As most of you know we are fast approaching Christmas time. So for those of you who don't...Danny, you need to get something for Cyd....fast.... Its almost Christmas time. I had a, well, hard isn't the word for it, maybe an apprehensive time getting into the spirit this year. There was no snow, nor cold of any sort, although there was a whole bunch of rain, it just seemed like mid September in Ut and the season snuck up on me. Well about a week ago we put up the tree. I've spent days now searching for a tree topper we had back in Ogden and no one is claiming to know its whereabouts. Apparently the Politically Correct police have struck Hawaii and no one puts anything Christian related on the tree anymore. So finding a star to represent the marker of our Savior's birth has been unfruitful to say the least. Nevertheless, I toil forward hoping that someone somewhere knows what happened to our Christmas stuff. Meanwhile back at the bat cave, Hannah and Abbi helped us put up the tree and I got a couple of photos that I wanted to share. Hannah showing Abbi how to hang ornaments. Its been harder on me than I thought it would be to be away from family. Even the In-laws...yeah I suppose all you weirdos have grown on me....like a cancer....that you can't escape because there is another one wherever you go....
Most know that my Parents and two brothers are coming just in time for Christmas and New years and Scuba-day, ok I made the last one up but we are having a scuba day nonetheless. Also my older brother Aaron and his wife are coming in January for a couple of days to help us celebrate Scubaday. Some of you are scratching your heads, 'Aaron, who the heck is Aaron?' He's an emotionally adopted (not legally) brother of my family. His parents Jay and Janet are coming at the same time. Full house eh? I can't wait, really!
Also in recent happenings, I was called to be the Scout Master in the ward. This calling doubles as a Deacons' quorum advisor. That part I can handle but I haven't got the foggiest clue how to be a Master at anything, including a scout. This means I have to lose 75 pounds to fit in my scout uniform again. The boys in the ward are typical rambunctious youth, there aren't that many of them, and I look forward to the challenges of directing these young minds to greatness. Pyrotechnics comes to mind, and a lot of toilet papering the bishopric too. Yeah scouts is great!
I am continuing my adventure in electronics. I am making a sizable amount of money doing so. Uncle Don thinks I should start a business with it, but then I'd have to pay taxes on it and other such drab consequences. We'll see. Well, that's all the ramblings for tonight. I will try to post again before the 25th but in case I don't. Please be aware that April and I are missing our close family, individually and as a whole, during this season. Our love and thoughts are with you.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The zoo and its patrons
I realize that most animals in zoos are born in captivity and are ignorant to the real conditions of their living state, after all, don't we all qualify for that statement? But I can't help but wonder if the animals are as intrigued by their visitors as we are of them? Imagine yourself for a moment, as an attraction at a local state fair. Justin, you can be the bearded lady, Jarrod you can be the jolly red giant. Who would it be more fun for, the people looking at you, or you looking at the loathsome miserable slobbering masses that point fingers and laugh when if they only used toothpaste and deodorant would be separated from the beasts whom they choose to mock?
Well here's another adventure. The Foley's go to the Zoo!
I am sorry that the last slide show was so fast. I couldn't figure out if there was a way to slow it down once posted. I hope this one will be better.
The Honolulu Zoo is actually in Waikiki near the aquarium. The zoo is very near the beach and the main walk of Waikiki. A few weeks prior, while having dinner with the De Rykes, Aunt Brenda asked us if we would be interested in going to the zoo with them. At the very mention of the word 'zoo' Hannah perked up and lept to her feet yelling 'zoo zoo zoo!' April looked at me with the look of 'if I could only raise an eyebrow...' and the vote was cast with one over zealous 4 year old in near panic on her chair. Hannah has been to the Hogle Zoo before and there had communed with kindred (poo throwing) spirits, hence the excitement. We set a date and made the necessary arrangements. A day or two prior, the Myers's decided to accompany us but due to time constraints, felt it best to break off from the main group and rush through the attractions, so they won't be in any of my pictures. Jenny and Ethan were still with us that day so you will be graced with their presences. A courtesy we no longer have, since they have moved back to Utah to sort out their situation. We set out one bright Hawaiian Saturday morning. Don insisted on taking us out to breakfast first. No complaints from me, eh! They took us to a beach side hotel and we entered a very lavish buffet. The restaurant was on the bottom floor adjacent to the beach. It was an open ended room with no walls separating you from the vistas. One side was buffet, the other, the ocean. Within steps of our table was the beautiful Waikiki beach park, crashing blue waves and scores of tropical plants and birds. The buffet was equally glorious, tropical fruits, pastries, sausages, breads, potatoes, eggs, juices, the works. A glorious breakfast spread! I ate myself sick. Yeeeah baby, sick! Hannah gorged on the sausage and pineapple and Abbi was quite happy with chunks of pastries and guava juice. mmmmmm...just the thought of steaming coconut pound cakes and Portuguese sausage slices on top of scrambled pepper eggs and fried hash browns all garnished with fresh pineapple and mango slices, well, are you salivating too? Wait what was I taking about? Oh yeah, the zoo....ahem..... so after breakfast the wagon train headed over to the zoo, not far from the restaurant. There is a large grassy park picnic area in front of the main entrance. Being that it was a Saturday the park was full of people. Some with families and strollers, preparing to enter the zoo, others with torn shopping bags and grungy beards, just waking up on the wrong side of the park bench. And every sort of person in between. Parking was a bit of a fiasco, but we managed a spot or two and the group headed up the walk to the gates. The park is surrounded by a 15+ foot fence. It spans the length of one large city block. The gates were typical of the tourist traps in the area and had gift shops on either side. The admission was surprisingly very low for locals, only $4! The zoo itself is spread out in a near diamond shape with the gates at the bottom point. Overall the amount of planning and organization of the Honolulu Zoo is dwarfed by Hogle but is was a great day nonetheless. We took lots of pictures of our own animals instead of those as permanent residences because everyone has seen a zebra, but not everyone has seen Hannah petting a goat. Aside from the very nice exhibits, there was a petting zoo for the kids. The best part was the scruffy pigs and the playful goats. The goats were kept in an area with climbing posts and a cargo net for the children to climb on. All of the goats were very tame and would lick the faces of unsuspecting kids and the parents (me) holding them. Yah, I got slobbered on by a Capra Hircus. There was also a large fish tank with plexiglass tunnel going through it. The kids could climb in and be totally engulfed in Koi and other big shiny fish. The llamas weren't so friendly. In fact, I dare say that sucka wanted a piece of me. Maybe it was just that particular one, but she had a disposition that would make a grown man cry.....almost.... We spent the better part of the day at the zoo and after three large sno-cone with ice cream in the bottom, and a bowl of dip'n'dots, we headed home with two exhausted kids. It was a grand adventure that we owe, again, to Don and Brenda. They truly are wonderful family members and friends.
Well here's another adventure. The Foley's go to the Zoo!
I am sorry that the last slide show was so fast. I couldn't figure out if there was a way to slow it down once posted. I hope this one will be better.
The Honolulu Zoo is actually in Waikiki near the aquarium. The zoo is very near the beach and the main walk of Waikiki. A few weeks prior, while having dinner with the De Rykes, Aunt Brenda asked us if we would be interested in going to the zoo with them. At the very mention of the word 'zoo' Hannah perked up and lept to her feet yelling 'zoo zoo zoo!' April looked at me with the look of 'if I could only raise an eyebrow...' and the vote was cast with one over zealous 4 year old in near panic on her chair. Hannah has been to the Hogle Zoo before and there had communed with kindred (poo throwing) spirits, hence the excitement. We set a date and made the necessary arrangements. A day or two prior, the Myers's decided to accompany us but due to time constraints, felt it best to break off from the main group and rush through the attractions, so they won't be in any of my pictures. Jenny and Ethan were still with us that day so you will be graced with their presences. A courtesy we no longer have, since they have moved back to Utah to sort out their situation. We set out one bright Hawaiian Saturday morning. Don insisted on taking us out to breakfast first. No complaints from me, eh! They took us to a beach side hotel and we entered a very lavish buffet. The restaurant was on the bottom floor adjacent to the beach. It was an open ended room with no walls separating you from the vistas. One side was buffet, the other, the ocean. Within steps of our table was the beautiful Waikiki beach park, crashing blue waves and scores of tropical plants and birds. The buffet was equally glorious, tropical fruits, pastries, sausages, breads, potatoes, eggs, juices, the works. A glorious breakfast spread! I ate myself sick. Yeeeah baby, sick! Hannah gorged on the sausage and pineapple and Abbi was quite happy with chunks of pastries and guava juice. mmmmmm...just the thought of steaming coconut pound cakes and Portuguese sausage slices on top of scrambled pepper eggs and fried hash browns all garnished with fresh pineapple and mango slices, well, are you salivating too? Wait what was I taking about? Oh yeah, the zoo....ahem..... so after breakfast the wagon train headed over to the zoo, not far from the restaurant. There is a large grassy park picnic area in front of the main entrance. Being that it was a Saturday the park was full of people. Some with families and strollers, preparing to enter the zoo, others with torn shopping bags and grungy beards, just waking up on the wrong side of the park bench. And every sort of person in between. Parking was a bit of a fiasco, but we managed a spot or two and the group headed up the walk to the gates. The park is surrounded by a 15+ foot fence. It spans the length of one large city block. The gates were typical of the tourist traps in the area and had gift shops on either side. The admission was surprisingly very low for locals, only $4! The zoo itself is spread out in a near diamond shape with the gates at the bottom point. Overall the amount of planning and organization of the Honolulu Zoo is dwarfed by Hogle but is was a great day nonetheless. We took lots of pictures of our own animals instead of those as permanent residences because everyone has seen a zebra, but not everyone has seen Hannah petting a goat. Aside from the very nice exhibits, there was a petting zoo for the kids. The best part was the scruffy pigs and the playful goats. The goats were kept in an area with climbing posts and a cargo net for the children to climb on. All of the goats were very tame and would lick the faces of unsuspecting kids and the parents (me) holding them. Yah, I got slobbered on by a Capra Hircus. There was also a large fish tank with plexiglass tunnel going through it. The kids could climb in and be totally engulfed in Koi and other big shiny fish. The llamas weren't so friendly. In fact, I dare say that sucka wanted a piece of me. Maybe it was just that particular one, but she had a disposition that would make a grown man cry.....almost.... We spent the better part of the day at the zoo and after three large sno-cone with ice cream in the bottom, and a bowl of dip'n'dots, we headed home with two exhausted kids. It was a grand adventure that we owe, again, to Don and Brenda. They truly are wonderful family members and friends.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The ultimate set of slide shows
Due to many happenings in the last month there is a plethera of pinatas, I mean, pictures. The first show is from Wiamea Valley, this is where they shot the episodes of lost where the briefcase with the guns in it are at the bottom of a waterfall fed pool. The water was actually very murky and you couldn't see further than a couple of feet but it was cool and very refreshing. Definately worth the akamaina rate we paid to get in. Anyone who visits us will be treated to this attraction as it is one of the best that oahu has to offer. The gardens are amazing and the swimming although a little chilly is very nice. Chris and I were the only ones who swam that day but we will be going back to have everyone participate. The next quick set are the pictures from halloween. Jenny made Ghost costumes for Hannah and Ethan and Abby had a spider costume (that she hated to wear) from wally world. The Hawaiians don't do anything in moderation, including giving out halloween candy, We're still working on eating the kids bounty. Keep in mind there are 5 adults and three kids eating it. It rained pretty hard that night so the kids only got a bit of trick or treating in, but trust you me, it was plenty. The last slide show is of the kids in General in unspecific shots, just a collection of the kids as it were.
Now as for an update of the "going's on". Jenny's situation has changed, please ask my mom or Mirjiam about it if you'd like to know the details. Due to the sensitive nature of the sitation, its probably best to not put it on the internet. I finished my first degree last month, hurray and am planning on moving on to the next one. I am starting my handyman business and continuing my adventure in literature. My latest adventure is fixing TV's. There are so many people here who don't know how to repair a mainboard on an LCD or replace a bulb in a rear projection TV. They just put an add on the craigslist for a free TV. Well I am not one to pass up an opportunity, so I (with Chris's help) go and get the TV, and repair it. Afterward I turn it around for triple the repair cost and yay, money. Of course I have kept one for myself, we now have a 65 inch (yeah its HUGE) Sony hdtv. I picked it up and the voltages were fluctuating and shutting off the safety control switch, I realligned the convergence chips and reset the voltages on the CRT guns and the TV fired right up. Its like having a theatre in our activity room!! The best part is that April is letting me keep it! Cool huh. April is still working for the ER at the Army Medical Base for now, her contract expires late this month. Lindsey and Chris are the same, and we're all a big happy family. We don't know how long Jenny and Ethan will be staying here, so we may have a couple rooms opening up for extra visitors ( or residents ) in the near (ish) future. The kids are growing up really fast, except Hannah, the zinc thing is still making her a pettite girl. Abby has a few words at her command, Hannah and Ethan are like siblings and fight accordingly.
Personally, I have settled into routine and now look at this place as home. Uncle Don has told us that he really wants us to stay permanently and has adopted Hannah as a grandchild. It is really funny to see the two of them together. Don is such a funny guy and he chases hannah and they laugh together and carry on like a couple of babbling monkeys. Now in order to give due credit, Bob and Joanna loan us their small pickup (for tv's and such) and Joanna has showered hannah with artsy gifts of crayons and coloring books. Hannahs art talents are quite amazing for her age!
Well I need to make bread now so I best be off. Enjoy the pictures and please leave comments for me on what things you'd like to see. That's the best way for me to cater to the needs of Aunts Uncles Cousins and Grandparents.
So Long (was a chinese man).
Now as for an update of the "going's on". Jenny's situation has changed, please ask my mom or Mirjiam about it if you'd like to know the details. Due to the sensitive nature of the sitation, its probably best to not put it on the internet. I finished my first degree last month, hurray and am planning on moving on to the next one. I am starting my handyman business and continuing my adventure in literature. My latest adventure is fixing TV's. There are so many people here who don't know how to repair a mainboard on an LCD or replace a bulb in a rear projection TV. They just put an add on the craigslist for a free TV. Well I am not one to pass up an opportunity, so I (with Chris's help) go and get the TV, and repair it. Afterward I turn it around for triple the repair cost and yay, money. Of course I have kept one for myself, we now have a 65 inch (yeah its HUGE) Sony hdtv. I picked it up and the voltages were fluctuating and shutting off the safety control switch, I realligned the convergence chips and reset the voltages on the CRT guns and the TV fired right up. Its like having a theatre in our activity room!! The best part is that April is letting me keep it! Cool huh. April is still working for the ER at the Army Medical Base for now, her contract expires late this month. Lindsey and Chris are the same, and we're all a big happy family. We don't know how long Jenny and Ethan will be staying here, so we may have a couple rooms opening up for extra visitors ( or residents ) in the near (ish) future. The kids are growing up really fast, except Hannah, the zinc thing is still making her a pettite girl. Abby has a few words at her command, Hannah and Ethan are like siblings and fight accordingly.
Personally, I have settled into routine and now look at this place as home. Uncle Don has told us that he really wants us to stay permanently and has adopted Hannah as a grandchild. It is really funny to see the two of them together. Don is such a funny guy and he chases hannah and they laugh together and carry on like a couple of babbling monkeys. Now in order to give due credit, Bob and Joanna loan us their small pickup (for tv's and such) and Joanna has showered hannah with artsy gifts of crayons and coloring books. Hannahs art talents are quite amazing for her age!
Well I need to make bread now so I best be off. Enjoy the pictures and please leave comments for me on what things you'd like to see. That's the best way for me to cater to the needs of Aunts Uncles Cousins and Grandparents.
So Long (was a chinese man).
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Alright, here's the news flashes I promised:
Well helloooooo there fellow blogger readers. I know, I know, I deserve a severe beating for the neglect of this poor blog. Indeed if it was a pet, it would have died and partially decomposed by now. But, I have an excuse. Ihave been doubled up on school work this last semster to make it well, my last semseter. I finished (at long last) my associates degree. I will be starting the bachelor's program in a few days, so I am sorry to report, I am still in the same blog neglecting boat as before. Funny thought, this blog was supposed to be updated by everyone here on this adventure. Lindsey and Chris have their own blog, and April is still trying to master the english language. Once she has that down, she'll move on to electric devices and keyboards. Yes that was a direct 'invitation' for all you to call her and request that she posts as well.
Ok here's an update so far (readers digest style):
We moved into the Kaneohe house on July 26th. There is a slide show of the place we've lived in for a few months now. The paint drawn picture is NOT to scale nor is it close But you can kindof get the general idea. The second floor of the house is not over top of the first. It is up and behind. We live on a hillside, you get the idea. There is a small breezeway beneath the second floor, behind the bedrooms on the first floor. I also ran out of space to draw the lanai on the north side of the house, so i just squeezed it in. Now lets talk about the occupants and living quarters. Most of you know that Matt and Jenny Littlemore (jenny my sister) moved in with us a few weeks ago. They and their boy Ethan, are settled in. Matt landed a Big Shot job with Central Pacific Bank and jenny and I stay home with the kids. For now. She's going to get a part time job and I'm starting a handyman business. So we'll work our schedules around the kids. Go ahead, snicker and laugh all you like, we're doing our best. Lindsey and Chris have the downstair master bedroom and bathroom. Jenny and Matt use the east bedroom and Ethan is in the west bedroom. The upstairs master bedroom, well I say master because its a little bigger than the other one. Is where April and I sleep and Abbi has the other bedroom. We put a bed in the common area upstairs and that has become Hannah's room. The gray areas are closets and you should be able to make out the furniture from the pictures and bmp file. Now for those of you planning on staying with us, you will be using the common area upstairs as a bedroom. We'll have dividers for privacy. Since the upstairs common area isn't really a common area at all, it serves its purpose as a sixth bedroom nicely. We all share the kitchen, laundry room and dining room. Lindsey and Chris tend to use their bedroom as an all purpose studio and don't often use the activity rooms. Kind of like having live-in hermits. Now some of you are saying, 'wow, thats a lot of families to have in one house,' well Lana, it is, make no mistake of that. Its not always easy blending ideals and who uses and cleans the dishes etc. Jenny is a champ when it comes to organizing and planning and together we've devised a system that separates days and responsibilties. So far so good. For me its actually quite fun having everyone here. I am a social person as you've already figured out, and I enjoy having family around. As for everyone else's feelings, well, you'll have to take that up with them. Our current lease ends next July, so we hope to be here until then, there may be some disbanding before then due to financial reasons but I'll make everyone aware of that as it befalls us. We are very happy to be in this home. We looked at many houses in this price range and they were all frankly, pretty NASTY. Old dirty, bad neighborhoods etc. We have a very clean culdesac with stellar neighbors, and the best part WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOA POOL!! YAY! The house we live in is in the ahuimanu home owners association, so there is a large club house and pool here at our disposal. Cool huh. The pool is about the size of a standard Hotel pool, no slide but hey, fresh water swimming is a nice change! There is a small kiddy pool nearby and a club house a little bigger than mom's west wing. Not nearly as nice or equipped but functional for huge parties. Sometimes there are frogs in the pool which is pretty funny actually. Only one or two and they are small and don't bite (hard). The kids think its nice. We live in an area called Valley of the Temples. Its actually a very very large cemetary with different religion's 'temples' scattered through the trees. The valley is actually a valley surrounded by jungle encased mountains. There is a large peak at the northern most end of the valley that is all too similar to Ben Lomond peak. Actually it looks more like willard peak but its the lone monument that makes it stand out. Nights are very cool here. Makes for good sleeping. We got this house from an add in the paper and are working with a Real Estate agency called J L Realty. Our contact as it were, is James Ogawa. He is a gentleman and a scholar in all respects. Mid to late 30's clean cut, family man. Soft spoken and really genuine good guy. We recently found out that he is LDS too. Infact he came by one day to see some tile work I did on the upstairs bathroom and as we were walking the grounds looking at other work I want to do, he asks out of the blue 'how's your ward?' Because of my Utah background, I didn't hesitate at the question, and began to answer before I realized what he had asked. "It's good, really big, lots of nice folks and....hey, how did you know we're LDS?" He smiled and said, "well, you're from Utah and you had a copy of proclaim my gospel open upstairs, and you know, you can just tell when you meet someone that has been endowed." I slapped my sideand laughed. "April and I had the same conversation about you a day or two after we met!" He chuckled and followed me around to the front of the house. This is a excellent situation for us, because we now have the preferred 'ins' with the real estate guru. Cool too huh.
April is still working for the ER at tripler army medical hospital, and I am still a full time student and stay at home dad. For now....I am plotting my escape. I have a deepend respect for my own mother and I marvel that I wasn't murdered by age three. My kids are really good kids for the most part and some days I want to bury my head in a pillow and die. My hat is off to Mirj for raising a whole herd, and to my own Mom for raising four small kids alone. Sheesh. Lindsey is working at Castle Hospital and Chris is a Salesman for Fastenall. He's working his way up the ladder really quickly. I am still engaged in a 'project' or two. But that's another, um, story, for another day.
Ok here's an update so far (readers digest style):
We moved into the Kaneohe house on July 26th. There is a slide show of the place we've lived in for a few months now. The paint drawn picture is NOT to scale nor is it close But you can kindof get the general idea. The second floor of the house is not over top of the first. It is up and behind. We live on a hillside, you get the idea. There is a small breezeway beneath the second floor, behind the bedrooms on the first floor. I also ran out of space to draw the lanai on the north side of the house, so i just squeezed it in. Now lets talk about the occupants and living quarters. Most of you know that Matt and Jenny Littlemore (jenny my sister) moved in with us a few weeks ago. They and their boy Ethan, are settled in. Matt landed a Big Shot job with Central Pacific Bank and jenny and I stay home with the kids. For now. She's going to get a part time job and I'm starting a handyman business. So we'll work our schedules around the kids. Go ahead, snicker and laugh all you like, we're doing our best. Lindsey and Chris have the downstair master bedroom and bathroom. Jenny and Matt use the east bedroom and Ethan is in the west bedroom. The upstairs master bedroom, well I say master because its a little bigger than the other one. Is where April and I sleep and Abbi has the other bedroom. We put a bed in the common area upstairs and that has become Hannah's room. The gray areas are closets and you should be able to make out the furniture from the pictures and bmp file. Now for those of you planning on staying with us, you will be using the common area upstairs as a bedroom. We'll have dividers for privacy. Since the upstairs common area isn't really a common area at all, it serves its purpose as a sixth bedroom nicely. We all share the kitchen, laundry room and dining room. Lindsey and Chris tend to use their bedroom as an all purpose studio and don't often use the activity rooms. Kind of like having live-in hermits. Now some of you are saying, 'wow, thats a lot of families to have in one house,' well Lana, it is, make no mistake of that. Its not always easy blending ideals and who uses and cleans the dishes etc. Jenny is a champ when it comes to organizing and planning and together we've devised a system that separates days and responsibilties. So far so good. For me its actually quite fun having everyone here. I am a social person as you've already figured out, and I enjoy having family around. As for everyone else's feelings, well, you'll have to take that up with them. Our current lease ends next July, so we hope to be here until then, there may be some disbanding before then due to financial reasons but I'll make everyone aware of that as it befalls us. We are very happy to be in this home. We looked at many houses in this price range and they were all frankly, pretty NASTY. Old dirty, bad neighborhoods etc. We have a very clean culdesac with stellar neighbors, and the best part WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOA POOL!! YAY! The house we live in is in the ahuimanu home owners association, so there is a large club house and pool here at our disposal. Cool huh. The pool is about the size of a standard Hotel pool, no slide but hey, fresh water swimming is a nice change! There is a small kiddy pool nearby and a club house a little bigger than mom's west wing. Not nearly as nice or equipped but functional for huge parties. Sometimes there are frogs in the pool which is pretty funny actually. Only one or two and they are small and don't bite (hard). The kids think its nice. We live in an area called Valley of the Temples. Its actually a very very large cemetary with different religion's 'temples' scattered through the trees. The valley is actually a valley surrounded by jungle encased mountains. There is a large peak at the northern most end of the valley that is all too similar to Ben Lomond peak. Actually it looks more like willard peak but its the lone monument that makes it stand out. Nights are very cool here. Makes for good sleeping. We got this house from an add in the paper and are working with a Real Estate agency called J L Realty. Our contact as it were, is James Ogawa. He is a gentleman and a scholar in all respects. Mid to late 30's clean cut, family man. Soft spoken and really genuine good guy. We recently found out that he is LDS too. Infact he came by one day to see some tile work I did on the upstairs bathroom and as we were walking the grounds looking at other work I want to do, he asks out of the blue 'how's your ward?' Because of my Utah background, I didn't hesitate at the question, and began to answer before I realized what he had asked. "It's good, really big, lots of nice folks and....hey, how did you know we're LDS?" He smiled and said, "well, you're from Utah and you had a copy of proclaim my gospel open upstairs, and you know, you can just tell when you meet someone that has been endowed." I slapped my sideand laughed. "April and I had the same conversation about you a day or two after we met!" He chuckled and followed me around to the front of the house. This is a excellent situation for us, because we now have the preferred 'ins' with the real estate guru. Cool too huh.
April is still working for the ER at tripler army medical hospital, and I am still a full time student and stay at home dad. For now....I am plotting my escape. I have a deepend respect for my own mother and I marvel that I wasn't murdered by age three. My kids are really good kids for the most part and some days I want to bury my head in a pillow and die. My hat is off to Mirj for raising a whole herd, and to my own Mom for raising four small kids alone. Sheesh. Lindsey is working at Castle Hospital and Chris is a Salesman for Fastenall. He's working his way up the ladder really quickly. I am still engaged in a 'project' or two. But that's another, um, story, for another day.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
THE (nearly) GREATEST (ok they're not bad) THING TO DO WITH CHALUPA LEFT OVERS EVER (maybe not ever but certainly worth a try)
Ok, guys and gals, we've all settled into our new place. I will have pictures and the entire roller coaster story of what happened with our last residence soon. (Soon as I have more time to write a story that enfuriates me to the point where I have to get up and pace around the room. Luckily, mom has heard the brunt of this story already so for the rest of you who aren't satisfied with the readers digest version, ask mom. Whew, the buck has been passed.) As an official housewarming party we invited the Uncles over with their significant others, for a chalupa night. Now most of you don't know what a Chalupa is, it IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN GET AT TACO BELL. Ok well you can get something that doesn't even come close to a real chalupa at Taco Bell, and well, just think, you can get the runs as a free bonus too. *shudder*... A chalupa is like a small cooked taco. Think small corn torilla, special enchilada like sauce, shredded chicken or beef, mexican cheese, onions, mexican cheese, mexican cream and cheese and oooohhhh so good and ooooohhhh wheres the tums? Yeah they rock. Some of you may have been a participant of the chalupa night I did for Mom (Barker) years ago. For the rest of you, you can get the recipe from my biological mother (Foley, I think, my dad always told me they found me under a rock and thought I'd be a good chew toy for the dog). We actively participated in Foley Family Chalupa night on a monthly basis up until the exodus in June. Back to the story, we had a great time. Don brought rice and stuff for strawberry, banana, and cinnamon (weird I know, not bad though) smoothies. Bob and Joanna brought a salad, we made merry and feasted our good fortune. We stuffed the Unlces to the gills and after making fun of how many they had bested we realized we had enough leftovers to remake the meal all over again, literally. Don't get me wrong. I love my chalupas, but the acid reflux initiation meal is best served once a month. So with all the leftovers I decided to make enchiladas. Boy howdy did I ever. I even went above and beyond my culinary training and wrote down what I put in it (a day later, but belated is better than never eh) Heres the whopper:
Chalupa leftover Enchiladas:
2 lbs Leftover Chalupa meat
2 cups of red Chalupa Sauce
2 cups of green Chalupa Sauce
No cups of moldy Chalupa Sauce
(4 cups substitute for Chalupa Sauce with prepared powdered enchilada sauce in the red envelope thingy, you know what I mean.)
½ large onion well diced.
1 can of cream of chicken
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 can of diced chilies
1 Medium Tomato diced like the onions, unless you did a crappy job of dicing the onions, if so, do it better than the onions.
Crushed Red Pepper
Ground bay leaves if you got ‘em.
1 tsp chopped garlic or garlic salt, but don’t chop the garlic salt, its already small enough.
LOTS of queso fresco, (the not so secret ingredient) You can get it by the cream cheese at walmart, looks like a soft white hockey puck. (Ranchero or Noche Buena brand be sure is is queso fresco NOT cotija, you'll know if you go the right one because it will shred like very moist cottage cheese pressed into a puck shape, still can't figure it out? Call my mother she'll help you)
1 cup grated cheddar
Salt and pepper to taste
Take a large casserole dish spray with PAM, if she’s not around, use a no stick spray, coat the bottom of the dish with leftover chalupa sauce either red or green or half of each in separate sides. Don’t use all the sauce, maybe less than half of what you got.
Shred two pounds of whatever meat is left, chicken, beef, horse, dog in large bowl. Mix in one can of cream of chicken and one can of cream of mushroom and about half your onions. Mix well. Add one small can of diced chilies. Mix well, add crushed red pepper, bay leaves, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Then, yep, you guessed it, Mix well. Spread ½ cup of the mystery meat mixture into a tortilla, top with lots of queso fresco and, nope, don’t mix it, roll it up. Place it in the colorful casserole dish. Rinse repeat. Ok don’t rinse. Unless you are showering….now why would…nevermind. Repeat (no rinsing). Fill the dish with stuffed tortillas. Now top the tortillas with whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries. No silly, with the rest of the sauces, the cheddar cheese and the tomatoes. Sprinkle the top lightly with dried chives or oregano or something to make it look awl fancee laike. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes uncovered, at 30 min turn the heat up to 350 and bake for 15 minutes. This browns the cheese, remove and test for rabies. Ha ha, no, just check the insides of one to make sure its hot. Tadaa! You did it, now top it with the rest of the fresh onions and sour cream and eat it.
Feel free to modify to your liking, olives would be nice. April hates olives. Scallions, mmmm indeed, maybe even, dare I say........oooohhhhh I dare, RANCH DRESSING! MUHAHAHAHA (ok probably not)
NEWS FLASHES COMMING IN A FEW DAYS! :) Be ready they're good ones!
Chalupa leftover Enchiladas:
2 lbs Leftover Chalupa meat
2 cups of red Chalupa Sauce
2 cups of green Chalupa Sauce
No cups of moldy Chalupa Sauce
(4 cups substitute for Chalupa Sauce with prepared powdered enchilada sauce in the red envelope thingy, you know what I mean.)
½ large onion well diced.
1 can of cream of chicken
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 can of diced chilies
1 Medium Tomato diced like the onions, unless you did a crappy job of dicing the onions, if so, do it better than the onions.
Crushed Red Pepper
Ground bay leaves if you got ‘em.
1 tsp chopped garlic or garlic salt, but don’t chop the garlic salt, its already small enough.
LOTS of queso fresco, (the not so secret ingredient) You can get it by the cream cheese at walmart, looks like a soft white hockey puck. (Ranchero or Noche Buena brand be sure is is queso fresco NOT cotija, you'll know if you go the right one because it will shred like very moist cottage cheese pressed into a puck shape, still can't figure it out? Call my mother she'll help you)
1 cup grated cheddar
Salt and pepper to taste
Take a large casserole dish spray with PAM, if she’s not around, use a no stick spray, coat the bottom of the dish with leftover chalupa sauce either red or green or half of each in separate sides. Don’t use all the sauce, maybe less than half of what you got.
Shred two pounds of whatever meat is left, chicken, beef, horse, dog in large bowl. Mix in one can of cream of chicken and one can of cream of mushroom and about half your onions. Mix well. Add one small can of diced chilies. Mix well, add crushed red pepper, bay leaves, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Then, yep, you guessed it, Mix well. Spread ½ cup of the mystery meat mixture into a tortilla, top with lots of queso fresco and, nope, don’t mix it, roll it up. Place it in the colorful casserole dish. Rinse repeat. Ok don’t rinse. Unless you are showering….now why would…nevermind. Repeat (no rinsing). Fill the dish with stuffed tortillas. Now top the tortillas with whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries. No silly, with the rest of the sauces, the cheddar cheese and the tomatoes. Sprinkle the top lightly with dried chives or oregano or something to make it look awl fancee laike. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes uncovered, at 30 min turn the heat up to 350 and bake for 15 minutes. This browns the cheese, remove and test for rabies. Ha ha, no, just check the insides of one to make sure its hot. Tadaa! You did it, now top it with the rest of the fresh onions and sour cream and eat it.
Feel free to modify to your liking, olives would be nice. April hates olives. Scallions, mmmm indeed, maybe even, dare I say........oooohhhhh I dare, RANCH DRESSING! MUHAHAHAHA (ok probably not)
NEWS FLASHES COMMING IN A FEW DAYS! :) Be ready they're good ones!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
For those of you devoted enough to still be here:
I formally apologize for the severe lack of upkeep on the blog in the last month+. We, as a six member family, have been through a great deal of ups and mostly downs resulting in us moving out on less than good terms with our previous land lord. That resulted in no internet connection for a few weeks and well its all starting to work its way out but as of yet we are still in the fray. So let use this opportunity to talk about something of much more light and happiness eh? Here we go *drumroll*
SHARKS COVE: come with a smile and leave an appendage.
Ok not really. Sharks cove is a large outcropping of rocks and reef. To include tide pools, a huge, real blowhole, places to jump off small cliffs, sea turtles, and a whole flock of aquatic niceties. The last time we were there, truth be told, was in early July. Fortunately for you the reader of afore mentioned lacking blog, we took a bunch of good photos with a nifty underwater camera. For those of you who have never been snorkeling for real, this was our activity for the day. There were four of us there that day, and we have been back one time since when Chancee Stoker had paid us a visit. On this occasion we were graced with Mary Jane Dunkley's presence. Now, keep in mind a few things:
1st, April volunteered to stay home with the kids due to a broken toe that wouldn't let her swim or much less put on flippers.
2nd, Its illegal to harass the sea turtles.
3rd There are sea urchins in nearly every crack and crevice and they have a very painful sting if you try to handle them or sit on them (so I am suited up for the occasion).
4th I don't pretend to even guess at what all these types of fish are or are named so do the research if you'd like to know.
5th most colorful reef fish have toxic skin, they get this from the toxic algae they eat off the reef. So the majority of these babies would likely be the last tasty morsel you'd eat.
Now, in effort to better describe the fauna of this place, Think of jagged lava rocks creating a natural cove and reef on the north shore. It is about a 45 minute drive from where we used to live in Kailua. It is deffinetly worth the time in the car. There is ample parking and on the weekdays its not too crowded. It is not only good all day excercise but it is a hobby that mainly the locals enjoy. There really aren't that many tourists there. Most of the visitors on the island snorkel in Waikiki. Maybe because its a bit of a drive. I enjoy the drive because of the fruit stands and shrimp shacks that litter the highway between here and there. Some of the best shrimp I've ever had, and trust you me, I've killed more than my share of crustaceans in my day. Its fun to visit the different stands and find the cheaper ones. Funny thing is that you can still buy most of the fruit they sell at these roadside stands, cheaper at costco. The North Shore also has a lot of Kama'ina shops that sell towels, flip flops, cheap japanese snacks like imitation scallops and wasabe peas. There are scores of fish at sharks cove. They come in all sizes shapes and colors. Its like swimming in a huge salt water aquarium.Most of the fish and life in the reef are so accustomed to humans, they will swim right past you and stay close unless you reach out too quickly. The sea turtles are also pretty friendly but its against the law to get friendly with them. Its fun to go to the pet shop in the mall and oogle the fish and pick out the ones you saw while snorkeling. There is a real downside to this mayhem though, as I learned the hardway. There are predators that wait for you to leave your gear on the beach. My most expensive backpack was stolen, not on this trip but the subsequent one with Chancee. I was lucky, I had left my keys, wallet, and cellphone PDA in the car. The bad part was that my wedding ring was in the backpack. To date I have had two rings stolen and lost one. Looks like its off to walmart to get an aluminum one that easier to replace...&(*%$#>..........
So without further adeiu, enjoy the slides.
PS Coming soon: details on our hairy situation with previous landlords, what we did to remedy it and what we learned from the ordeal. Also an update on our new housing situation inclding any rad 70's style furniture that (april lets me) we get, and what I call "adventures with the uncles" (Uncle Don is a stud, by the way).
SHARKS COVE: come with a smile and leave an appendage.
Ok not really. Sharks cove is a large outcropping of rocks and reef. To include tide pools, a huge, real blowhole, places to jump off small cliffs, sea turtles, and a whole flock of aquatic niceties. The last time we were there, truth be told, was in early July. Fortunately for you the reader of afore mentioned lacking blog, we took a bunch of good photos with a nifty underwater camera. For those of you who have never been snorkeling for real, this was our activity for the day. There were four of us there that day, and we have been back one time since when Chancee Stoker had paid us a visit. On this occasion we were graced with Mary Jane Dunkley's presence. Now, keep in mind a few things:
1st, April volunteered to stay home with the kids due to a broken toe that wouldn't let her swim or much less put on flippers.
2nd, Its illegal to harass the sea turtles.
3rd There are sea urchins in nearly every crack and crevice and they have a very painful sting if you try to handle them or sit on them (so I am suited up for the occasion).
4th I don't pretend to even guess at what all these types of fish are or are named so do the research if you'd like to know.
5th most colorful reef fish have toxic skin, they get this from the toxic algae they eat off the reef. So the majority of these babies would likely be the last tasty morsel you'd eat.
Now, in effort to better describe the fauna of this place, Think of jagged lava rocks creating a natural cove and reef on the north shore. It is about a 45 minute drive from where we used to live in Kailua. It is deffinetly worth the time in the car. There is ample parking and on the weekdays its not too crowded. It is not only good all day excercise but it is a hobby that mainly the locals enjoy. There really aren't that many tourists there. Most of the visitors on the island snorkel in Waikiki. Maybe because its a bit of a drive. I enjoy the drive because of the fruit stands and shrimp shacks that litter the highway between here and there. Some of the best shrimp I've ever had, and trust you me, I've killed more than my share of crustaceans in my day. Its fun to visit the different stands and find the cheaper ones. Funny thing is that you can still buy most of the fruit they sell at these roadside stands, cheaper at costco. The North Shore also has a lot of Kama'ina shops that sell towels, flip flops, cheap japanese snacks like imitation scallops and wasabe peas. There are scores of fish at sharks cove. They come in all sizes shapes and colors. Its like swimming in a huge salt water aquarium.Most of the fish and life in the reef are so accustomed to humans, they will swim right past you and stay close unless you reach out too quickly. The sea turtles are also pretty friendly but its against the law to get friendly with them. Its fun to go to the pet shop in the mall and oogle the fish and pick out the ones you saw while snorkeling. There is a real downside to this mayhem though, as I learned the hardway. There are predators that wait for you to leave your gear on the beach. My most expensive backpack was stolen, not on this trip but the subsequent one with Chancee. I was lucky, I had left my keys, wallet, and cellphone PDA in the car. The bad part was that my wedding ring was in the backpack. To date I have had two rings stolen and lost one. Looks like its off to walmart to get an aluminum one that easier to replace...&(*%$#>..........
So without further adeiu, enjoy the slides.
PS Coming soon: details on our hairy situation with previous landlords, what we did to remedy it and what we learned from the ordeal. Also an update on our new housing situation inclding any rad 70's style furniture that (april lets me) we get, and what I call "adventures with the uncles" (Uncle Don is a stud, by the way).
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Not all sunshine and flowers right now
Well our luck has run out over the last few weeks. Yes we are enjoying ourselves here in paradise but unfortunately the higher powers have deemed April unworthy to participate in much more than couch-potatoism. And this indignation is spreading. If you haven't participated in the poll by now please do so. Funny thing is, all the health issues except the cellulitis have happened to April, and Hannah was the lucky tot who managed to walk for two days on a foot the size of a baseball, and nearly as round too. For the moment, I, Sir Chadwin of Michael, have my health and my family and that is important (the roaches think so too). We are looking into moving out of the house we are currently in due to financial stresses and finding a more suitable location that is both more cost effective and better constructed. There will be a new slideshow when that move takes place. Now for the story of the week....*cue the snarling dog*. Bob and Joanna have their son Scott and his wife and kids living with them for the time being. Scott and Shannon are excellent, successful people that are both caring and well mannered. Scott restores classic cars for a living and as protection of that shop he has a pitbull. Now, I don't know the reasoning behind the location of the pitbull that fateful day, I do know that it wasn't where it should have been, that is a sentiment shared by Joanna. The dog is trained as a guard animal and is in no way docile to strangers. April and I loaded up the girls and headed off for Bob's house to look at a piece of furniture they offered us (More info on this coming in a later post). Upon reaching the house we noticed that all the cars except Bob's truck and Scott's car were in the carport. This meant to us that Shannon and Joanna were home. Now if I can take a second to describe the scene. There is an L shaped row of tall bushes that acts as a barrier between the yard, which is on the south side of the house, and the road on the east side. This same row of 8 foot bushes acts as a shade between Bob's house and his south neighbor. Where the bushes end on the road side, the carport and parking stalls begin. Deep enough for two cars and two cars wide, the first two stalls closest to the home are covered by the carport overhang. On the south side of the first stall is the sidewalk path that leads to the main door. This path is bordered by a trellace and vines on one side and the house wall on the opposite side. The trellace only spans a few feet of the main house entrance path and stops four feet short of reaching the front door. There is a second path that runs the span of the house from the front door around the side to the patio and very well kept back yard. Nice thing to note is the back yard is more of a garden area with large ferns, a koi pond, a really attractive small back area. The kind you see in the 'no grass yard' section of 'Homes and Gardens'. There is a ten foot span of grassy area between the opposite end of the trellace and the boundary bushes. After pulling the car into the first uncovered stall I immediately noticed a large dog sitting in the shade of the trellace on the main path to the house. He perked up and looked straight at us. We had never had any interaction with this dog in the past, he must have been at Scott's shop or locked away on our first visit to Bob's house. Leary of the dog we attempted to call the house several times with no answer. April and I, still in the car looked at eachother and decided to carefully check to see if we could see anyone inside the house. We both took note that the dog was tethered by a purple leash that by the angle of the drape appeared to be tied about six feet up the trellace post. As April got out of the car, I casually said to her, 'don't get bit by the dog.' She kept a very large distance between herself and the dog as she made her way around the car. The dog being a good 5 yards away from the car. Unable to see anything down the main path April stepped around the car onto the grass, this placing the trellace between herself and the dog. She took two more steps closer to see into the house and I saw the dog jump to its feet and disapear from view. Immediately I looked over to see April jumping back. Over her head was a taught cable that ran from the shed on the lawn near the bushes to the house by where the dog was laying. Before I could even open the car door the dog had lunged at April catching her on the right calf. The cable was a running line for the dog and the animal had near full range of the yard behind bushes. I saw him get a moments contact with April's leg before she jumped back out of his accessible area. She immediately fell to the ground clutching her lower leg. In a microsecond's time, crimson liquid began flowing from between her clenched fingers. I knew the dog had done more damage than I had seen. She tried to stand and only managed to slide herself back toward the parking stall. By this time I was out of the car glancing frantically for something to brand as a weapon to relieve April of her assailant. I rushed to her side and sat her down on the grass well out of the dog's reach. Her leg and hands were now covered in dark red blood. For those of you gentlemen out there who've never seen that much of your own sweetheart"s blood spilt, I pray you never have to. There is a primal sense of rage that errupts and burns inside you like hellfire. I was ready to kill. I came to my senses a split second later when sweet April began to sob and earnstly pleaded for something to stop the bleeding. I ran to the car and retrieved a diaper from the back seat and rushed back. Kneeling down close, I got my first good look at the wound. The puncture itself was only an inch long, but the wound was deep. Insomuch that I could see all the visible layers of skin, the fatty tisse and the muscle underneath. I have a picture I took later at the hospital but due to the graffic nature, I won't post it on the blog. I will email it to those of you morbid enough to request it. cfoley@hawaii.rr.com. I wrapped the diaper around her leg and she applied pressure. I stood up and retrieved the cell phone and dialed Joanna's cell again. Still no answer. I called Lindsey who rounded up Chris and the medical supplies we have at the house, "I'll be there as fast as I can," she said and I hung up the phone. Now by this time, only minutes had passed since the incident and I could now hear shuffling inside the house. I laid on the car horn and sent two loud unmistakeable blasts through the house. Still no one exited. At this point I had been unable to reach anyone but Lindsey and was ready to call 911 and request an ambulance but made one last call to Don's house. Don answered, and I 'calmly' (screamed) the results of our current visit to Bob's house. Don relayed the message to Bob who was there working in the shop and repied "We'll be right there." The two uncles live relatively close together so it was less than two minutes before they pulled up in Bob's white Ford Ranger. April and I took turns applying pressure to her leg as she was now sobbing and unable to sit without shaking slightly. Bob assisted me in getting April into the car while Don retrieved the dog and escorted it out of sight. As soon as April was in the car Joanna emerged from the house rubbing her eyes and was immediately in awe of what had transpired. She had been sleeping in the back of the house and was woken up by the car horn. Shannon poked a reluctant head out of the house and then disappeared back through the front door. Joanna ran to the car and began profusely apologizing for not being aware of our arrival and for the results thereof. Bob immediately whipped out his credit card and offered it as payment for any hospital bills incurred. Joanna decided then to accompany us to the ER. The hospital was about a five minute drive from where we were. By the time we arrived the blood on april's leg had dried in dark purple streaks. Lindsey had been called again and instructed to meet us at the hospital. She beat us there and got a wheel chair from inside. We moved April to the chair and rushed her inside. Lindsey then rounded up the two Girls who had been in their carseats the whole time, and took them home. April and I checked into the ER and waited 30 minutes to be taken back for a preliminary evaluation. Healthcare here in Hawaii, just isn't what we've all come to expect in Utah. We were taken to a room with dividers where April was laid in a hospital stretcher. The nurse came in to take vitals and a report and then disapeared for 45 minutes. We had to use the nurse call button to get pain meds. Poor April had to endure the gaping puncture for well over an hour before getting the proper attention. Subsequently, the wound was numbed, irrigated, xrayed, and required a double layer of stitches. Now, lets reflect back to that rage I afore mentioned. The only qwelling of the flames I received was a very appropriate, "That dog will be dead," from Don as we placed April in the passenger seat. The hospital was doing there job way to slow for me to calm down any further, but with April on the stretcher there wasn't anything to be accomplished by loosing my composure. We left the hospital approximately 3 hours later and Joanna led us to a pharmacy and bought april's prescriptions. She truly is a saint in plain clothing. We're going to work on what kind of saint...
Now, a few days after the incident, I don't know if anything has been done with the dog. But all medications and care were paid for by the De Rykes. They also called to check in on April, who is now nicknamed 'Alpo' by Don. April was off her feet Saturday and Sunday and started hobbling around on Monday. Today is Thursday and she has a nasty looking set of stitches on her calf but is up and about for the most part. The site is still very tender to the touch. She is also under orders to stay out of the water until fully healed. When you live in paradise and can't hike or swim, well, I am not worried about the couch floating away. Can you imagine her frustration? The moral of the story here is two-fold. Hawaii is not all sunshine and flowers, and I now more than ever want to know what pit bull tastes like.
Now, a few days after the incident, I don't know if anything has been done with the dog. But all medications and care were paid for by the De Rykes. They also called to check in on April, who is now nicknamed 'Alpo' by Don. April was off her feet Saturday and Sunday and started hobbling around on Monday. Today is Thursday and she has a nasty looking set of stitches on her calf but is up and about for the most part. The site is still very tender to the touch. She is also under orders to stay out of the water until fully healed. When you live in paradise and can't hike or swim, well, I am not worried about the couch floating away. Can you imagine her frustration? The moral of the story here is two-fold. Hawaii is not all sunshine and flowers, and I now more than ever want to know what pit bull tastes like.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Now its Abbi in the spot light.
I am going to attempt to post a short video of Abbigail. She has finally broken the communication barrier and uttered her most deep and profound thoughts. Thoughts that provoke the human soul to delights. Thoughts that inspire and remind us of the importance of good human nature. This will no doubtedly inspire all of you to mimic this word to each other in recognition of the For the Love of Hawaii Blog. For those of you 'in the know' I salute you, and Abbi greets you. Watch the video before reading further.
Abbi loves to say this to her dolls. At first we thought it was just babble until she said it to us when we saw her first after a nap or after not seeing her for some time. She cognitively mimics us when we say it to her and actually uses her word in correct context and at appropriate times. Cool huh. Such a proud papa here.
Abbi loves to say this to her dolls. At first we thought it was just babble until she said it to us when we saw her first after a nap or after not seeing her for some time. She cognitively mimics us when we say it to her and actually uses her word in correct context and at appropriate times. Cool huh. Such a proud papa here.
Another one bites the dust....or, well, um, the sun I guess...
Once again here in my beach Bumdomhood (Haywood D. 2008) I am finding that the more free time you have on your hands the more you end up at the beach. Its a rather silly life, though. Blue waters, soft sandy beaches, mostly naked people, many in bikinis and speedos that SHOULD NOT be in bikinis or speedos, and the ultimate free playground for our kids. Sometimes Lindsey and Chris are included in that collection. This time however it was just the Foleys. Now, I think its rather unfair of me to post nothing but beach pictures for all to behold, especially when there is a lack of afore mentioned beach back in U-town. But, if you're all willing to look, here's another slide show of beach pictures. This slide show is mainly meant for those two Grandmas that may be missing our oldest. These slides are from our last trip to Kailua beach. This beach is the one closest to Uncle Don. The water was nearly still most of the day, the sun was very bright with few clouds and as you can see, I learned my lesson, I am wearing a spf 50 rash guard, and rightly so. April slathered herself and the kids up with good sun screen just as always. I, in turn, made sure she was covered adequately as well. Its a rather comical seen, but one, I imagine, that is repeated world wide. The train of people standing in the kitchen each with sun screen goo in their palms, rubbing the person in front of them. Next time I'll get a picture. Once at the beach Hannah quickly made friends with a cute little polynesian girl named Shaylinn. Hannah and her new accomplice chased crabs, built sand castles, and played in the small waves. Glorious day. Now for the pending bad news. April cooked herself. For those of you who've never had baked April, it's very tender like steamed March, but a robust flavor like sauteed October. She is now in the hurt. Despite her vailiant efforts to remain covered in sunscreen she is now red as can be. Lucky for us the girls aren't nearly as fried. They did get some sun on their faces but little else. I can only imagine the depths of hell we would be thrust into upon dealing with a sunburnt three year old and 10 month baby......*shudder*........
Enjoy the pictures!
Enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Ode to animals (and creeping things)
This post is to explain the new slide show with the same title. The first set is from the bbq we had over and Uncle Bob DeRyke's house. We had a lovely time until Chris was attacked by a man-eating moth. It was about the size of my palm and I wear an xxl glove. Cool huh. Next, is Hannah and the parrot. A repairman came over to work on the shower in the studio and he brought this parrot with him. It was very tame as you can see and weighed about the same as hannah. It talked to her on her shoulder and april snapped a couple shots with her phone. Sorry for the lower quality photos. We also went to turtle bay for a quick visit while dropping off a few of Lindsey's friends, most of you know Anne and Mary Jane, the Dunkley girls. They are in Liae for a few months. We found this cute (and tasty) little crab shell by the beach. Nifty eh. The last set of pictures have a story behind them. Now, for those of you who don't know, we live in an area called enchanted lakes. we are really close to a fresh water lake, well its more of an overgrown pond, but with it comes all sorts of animal life, birds, mosquitos, squirrels, mosquitos, and toads (and mosquitos). We get these palm sized toads in our yard nightly, they have a very nice chirping croak. Actually it is kind of nice, not at all annoying like the bullfrogs back in the U state. We snapped these pictures during the first few days we got here. Shockingly they aren't mean at all and just act like normal toads. Funny for something so TOXIC. Yeah maw, we found that out a few days later that the toads we were playing with have a very noxious spit and excrete poison from their backs....they're only deadly to dogs and such that would try to make a tasty morsel out of them. We had to convince Chris that frog legs and toad legs aren't the same...
Cool huh. We also went to sharks cove yesterday and had an absolute BLAST snorkeling and seeing all the fish in the tide pools. We don't yet have an underwater camera so you can't partake in the excitement, yet. But be forewarned. This snorkeling is definitely habit forming. (pics comming soon).
Cool huh. We also went to sharks cove yesterday and had an absolute BLAST snorkeling and seeing all the fish in the tide pools. We don't yet have an underwater camera so you can't partake in the excitement, yet. But be forewarned. This snorkeling is definitely habit forming. (pics comming soon).
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Hawaiian revenge...
So in light of our abuse of the Hawaiian beaches, this being that we've used the free public beaches three times in the last week and a half its only fitting to bring you another story. Drum roll please *dddddddddddddddddd* (ominous thundering voice) HAWAIIAN REVENGE!!
The first two times we went to the beach we had cloudy days the blocked out the sun most of the time we were there. This last time, we bought body boards (pics comming soon) and went to a different part of the same beach, about 2 miles down shore. The waves were better there and the sand was cleaner. This time the day was BEAUTIFUL, and the waves were great. The sun was shining, the bird were chirping, the water was blue and clear, the japanese girls were chirping, it was a perfect day. We traded kid duty so we all got a chance to ride the waves on our new Walmart body boards, oh what fun. After a few hours we really got the hang of it. Lindsey and april could bring in almost any wave all the way to the shore. (again pictures comming soon). All was well until one last ride when April smacked her foot on something hard and limped to the beach. She sat down on the sand just a little higher than where the waves would roll in and looking rather normal took some time out. A few minutes later she beckoned me over and I stumbled through the crashing waves to get to her. Now, its important to know that I twisted my ankle earilier in the day at that same beach. You see, about six feet out into the water the sand bar dropped about 12 inches then rose again by about 10 inches, so a very effective, hidden hole, I managed to roll my ankle is this hole and it made it pretty sore for the rest of the day, but not sore enough to detain me from enjoying the beach. So, I made my way through the waves to where April was sitting on the beach, instead of the joyful comment I was expecting, I got the solomn news, "I think I broke my toe." Now for those of you who don't know, April broke her little toe at crystal springs in Brigham City UT when we were first dating. So, at this point the first thing that, naturally, goes through my mind and then procedes undauntingly out of the hole in my head is "AGAIN!?" Insensitive, yes I know. Followed quickly by (in the sweetest most kind and sensitive tone I can muster) "What happened?" She said she thought it was jammed but she wasn't sure. Another point of context, when April was younger she had corrective surgery done on that foot to straighten out the bone before her big toe, she now has a pin in it to maintain the fissure. She and I spent the next few minutes, ok seconds, discussing what to do and after a few more wave rides, I went back to where she was sitting and helped her climb onto my back piggy style and ferried her over to the shady spot where we had put our towels.
By this time we had been at this beautiful beach for several hours. The Girls (when I mention Girls in caps I am refering to Hannah and Abbigail) were tired and ornery. So we got Lindsey and Chris's attention and motioned to them that we were leaving. Did I mention that the sun was beautiful all day? It was. Strong too. I took Abbi in my arms and headed for the parkside showers, imagine that will you. FREE cool fresh drinkable showers in the grass next to the beach. Designed for the prompt removal of sand and debris. What an incredible feature, and FREE too, coming from UT where you pay for even the right to look at a geographic feature and then again to use any sort of amenity, free showers is an amazing thing!! For the love of Hawaii, there are free showers here. I showered myself and abbi and set her down on a towel in the grass. I went back to help April who was escorting a very upset Hannah down the trail, very slowly too. I picked up the screaming child still in her life suit (like a wetsuit with foam imbedded int the chest and back to serve as floatation) and arm floaties, with snot dripping down her face and tears strewn about her cheeks, and promptly whisked her toward the spectacular free showers. She wanted nothing to do with that cold refreshing water and screamed like a madman while I removed the sand and snot from her body. A few older folks just looked on and laughed in recollection of 'those days with kids' while a few others wondered if I was abusing the poor child. I stripped her of the life suit and de-sanded her (she had a normal bathing suit on underneath) and stood her up next to April who had started toward the car. I noticed at this point that my back was rather itchy and a little sore. I swooped up abbi who was rather content to feel the spongy grass in her fingers and headed off for the car. I started the car, turned on the AC and headed back to help April with her walking bundle of heavenly joy (sarcasm rears it ugly head again). I picked up Hannah and rushed her to the awaiting car seat, and helped april load the diaper bag and such. April seated herself and homebound we went. This part of the beach is about 8 minutes from home, during the ride I noticed that April although she was dealing with a broken, or so we thought, toe didn't seem to be in distress unless she tried to move her foot. I also noticed that my back was tingling now. Once home and cleaned up, April sat down on the couch and I finally got a good look at the sun's handy work. I am now more sunburned than I ever had been. Completely burned beet red from head to waist. Oh what a beautiful day it would have been to wear sunscreen...yeah I've got no one to blame but myself. April and the Girls had all slathered up before we left. Shortly thereafter Linds and Chris pulled in and announced that they were totally fried too. Sure enough the three of us look like a trio of boiled lobsters. So bad infact that wearing shirts is impossible and were it not for Tylenol and Aloe Vera, we'd have killed ourselves already. April on the other hand while she did get some sun, decides it best to head off for the local clinic even though we have no medical insurance yet. She returns a few hours later with crutches, a fancy black velcro boot and the news that she did indeed break the bone above her toe. Just higher than the pin. The doctor may decide that surgery is the only way to ensure its proper healing. For the past two days she's hobbled about the house taking it easy while I tend to the kids at arms length. Trying to avoid contact with anyone or anything. Sleeping is not easy nor effective for me. At least I can walk though. To make matters difficult the Elders stopped by and asked if I could accompany them on a visit. How do you turn down the appointed servants of our Lord? So I mustered my courage and all the mettle I had and put on a g-top and a shirt, tie and slacks and fought my way through some missionary work.
So in a nutshell, Oahu got its revenge on the adults of our adventure, either through complete charring of our upperbodies and faces or by taking out its anger on our toes. So there you have it folks, our now, much sadder existence here in paradise.
Oh and did I mention we're going over to the De Ryke's tonight for a BBQ? Crap that means walking....with clothes......aaarrrrrrggghhhh (pics comming soon).
The first two times we went to the beach we had cloudy days the blocked out the sun most of the time we were there. This last time, we bought body boards (pics comming soon) and went to a different part of the same beach, about 2 miles down shore. The waves were better there and the sand was cleaner. This time the day was BEAUTIFUL, and the waves were great. The sun was shining, the bird were chirping, the water was blue and clear, the japanese girls were chirping, it was a perfect day. We traded kid duty so we all got a chance to ride the waves on our new Walmart body boards, oh what fun. After a few hours we really got the hang of it. Lindsey and april could bring in almost any wave all the way to the shore. (again pictures comming soon). All was well until one last ride when April smacked her foot on something hard and limped to the beach. She sat down on the sand just a little higher than where the waves would roll in and looking rather normal took some time out. A few minutes later she beckoned me over and I stumbled through the crashing waves to get to her. Now, its important to know that I twisted my ankle earilier in the day at that same beach. You see, about six feet out into the water the sand bar dropped about 12 inches then rose again by about 10 inches, so a very effective, hidden hole, I managed to roll my ankle is this hole and it made it pretty sore for the rest of the day, but not sore enough to detain me from enjoying the beach. So, I made my way through the waves to where April was sitting on the beach, instead of the joyful comment I was expecting, I got the solomn news, "I think I broke my toe." Now for those of you who don't know, April broke her little toe at crystal springs in Brigham City UT when we were first dating. So, at this point the first thing that, naturally, goes through my mind and then procedes undauntingly out of the hole in my head is "AGAIN!?" Insensitive, yes I know. Followed quickly by (in the sweetest most kind and sensitive tone I can muster) "What happened?" She said she thought it was jammed but she wasn't sure. Another point of context, when April was younger she had corrective surgery done on that foot to straighten out the bone before her big toe, she now has a pin in it to maintain the fissure. She and I spent the next few minutes, ok seconds, discussing what to do and after a few more wave rides, I went back to where she was sitting and helped her climb onto my back piggy style and ferried her over to the shady spot where we had put our towels.
By this time we had been at this beautiful beach for several hours. The Girls (when I mention Girls in caps I am refering to Hannah and Abbigail) were tired and ornery. So we got Lindsey and Chris's attention and motioned to them that we were leaving. Did I mention that the sun was beautiful all day? It was. Strong too. I took Abbi in my arms and headed for the parkside showers, imagine that will you. FREE cool fresh drinkable showers in the grass next to the beach. Designed for the prompt removal of sand and debris. What an incredible feature, and FREE too, coming from UT where you pay for even the right to look at a geographic feature and then again to use any sort of amenity, free showers is an amazing thing!! For the love of Hawaii, there are free showers here. I showered myself and abbi and set her down on a towel in the grass. I went back to help April who was escorting a very upset Hannah down the trail, very slowly too. I picked up the screaming child still in her life suit (like a wetsuit with foam imbedded int the chest and back to serve as floatation) and arm floaties, with snot dripping down her face and tears strewn about her cheeks, and promptly whisked her toward the spectacular free showers. She wanted nothing to do with that cold refreshing water and screamed like a madman while I removed the sand and snot from her body. A few older folks just looked on and laughed in recollection of 'those days with kids' while a few others wondered if I was abusing the poor child. I stripped her of the life suit and de-sanded her (she had a normal bathing suit on underneath) and stood her up next to April who had started toward the car. I noticed at this point that my back was rather itchy and a little sore. I swooped up abbi who was rather content to feel the spongy grass in her fingers and headed off for the car. I started the car, turned on the AC and headed back to help April with her walking bundle of heavenly joy (sarcasm rears it ugly head again). I picked up Hannah and rushed her to the awaiting car seat, and helped april load the diaper bag and such. April seated herself and homebound we went. This part of the beach is about 8 minutes from home, during the ride I noticed that April although she was dealing with a broken, or so we thought, toe didn't seem to be in distress unless she tried to move her foot. I also noticed that my back was tingling now. Once home and cleaned up, April sat down on the couch and I finally got a good look at the sun's handy work. I am now more sunburned than I ever had been. Completely burned beet red from head to waist. Oh what a beautiful day it would have been to wear sunscreen...yeah I've got no one to blame but myself. April and the Girls had all slathered up before we left. Shortly thereafter Linds and Chris pulled in and announced that they were totally fried too. Sure enough the three of us look like a trio of boiled lobsters. So bad infact that wearing shirts is impossible and were it not for Tylenol and Aloe Vera, we'd have killed ourselves already. April on the other hand while she did get some sun, decides it best to head off for the local clinic even though we have no medical insurance yet. She returns a few hours later with crutches, a fancy black velcro boot and the news that she did indeed break the bone above her toe. Just higher than the pin. The doctor may decide that surgery is the only way to ensure its proper healing. For the past two days she's hobbled about the house taking it easy while I tend to the kids at arms length. Trying to avoid contact with anyone or anything. Sleeping is not easy nor effective for me. At least I can walk though. To make matters difficult the Elders stopped by and asked if I could accompany them on a visit. How do you turn down the appointed servants of our Lord? So I mustered my courage and all the mettle I had and put on a g-top and a shirt, tie and slacks and fought my way through some missionary work.
So in a nutshell, Oahu got its revenge on the adults of our adventure, either through complete charring of our upperbodies and faces or by taking out its anger on our toes. So there you have it folks, our now, much sadder existence here in paradise.
Oh and did I mention we're going over to the De Ryke's tonight for a BBQ? Crap that means walking....with clothes......aaarrrrrrggghhhh (pics comming soon).
Friday, June 6, 2008
FOR THE LOVE....Of Hawaii
Being a first time blog hoster, expect a great deal of nonconforming and disgruntled behavior following what would be a better laid out profile after a great deal of experience, with that out of the way.....*drumroll*
Welcome to April, Chad, Hannah, Abbigail, Lindsey, and Chris's Hawaiian blog. The purpose of this blog is simple, to avoid sending out an email to the entire population of North Ogden, Harrisville and all other reaches of the earth that our families have spread out to. Nothing personal against anyone, its just a mindblowing task to keep everyone informed as to how things are going for the six of us here in the middle of the Pacific. SOOOOOO, without further adieu, feel free to post any (appropriate) comments and or questions for any of us to answer. And remember, when you stub your toe, or nothing goes right, just yell: FOR THE LOVE and remember that we are missing you all too.
Welcome to April, Chad, Hannah, Abbigail, Lindsey, and Chris's Hawaiian blog. The purpose of this blog is simple, to avoid sending out an email to the entire population of North Ogden, Harrisville and all other reaches of the earth that our families have spread out to. Nothing personal against anyone, its just a mindblowing task to keep everyone informed as to how things are going for the six of us here in the middle of the Pacific. SOOOOOO, without further adieu, feel free to post any (appropriate) comments and or questions for any of us to answer. And remember, when you stub your toe, or nothing goes right, just yell: FOR THE LOVE and remember that we are missing you all too.
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