Hawaii: Diamond Head and Lanakai Beach

Monday morning we hiked Diamond Head.  The view of the island from the top of Diamond Head was gorgeous.  

 Then we headed to Lanakai Beach for some rest and relaxation.  This was hands down the most beautiful beach I've ever been on.  The sand felt like powdered sugar and the water was cyan blue.  Wasn't crowded.

 Even the pathway to the sand was awesome with these palm trees hanging down over the steps.

Monday night we had dinner at Cheesecake factory with our friends Gregg and Veronica, who now live on the Island.

Hawaii: North Shore

Sunday we went to sacrament meeting at the cathedral in downtown Waikiki.  

Then we headed to the North Shore.  We stopped at Sharks Cove for some snorkeling on the way.  Then we had lunch and pie at the famous Ted's Bakery.  I could eat some of their pie right now.

Next stop was relaxing and sunbathing at Turtle Bay beach.  We saw our first turtle in the water there.  Then we hung out at the Turtle Bay Resort pool.

On our way back to Waikiki we stopped at the famous Sunset Beach to watch the beautiful sunset.

When we got back to the hotel we had dinner at one of the restaurants inside our hotel because it was so late.  It was the nastiest dinner of our life.  It was so bad we couldn't even be mad.  Definitely memorable.

Besides that, we had an amazing six year anniversary.  It doesn't get much better than spending the day together on the beaches of Hawaii.

Hawaii: Laie Temple, PCC, & BYU-H

Saturday we went to the beautiful Laie Temple.  Afterwards we had lunch at the BYU Hawaii cafeteria.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We watched the water parade and went around to the different villages.  

My favorite village was Samoa where they climbed trees, made coconut milk, and started fire with sticks. Niel tried to make fire with sticks afterwards and was sweating up a storm.  The samoan dude on stage made it look so easy.  All Niel got was a little bit of smoke.  I guess white men can't make fire.

If we look really hot and sweaty it's because we were.  It was pretty hot that day.

We went to the Luau and dinner.  Afterwards we saw the show 'Ha:  Breath of Life" 

Hawaii

 Niel and I spent our 6th year anniversary this year in Oahu, Hawaii.  It was our first time to Oahu and we loved it.  Kensie stayed at home with Grandma!  We'd only left Kensie one other time for one night so it was our first real vacation since she was born.  She did so well and loved spending time with her Grandma Child.  It made me realize we need to get away more often.

We stayed in the heart of Waikiki across the street from the beach.  Friday afternoon we checked into our hotel and went straight to the beach.

 Dinner at Duke's while being serenaded by along the beach.

Dessert was the famous Hula Pie everyone had told us about.  It was AMAZING and that wasn't the last time we had hula pie in Hawaii.

MAGIC

I went to the trade show MAGIC here in Las Vegas to scout out some new swim lines for 2013.  Going to MAGIC is one of my new favorite things to do.  I would go all day, all three days, if I could.  

I brought my friend Brittany with me this time to get a second opinion on things.  An added bonus is getting spoiled by the suppliers who are trying to get your business.  We scored free lunch, hats, and some totes.  I found three new swim lines I am seriously considering for next year.

The models will try on any swimsuits you would like to see in person.  Very helpful.

 I was most excited to find a company who manufactures these retro swim dresses.  They had so many adorable suits, the hardest part will be picking WHICH ones to order!

I already can't wait for the 2013 swim season.  Lots of new and great things to come for my company as it grows and I'm able to offer more selection!  Do you have a favorite?

Sarah's Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower for my friend Sarah, who is expecting her first baby girl in October!  Lucky for me, her family took care of all the food so I just provided a location and helped with the decorations and planning.  We had about 30 people come and she got so many awesome gifts!     

Guests from the ward

Me, Sarah, and Lindsay

I am so happy for Sarah.  Having your first baby is such a life changing and exciting experience.   I can't wait to meet this little girl next month.  I'm also looking forward to having Sarah as my newest SAHM friend just across the street!  Hooray! :) 

Mount Charleston

Last month we went with the Elliot and Wheelus family to Mount Charleston.  All I wanted was to be outside without roasting.  Once we got up the mountain every campsite was full.  I guess everyone else in Las Vegas had the same idea.  The only place with availability was a picnic area.  We couldn't build a fire which was a bummer since we planned to have s'mores but the cooler weather felt great and we still had a good time.  The kids had fun running around together outside.  

These pictures are awful quality from my cell phone but Lexie and Kensie were being so funny and cute playing together in the wilderness.  Kensie thought it was great running around and picking up sticks.

Overnighter at Mandalay Bay

I was due for a getaway with my girlfriends and since Lindsey and Mollie both finished their Master's program, we decided a celebration needed to take place.  What better way to celebrate than a stay-cation on the strip at Mandalay Bay.

We met up at the hotel for check-in Thursday afternoon.  Lindsey and I showed up wearing almost the exact same outfit.  No planning involved.  We felt kinda silly, but not silly enough to change.

We checked into our room, freshened up, and headed to Fashion Show mall for some shopping.

Then dinner at Max Brenner inside the Forum shops.   The gals who couldn't stay overnight showed up for dinner with us.

I'm going back just for their desserts sometime.

My cousin Courtney was in town and met up with us for dinner.

More shopping at the Forum Shops after dinner

And what is a girl's trip without going dancing?!  Lindsey E. has some sweet dance moves...don't let her tell you otherwise.  

After staying up late we slept in and relaxed at the pool most of the day Saturday.  Wave pool, lazy river, and laying out.  We felt like tourists.

Looking forward to making this a tradition.