hello

hi everybody! Sunday we took family pictures in our matching Hawaiian outfits and then wore them to church. They do a really neat thing here when someone moves out of the ward, after the closing prayer, everyone stood up and sang "Aloha oe" and then everyone greeted the people moving and gave them leis. it was very moving. Yesterday we went on a hike to manoa falls. It was beautiful. It was rainforest, the most heavily wooded and green and lush we have seen in Hawaii. The falls used to be open to swim in but they had a big landslide from a flash flood a few years ago and so the pools under the falls were closed. Right after I read about that big flash flood, what happened? A flash flood. It just started pouring right at the top of the hike. It was intimidating because the rain was so loud on the top of the trees but hadn't reached us yet, so we just looked at each other and started running. But then the leaves started dumping on us. We were soaked and up to our ankles in water in a few minutes. But at the bottom of the hike the ground was barely wet. It was really fun and Tyger liked jump through the mud puddles. Zach will tell you about scuba diving: I started scuba diving last night. We did some book work then got in a pool with all of our gear on. What a strange sensation it is to breathe under water. It was really neat and I am looking forward to doing a dive in the ocean.

Diamond Head

Aloha, We are still having a good time. On Friday morning Amy and I hiked Diamond Head. It is the most famous volcano crater in the world. The hike had some spectacular views. I was a little nervous because it was very high in some spots. The same day we went to Oahu's China town (it is not worth seeing) we also went surfing. I have surfed 8 times now and I am getting better. My goal is to surf 10 times so only 2 more times and I will meet my goal. On Monday Dave and I start our Scuba Diving class, we are both looking forward to it. Today our family went to Kailua beach. We swam with sea turtles which made it worth driving there. See ya soon.
zAcH

Pearl Harbor

Hi. We made it through 4 days with 6 kids, and as great as they were, I don't think we will have anywhere near 6 kids. On Tuesday we took a road trip down to Honolulu to see Dog the bounty hunters bail bonds office. It's called Da Kine Bail bonds. There are bullet holes in the window. Dog wasn't there however! The next day we took the kids to Ko Olina again, but a different Lagoon. Today we finally went to Pearl Harbor!!!! It was nice. Tyger and Tatum behaved pretty well. We will be home in 13 days and we are getting anxious to start "real life." We are sure Sunny and Dave are ready to be rid of us too! Just a reminder (no pressure:) I changed the settings so anyone can post a comment.

Day 2 with 6 kids.

Hi! Day 2 with 6 kids went well. They are good kids and fun! We went to Ko Olina Beach today. It consists of 4 separate man-made lagoons and is perfect for kids. The water is as calm and clear as a swimming pool, and schools of fish are swimming all around you. We played in the sun 4 3 hours, and Zach, Amy, London, and Tatum got burned! Through 50 SPF sunscreen. Guess they aren't kidding when they say reapply if you play in water! It was by far the funnest beach for the kids so far. Here are some pics from our day!

happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, haaaaappy anniversary...happy happy happy happy happy anniversary...happy happy happy happy..

hello! It has been a busy week! Zach and I went to the Polynesian culture center on a bounceback deal by ourselves on Thursday while Sunny watched the kids. We also tried some shrimp and crab at the "Shrimp Shack" which is supposedly the best shrimp shack on the island. It was very yummy but let me tell you, Zach and I don't know how to eat Crab. We had the hardest time. The lady who owned the shrimp shack came out herself to see us struggle and laugh at us. She brought us extra shrimp crackers. She said she has been eating and cracking into crabs since she was born in Maryland. Friday, we went surfing and to the beach in the morning (picture of tatum: she takes her sand play very seriously) then Zach and I took off to the Hale Koa Hotel to celebrate our 6th anniversary (1 week late). The Hale Koa is a nice resort hotel right on Waikiki beach right next to the Hilton. It is military personnel only. We ate at the "Top of Waikiki" rotating restaurant and then walked the beach and the city while the sun set. Very romantic!!!! Saturday morning we swam in the pool, saw a movie, did some shopping. I had to get some fingerprints done for my RN license so we went to this little shop that was about 250 square feet and owned by a very old Japanese couple. The place was covered with 80's posters (nightrider, Kirk Cameron etc...) and the magazines in the waiting room were soo old, nothing past 1987. The little lady was so funny! She said, "You have cute guy. He very cute. He your husband?" Then stuff like, "You don't take your kids to Hawaii, you send home to grandma and grandpa. Grandma and grandpa want to watch those kids." then, "you need to have 3 more kids to make full basketball team." and "you beautiful nurse, very beautiful nurse." She was so sweet I wanted to hug her! Anyway today Sunny and Dave left for a 4 day trip to the big island for a very early anniversary. So needless to say it has been CRAZY with 6 very energetic kids. We took a drive this morning and to the park, and they have just been running around. But they're good kids so it will be a fun 4 days. BY THE WAY I think I have fixed the blog so that anyone can comment even if they aren't registered or even if they don't have a google account so try again and see if it works. We will be back to Utah in a little over 2 weeks. It has gone by so fast! Then on July 12th I have an interview at Desert Springs hospital in LV so we will be in St. George staying with Zach's grandma for probably a month or so until we can get into a house. Hope to hear from you soon! amy

PCC

Hi!! We have been really busy the last few days. Yesterday we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had good time. The kids did not like the individual island cultural presentations that much. They were a little bored. There was a lot of fun activities and all of us got fake tattoos. At the New Zealand Island place I thought I recognized a girl from my mission. I went and talked to her and found out that I knew her and I served in her ward. She was a ward missionary and helped us with the new member discussions (small world). The kids loved the luau, but more than that they loved the show. Tyger thought it was so much fun and really liked any of the guys with fire. Well I am still trying to be a surfer. I went yesterday morning by myself and got my butt kicked. I had a good time but I was not very successful. Today I took Amy surfing for the second time. She did awesome!! She is good at catching waves but a little nervous about standing up. She did try and wiped out. We took some pictures of us surfing so now it might be believable. I sure enjoy surfing it has been so much fun. I will get some pictures of Amy riding a wave before we leave and maybe we will have some of us both standing looking cool! Here are a bunch of pictures from the PCC and surfing. Keep cool my babies.. Pictures in order: Hula girl from night show, Amy Tyger and Tatum with cuuuute polynesian guy, us waiting for the show to start + kids stuffing their faces, Tyger getting a manly tattoo, tyger and zach at the luau, Tyger on the luau stage, Zach surfing on his knees, Amy cleaning her board, Zach cleaning his board.
zAcH

ketsup

Hi! It's been awhile and we are sorry! We've been busy, but more with errands, babysitting etc... than anything else. On Thursday, we watched Sunny's kids most of the day while she took some finals. We got a blow up pool and the kids went crazy in it. Friday was our 6 year anniversary and Zach and I went out to breakfast together at Denny's (we're celebrating this coming weekend). Zach went surfing in the morning, and he found out why they call surf shirts "rash guards" (Zach will now never be able to breastfeed). Then we went shopping at the NEX (navy exchange) and got a rash guard, and I bought some clothes. Saturday morning we went to Hickam AFB beach again (see our first blog for pics of this beach) and had fun. It was funny because we were sitting on the beach all set up, watching the kids in the water. The beach was pretty empty but this party of about 7 people came and set up about 2 feet directly in front of us for some reason. Then they started smoking immediately. I shifted all our stuff over and some other beach goers came up and commented how rude those people were. then they started talking... they were french! Haha! (Sorry Tahnie and Brad and sunny). Anyway, just a funny sterotypical french story. Then we headed with the Prices for another matsomuto's shave ice. Today we got up early and attempted Pearl Harbor again, but guess what, it was about 3 times busier than last time. Then we headed up to the Punch bowl. It is an old volcano ruin that has been turned into a beautiful memorial to soldiers. We searched for names, we found 5-6 Putnams, but no LaBounty, Shuppy, or Loveridge. Then we went to Bishop Museum and they had a lot of fun activities for the kids. Zach attempted surfing again today and he did very well! Hope you enjoy the pics! We promise not to wait this long between updates anymore. Pictures: at Hickam after eating watermelon, kiddy pool, punchbowl pics, bishop museum pics. Thanks for your comments!

Surf's Up

Hi everybody!! We really appreciate those of you that have commented on our blog, please keep it up. We have been here three weeks now I can't believe it. We still have four weeks to enjoy and bask in this paradise. Today Amy and I took surfing lessons. It was the first time for both of us to surf. We went to a beach called White Plains. It is owned by the Military but open to all. The instructor that taught us (John) told us that it is just like a mini Waikiki but with out the crowds and great beach parking and access. John our instructor is a fire fighter and teaches lessons and life guards as a part time job. We know now why surfers have such good bodies! It is hard work! Amy did a really good job she caught and rode a bunch of waves but she didn't dare to stand up. I was able to ride a lot of waves as well. I did pretty good for my first time. I will definitely be surfing as much as possible before we leave. Amy and I were beat after going because it is a lot of work. Later.. Enjoy the pictures..
Zach and Amy