Hawaii, 4th of July, and Maggie's Birthday

 Here's our BIG post . . . June and beginning of July were very busy and filled with fun adventures.

At the end of June Scott and I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii (he had his 2 week Navy Reserve assignment there, so I joined him for a week of it). We stayed just off of Waikiki Beach:

We attended the Laie LDS Temple.

Went to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC)!! Lots of fun shows about the different islands and their cultures.

Got to spear some coconuts (at the PCC) :-)

 Went to a Luau (at the PCC). Later that night we got to go to the big stage show they had . . . it was AMAZING!!

Went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

Enjoyed eating fresh pineapple and pineapple ice cream at the Dole Plantation. They had yellow and red pineapples too!!

 

Saw wild sea turtles at Turtle Bay on North Shore.

 And Monk seals!

Scott got to do some surfing and boogie boarding, while I watched :-)

Wild peacock!! Walked right up to the car!!

Beautiful sunset after a long day at North Shore.

Got to go on a VIP tour of Pearl Harbor. Here is the Presidential boat that almost every US President have been on.

On our way to USS Arizona Memorial.

 When we both made it home . . . we had fun giving the girls their souvenirs (a big, BIG thank you for Grandma and Grandpa S for watching the girls for us!!!).

July 4th - Happy Independence Day!!!

We went to a morning pancake breakfast put on by Grandpa and Grandma S's ward (What's a ward? Click Here to find out) for the community.

The girls got to be in a "parade".

Lily and Maggie helped make these dresses with Grandma S!!

Later that day we went to Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma M's house to celebrate the 4th with good food, family, and fireworks.

Here are the girls with Great-Grandpa M riding a tractor:

Maggie with a huge sparkler or a wand (EXPELLIARMUS!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!! What a big 2 year old!! We love you!!

The day after Maggie's birthday we went to Grandpa and Grandma S's house for some yummy dutch oven cooking and homemade ice cream (also celebrated Grandma S's birthday). We even tried out making rolls in our own dutch oven and they turned out awesome!!!

Helping crank the ice cream:

And eating said ice cream :-)

The end . . . on to the rest of the summer. 

We will have even more adventures coming up, so check back soon!!