Merry Christmas from Denver!

Waiting for Grandpa and Grandma!

Christmas in Denver with four Monkeys!

And a good time was had by all...

Thanks mom and dad for letting me tag along on your retirement/anniversary trip. I really needed it and now I need to move back STAT. Love Oahu and all my peeps there!!!

The Shorebird

Our last weekend on Oahu was spent in Waikiki at the military hotel. That Saturday a couple of my friends and I went to dinner at The Shorebird. I did not realize until we got there that this place required you to cook your own food. I tried to catch a picture of Jill throwing our fish on the grill but she said it was so freaking hot and I could not catch her. I later tried my hand at it and she wasn't kidding. I still don't have any hair on my right arm! But the company of Jill, Bernice, her two super cute kids, and the sunset made it all worth it!

L&L's BBQ

I lived in Hawaii for 1.5 years and never tried the Saimin noodles from L&L's until now (Nov 8). I really missed out! So freaking good!!!

Last Day at Bellows: Nov 9

I really love this place!

Dole Pineapple Plantation

After a whole lotta shave ice we decided we still had room for pineapple ice cream. Yum!

Quest for the BEST shave ice!

Next door to each other in Haleiwa, HI stand two shave ice stores. A friend from Laie took me to Aoki's years ago. The line at Motsumoto's was very long and she said it was just as good. I really enjoyed it and from then on never made the effort to go to Motsumoto's . Well, yesterday we decided to do both and we compared the mango flavor with ice cream on the bottom. I like both and really can only conclude if you like super sweet shave ice: go to Motsumoto's. If you are not a fan of going into a diabetic coma: go to Aoki's. Either way, both are worth a drive to the North Shore!

National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii

On Tuesday I got to stop by my old work place and have lunch with my former boss. It was great to see everyone and to know that all the programs I helped get off the ground are still going strong!

Pearl Harbor: The USS Missouri

My favorite part about Pearl Harbor is running around The Mighty Mo! From the deck we even saw a submarine going out to sea. I freaking LOVE this place!

Time to bunk down. Where are the sailors?


I believe LTC Westhoff has a question.


What?! We're out of Coke! Turn this ship around!

Pearl Harbor: The Bowfin

After The Arizona we went on the USS Bowfin Submarine. It was fun to run around, but I could never imagine having to live in one for months at a time. I guess you need to be short to be in the Navy... very short!

 

 

Pearl Harbor: The Arizona Memorial

On Monday we went to Pearl Harbor. I have been there multiple times before but never went on the Arizona. It was a nice experience and I learned why the memorial is shaped the way it is. The dip in the middle represents initial defeat at Pearl Harbor and both ends of the memorial peak showing ultimate victory in the Pacific and European Theaters.

Party Time!

Last Saturday my friend/former mission companion Julie and her family came to Bellows for a cookout and beach time! It was so good to see her and finally meet her youngest child Asher. She and her husband Mike taught dad and I the right way to boogie board and as a result we finally caught some waves!


Sister Westhoff and Sister Wrathall. Over 10 years since we were mission companions!


Julie, Mike, and Eryn.


Mom buried the kids in the sand.


Asher was so cute and made multiple sand angels.