Aloha!--almost a month late

We actually did something for Spring Break this year other than hang around the house trying to keep kids from getting too bored. Hilton Honors (Dale is a member) called last September and offered Dale a "special" at their Big Island Resort. The big catch? We had to sit through a "no pressure" 90 minute + time share presentation. No big deal for an almost cost free (ha ha) mini vacation right? Thanks to Dale's frequent flyer miles we were able to go and it was fun. We saved some dough buy cramming as many groceries as possible into the hotel room's mini mini fridge (it was that small) and only ate out one meal a day.

Here are some photos of our excursions during April's Spring Break.

Hunter and Hailey at their "Dolphin Excursion"

Hunter's first kiss (let's hope it stays that way for a while!)

Dale and the kids on the black sand beach (Lorraine is behind the camera)

Sunbathing Beauty--We were surprised at how cold the water was. Hailey took frequent breaks to warm up.

It was really windy at the higher altitudes.

View of the ocean from the resort

One of the many beautiful falls on the Island

Dale, Hunter and Hailey on the lava rock

Aikido Boys

Aikido (合気道 ,aikidō) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies and philosophy. Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements.


Hunter - Dad and I are taking Aikido together. We have learned so many things while we have been taking it. My favorite technique is Munesuki Kotegaeshi which is a hold/throw that you can use when somebody throws a punch at you.


Dad - My favorite thing about taking Aikido with Hunter is the fact that both adults and kids can be in the same class together. We go three times a week and I get to prod Hunter if he isn't paying attention. I think we both are enjoying it quite a bit.


Hunter - We are both good at rolls, but I'm especially good at dive rolls. You use dive rolls when you are thrown by your opponent. Dive rolls are one of the harder rolls to do.


Dad - This series shows Hunter throwing the Sensei as he attacks with a wooden knife (Tanto).

Day with the whales--blog by Hunter and Hailey

(Hunter) Last Saturday we had a family outing to go whale watching.

(Hailey) First we went to Long Beach and got on the boat (high speed catamaran.)

(Hunter) After getting on the boat, we went out to the Pacific Ocean to see the whales. They were grey whales migrating from Alaska to Baja California to have their babies.

(Hailey) The ride was very bumpy from the ocean waves. I stood at the railing and watched the boat bump up and down. It was fun!

(Hunter) I had fun for the first hour but then I got seasick and threw up. YUCK! Mom and I went below where we could sit down at some tables. I rested until we got closer to shore.

(Hailey) Me and Daddy saw big whales splashing in the water.

(Hunter) Before I got sick, I saw the whales breaching--that is when they jump up out of the water and turn onto their backs. It was so cool!

(Hailey) When I saw the whale, I saw its tail too. It was so cool!

(Hunter) After getting back to shore, we drove home. I was feeling better then. Even though I got sick, I'm glad I got to see the whales.

(Hailey) I love to see the whales!

Sidenote from Lorraine: Hailey and Dale weren't at all affected by being out to sea. I did pretty well until Hunter got sick and that may have psyched me out because I was feeling queasy then. Unfortunately, Hunter hasn't had enough throwing up experience to be much of an aim. Thank goodness we got away from the crowd first and I had my travel pack of wet wipes!

Back to the Track--blog by Hunter

I had my second pinewood derby race several weeks ago. This year I decided to paint my car black and put a cool eagle sticker on it. When we got to the race, we checked in the car and then I waited for my turn to race. My first race, I tied for first. The second heat, I got first place. When it was time for the finals, I raced the fastest car so far. When it was all finished, I ended up in third place. Here is a picture of me with my car and trophy. I'm glad I was able to participate in the pinewood derby again.

First Harvest

Ok, so maybe "harvest" is a bit of a stretch. We ended up with only one orange after the Santa Ana winds blew all the blossoms off but it was huge and tasty! There are already numerous blossoms budding and we are hoping for better luck this year. Next to the orange tree is our guava tree. We had considerably more fruit but all the guavas but one fell off prematurely--I am thinking it wasn't watered enough because they were kind of shriveled. We are now shopping around for an avocado tree to go with our collection--and someplace to plant them all!

Hunter turns 9!

Hunter has started reading the Harry Potter books and think Quidditch is the coolest sport. So when I asked him what kind of cake he wanted "Quidditch" was his answer. We tossed around all kinds of ideas--his more on the unattainable to impossible side. We finally resolved on a golden snitch but somehow that grew into the quaffle and blundgers. If you are unfamiliar with all those terms, I suggest google or a kid to explain it to you.

New Year's Resolutions

I have so many...but the one I am willing to share is to be better at updating my blog--especially now that I've already sent out Christmas cards inviting so many to view it. It really isn't a time issue so much as an intimidation issue. I won't even tell you how long this entry took and most of the time was spent just trying to get the text and pictures in the right place. My plan--just try to keep it simple I guess. My first step? Ta dah! An updated template!

We used several of these pictures on our cards but I like them so much that I thought I'd post them anyway. Hunter took the one of Dale and me. He's turning into quite the photographer!