Day 9 ~Ohau

Eddie and I had a long layover 0n Ohau 7:30am to 10:45pm. We decided to take full advantage and rent our first rental car and explore our old stomp'in grounds. We were excited to finally be old enough to rent our own rental car, we wanted to check our bags in and get a convertible but Delta wasn't open so we took the good ol' economy size car to lock our suitcases in the trunk.

I'm a nerd and took a pic.

Since it was only 8:30am by the time we rented the car we decided to hit up the Aloha stadium. Each Saturday they have a huge flee market, it is pretty much the same stuff sold at the International Market in Waikiki, but is cheaper and you can do some bargain shopping. We ended up getting a shell night light, sorry no pic.

Then we made our way over to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.



Aren't we the cutest pineapples you've ever seen?
Then we made our way up the North Shore and stopped at Matsumoto's, the best shaved ice. e.V.e.R!! We got the famous Hawaiian flavors with ice cream and beans. Eddie got a new t-shirt since his last one he got is almost 8 years old.

Stopped by the Pipeline, supposedly where Jack Johnson lives.

After the beach we went drove by the Laie LDS Temple and then onto the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). I use to work there when I went to BYU-Hawaii. I was glad to be a guest this time, since I had
Some Samoan guy climbing the tree.
Ready for picture overload?!? These are from the canoe show, the best thing (besides the pineapple delights) at the PCC, I think. Each island does a performance on the canoe.






After the PCC we drove down the other side of the island and went to the Ana Moana Mall. The biggest mall in the West, 4 stories high and has the hottest stores. Gucci, Juicy Couture, Louis Vitton, Chanel, Old Navy :), Long's Drug Store, Bubba Gump's, you name it, it was there. We were lame and ate at the food court, nasty, I know!! But we couldn't justify buying coconut shrimp from Bubba Gump's for $18 a person.

We then went down the Waikiki strip before we headed back to the airport for our 10:45pm flight...red eye, and boy were when when we arrived home. We finally made it home around 9:30am on Sunday morning and slept most the day. Now we are back to the daily grind! Grrr....

Going on a Vay-Kay

We'll be back soon!! Have fun in the cold weather, while we enjoy the nice warm sandy beaches of Hawaii!! Come back in 10 days or so day for a run down of the vacation. We'll be thinking of you. O.K. we probably won't, but just pretend we will!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Or single awareness day, if your single!!
Eddie and I don't do v-day...why take one day out of the year to tell your special someone you like them a lot? I. like. you. a . lot. And it's totally over rated. I do like v-day though, because that means Easter is right around the corner....Peeps and Cadbury solid eggs....yum my favorite!

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems

Think fast: If someone walked up to you and handed you a check for $1200, what would you do with that money?

With the new government economic stimulus plan nearly a done deal, I have been thinking what to do with the extra cash coming our way. President Bush and his aides know precisely what they want you to do with that money: Shop ‘til you drop. After all, consumer spending represents more than two-thirds of economic activity in the United States, so the fervent hope is that Americans will rush out and buy stuff.

Here are some of the ideas I have had for the extra cash:

1. Put it away for a rainy day*
2. Pay down credit card debts*
3. A nice 46" Flat Screen TV
4. Take a little trip (Disneyland)
5. Give our car some TLC
* This is probably not what the money is intended for

I am curious to know what other people's plans are to spend it. Leave a comment.

-Eddie

Gma's Meatloaf

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oatmeal or bread crumbs
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 egg
3/4 cup milk

(*Take off ring*)Mix together. Put in greased loaf pan. 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Sauce:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon mustard

Mix together and coat loaf before putting it in the oven.

I kept mine in for a hour and I don't think it was done all the way, but I am a freak about raw meat It was good, if you like meatloaf. Sorry no pics. We ate it all gone and I didn't think to take a pic before we ate.

Song of the Week

"Take You There"

Less than a week!!

So Excited!! This is not what Eddie and I will look like. But I am excited to see people like that. Hopefully it will be more like this!!

There is a guy at my work that has vacationed in Kauai a lot, so he gave me a bunch of great tips on what to do. This will be such a nice vacation and we're excited to spend some quality time with the family.

Bad news is, I have a midterm and a test the following week we get back, oh well! Good thing the flight to and from is like 5 hours because that is the only time I plan to look at my books :)

Funny Comic

Mom and Dad B scanned this over to us. We thought it was pretty funny.

Guitar Hero III

I was finally able to find Guitar Hero III for the Wii. That is what Eddie wanted so bad for x-mas and I finally found one.

On Mondays I only take a 30 minute lunch because of my school schedule, so I usually go to Costco, since it is close to my work and I can get a cheap lunch. I walked around, skimming the books and decided to just check what games Costco carries for the Wii. And low and behold I saw some Guitar Heroes for the Xbox 360's. Dang....nothing for the Wii...but wait...I saw 2 for the Wii. I had to get it, knowing Eddie has been wanting it so bad ...for so long.

Eddie played for a good two hours, just to "try it out". I finally went to bed after 15 minutes of him playing and me trying twice. Which both times the song stopped and the crowd boo'd. I kept yelling for him to come to bed and this was his response..."one more song!" Hope I'm not such a softy with our kids. One song means, one song....not 10 more. But he was excited, so whatever!!

P.S. I got a good video of him rocking out but he says, "No videos!!!!" so you will have to come over and play to see him rock out.

Song of the Week

This week's song comes off the newly released Linkin Park album. The song is called, "Shadow of the Day"

Happy 1st Birthday Claire!!

Claire is my only niece and I am sad to say I have never met her.

I'm excited to finally meet her and see them in August at the Family reunion. Hope you have a fun Elmo party!! Wish I could be there!!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Thought I'd share another recipe. I actually have made this recipe so many time I don't measure anything and add stuff. But if you don't feel like having a science project for dinner, follow the recipe.

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, diced
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup tomatoes, diced

Saute' the meat, onions and garlic. Mix in the rice, cheese, sour cream and tomatoes. Blanch the bell peppers for 5 minutes. Stuff, sprinkle with more cheese and cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Brown the ground beef (I'm sure ground turkey would be just as good for a more 'healthy' cooking, but we don't cook like that around here....obviously!)

While the meat is browning dice your onion.

Here is an easy way to dice for those of you that don't know how. Cut onion in half, turn flat side down. Slice into onion like so. See picture below. (I only use a half because Eddie doesn't like onions)

Then switch the knife position and cut like so...and there you have it...diced onion!

This is what it should look like.

Then add diced garlic. I am lazy and I opt for the convenience of pre-minced garlic. Why make your hands smell when someone else already did the work :) I just add one spoonful because I am not a big fan of garlic.

Like I said...I'm lazy...who knew!?! When cooking this recipe I just use the 5 minute bags for the microwave. To be honest...I always use them, Eddie is the only one that uses the rice cooker. Moving on....So, when removing the microwave safe bowl from the microwave, use a oven mitt because it is hot. Then I use a fork, like pictured below to drain the excess water...like I said...it's hot.

Then add all remaining ingredients to the saucepan/skillet...whatever it's called.

This is what it should look like mixed together. * Note to self* Use old saucepan...new one is not big enough.

I set aside and sprinkle cheese on top. I don't just add a 1/2 cup...more like 3 heaping handfuls, so probably more than a cup. I like things cheesy!!

While the mixture is resting I cut the bell pepper and hollow it out, like so.

Blanching...first time I heard that I was like what? We talking about food here gma? You know old people sometimes use old words we have never heard now a days. What blanching is, is submerging something (bell pepper) in boiling water for 5 minutes. It helps softened the bell pepper. I use red bell peppers because that is the only color Eddie will eat. When done they will turn a different shade. Not like purple with green spots, but more like a different shade of the color of the pepper.

Then set in a oven safe dish. This recipe says it serves 4, but really it serves more like 6. But for example purposes I used 4...and ate the rest of the mixture while they were cooking. What? I was hungry.

I use a big ol' spoon...so I think technically it is a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon, but like I said I don't measure. So, spoon the mixture into the pepper. Then add cheese. And wait 15 minutes.

Don't they look yummy?

I usually serve them by themselves since you have like all the food groups in this meal...I think. But I have also served them with a salad. I also put the sour cream out on the table, in case you like it more creamy....like my mom.

Video Tribute to President Hinckley

I came across this video today. I thought this would be good to share with you. Enjoy.

White Knuckle driving...my fav!!

I hate snow!! Have I mentioned that before? Maybe I would like it better if it didn't make me an hour late for work this morning, or maybe it if was a smooth drive home from school. Nope...it wasn't smooth at all. I got boxed in driving next to a semi, who was a crazy driver from Pee Wee Herman movie. He was swerving all over the place and I couldn't see a thing.

I have a sore neck from bobbing and weaving trying to see out the windshield, all while trying to stay in my lane....even though I couldn't see the lines.

Family fun!!

Last night for FHE...Eddie, my sister and I went swimming at the BYU pool. Swam around and jumped off the driving board. Oh...and showed off my tan :) Last time I swam at BYU something REALLY embarrassing happened to me. Since, I am all about embarrassing myself I thought I'd share the experience.

So a few semesters ago I looked into doing an aerobics class after work and decided on water aerobics. It was only two days a week and seemed easy (which it isn't by the way), and I use to go to water aerobics with my gma and it was easy, maybe because I was 12 and in shape. If your thinking...a bunch of old ladies do that...true but not at BYU, mostly college students. So, I show up to class on the first day wearing my own bathing suit. I soon realize I needed...(Oh how can I put this without you getting a visual, sorry if you do).....I needed a more sturdy swimsuit....one that maybe goes to my neck. The first day of class was spent pretty much holding up my bathing suit while jumping around in the pool. The second day I show up and as I was grabbing my towel from the equipment desk, I notice one of the 'older' ladies in my class renting a swimsuit...the kind that goes to your neck. I was excited but a little nervous about the thought of someone else had worn that bathing suit. But it was better than holding my suit the whole time. I asked for a bathing suit and I go on my merry way. I go change and as I am walking to the mirror to put my hair up...oh wait, it already was up because I have a wild mane that needs to be tamed at all times. Anyways...so I walked to the mirror to see how I look in this 'modest' bathing suit. But on the way I am getting weird looks so I am like...man I must look huge or something...couldn't figure it out. Then someone laughed and I thought...I know I am chubby but how rude... I walk up to the mirror and what do I see?!? My whole freak'in body!! The swimsuit was so worn out that you could see right through it in certain areas (which were all areas that needed to be covered). Then I turn around to see the back now that I was laughing at myself. I could see straight through it. After I stopped laughing, I realized that I just flashed all these girls. I then thought...oh how embarrassing and how could someone not say something?! Some of the girls that saw more of me than they wanted were in my class!! What would have happened if I would have walked out like this onto the pool area!? Needless to say I decided to wear the bathing suit I brought and held it the whole time. And set aside time during that weekend to go get a new 'sturdy' bathing suit!! Which I wore last night by the way....

President Hinckley

One of the most inspiring persons we have know has passed away. President Hinckley, at the age of 97, has gone to the other side of the veil to reunite with his sweetheart, Marjorie. His life was full of amazing achievements and a great example to follow.

My only personal interaction with President Hinckley, came as I was preparing to return from my mission. Having served in Utah Salt Lake City Mission, the day before I was to fly back home the group of departing Elders and Sisters got the chance to meet the Prophet and shake hands with him. What a powerful experience it was to be in the presence of a Prophet of God.

President Hinckley had a special gift of lighting up a room with his presence and a special sense of humor that he shared when speaking.

May we always remember the great life that he lived and the example he has set for all of us.

"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"

Creme' Brulee Recipe

This recipe is from dad B....and SOOooooo yummy!!! This would be nice for a romantic anniversary dessert...hint, hint...Ryan and Melanie. And it is so easy, takes some time but easy.

8 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream (bought mine at Costco but you can also buy at any grocery store)
1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup sugar (for caramelized tops)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until the sugar has dissolved and the mixtures is thick and pale yellow. Add cream and vanilla and continue to whisk until well blended. Strain into a large bowl, skimming off any foam or bubbles. Divide mixture among 6 ramekins ( I only had 4 and one big ol' one and I used a ladle to divide it) or custard cups. Place in a water bath and bake until set around the edges, but still loose in the center. About 40 to 50 minutes. Longer baking time for deeper ramekins.

(Pre-baking... in the water bath)

Remove from oven and leave in the water bath until cooled. remove cups from water bath and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days.

(Post-baking...chilling out)

When ready to serve, sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of sugar over each custard. For best results, use a small handheld torch to melt sugar.

If no torch, place under the broiler until sugar melts. Re-chill for a few minutes, then serve.

(post- broiler)

Dad B always uses a hand held torch and that works better than the broiler. Seems like the broiler melted the custard and after a "few minutes" re-chilling, it was way runny but still tasted yummy. We have a industrial torch but...I didn't really feel like putting out a fire tonight, so I opted for the broiler. My suggestion if you HAVE to use the broiler is to let the custard harden for more than 2 hours, maybe overnight. And then once you melt the sugar, re-chill for like 30 minutes before serving.

Happy 86th Birthday Gpa!!!

Funny story about Gpa. A few weeks ago I was playing skipo with him and asked him when the last time he went skiing was....having it snow and all here. He has been working on his life history and thought that would be a good memory for him to think about. This was his response: "Oh a few years ago." To me a few years ago is less than 5, so that would make him 8oish...and I know that wasn't true. So, I dug deeper. So, I said: " A few years ago? Who did you go with?" He said:"a buddy"...my response: "a buddy?" and he says " yeah the last time I went skiing was in high school with a buddy." Ok, Gpa....high school was more than a few years ago for you!! I had a good laugh.

Song of the Week

The song for this week comes from an artist, whose band is pretty popular right now. His name is Ryan Tedder, the lead singer for OneRepublic. This song is called "The Look".

Random but Busy

We had a pretty busy three day weekend. We went to a Birthday party on Saturday for my cousin's daughters first birthday....get that? Seriously, so cute!!

My cousin made the cutest cake!! Loved it!!

On the way home we went by Tai Pan home decor store and got this cute family sign, which will be featured in an upcoming post...maybe. Then we went to get the car wash. With my car wash gift certificates from my Christmas work party. This is how often we wash the car...we picked up my sister, who we haven't seen since before Christmas and the first thing she noticed was that we washed our car. Thank you AchieveGlobal, now my car is even balder!!

Then we decided to paint the "dreaded corner". Long story...but I have time. So, a while ago...hmm...like last summer, not this last one but the one before....2006. We had some friends stay with us for a few weeks til' they found an apartment in the city...(SLC). Well one of them calls and said...'Hey...there isn't any hot water!" Which is weird because it was like 11am and Eddie and I had already been up for like 5 hours and her husband took a shower before us. So, I explain I have no idea and sorry about the cold shower. Eddie and I come home and "inspect" what we think the issue is. We call a parent...been so long I don't remember who's...but they suggested maybe the water heater was out. Oh the joy's of owning your own home!! Even if it is a townhome. We call all these places to see if we can get it fixed....$500...great!! Moving on....so this guy in his 70's...late 70's...dead serious, shows up to change my water heater. Come to find out he is the owner of the company and all his people were out doing other jobs, so he decided to come help. Bad idea. Here I am sitting on the couch watching my tivo'd shows and I turn to see him moaning and groaning and breathing VERY heavy...I thought...crap...this guy is going to die from a heart attack in my house. Nope, he was just trying to pull out this water heater all by himself at the age of 70+. So, he huffs and he puffs and he pulls that big ol' water heater out of the water heater closet. On the way out he bangs up the opposing wall. I'm relieved...the water heater is out. Then old man joe comes in hauling a new water heater. So, he huffs and he puffs and he lifts it... like an inch off the ground. I asked if he needed help, grumpy old man yelled NO!! um, ok...I just turned around and watch his reflection in the t.v. while acting like I am watching t.v. Finally he decides that he needs to "cut some pipes to get that bad boy in". Great...$$$ is all I could think of. So...he goes on to tell me that when the house was build, the water was put in first and the furnace was in the way. Anyways.....he got it in...$572, something later. As he is walking out he says...hey...since your old water heater was all rusted at the bottom there MIGHT be a 10% CHANCE of something getting in your water line. Sweet!! Fast forward to Feb. of 2007. Eddie and I get home from the gym and I go to take a shower....the cold water works but when you twist it to the H for hot...it does nothing...no water. So, we have a plumber come out....$68 for the diagnostic. He determines...well actually thinks...there is something in the hot water line. Remember the 10% CHANCE....well...leave it to Eddie and I to have the best luck. So...the plumber explains what he needs to do and it will be like $1600 to tear out this wall and this and that. Here is your $68 thank you very much, get out!! Holy Cow this is taking forever to explain.

So, we call a friend that is an industrial plumber...not a residential plumber. He said we just had to feed him and he would fix it. And that he could just take off the shower thingy and work thru that, instead of taking out the whole shower wall. So, he comes...fixes the thing...Awww...hot water again. *Sidenote...Yes we showered in the meantime, for about a week we took showers at BYU...not fun!!* Fast forward a week or two...Eddie calls me at work and says..."I came home and there was a surprise!". I am stumped...what did we get? A lost dog on our porch, or a big package with lots of cool things in it? Nope...surprise was a BIG ol' water bubble on the ceiling!! We had a leak!! Ok...not sure about you guys, but a surprise to me is something positive....not to Eddie...he now has learned that leaks and other not good things are not surprises but bad things. We call our plumber friend again...he comes back...sodered(sp?) the pipe he already fixed and went on his way. Few days later, we come home to find a HUGE bubble and we can touch it and feel the water move around. Guess when he sodered (sp?) he cracked the main pipe, total accident.

It's summer time by now, with all these weeks passing. We finally call a different friend that works with real actual residential plumbers. They come out, gut the ceiling below the tub, and fix it...$175 later. Nice to know the leak is no longer leaking. and I don't have to have nightmares that my neighbors kids will be jumping down the stairs and fall thru. Luckily there was no damage, just some soggy insulation and soggy dry wall from the ceiling. If your like me, your thinking...mold! Nope...we got lucky and got none, but just in case we sprayed for it. October....no, maybe November Eddie and I finally decide we can afford to have someone come drywall and mud the ceiling where this big gaping hole was. Now we are in January, we finally decided to go match the paint at Home Depot and paint this "dreaded corner'.

Oh...and then Eddie got a haircut!! YES....those are steps you see. If you haven't seen him lately, he is sporting a fo-hawk...well he wanted to take his funky-fresh look to a whole new level and get some steps. Funny story...when he showed up to work today, I guess his department has a meeting about the rules at BYU on your appearance. HAHA. Don't worry mom B...those will be gone before the family pics.

Happy 11th Birthday Tanner!!

Hope you have a fun day playing Guitar Hero and eating at your favorite restaurant Fresh Choice!! Love you!!

Fake 'n' Bake

Eddie and I started tanning, yes tanning!! To get a base tan for our trip to Kauai for two reasons. One because we haven't seen sun in forever and we didn't want to burn and be miserable on the first day. And second because we didn't want to blind people with our bright white bodies. O.k, o.k.... my bright casper looking body. Eddie is proud of his 3 day tan. Serious...we have tanned for 3 days and he already has a tan...not fair...I have a 3 day burn, turning into tan!! Hope our kids get his dark skin and not my ghostly white skin.

Oh...about the picture, these are called 'nail savers'. They are used to protect fake nails, which I have... On the bag it says "Remember, nails don't tan, they just turn yellow!" and that is why I got them. Best tanning invention ever!!

Song of the Week

The song of the week comes from Matt Nathanson. The song is called "Come On Get Higher".