Icicles Galore!

We had a storm come in the weekend before Christmas and it brought what I had been waiting for since it first started snowing, ICICLES! I was so excited. Jason and Ashley had just driven in from Georgia a few days before so one night we decided to go for a midnight stroll and found the biggest icicles you could imagine. Being boys, Jason and Casey instantly wanted to have a sword fight. It was fun and we were careful, so everyone's eyes are still intact : )

Being pulled along the very slippery road. It was entirely covered by ice.

On Guard!
Touche!

Once again a boy thing. Jason and Casey felt the need to destroy quite a few of the icicles, but at least it made for a good picture : )

Progress Mfg. Christmas Party

On Friday, Dec. 8th we went to my work Christmas Party. This was the third Christmas Party that we've been too since I started working at Progress Mfg., but this one was a little different since I got to plan the WHOLE thing. It was so much fun! The company owners are so generous and really care about their employees. It was held at the Provo Marriott where we had a fantastic dinner and the decorations were beautiful. We had a bunch of awards to give out, and by the end of the night, we walked out the door with an iPod nano from the raffle, my Christmas Present ($75 Gift Certificate to the mall, Progress Mfg. shirt, Equal-i-zer sweatshirt, Equal-i-zer hat), a water filter and crank flashlights in case of an emergency, a poinsettia, and chocolate truffles. I was so happy that it turned out so wonderful and that everyone had a good time.

iPod Nano. Going once, Going twice, Sold to #53. Well, we didn't actually buy it, but this is me announcing who got what raffle prizes.

We inplement the principles in the book FiSH at work and I was one of the people that "Caught" the most people doing good, so I got a box of goldfish.

Full Moooooooon

Casey and I went up to my parents for dinner a couple of weeks ago, and when we got there, we saw a full moon. I thought it was pretty neat and decided to share it with all of you. I wish the scenery was prettier, but what are you going to do?

Day 10 & 11 - Not So Fast

Our flight left at 11:40 on Sunday, the 26th of Nov., but Casey and I were still in the airport. We were in the airport at 11:50, 12:00am, and even 12:20am before they decided that it was necessary to inform us that our flight would not be leaving that night because it needed a part. Did I mention that this was after most of us saw the pilot and the flight attendants get off the plane with their luggage and turn the lights on the plane off? They also said that taxis would be coming to transport all of us to a hotel and that we would get money for breakfast and lunch. Fortunately, we got to the hotel by 1:30, but they were still checking people in at 4:00am in the morning. Granted, it was a nice hotel and our lunch was really good, but we didn't end up leaving until 9:00 the next night. Because we were leaving so late, Janelle and Garth picked us up and we went to one more beach for a last hoorah. It had the biggest children's playground I have ever seen and it was fun to play on too : ) At least we got to spend more time on such a beautiful island, and Casey also mangaged to get most of our flights refunded with his wonderful persuasion skills : ) All in all, it wasn't that bad. The worst part was our drive home from Phoenix because the weekend we were coming home, a storm decided to roll in and it took us 3 more hours to get home than usual. Luckily Jay and Jason Tanner helped us out and were constantly giving us weather reports and advice for driving in the snow.

Flowers around the house

Starfruit Tree (right in their backyard)

Our really nice hotel - Resort Quest

The view from our room

Lydgate Park

It was enclosed by rocks to make it more kid-friendly

Day 10 - Rush to Get Everything Done Day

This was the day that we did the most because Casey and I were leaving. We woke up and left by 8:30am so that we could get to the other side of the island before the clouds covered the canyon. Mark Twain called Waimea Canyon the "Little Grand Canyon." It was pretty impressive. After the drive to Waimea, we went to glass beach where I collected a lot of pretty pieces of glass. It was a very beautiful beach. We got lunch after glass beach and Casey made us all nervous while he was on the phone getting all the details for the game. It was funny to see him jump up and down when we scored the last touchdown to win the game. We are Mountain West Conference Champions and ended the regular season 10-2, and we will be playing Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 21st. Yeah! We then went through the tree tunnel to the spouting horn. It was neat to see the water spray through the hole and it made a cool sound. Then we went snorkeling at Poi'pu beach and saw a seal, more eels, and a lot more fish. After that we went to the mall to see Garth's mom perform at a Luau. It was a perfect end to a wonderful trip.

Pu'u Kila Lookout

Sporting School Spirit because BYU was playing against Utah that day. Casey was on the phone whenever we had reception to get the play-by-play of the game.

We just stopped at the side of the road for this one, but it was my favorite.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Glass Beach
There were millions and millions of pieces of glass that the ocean had smoothed. I guess it used to be part of a Chinese tradition to throw glass when someone died, and this is what is left when they did that.

Casey climbed on the ledge to get a picture of the giant crabs

I don't even know what these things are
Me picking my favorite pieces of glass

Casey took this picture and I thought it was neat

Tree Tunnel
There are wild roosters and chickens all over the island

Spouting Horn. It is from water being pushed through a very tight hole.

Hawaii State Flower - Hibiscus
Luau at the mall

Day 9 - Tunnels Beach

I was really excited to go to Tunnels Beach because we heard that it had great snorkeling, but when we got there, it was a little rough. There had been a storm the night before and the waves were crashing hard and it was a little windy as well. It would not have been fun to be out in the water with the coral reef below you as waves crash down on your back. We decided to leave and go to Kalihiwai since it is a favorite for the kids.

Pictures around the house after receiving rain the night before

Casey was paranoid that he was going to get sunburned, so he made sure to put sunscreen on every day.

This was one CRAAAZY local. Garth accidentally ran over a piece of driftwood acting as a curb, and this guy went off about respect. Unfortunately, he also cussed like every other word as well and threatened to go get his 15 brothers. It was an interesting start to our day.

A Hermit Crab Casey found

Day 8 - Thanksgiving

We spent all of Thanksgiving day lounging around. We watched a few movies and cooked. Right before dinner, everyone was a little out of it as you can tell from below. Only a few of us were able to stay awake. Dinner was a little delayed and we ended up eating a lot later than expected, but it was worth it. We had turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, frog eye salad, rolls, green beans, sweet potato casserole, sparkling cider, and 5 pies with real whipped cream. We wish we could have spent it with everybody, but it was fun spending it in Kauai.

Ethan & Trevon

Starlee (she wasn't feeling well that day)
Jonathan, Garin, and Casey

Chad & Taylor

Shelby

Our wonderful Hawaiian themed table

Casey got a turkey leg

Day 7 - Hanalei Bay and Ching Young Village

We went to Hanalei Bay with the family and had a grand 'ole time. Then the "big kids" walked around Ching Young Village and had some dessert at the Polynesian Cafe. They had a really good triple chocolate mousse. Then Casey, Jonathan, and I went to go get a smoothie from a hut we saw on the side of the road, but it was closed, so we just stood in the rain while we waited for our rides.

Casey studying. He liked to be outside when it rained.

Casey helping Trevon boogie board

Ethan surfing

King of the Mountain

Casey's own Y mountain

Ching Young Village