29!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by sandersnm

Today, I turned 29 and I could not have had a better day….I feel so loved! Both Josh and my mom were so thoughtful..from flowers…to gifts…to cards and celebrating. They are incredible :). I could not begin to thank them enough for making me feel so special!

Presents!

From Josh 🙂

BEST BOYFRIEND EVER!

Practicing our smiling.

Still practicing our smiling.

A good one!

Mom and I at my birthday dinner 🙂

Our delicious appetizer!

My mom’s Cream of Mushroom Soup

My French Onion Soup

Josh’s fish and veggies.

Salad!

The pretty centerpiece 🙂

Key Lime Cheesecake dessert!

Mom’s Visit: Part Two

Posted on June 4, 2013 by sandersnm

On Monday after I got off work, we went and hiked Manoa Falls so my mom could see a waterfall. I have done this hike a few times and it is usually muddy..but NOTHING compared to what it was this time. People were going barefoot because it was easier. The mud was pulling my shoes off my feet and it was very easy to fall! However, the hiking through the mud was definitely worth it…the waterfall at the end was amazing. It’s normally just a light trickle of water…but it was flowing beautifully when we got there! After that, we headed home to take a shower and went to have drinks and dinner. We ate pizza at JJ Dolan’s, drank well-earned drinks and had dessert at Du Vin.

Mom and the giant Banyan tree at the beginning of Manoa Falls.

Looking up through the trees.

Standing under the tree arch in the mud.

SO MUDDY!

My mom in the bamboo forest.

Manoa Falls. So beautiful!

Drinks at JJ’s.

Chocolate Soufflé for dessert.

Today after work, we ventured out around downtown and wandered through some of the stores. We also stopped at a crêpe place for lunch. For dinner, we had Cuban food (probably my favorite restaurant here) and tried a few new things that Josh and I hadn’t had yet. Everything was wonderful!

Banana, strawberry, nutella crêpe.

Mojitos.

Cuban appetizer sampler: croquetas de jaiba, papa rellena and platanos.

Josh’s dinner: pargo a la cubana

My mom’s dinner: ropa vieja

My dinner: fricase de pollo

Mom’s Visit: Part One

Posted on June 2, 2013 by sandersnm

My mom arrived on Thursday and since then we have been taking her all over the island doing as many things as possible! I picked her up on Thursday and in complete tourist fashion, got her a beautiful lei from Chinatown! We then stopped by the apartment before heading to the Kailua Farmers’ Market where we met Josh for dinner. After that, we headed home and called it a night!

Lei from Chinatown.

So happy she’s here!

On Friday, we stopped by Spitting Caves, hiked to Makapuʻu Lighthouse and then headed to Serg’s for fish tacos. It started raining so we headed back to Honolulu and wandered through Chinatown for a bit. For dinner, we were touristy and had dinner at Duke’s in Waikiki. They are famous for their Mai Tais and we decided my mom needed to try one! Dinner was delicious and was a perfect way to end a busy first day!

My mom at Spitting Caves. Super happy to be there!

My mom and I at the top of Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail.

Josh and I at Duke’s.

Crab Wontons…our delicious appetizer!

My mom and I split fish. So good!

Josh had ahi..also amazing!

Saturday, we headed to the North Shore for some shrimp, açai bowls and shave ice. Our first stop was Giovanni’s. We had corn and shrimp (so good). After enjoying a fantastic lunch, we headed to Haleiwa for dessert. First, we all split an açai bowl (my mom’s first one) then headed across the street for Matsumoto’s famous shave ice. We all picked one flavor and split (mom: tangerine, Josh: coconut creme, me: cherry). Delicious! After our tour of food, we went off-roading on the trail to Kaena Point. It was an extremely bumpy ride with a beautiful rewards at the end. We wandered around Kaena Point and took pictures of the incredible scenery and the endangered birds (albatrosses and shearwaters). We then made our way back to Honolulu for my mom’s first experience of Shabu Shabu!

Our buddy hanging out with us while we enjoy our açai bowl.

Shave Ice!

Me napping on Josh on our way to Kaena Point. I was tired!

My mom and I and Josh’s car on our way to Kaena Point.

My mom and I at Kaena Point.

Vegetable Shabu Shabu. So good!

On Sunday, we hiked Mariner’s Ridge. It was cloudy and rainy but we still had a decent view at the top! After that, we went to Kailua to have lunch at Kalapawai Cafe and then Josh gave my mom a tour of base. We ended the day with dinner at home and some time enjoying the hot tub! First few days of her trip have been a blast :).

Josh and I hiking to the top of Mariner’s Ridge.

Josh at the top of Mariner’s Ridge enjoying the view.

My mom and I at the top of Mariner’s Ridge.

Kāʻanapali Beach

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Kalapawai Cafe

Posted on May 22, 2013 by sandersnm

Last week, Josh and I had dinner at Kalapawai Cafe in Kailua. We had been many times for lunch (and it’s great) but had never been for dinner. During the day it’s order at the counter sandwiches, salads, etc. But at night, it’s a pretty nice place to have dinner. We both had soup and then split the fish special for the night. It was fantastic!

Full Rainbow from Balcony!

Posted on May 19, 2013 by sandersnm

A full rainbow today from our balcony…a happy moment for the day.

Kapa`ele`ele Trail

Posted on May 16, 2013 by sandersnm

Yesterday, I went on a short hike with my boss and coworker to see if it was a good hike to take the kids on for our summer program. It was SO much fun. After our hike, we were heading to lunch at Masa and Joyce in Kaneohe and spotted a Hawaiian Monk Seal hanging out on the beach. It was definitely a Hawaiian adventure day for me!

Ms. Maureen and Liz hiking!

Kahana Bay. So beautiful!

Steps on the trail.

Pretty flower…no idea what it is.

Tunnel under the road to the ocean.

Kahana Bay after going through the tunnel.

Tons of crabs hanging out on the rocks.

Chicken Katsu

Hawaiian Monk Seal!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by sandersnm

Today, I was driving down the road with my boss and a coworker, after checking out a hike for a field trip for our summer program, and Liz spotted a Hawaiian monk seal, or ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, sunbathing on a beach. They are an endangered species and it was so INCREDIBLE to see one in person! We were able to get so close and he didn’t seem to mind. He even snorted and rolled over onto his stomach after a bit. I can’t believe how close we got! It’s days like these that make me want to live here forever :).

Fierce Lioness Jeopardy

Posted on May 2, 2013 by sandersnm

Yesterday, Tia and I played jeopardy with the Fierce Lioness Pack. The jeopardy consisted of five categories: Friends & Parent/Guardian; Passive, Aggressive, Assertive or What?; Authority; Queen of Your Body; Violence, Drugs & STDs. The girls were divided into two teams and the most points won a coupons to our snack shop. The girls really got into the game and all ages participated and answered questions. It was amazing to see how even after the team that got the points answered the questions correctly, everyone else on the other team wanted to share their answers as well…especially when it came to the tough questions about families. Tia and I definitely were close to tears more than once! They are all so inspiring…I can’t even imagine some of the stuff that they have been through at such a young age!

The jeopardy board.

Some of the girls playing jeopardy.

Kayaking!

Posted on April 28, 2013 by sandersnm

Today, Becca, Ben, Josh and I went kayaking off of Kailua Beach. Josh and I did this a few months ago and had a great time and this time the weather was much nicer. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time kayaking to two different islands. We all got plenty of sun and a great workout! Definitely a great way to spend our last full day with Becca and Ben!