Gratitude

Waikiki Weekend

I was invited to participate in a FAM Tour by Aston Hotels and Resorts of their Oahu properties.  The tour came with 2 night complimentary room stay at the Waikiki Beach Aston and a day and a half of wining and dining and gifts galore from Aston.

This was the view from our room! Yep - I could see the fireworks on Friday night!

So much fun - and so many gifts from Aston - lots of snacks, electronic goodies. gift cards, bags, you name it!  I will definitely recommend Aston to everyone!
Gene and the girls came the second night and swam - a very fun weekend.

Oh - and got to go to may favorite vegan restaurant, Ruffage, and eat the ahi poke, avocado salad - best salad hands down!

Les Mis in London

Saw it on Oct. 8, 2013 - exactly 28 years from when it first opened.  Didn't realize it when I bought the tickets.  Even more strange - saw it in London on it's 26th anniversary in 2011 - again didn't realize it when I bought the tickets.  Thinking about the 30th anniversary. Glad I got to see it this time with my nephew Rene.

Long Enough

It certainly has been long enough since I've posted to this blog. Funny how life gets in the way.  A quick update -

• Gene - went hiking in Arizona and Utah in Sept.  Also went to my nephew's baby party in Louisville in Sept.  Gene also got to fulfill a life long wish to visit Auschwitz in Poland (flew to Zurich then Krakow in early November).  He also did a couple of trips to Phoenix.  Gene was a gold medalist in the Hickam Half Marathon!  Yes, he is still running almost daily and trying to figure out where in the world to go on his next hike.
• Susan - still working with students with autism and living on North Shore. She came over the other day and I taught her how to make pumpkin pie.  Her pie was AWESOME and I hope she makes one for Thanksgiving!
• Jacob - enjoying school at Utah Valley University.  He is working at the theater box office at the University.
• Gabe - still on his mission in Long Beach California and has had a number of experiences that have helped him grow!  So happy he is having this opportunity!
• Michelle - grade 10 at Castle High School!  Had a knee injury in October and still in a knee brace.  Has switched her love from Sonic the Hedgehog to Donatello of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
• Hannah - grade 8 at King Intermediate.  She is taller than Michelle!  Her seizures have improved - meaning far fewer!
• Me - Got to go to England to do genealogy research with my ohana.  What a great trip!  Thankful to be alive and still kicking!

More later.