So where did we go in 2008? Well let's see...
February Fun
Gene and Ginny joined 10 other friends on a wonderful 10 day adventure to Ireland! We all agreed - this was our best trip. The weather was beautiful - only needed a light coat on 2 days! We went from Dublin to south Ireland (Kenmare) to west (Dingle) to North (Giant's Causeway). We stayed in a wonderful place - 7 bedrooms/7bath - it cost us $15 per person per day. We also had a wonderful cook named Daphne - whom we had to pay $6 per day per person. Do you get the picture? This was a cheap trip! We went with Rick and Madeline (Gibo) Crump, Kookie Laumatia, Nadine and Willy Frost, Elijah and Jaymie Frost, Cynthia Chong, Cecilia Baber and Sedanne Hong (the last 3 are what's known as "UnKims"). This was really a great group. We enjoyed Sedanne's stories and Kookie's great activities. The bus rides were fun with singing games, jokes-of-the-day and other activities. We had some wonderful devotionals and lots of night time activities that allowed us to share testimony and talents. We learned Irish dancing (think Lord of the Dance!) as well as the macarena.
I highly recommend Ireland to everyone. It is as green as the pictures, the people are friendly like local folks. We spent our first night in Ireland at a pub where we had a storyteller named Johnny Daly tell us the tales, legends and history of Ireland. A great way to start a trip!
Gene and I also got to have dinner with Lori Brady's sister Cindy and her husband Bruce (I think). They live outside of Dublin. They are just as nice as Dan and Lori but Bruce is taller than Dan.
March's March
Gene and I went on one short but great trip - a one-dayer to Maui with Willy and Nadine Frost to see our friend Sedanne Hong get married. Sedanne went to Ireland with us. He is the Uncle of our friend Cynthia Chong. Sedanne and his bride Lyn got married at the old LDS church near Kula. I believe it is the oldest church in Hawaii. We also went to the Lavender Farm and up to Haleakala so Gene could make arrangements for his Scout trip this summer. We then came back down the mountain for Sedanne and Lyn's reception and then caught the last flight home. Oh - I forgot - we had a wonderful lunch at my cousin Michelle's house in Makawao. And another great thing about this trip - Nadine gave me a great purse!!!!!!
April Away
Orlando
I went on a quick mileage run with Nadine and Kookie Laumatia to Disneyworld. We were supposed to be there 2 days but had flight delays so ended up being there only one day. Nadine and I went to Epcot and rode Soaring I think 3 times - the BEST ride of all. Another bonus is AA gave me an extra 4,000 miles cause of the flight delay! That's why I love AA!!!
Washington D.C.
April 26-30 I went on my semi-annual trek to D.C. for my meetings with the American Council of Engineering Companies. The weather was great and the engineers are so good to me - we had some great dinners!
May Madness
May 1-2 I went from D.C. to Utah for Women's Conference. Met up with Nadine, Kookie, Rochelle Featheran and Cynthia Chong. This time we stayed at Hampton Inn at Thanksgiving Point - it was great cause close to Provo and the free breakfast was good. Women's Conference was fantastic. THE PROPHET CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He waved at me!!! (I am sure he was waving at me because I was in the very top row and he waved in that direction).
We always sit at the very top row under the clock. Its a great place cause you can lean back (somewhat) and you can stretch out and you can fall asleep. This time we met some ladies who say they always sit in that area too. I think they were from Arizona or California. One of them was really rocking out at the night time concert! We thoroughly enjoyed the night time concert! Michael McClean was awesome!
We then went up to SLC and stayed at Embassy Suites a couple of nights - saw LeAnn and got my haircut.
We got to see Susan - she came down from Idaho - so that of course was the BEST thing about this trip.
May 5-8 I went to Colorado Springs for the annual Building FASD State Systems Meetings sponsored by SAMHSA. The other Hawaii attendee was Catherine Sorenson who is the FASD state coordinator and has been working hard to develop the system of care for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. It was good to see old friends at the meetings and also to hear what advances have been made in research.
June Journeys
We flew to Utah at the last minute to attend the funeral of LeAnn's Dad. While there Gene's brother Leon was in a very serious car accident so we got to see him too.
June 1-7 Gabe went to Utah (alone!) to attend EFY - his first year! He loved it! he was at U of U. he spent a couple of days with Bomans before going to EFY. he made great friends - and they've all promised to go back next year together (I think I've heard this before...)
June 9-12 Gene and Jacob went to Maui for Scouts. They went to Haleakala and Hana and everywhere in between. This was Jacob's last year to go - I heard he was like a gazelle climbing the mountain! They both had a good time. Gabe had acting things going on so elected not to go.
June 23 - July 5 We went on our annual camp - this time a "friends" camp as opposed to a Ward Camp - at Bellows. All the regulars were there - Frost, Featherans, Adams, Hanohano, etc. And this year the Laumatias joined us. That was great because from Kookie I learned that I should not do any work at camp - that's what the kids are there for! I could get used to that except (and I can't believe I am about to say this) - I think I'm getting too old for camping.
October Outings
We cancelled our FOG trip to Portugal and Morocco due to costs.
October 17-21 Gene and I went to Montreal for ACEC mtg. My first time in Canada. The leaves were changing so it was gorgeous. We had some great meals - if you're ever in Montreal head to DaVinci's! We went on a city tour which was interesting and learned that Montreal was settled by French, British, Scottish and Irish. Gene got some time to write - which he enjoys.
Oct. 27-30 I made a trip to Maui on the Superferry! It was terrific! The journey was smooth, the ship is immaculate and the ride was relaxing! I went over for a tradeshow. Went out to dinenr the last night at Nick's Fishmarket in Wailea so I could see my cousin Trey who is the GM. He is so terrific and so generous and kind. It was great seeing him and knowing he is doing well and is happy.
November Nomad
Nov. 12-15 Gene and I went to D.C. for ACEC Orientation Meeting. Short and sweet trip. So nice to be able to travel together. This time Gene learned about the metro and went all over the city.
Nov. 20-24 I journeyed to Louisville to visit my sweet step mom and my pretty sister Leilani. Nadine came with and we had a great time. Of course we crocheted - Sharon taught Nadine - and I finished a crocheted purse! We ate lots of good food and came home with some great recipes for Kentucky Pie and Pumpkin Chess Pie!
Nov. 27 - Dec. 3 Gene and Susan did a father-daughter road trip to California! They went from LA to Mexicali to Laguna to Magic Mountain to Camarillo to Solvang to Monterrey to San Francisco. They enjoyed themselves, ate some good food and got to BOND. Unfortunately, Susan could not get her Dad to take her to any hot night spots... But what a great opportunity they had to be together. Susan really enjoyed Magic Mountain - Gene said the roller coasters have lost their appeal... (He's a Senior citizen).
December Distances
I had 2 trips to Austin scheduled - both which I ended up cancelling. Gene had a trip to Grand Cayman's but cancelled...so what's in store before Dec. 31?
Dec. 28-31 Gene is going to D.C. solo to complete his 50,000 mile Platinum requirement. Congratulations dude!
Dec. 31 Ginny leaves for Vegas for Cousin Manu Mafi's wedding in the Vegas Temple. I'll be staying with cousin Stephanie.
I think that was it for 2008. Wonder where 2009 will find us? (Hint - in Feb. Belgium, Holland and Germany - Karnival!)
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