Just Another Day in Paradise...

I went to bed Tuesday night not feeling so hot. So I took 2 Benadryl Allergy with the hopes of felling better the next morning.

& when I woke up I took 2 more...

And had what they call a "Benadryl Hangover" for all of Tuesday morning. I have never experienced something so weird. I was there, but I wasn't there. I didn't feel like getting up and doing anything or talking. 2 things that are very uncharacteristic for me.There were some interesting things on the beach on Wednesday.

like jellyfish & old men in Speedos& 2 silly goofs in matching surf shirts.So we relaxed in our usual spot with Nena & Grandad.& we eventually ventured to the Beach Bar. Which became a family favoriteWhen we were tired of the beach we decided to take a limoso we could go Banana Boating & Parasailing w/ our cousins!I passed on the Banana Boat, since I was still suffering from my "Benadryl Hangover", but the cousins said it was fun.

(We purchased the picture CD from the place, but we forgot to get a copy from Sheri)

After a fun day of watersports we arrived back at the Surfriderwhere we met mom and dad for happy hour since they had been shopping all day. Then we went next door to Dukes for some lobster& drinks :)
& time with our wonderful grandparents. While we were there we got to see some fireworks.

The reason for the fireworks is still unknown....

&&& I love my husband because he can surf. I think that's pretty cool.

North Shore & Roys

We woke up the next morning feeling adventurous, so we decided to rent a Jeep and travel to the North Shore of the island. Mom & Dad found an awesome "North Shore" sign for their house at Lake Tanglewood. Their address there is *** North Shore. Too perfect!

We discovered a really neat art gallery by Ron Artis, a local artist who uses old surfboards as his canvases.

(& he's kindddaaa a North Shore hippie--hence the hippie van)

We had lunch from a North Shore Shrimp truck.

We loved it so much in 2008 we had to try it again.

They had butter, garlic, spicy & pineapple shrimp. Yum!Of course we signed the bus before we left.Then we got shaved ice at Motsumoto's.

(best shaved ice on the island.. or so they say)Then we continued our drive around the North Shore

until we found a pretty beachwhere we could play in the sand

and relax in the sun for the remainder of the day. When we finally got back to Waikiki we found these two, who had spent their day at Pearl Harbor & The Dole Plantation& brought us back these awesome Hawaiian name bracelets.

Shanna=Kahana

Chris= Kaliki

Codi= Koki

After visiting with our grandparents and hearing all about their adventures we left the hotelwith the 'rentsfor diner at Roys!Where we ate...& ate... & ate...& ate...& it was just as delicious as we remembered. NOTHING beats Roy's chocolate souffle. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

&&& I love my husband because he's fun. Plain & simple.

Part 2 in Paradise: Monday.

We weren't quite adjusted to Hawaii time, so we woke up bright and early Monday morning... & Chris decided to go for a run to Diamond Head

After running 2.5 miles and getting a huge blister on his foot we got reacquainted with 2 old favorites: 1. Honolulu Coffee Company 2. The rocking chairs at the Moana Surfrider. When the Demeres finally rolled out of bed we realized we needed floaties... STAT! So we went to old faithful, The ABC Store. So we spent the remainder of the morning floating in the ocean :)

Until we realized the waves were too good to pass up....

& so we hired Danny, our surf instructor, who referred to Codi as "Hollywood" and me as "Grandma."

When we went back to our spot on the beach we found this cutie patootie, who suggested we go on a boat ride.

So we gathered up some Hoodlum cousins and headed out.

We brought along Grandad so he could scare off all the boys interested in Codi.

After a long day on the beach we were ready for a good meal.

So we got all fixed up & headed down Waikikito an awesome place called RumFire.
for some Tapas and cocktails.

We brought along some cheap entertainment... AKA my Uncle Eddie

&&& I love my husband because he went for a run while on vacation. That takes dedication.

Hawaii!!! Part Uno.

We got home early (7:30 AM) Sunday morning & I have been in a slight state of depression even sense. I had the time of my life. Seriously. It was such a fabulous vacation, one that will be forever embedded in my heart.

Here's a breakdown of the trip w/ photos.

Mom & Codi arrived after work Friday. We had a totally "Girls Night." We shopped Northpark, ate at PF Chang's & saw Sex and The City 2.

Nene, Grandad, & Dad all arrived Saturday. & Dr. Dad bough us all some cute Toms. (matching footwear is a Demere traveling tradition--odd? maybe.) We were craving Mexican food, so we took them to one of our favorite spots, Glorias.

We left Dallas around 11 AM Sunday.

& We arrived in Honolulu around 2 PM.

& headed straight to the beach!

After a little happy hour

We headed out to supper

At Cheeseburger in Paradise

&&& I love my husband because he got a spray tan so he could be tan like the rest of the Demeres. Unfortunately they used the keratin based spray and he turned out orange. Poor Chrissy.

**Mookalakaliki-- Come on you Wanna Lei Me!**

The time has come...

The Hoodlums(&Demeres&Joneses) are going Hawaiian!!!

The Demeres in Hawaii. Summer 2008

Mom & Codi arrive tonight & the rest of the crew will trickle in tomorrow. Then early Sunday morning we're hopping on a plane to Paradise. I am so thankful for such a tight-knit family. We actually love spending time together. We have so much fun & I have no doubt that this trip will be amazing.

We are extremely blessed with such wonderful families. We spent last weekend at the lake surrounded by mine & Chris's immediate families, we spent Sunday evening with the Joneses extended family at the cabin & now we are going to Hawaii with my mom's family. Sometimes I wonder to myself, "How did I get so lucky?"

We have been looking forward to this trip since September. Nena & Grandad (being the loving grandparents they are) gave us this trip as our Christmas present. Again I ask myself, "How lucky are we?" They are the best grandparents a girl could ask for. The love all of their grandchildren equally with 100% of their hearts. They would do anything for us, and for that I am forever grateful.

So the 12 of us (Mom, Dad, Codi, Me, Chris, Nena, Grandad, Eddie, Sheri, Deisa, Denver & Darbey) are going Hawaiian! Let the fun begin.....

&&& I love my husband because... he actually packed for a trip ahead of time. He usually waits until the last minute to pack, leaving me panicked, but this time he packed 2 days in advance!! Go Hubbs.

Lakin' It.

I couldn't help but giggle when I re-read my previous post. Not only did Chris get up his first try on the wakboard, but he dominated all weekend long. It's amazing how much easier wakeboarding is with an adult wakeboard & an awesome boat.

I don't think I crawled in bed before 2 AM the entire trip, but it is so worth the "lake hangover" I'm having today. I am fairly certain we were the first people on the lake & the last people off every day. It's so new & exciting to us, so we soaked up every single minute of it.

I just love being at the lake. I love having tons of people out there just hanging out and drinking beer. I love having coffee on the back deck with my grandparents. I love watching scary movies after a long day on the lake. I love being the first ones on and the last ones off the lake. I love the isolation of being at the lake; it's like the really world stops when we're there. I love having a sunburn from being outside too long. I love it all.

The weekend was perfection. I left Canyon with a full, happy heart. There is absolutely nothing better than having both our families together. I am so thankful to have parents who want to put their earning toward something we can all enjoy. They are such loving selfless parents and I thank my Lord every day for them.

&&& I love my husband because when he sets his mind to something he will achieve it. Just like wakeboarding. He wanted to learn so he studied hard & prepared himself for it. He is such a hard worker.