HI, Kauai** Kauai, Hawaii

So after our Europe trip--

We started packing for our FAMILY trip!!

This year we went early in the summer--

It was a miracle we found a week where ALL had off.

(well, morgan didn't so she just skipped school!)

Every year I say "this might be the last year"

and this might be the year where it comes true--

I told them to start comparing 2010 school calendars!

We all arrived on island within 20 minutes of each other!

Rented a car and van and CRAMMED 14+ pieces of luggage

plus a stroller and two car seats inside --

Ron is the luggage magician!!

By the time we reached resort it was after 10 pm

Such a beautiful island--our first time here.

View from our balcony

Next day had to find the closest shaved ice--

ahh, now it feels like Hawaii!

Riley and Emma found the best way to get the last drop!

Best dinner on the island--

Costco steaks and Ron as the chef

The protected species on the island--roosters

who don't know how to tell when it's sunrise

and crow all day long!!

Took a catamaran tour of Na'pali Coast

Looking out of sea cave--so cool

Such an amazing place

so many movies filmed here-

the scenery is awesome!!

These are dolphins--not sharks--about 70 in the pod!!

Snorkeling in crystal clear water

Dinner out--we all voted that Ron's cooking was better!!

Sunset at Ke'e beach--the end of the road

(literally--the road does not go around island)

Family photos in tree roots

Should have taken family photo in family tree!!

Another day, another beach

Emma is ready to go-

-enough with the sunscreen

just get me in the ocean!!

Grandma and girls enjoying the day

Ocean football

Next day when the group had their zipline adventure

(check kids' blogs for photos and videos)

grandma got to play with girls

Yes, ice cream before lunch--

(Riley took photo--great job, girl!)

Maybe Emma really wasn't that thrilled

with her candy lei--

I think she just wanted to eat it--not wear it!

And grandma taught Riley how to hula hoop.

You notice how there is no photo of grandma demonstrating this skill--

some things just should not be captured on film!!

Another amazing meal on the cliffs--

beautiful resort

Another day, another beach!!

Emma REALLY likes the sand

What a great grandpa--who is in great shape

they chased waves all day!!

Mermaid Meredith

Dinner after the beach--swimsuits, sand and suntans

what a way to spend a day!!

Our week went by too fast--

so much fun to all be together--

We laughed a lot, ate a lot,

we played Puerto Rico and CatchPhrase

(and found out who doesn't like to lose!)

We swam from rope swings, zipped along the green canopy

and played water baseball until the ball dissolved!!

Most of all--we were together!!

We all agreed we want to return to Kauai---soon!

And what better way to leave the island on the red-eye flight

then watching Emma and Riley dance

to the Hawaiian band in the airport!!

(ok, she doesn't look like she was dancing-

but take my word--

she was showing us all her moves

and she has a lot!)

Paris, at last!

I wanted to show all of our adventures,

but I can blog only a "snapshot"

so here's the Paris installment of our European trip:

Headed out on the midnight train from Venice to Paris--

Hated leaving Venice... but so excited for Paris.

Sleeping car not quite as cool as in Harry Potter movies...

Stacked triple-decker bunkbeds--

(here's our guide Lauri and I with her brother above-)

Ron across the aisle--close enough to touch!

all fine until we added our 6th bunk mate 2 hours into the trip.

Body odor bad enough to wake us!!

Oh, could she have used a spray of french perfume

But so worth the ride--

tired and wearing day-old clothes--

but we are in PARIS--

Yes, walking distance to the Eiffel tower.

Look at the smiles--we really can't believe we are here!!

Took a river tour on the Seine--yes, really--

that's Notre Dame--flying buttresses and all!!

Finally able to check into our cute Parisian hotel--

the hotel Madeleine

ah, a mattress this time!!

Heaven!

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

in front of the Louvre

waiting for the sun to set on the Eiffel Tower

Romance is in the air--

Isn't he sweet....

ok, maybe he was just excited about

his first french crepe!!

Oh, what a show--

moonlight and the Eiffel Tower

(I have soooooo many photos of that night!!)

At the Musee de L'Orangerie

I love Monet!!

Amazing building to show these paintings.

Great food-every day

Pastries and Hot Chocolate in the morning

Lunch in the Latin Quarters--

One of Ron's favorite meal

gyros, yes with "french" fries!

My favorite dessert--Gelato

and of course the French do it with flair!!

Now the museums--so many--

the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre

I will be scrap booking for months!!

Now my two favorite Ladies of the Louvre:

Winged Victory--Nike

and the beautiful Venus de Milo

(looks like I am not the only one entranced by her!)

And after all that art--

time to go where the artists hang out:

Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur and Place du Tertre.

It was amazing at night

and the best way to ride--

the funiculare--

(don't know what that is? look it up!!)

Now on to Versailles

BIKES !!!

the best way to see the gardens and fountains!!

Loved it --

went on Sunday and the music was playing,

the water was spraying --

and yes, Ron is carrying my purse--

I haven't been bike riding in years

and he is such a great husband

he didn't want me to crash--

my purse was stuffed with

umbrellas, cameras, guidebooks, tissues,

granola bars, and almost the kitchen sink!

Marie Antoinette's grotto and music pavilion

My favorite part--Marie Antoinette's village

so beautiful and peaceful

We could have spent the entire time here!!

Just one of the literally hundreds of majestic fountains--

Crazy

Ended at the Hall of Mirrors--

exhausted, but such a great day!!

Sainte-Chapelle my VERY favorite church-

such amazing windows

so beautiful

Loved Notre Dame--amazing architecture

and beautiful rose gardens--

you should see my flower photos!!

last meal in Paris--

wonderful food--

wonderful trip

great guide Lauri and her brother Tyler--

thank you--for an unforgettable adventure

Still walking on air--

head in the clouds--

a perfect ending to a perfect trip--

thanks, Ron

No time for Paris--will finish trip blog when we return

In the meantime. . .

What do you do in the Tri-Cities AFTER the wind finally stops blowing. . . . .

Play golf, of course!!

Now, to be honest I don't know how to golf.

I want to learn, but have never had the time.

But since our children are now adults,

I have the time... maybe I should learn.

So hey, the wind has stopped--the sun is shining

and no one has to work today--

so let's go golfing!!

Steven showing his form on the first tee shot.

Meredith and Ron just posing.

(cool hat Ron)

My goal was to hit the ball in the air--

I have a tendency to "top" the ball and

then watch it touch every blade of grass

down the fairway!!

I accomplished my goal (a number of times)

by the end of the 18 holes

Meredith practising her swing...

Steven, why are you standing so far away

using the cart as a shield?

Meredith did VERY well--

She had the "hitting the ball in the air" technique perfected!

-Happy couple-

We of course had to lead-

Steven "tried" to beat us around the curve,

but Ron would have none of that!

Steven showing us how it's done--

no fair, he took a golf class at BYU--

hey, is that where the tuition money went?

He better get that swing down -

so that he fits into the doctor-golfer stereotype

Ron, the best athlete I know,

(love you babe)

showing us why he always wins--

What can be better than a beautiful day

spent with your beautiful wife--

(I am sure that is what Steven is thinking)

Yes, that's what we do in the Tri-Cities when the wind stops--

can't we entice you to go to school here instead of at Dartmouth--

we will miss you when you leave. . .

but we will always have Columbia Point.