Layden with our good friends, Fred and Sharon Thompson. We knew the Thompsons in Korea. They came as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served in the Camp Red Cloud/Camp Casey area. They dedicated many hours to the Red Cross, the elementary school, and individual soldiers and families. After all that hard work, they certainly deserve this Hawaii vacation and we were delighted to see them again. This picture was taken on the Pali Highway lookout, the high point of the road which crosses from the leeward to the windward side of Oahu. While most people do not think of Oahu and mountains at the same time, there are indeed montains here.
These ones rise about 2,000 feet above the shoreline, most of it vertical. Very dramatic and very beautiful.
Why am I peering out of a ukulele-playing pineapple?
Perhaps because I got a ukulele! We went to a music shop where the Thompsons got some very nice ukes. I had been thinking about getting one myself but never quite managed to do it. I got talked in to it by these people and my good husband and I am glad I did because this is a fun instrument to play. Our beginner repertoire consisted of old campfire tunes, a drinking song or two, and a very bad rendition of "Tiny Bubbles" but we did have a great time. We have decided to get together again once we have improved with practice.
Our next set of visitors was my sister Melody, her family and her in-laws. They came to Oahu for an orthodontia conference. They had the luxury of starting out their Hawaii adventure by getting to stay at the Royal Hawaiian, one of the old grand hotels that at one time were the most prominent landmarks on Waikiki. These have been dwarfed by newer high-rise hotels, but none of them can really compare to the gracious sweep of architecture, the gardens, and the unique atmosphere that made Hawaii such a favored destination in the early 20th century.
Eventually they shed the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and headed to the North Shore. Here is my sister and her girls enjoying our beach.
Brother-in-law Aaron took an awesome turtle picture!
It was great fun to hang out in Hale'iwa, try a shrimp truck, and eat shave ice. I think this is the most time I have been able to spend with my sister in years. It was really a treat! We stayed up til we couldn't keep our eyes open, got caught up on all the things that we have been doing, and think we shouldn't wait so long til we do this again!
Sunset at Ka'ena Point.
ALOHA
You and Layden will have to learn some uke/banjo duets and dazzle us on your next visit! When I was in 3rd grade our whole class learned how to play Michael Row Your Boat Ashore on them. :)
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