Leila, Brent and Craig at the beach.

Craig and I at the temple in Laie

We had a nice sesion in the Temple

Temple ground flowers

We loved the different flowers on the Temple Grounds at Laie

Craig at the beach at Laie

Looking out over the beach

Zariah resting on a birthing stone

The Hill's took us to the Royal Birthing Stones

Leila is a very limber girl!

Brent, Loni, and Zariah at Pali lookout.

Craig and I and Zariah at the Pali  Lookout.

We loved seeing the Byodo-In Temple

We liked making the gong make it's sound.

Zariah and Grandma inside the Temple.

It was a beautiful, peaceful place

Grandma's Hawiian dress with Zariah in her
Chinese dress.

We made it to the top of Diamond Head

Great Views from Diamond Head

Craig at the beach  at Sunset

Kathy, Craig, Zariah, Leila, Brent and Loni

We loved being at the beach in the evening until the bugs came out.

Leila and Grandma after scuba diving.

Zariah enjoys the beach with Brent

What a cute beach baby!

It's time to go home.  Even after a good rinse we are still loaded with sand.

Grandma, Zariah and Grandpa hiking to Manoa Falls.

We enjoyed the tropical rainforest we hiked through.

Glad to be together.

Zariah is very impressed with Manoa falls even if there has been a drought.

Brent helps Zariah on a slippery spot.

June 2012 began with a trip to Hawaii.  Craig and I had a wonderful visit with Brent, Loni, Zariah and Leila.   They cooked us lots of good food and took us many fun and interesting places.  We went to the Pali lookout and saw a beautiful view.  We visited the Byodo-In Temple.  It's name means "Temple of Equality-not to discriminate.  It is a scale replica of a temple built in Uji Japan that was constructed 900 years ago.  It was built without nails.  It is located in the Valley of the Temples memorial park, an oriental cemetery built up the side of a mountain with a beautiful view of the ocean.  We went to Hilo Hattie's and I got a pretty Hawiian dress, that I feel great in.  We went to the Polynesian Cultural center and did a session at the temple in Laie.  We visited the beach and I tried scuba diving.  I was a little overwhelmed by the power of the waves.  We hiked to Diamond head and Manoa falls.  We went to the Royal Birthing rocks of Hawaiin Kings and Queens and visited an ancient temple site of the Hawiian people.  We got to meet the nice senior missionary couple that has been so helpful to Brent and Loni, Brother and Sister Hill.  We ate out at a lot of fun places and just enjoyed spending time with Brent and his family.  I also got to go with Zariah to her piano lesson.  We had a great time.

May 2012 or Counting my Blessings

I know, its been a long time.  Life has gotten a little busier than usual these last months.  We have had many highlights these past few months, Joseph got his Arrow of Light,  Jessica turned 15, Merynne turned 12 and is going to Young Women's now.  I finished a quilt for Jason. We had a pool party and picnic with the Utah cousins on spring break.  Craig and I went to Michigan for spring break.  We visited a historic pioneer community, toured a beautiful mansion with the cutest playhouse made of brick with a fully equipped working kitchen.  We visited Frankenmuth, where we shopped at the Largest Christmas store in the world.  We also enjoyed Zender's famous chicken dinner and sampled the fudge and bakery treats.  We napped and took walks and watched movies.  It was a nice visit.   At the beginning of May,  I made the decision to retire after 14 years of teaching.  It was a hard decision, but I think I will really like being retired.  I was called to be the Relief Society President in March and I am learning many good things and being blessed in my efforts.  Craig and I look forward to serving  a mission in mid- January.  Debbie graduated from the University of Utah and Brent returned from Afghanistan.  We have had a lot of blessings.