Since It's Been a While...

As is our Thanksgiving tradition, we headed to Fashion Island after we stuffed ourselves. We enjoyed a super yummy meal with the Empeys- Steve and Mike and company, and the Swansons. We each had a question- provided by Amber- that we had to answer during dinner about things for which we are thankful. There ended up being way too much food- anyone one want more mashed potatoes? But we had a great time together. As you will notice, in this picture Ben is missing and we have substituted him with Sam Swanson. Since the boys seem to belong to both families, we just interchange them whenever we are in the mood :)

Heather will probably hate this picture, but I love Heather, so I'm including it. Seriously, what a great friend, super mom and amazingly beautiful woman!!!!

The Mike and Stephanie Empey family

Marin and Haven- these 2 hit it off immediately and were inseparable for days.

Auntie Heather and Uncle Steve and kids

Then off to Hawaii.....

My fabulous mother-in-law decided to take her girls to Hawaii for a week with no kids. I am usually pretty antsy after a few days at the pool, but I think I hit a whole new level of relaxation that I didn't know existed. The bags under my eyes even disappeared! Here's the view from our lounge chairs at the pool.

We ate lots of yummy stuff...Maui onion rings, fresh fish, awesome hamburgers on the North Shore, sinful desserts and our favorite thing, virgin lava flows! My mouth is watering as I type.

A pic of us on the North Shore at Jamisons- one of my favorite restaurants. I do have to admit that I liked Roy's better this trip, but it was actually all good! And none of us had to cook it, or clean up afterwards!

The view from the LDS Temple in Liae. From the doors of the temple you can see all the way to the beach. It is so beautiful!

At the end of our week, cousin Kathy Steele and 2 of her girls came to visit her mom and dad that have a condo next to the time share we were at. We had lots of giggles and fun being with them at the pool and beach. For our last afternoon, we sat at the beach until after sunset. It was perfect! (I have to say that I was really tan after a whole week, but I look pale next to Kathy!)

At the temple earlier in the week. I am so lucky to have such fabulous and fun sisters- in-law! We read, ate, slept, laughed, read, ate, slept, laughed, laughed, shopped, ate, had massages, relaxed, ate, and actually even worked out a few times! What an amazing fun week!

Thanks Janet- you rule by the way! :)