Making a sweet-smelling man

When they are little, a diaper change and a bath will pretty much do it. I shudder to think of what it will take for a teenager.

But a man can generally keep himself not stinking. My husband is generally smell-neutral. He smells like deodorant at best. (I love you dear, smooch smooch.) So I found this advice on Design Mom by a guest blogger, Ryan Wright.

Cologne - It's time to move your man away from his favorite high school smell. My all time favorite smell for men is Vetiver Oriental by Serge Lutens - striking. Masculine without smelling like aftershave. Sophisticated but uncomplicated. Delicious. It's difficult to find in the US though (aedes, apothia, lacremebeauty, or at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman & selected Neiman Marcus stores. In Canada, try theperfumeshoppe.) I also like Burberry "Touch", Hermes "Terre" and Comme Des Garcon.

I'm going to go sample some of these as well as one for me that my mom discovered called Hawaii that she raved about. Something about smelling just like the tropical paradise we just left! Sweet!

Let's Shower!

We are having a baby shower for my sister-in-law Jenny tomorrow at my house. So far I have mopped my floor and made these:

Luckily I am not on my own. I'll show the crazy results of 40+ showering women tomorrow, or how about Monday.

My spot of sun

Summer, pool-wet feet, and hallelujah, a newly mopped floor!

Our last day in Oahu

On our last day in Oahu we spent our time in two places. First, a jungle trail and second, Pearl Harbor. You should definitely take some time to do both.

First the jungle trail. We turned off the H3 maybe, on a little road and stopped at a marked trail. We had been there before with Chelse. We decided to stop by again to take more pictures. And here they are.

"Brooke, swing on a vine!" "Okay dear, I trust you so much that I won't even think about the consequences before I grab one and jump." Well, I didn't think to swing back up the hill, so I let go and dropped! Ha ha. I survived.

Here is one small vine winding up an unsuspecting tree.

Fastforward a few years and voila! an amazing vanishing act by the tree.


Then we headed over to Pearl Harbor. We were too late to get a chance to see the Arizona (all trips sold out, get there really early) so we toured the Battleship Missiouri. It was the ship where Japan signed the surrender in WWII. It was used in WWII, Korea and last in Desert Storm. It was the last battleship ever used. It was so interesting to tour. We didn't take the 90 minute guided tour, which looked really awesome, but our self-guided one was cool too. Here are a few highlights.

Sailing through Europe

Oh I wish I were! Don't you wish you had a dad with a sail boat who took you sailing through Europe for weeks? I think I just set a goal for Matt and I. Kids, get ready. In another 15 years or so, we'll be off.

Check out these pictures and the blog.

Chillin' without the chillen

Our third day was, of course, wonderful! We first drove down around the south side of Oahu towards Hunama Bay. The parking lot was full and so they just waved us by. We drove by 3 times before they answered our questions. And just so you know, you can park down in the residential area and walk up the hill. Just don't forget to take your $5 each. We did. So instead of hiking down and up again (we were anxious to get to the PCC) we left and explored the cliffs and overlooks.

The first place we stopped was so cool. It was the overlook closest to Hunama Bay. There is a short wall and signs that warn that you shouldn't cross it due to life threatening cliffs. Guess what? We crossed it along with about 30 other people at the same time. It was gorgeous! We hiked down some easily sloping cliffs to the water edge. There were big waves, lots of spray and beautiful aqua-marine blue waves.

That rock in the picture below, I climbed it. Oh yeah. I was totally king, or queen, of the hill.


And now the inspiration for the title today. As we drove off, I looked over the edge of the cliffs, I saw a small beach with a dozen people swimming. I told Matt we should stop. And guess what, we jumped out of the car, hiked down the hill, swam for 15 minutes, collected sand, took a picture (or 20) and then left. It maybe took 25 minutes. Could you do that with 4 kids, a mini-van, a diaper bag, 6 towels, suntan lotion, and potty breaks? Neither could I! I LOVED MY VACATION!

These are looking down from above.



And here is Matt, right there people! This was definitely worth the memories. Ask Matt what he thought of my body surfing here. I say it was perfectly safe, he disagrees. The only water access was about 10 feet wide over where the people are.


We spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had a great time. In fact, we ran out of time. I say get there right when it opens or you'll regret it! We learned the hula, watched the cute polynesian guy climb the tree and start a fire, ate our luau food (including poi which tastes like runny playdough, minus a little salt) and I even tapped my inner warior with a officail warrior tatoo band around my ankle (at a church sponsered institution! Gasp!) Here are a few highlights. Oh how I wish I could post a few videos. Imagine me doing the hula! Stop drooling. Now.




Don't you want to go to Oahu? I sure do. Maybe next year we could share a condo ;-)

Perfect for my kids' dad!

Found it here

The new look

Until I learn html, I have to stick with templates. But I was ready for another look. I just really want to put my own picture on the header. Is it easy?

Hawaii, day Elua (two for you mere English speakers)

Our first Sunday in Hawaii was lovely. We started out at church with Chelse. It was a nice student ward, full of young things. The highlight was Matt getting his picture taken for the New Era! They were there doing a story on young Elders Quorum presidents. What a racket! "Dear Pres, there are just so few young Elders Quorum Presidents in Utah. What should I do? I propose I hop on over to Hawaii where there is sure to be some. Plus, just think how multi-racial all the pictures will be." Anyway, look for Matt sometime next spring in the New Era. He'll be hard to pick out, nice and white, way to old to be at BYU-Hawaii and sitting right next to the EQ Pres!

The temple in Hawaii looks down toward the beach. The church was able to buy the lot across the street. The developed it into a lovely and short garden so as to preserve the view of the ocean. So we hoofed it down to see it and "Temple Beach". We ate PB&J and enjoyed the view.


Then we spent some time at the Hawaii Temple. It was more beautiful than most pictures I'd seen. It is one of those things it is just so much more fun to experience in person! Ha ha.


Then we did some driving around. We saw some point that I don't remember the name of. Come to think of it, it may just be called the point. Anyway, it was our first stop to see large waves pounding the jagged lava shoreline. Very pretty. Matt was overjoyed to find an arch. I realized that Arches National Park would be greatly improved with the addition of an ocean!





















We finished off with a drive up the canyon and stopped at an overlook. The picture didn't turn out so well, but just to show you the lay of the land, I'll subject you to it.


And that ends our lovely day Elua on Oahu.

The dreaded skeletal curse

Apparently we have it! Since summer vacation started, not just one, but TWO neighbor kids have broken arms at our house.

The first was several weeks ago. We moved a bunch of rocks from our neighbors side yard to a pile in front of our yard in preparation for getting cement. A neighbor boy was riding his bike over them and fell. Snap, one nice straight arm down the drain.

The second was yesterday. Dawn and a friend were playing outside. I heard screaming and kids running in. In came the friend with a very obviously recently-bent-where-Heaven-never-meant arm. We took her home, brought back two of her brothers and she returned a few hours later with a nice pre-cast splint.

Oh dear, what have I done to deserve this? And even more frightening, who is next?

Aloha!

Okay, I've been home for 3 days now, and still nothing here in the blogosphere. I've lost a little of my pep spending nearly two weeks away from responsibility and all. But over the next few weeks you may begin to wish I never started.

I have to say, I loved every minute of it, well, all but the minute when I had a passing fear for my life as a large wave knocked me over, tore my flesh off on the sharp lava and left me bloodied and bruised. But beside that, EVERY MINUTE! The intoxicating mixture of gorgeous scenery, hot sand, warm waves, lush greenness, abdicated responsibility, yummy food, floral scented breezes, possible spontaneity at any time, sleeping in, and exploring new places all added up to a dream vacation.

But before I go any further, I must send thanks and overflowing gratitude to all those who made it all possible, namely my mom, Matt's parents, Todd and Shayla, Paige and Kenny (who suffered without Mom), Chrissie, Lanae and Stephanie, my Primary buddies, and even the McDaniel boy for mowing our lawn! If I missed you, it may be I didn't know of your great love and sacrifice, but thanks anyway!

So that is a good enough introduction. Bring on the pictures!


This was the beach we stayed on in Kailua, Oahu. It was beautiful. The first time I put my foot in the water, I knew this was no California beach. As much as I love Cali, this water was really warm. The waves were even present, and we body surfed. This was one of the only beaches we actually caught decent waves.





This is Waimea Bay. Chelse, my tropical babe sister, took us here our first day. Matt and Chelse jumped off the big rock, aren't they tough!


And this is Shark's Cove, the site of my first snorkeling. It was full of fish and we saw a sea turtle right off. It took a while to get used to breathing under water, but by the end of the 2 hours or so, I felt more comfortable, minus the banged ankle I sustained (one of many, I might add).


We finished off our first full day on Oahu at Sunset Beach. While here we followed around a turtle (snorkeling) and enjoyed a little nappy before the sun actually set. What a lovely day. Chelse really made our first day wonderful. Thanks Chelsearondo!

Adios and Goodbye

Well, today is the day when I find out just how unprepared I am to leave the continent. Wahooo! It may be a long day.

Fortunately I will be soakin' it up with my soul mate in Hawaii. Unfortunately I will not be blogging for at least a week-and-a-half while my dearest mother takes over my household. She didn't seem to like the idea of blogging along with all the other minor child rearing she will be doing. I'm not sure why.

Anyway, I'll see you in a few days. Have a great time wherever you are without me. Adios, and ALOHA!

Pacabel

My good friend Lindsey on her blog Color Me Red, posted the funniest video. You need to watch it now.

A few good books

So, what are you reading this summer? I am on a mission to find some good books to take on my fabuloso trip to the paradise in the Pacific! I have settled on Man's Search for Meaning, The Grand Tour, Princess Academy, James and the Giant Peach, 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, The Notebook, and a Sudoku on the go book. Mostly these are just a few that I have and a few that friends have loaned me.

I am looking for a good blog about current books. I haven't looked too much. Do you know one?

The books I would take if I had them are The Scarlet Pimpernel and Eclipse. Ha ha, that one's not out yet, but if truth be told, I am looking forward to it.

I am overwhelmed with the historical books available, about presidents, countries, different eras. I don't know where to start. So, let me know. What are your favorites?

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails

Or full of attitude and prep and adorablado in their case.

Make-a-list Monday, Hawaii!

Things to look forward to in Hawaii, what else?
1. Getting up way too early to leave
2. Visiting friends in San Francisco on the way
3. The warm, moist air
4. No kids on a many-hour flight over the Pacific Ocean
5. Oahu, PCC, Pearl Harbor
6. Seeing Chelse, bomb diggity!
7. Shopping in Hawaii
8. Snorkeling in Hawaii
9. Laying on the beach in Hawaii
10. Shopping in Hawaii
11. Eating, sleeping, showering, driving, dreaming in Hawaii
12. Maui, snorkeling beaching, hiking, 7 Sacred Pools, Road to Hana, shave ice, good sea food.
13. Calling home to talk to the sweetest kids ever
14. Picking out something great for my sweet mother who is watching our kids.
15. Picking out sweet things for my sweet things (thing 1,2,3, and 4!)
16. Sleep, lots of it, whenever I'm tired
17. Eating whenever I want to
18. Leaving, walking, reading, any time I want to!

I was SO right

1. check
2. nope
3. big time oh yeah! (one day later, that would be today)
4. nope, settled for grilled salmon after a failed attempt at Tucanos ended at Macaroni Grill
5. check, I'll post 'em when I get 'em
6. check, see #4
7. check

9. again, I rescheduled this to today and big checko!
10. check
11. check
12. not a chance
13. the biggest mistake of the day, that would be a nope
14. well, just before Matt got home, the cement layer dudes called to say they were finally going to arrive to give us a quote, before they arrived we got a call to ask us if we remembered the dress rehearsal for the girls' dance recital, uh, no, or we'd be there. The girls dressed quickly while I talked to the cement guys. Matt pulled up just in time to finish with the cement men while I whisked the girls away to dance for rehearsal AND pictures. If my girls weren't so cute all by them selves, I'd be worried to even look at those messy hair, rumpled clothes, dirty tights, not make-uped girls. Oh, did I mention that just 10 minutes before all that happened we just pulled in from SL and getting the boys pictures taken. Whew. So the short answer is NO.
15. That depends.


PS Today I am NOT going to sort and put away the out grown clothes in all 4 of the kids collections.