Tyler's Fall Choir Concert

Tyler had his first choir concert as a Madrigal.  He did so good, and they sounded great. 

We were thankful that both sets of grandparents were able to come and support Tyler with the rest of us.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 5 - Snorkeling Boat Ride & Saying Good-Bye to Hawaii

This morning we had to check out of our hotel bright and early.  We had no problem getting going since we were still on main land time.  We got all packed up and took our luggage down to the front desk to store it while we went on a snorkeling boat tour.

After checking out we drove next door to Wendy and Ryan's resort and picked them up to go with us snorkeling.   It was about a 30-minute drive and then we were at the marina where the boat was docked.  We filled out our liability forms and then we got on the boat.  Our group was first in line, so we got our pick of the seats, and we chose the very front bottom row set of seats.  They were perfect seats.

They then provided us with breakfast before we took off.  It was yummy fruit, some eggs, sausage, and pastries.  It was decent food.  They also had juice and coffee for those who wanted.  

We then took off and went to where they anchored the boat for us to snorkel with the fish.  I had a waterproof case for my phone to take pictures under the water, but it didn't really work.  It messed with my screen functionality, so I only got one picture, and it was of me with my mask on.  It was worth a try.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 4 - Maui Cacao Tour, Dinner, & Sunset

After we got all ready, we drove to the city where we were going to do our chocolate tour.  It was about a 45-minute drive to the tour where they had the big fires the year before.  Then the chocolate factory ended up being across the street from the stake center that helped so many people after the fires.  I had seen it on a report they did in-between General Conference.  

We checked into our tour and then waited for it to start.  We then loaded up the van that took us out to the cacao farm.  I was able to sit in the front seat and talk with our tour guide.  

We then got to farm, and it was really neat to hear about how they figured out how to grow cacao trees in Maui.  They had lots of tall trees that they planted around the cacao trees.  They showed us how they trim the trees and what the pods look like when it's time to harvest the beans.  

We then got to go up into a tree house and do a chocolate tasting.  She first gave us a taste of the cacao bean from the pod.  The slime around the bean was actually very tasty, but the bean itself was gross and a spit it out.  Everyone else ate it and tolerated it better than me.

We then tried nine different types of chocolates.  It was mostly dark chocolate with different fruit infused, but a couple milk chocolates.  I didn't like the milk chocolate ones, but some of the dark chocolates where much better.  Which is so unlike me.  It was not my favorite chocolate, and I wouldn't buy it on its own, but it was fun to try new things.  And it was a beautiful view from the tree house.

When we were all done, we got back in the van, and she drove us back to the chocolate factory.  We were all given a small cooler bag to take with us.  

We then drove back to the city where our hotel was, and we found us a place to eat dinner.  It was a very chill restaurant and the food was good.

When we came out of the restaurant the sun was about to set.  It was so beautiful that we walked across the street to the beach, and all watched the sunset.  It was so pretty and lots of other people had also stopped to watch the sunset.  It's nice to take the time to enjoy the small stuff.

We then went back to the hotel and dropped off Sherri and my mom and then Julie and I walked around a shopping area that was close to our hotel.  We found a few fun things and then drove back to our hotel.  It was a very fun and busy day.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 4 - New Beach & Boardwalk Fun

This beautiful morning Julie and mom wanted to practice snorkeling, so we found a beach somewhat close and drove to it.  We found a fun boardwalk that we walked all the way down and back before walking on the beach.  Sherri and I hung out and watched Julie and my mom snorkel in the water.  

They did a good job snorkeling until a fellow beach walker told us that he was pretty sure that he saw shark up from where they were swimming.  So, I let them know and they decided to get out of the water.  After they dried off, we then drove back to the hotel to get showered and ready to go on our chocolate tour.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 3 - Black Sand Beach, Food Truck Lunch with Fresh Coconut, Pool Time & Dinner Out

This morning, we got dressed and drove around to explore the island a little.  We found a small black sand beach that was close to our resort.  We had to drive down a dirt road and then we found the beach.  The sand was not smooth, but very tiny dark rocks.  It was interesting, but we didn't stay there for very long.

On the way back we found a yummy food truck where we ate lunch and they we found a lady who sold coconuts and other fruits and goods.  Julie bought the coconut, and we all took turns taking pictures with it.  The actual coconut water was not great.  It was warm.  But the pictures were fun.

We then went back to the resort where Sherri dropped us off so that we could go swimming.  Sherri then went on a drive to explore some more.  Since she couldn't go in the pool or ocean, it was nice that she could go for drives.

We had so much fun in the pool again.  Lots of slide fun and lazy river floating.  We even did a choreographed dance in the water with our tubes.  We are so cool!

After the pool we then went back to our room to get showered and ready for dinner.  We went to a local place that was recommended by someone we met at the airport.  It was decent food and a fun atmosphere.  Always fun to try new foods while in a new place.  After dinner we went back to the resort and relaxed before bedtime.  It was a great day.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 2 - Wedding Fun

After we were all ready, we went down to take some pictures by the pretty plants at our resort.  It was the short time that my hair actually stayed curled.  Once we got outside and started walking towards Wendy's resort my hair wasn't so curly.  

Once we got to Wendy's resort, we met up with Ryan who gave us a key to him room and then we went up and helped Wendy finish getting ready.  She was mostly ready and just needed a zip up and help getting on her shoes.  

She looked beautiful and was so excited.  We then all went down to the lobby where we met Ryan.  We then took tons of pictures all around her resort.  Lots of pictures with Ryan and tons with us girls.  When it was time, we then went down to the beach to meet us with the lady who was marring Wendy and Ryan.

The ladies brought tons of flowers to make a large flower circle where they got married in and they also had a flower crown for Wendy and leis for all of us girls.  

They even had a ukelele player come and play during the ceremony.  She was really talented. 

The photographer then told us where to stand and then the lady started the marriage ceremony.  It was really windy and hard to hear what she was saying and since the photographer told us where to stand, we couldn't really move closer to try to hear better.  But I am sure what she said was lovely.  

Then Wendy and Ryan said their vows to each other.  We didn't really hear Wendy, but we could hear Ryan better.  He said some really nice things to her.  It was very sweet.  Then they got officially married. 

We then gave them all hugs and took a couple pictures with them before we left to walk back to our resort so they could get their pictures taken with the beautiful sunset.  We enjoyed walking the beach back to our resort and soaking in the sunset.

We then tried to get some dinner at a fancy restaurant, but the food all seemed really weird, so we all left to go back to our room, except Sherri who stayed to try the food.  When she came back, she said it wasn't very good.  We then relaxed before going to bed nice and early.

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 2 - Beach Walk & Pool Time Fun

We woke up super early in the morning because Hawaii time is like four hours behind us.  It was very dark still and we just hung out in our room waiting until the sky started to lighten.  

We opened our balcony door and listened to the birds waking up.  Julie at first thought that they were piping in bird noises, then we saw the birds flying around.  It was so beautiful outside out hotel room.  

We, Julie, mom, and I then got dressed and walked down to the beach and around the resort.   It was perfect weather and so nice walking around in the early morning hours.  

After our nice walk we decided to go back to the room and get Sherri so we could go to the grocery store.  We bought plenty of breakfast foods and snacks for the hotel room.  We also found some tubes for us to use on the lazy river and we were so glad that we bought them.

After we got back to our room, Julie, Mom, and I got on our swimsuits and went down to the pool.  We got our wrist bands and towels and then found some beach chairs. 

While we were at the pool Sherri took the van and picked up Wendy and Ryan from the airport, then took them to get their marriage certificate and then took them to their resort that was right next door to our resort.

We then went on the lazy river and down all the slides.  They had like five or six slides and they were all so much fun.  One was a little intense and we got kind of hurt on it a couple of times, but it was way fun.

When we were ready for a break from the water, we sat on our beach chairs and ordered us fancy virgin fruity drinks and a large order of fries.  Sherri got back and joined us for our "lunch".  They served us so many fries and they were so good.  It was perfect for us four.  

After we finished, we went back up to our room and started getting showered and ready for Wendy's wedding.  

Hawaii Girls Trip: Day 1 - Travel

We started our girl's trip by my dad taking my mom and I to the airport.  We checked my mom's bag and then got through security without any problems.  We picked up a little breakfast snack.  After we ate, we then picked up a couple sandwiches for our long flight to Hawaii.   Sherri then met us at our gate.  We then loaded the plan and flew to Seattle.  

Julie landed right before we did, and we were able to meet her at our gate in Seattle.  Once we got there, they let us know that our flight had been delayed, and we had to wait a couple of hours.  So, we made the most of it and ate our sandwiches.  I also walked up and down the halls to get lots of steps before our long flight.

We finally boarded and we were on our way to Hawaii.  We got lucky and had our middle seats free, so we all had extra room for our flight.  It was a smooth flight without any problems.  Once we got to Maui, we got our luggage and then got our rental van.  I then drove us to our resort.  It was a little nerve-racking driving in a new place in the dark.  

After we checked into the resort we then walked to our room.  It was a kind of a long walk to our room, but well worth it.  The resort was beautiful.  After we got our stuff to our room and unpacked a little, Julie and I went and got some food.  It was good and so fun relaxing on the patio...in Hawaii.  We then went to our room and went to bed.