This is what it looks like when you move from Hawaii ...

10 suitcases later ... we are back on the mainland

Anniversary!

In the middle of graduation, moving, & Christmas ... we celebrated our 1st anniversary. 

Jordan's parents were with us in Hawaii on our anniversary, so we celebrated together. 

We started the day by going on the Kaena Point hike. 

We were lucky to see some monk seals again. 

On the way back to the car, we realized that we lost Jordan's parents camera. 

We figured that it got set down when Larry was tying his shoe, but really it fell out of the bag. 

So, tired & hungry, Jordan & Larry headed back down the trail to recover the camera. 

Luckily, a few minutes into the hike, a man in a FJ Cruiser got out of his car and looked a Jordan and said, "Hey I think I recognize you, I found your camera." 

And then he gave them a ride back to the trail head. 

Hooray! So Lucky! 

But that was too much luck for one day ... On our way back to Laie we got a flat tire on our car. 

Our last day in Hawaii & the last day that we would be driving this car. 

So we got the spare tire on & turned around headed to Wahiawa and got two new tires. 

And we spent our anniversary in Wahiawa at Jack-in-the-Box. 

The most luxurious establishment on the island, complete with bullet holes. 

We finally made it back to Laie & went to the night show one last time. 

It was a very eventful anniversary. 

When we got back to Arizona, Larry & Debbie gave us a nice anniversary gift of a night at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale and Dinner at Ruth's Chris. 

We had so much fun celebrating our anniversary. Thanks!

It has truly been a great 1st year of marriage ... I am excited for many more! 

Graduation Festivities

College of Business, Computing, and Government Banquet

I am going to brag a bit ... and Jordan will probably be mad at me, but oh well. 

Jordan graduated with honors and also received the deans award for excellence in accounting knowledge.

Here he is accepting his award at the College of Business, Computing, and Government Banquet. 

The Chen's & The Graves'

Graduation Banquet 

Emily, "The Greek Lady," Jordan loved visiting her, speaking Greek, and eating Greek food. 

The cool fruit display. 

The trees are made of real pineapples. 

Graduation 

Jordan and Ted right after getting their diplomas

The Graduate & Santa 

Us with President & Sister Wheelwright

Congratulations Jordan. 

I am so proud of you! 

Year One

People keep telling us that the 1st year of marriage is the hardest. 

If this is true we totally lucked out. 

We have had the BEST year ever. 

Happy Anniversary to us! 

12.19.08

Boise Idaho Temple 

Its the Final Countdown ...

.... Only 5 days left.

When I first came to Hawaii, 3 years ago, I was very homesick.

I really wanted to go home, but my parents convinced me to stick it out for a semester.

It took awhile for me to get adjusted, but once I did I made GREAT friends ...

I was so glad that I stayed and Hawaii became my new home.

Now that our time to head back to the mainland is here, I don't want to leave.

I have so many great memories in Hawaii ...

I am going to miss the beach and the great weather, but mostly I will miss all the beautiful people we have met here.

click to enlarge

Hawaii will always be our special place

Eddie Would Go

The Eddie is a one day, big wave surf event in honor of Eddie Aikau big wave surfer & north shore lifeguard.
It only happens when the waves are big enough... the last time it was held was 2004.
Well today they were HUGE, like this one ...

And the Eddie did go.
So, Jordan and Natalie skipped school to attend.
Many others on the beach also skipped class and/or called in sick to work.
Check out the crowds.

I swear all of Oahu was at Waimea Bay.
We had to park at Pipeline and walk down.
We watched for a few hours & had a great time.

(check out pictures of the surfers here)
On the way back to Laie we grabbed some food at Ted's Bakery (yummm...)
Ps. day #2 of unemployment, was even better than day #1.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I keep telling Jordan that it doesn't feel like winter because we have had such awesome weather. 

He always responds by saying have you seen how big the waves are? ... Its winter. 

So in Celebration of Winter, yesterday before church we headed to Pipeline to check out the waves. 

Here is some pictures ... 

Its amazing how big the waves really are, pictures don't do it justice. 

Hopefully (cross your fingers) we will be enjoying the Eddie tomorrow. 

Ps. Friday was my last day of work and I am loving life as a housewife.