled with Nezhone at home. It was a nice relaxing vacation.

Nyah playing her new games on my ipod touch.

We went and took the kids to see downtown Denver. They loved it and thought it was fun. Of course it was the ONE day that it was hot and didn't rain. I mean, I am glad it didn't rain, but it was HOT.

Israel on the tram or trolley or whatever they call it there.



Israel and Jakai (Nezhone's son) getting out of the heat at Barnes and Noble while the girl's shop at Victoria's Secret. Smart boys.


On our way home we made a BRIEF stop in Utah to take the kids to the Oquirrh Mtn. temple open house. We stayed with Darren and Brittany and he took the kids outside to show him his dirtbikes and have the kids learn to ride. They loved it! I was amazed to see that Israel did so well.

Darren being the same crazy guy he always is.

Wyatt getting some airtime.

Friday we went to the open house and the kids really liked it. It was a great experience for them since they hear all about the temple in Primary. Nyah liked the chandeliers or sparkly lights, as she called them. I think most of the kids liked the Celestial room the best but they were in awe of the baptismal font. Maybe it was the fact that to them it may have looked like a miniature swimming pool. Either way they liked it and thought it was cool. I am really glad we took that little side trip to go home. It was a great experience.

Mom, Maile, tealani, Tula'i,Kaleo, Israel, Kalena, Me, Nyah,John, Lavea'i, Wyatt, and Maika.

John and Lavea'i. Boy, do I love this man!

Tealani and Tula'i

The day we left Utah we Darren took us dirt biking EARLY! It was the first time any of us had any experience with the dirt bikes, besides in Darren's back yard Friday night where Israel almost took out his fence and Tealani crashed over a pile of rocks into some trees-but only had one little scratch on her arm. It was sooo much fun that Wyatt and Israel now want a bike. Unfortunately for them that isn't happening anytime soon.

Wyatt

Darren showing John the track.

Kiele (Darren's daughter) trying to get the helmet on Nyah's head. What a great cousin.

After crashing at Darren's house I never thought she would get back on, but she did, and only for a couple turns around the road. The rest of the time she rode with Uncle Darren, John, or Uncle Kimo.

Taking Nyah for a cruise.

Israel

Darren and Kiele


When Darren saw me really getting brave with the bikes he had me put on the full body gear "just in case". I had been taking a few jumps and loved it so I was glad he had the gear. Here he's giving me more instructions. I was actually surprised I didn't crash and burn once. I was having way too much fun.

Darren, Kaleo (Darren's son), and I rode down to meet Kimo and Andrea, so the kids stayed back and chilled with dad, taking a break from all the dirt biking.

Israel had fallen several times while riding. Although he had a helmet we thought he had gotten this bump from falling, found out when we got home it was a mosquito bite. It eventually swelled up half his forhead. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it. Before I knew it was a bite, I kind of freaked out thinking he might have a concussion. Thank goodness it wasn't. Love that Benadryl, not only does it help the swelling and itching, but knocks them out cold!

Wyatt, after helping Israel start the bike. Israel would flood the motor so Wyatt, irritated, once again had to help his brother.

After one of his rides, Kaleo caught a bull snake.

John taking Kahala for a ride.

Nyah after her ride with Uncle Kimo.

The girls strikin' a pose. Nyah, Kahala, and Kiele.