Business Trip: The Big Island

I had another off island business trip this past holiday weekend. It was in Hilo, which is on the Big Island, and since I had only seen a small portion of the island we decided that would be my birthday present. We stayed at a cute hotel on Hilo Bay and spent three full days driving around.
I once enjoyed a good road trip, but after living on the small island of Oahu for the past year and a half we did not get far each day before I would ask "are we there yet" or just pass out. Oh, and I was strugglen' in the 60 degree weather over there. Yes people, it snows on the Big Island. See snow shots below along with other random photos.
I really wanted to show off the old lava flows and black sand that make up the Big Island's great landscape. If some photos seem weird it was a little hazy a few days. Also the flower shot and weird animals in the water shot are to so off my new camera's wicked extreme close-up feature. Enjoy!!

Day After Christmas Fun

This is the first time I have gotten to play in the snow in years. We don't get too much of it in Hawaii, as you can imagine, and you can see my nephews suffered the consequences of my built up, lack of snow play frustration.

Christmas Eve with Applebee's and Sonic

Two of my favorite places that we don't have in Hawaii.

Christmas Eve Eve at the Mall

The little girl in front of me cried but I wasn't scared. I went to sit on the armrest of Santa's chair when he insisted that I sit right on his knee. He handled it pretty well I must say. I was only comfortable with the idea due to the fact that he is my sister's father-in-law.

Aboriginal man playing a didgeridoo...

Trust me it's not as easy as it looks. I have one and it hurts my lips to play it to long. You do not blow because there is somehow a natural wind current through it. You just put your mouth to it and buzz your lips. This man was at the Blue Mountains National Park when we visited. Very cool!

Sydney Harbor Bridge

Views of The Sydney Opera House

Halloween

So besides the fact that I look like a freak, I think mom did a pretty good job on my dress. Everyone was so impressed at my office. The best part was when two stupid chicks in the hall asked if I was Dorothy?! Thanks again mom and thanks Rachael for mailing me the tights!

We have a winner!

Go Angel! I will be Alice in Wonderland for Halloween, although not as cute as Kenna. Believe it or not I was able to talk mom into making me an Alice dress. It is so cute although due to the high waist I will look like a prego Alice! Anywho, Angel you just won yourself some chocolate covered macadamia nuts!

Halloween Prep!

So, I have been getting things together for my Halloween costume this year and as you can tell it involves a wig. I thought it might be fun to make a little game of sorts out of this...the first person who correctly guesses who I am going to be for Halloween will get a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts mailed to them!!! If no one comes close soon I will give more hints. In fact, I'll give you one now...it is someone that is BLONDE! Good Luck! Oh and since mom and Rachael (maybe Brad) already know they don't get a guess and they better not help anyone else!