Months ago we were asked by our brother-in-law if we could fly to Hawaii to celebrate Matt’s older sister’s 40th birthday with them! Of course we said yes. Matt was in charge of planning the activities and our brother-in-law was in charge of getting us a car and place to stay. I was on vacation and just did what I was told! And the birthday girl could do whatever she wanted. We really only had two full-days to spend in Kona, Hawaii and we spent them well.
After a 10 hour flight from Manila to Honolulu, we had an hour flight to Kona on this plane ALOHA…we arrived in KonaWhile exploring our AirBnB we felt this earthquake
Day 1
We had this red jeep to drive around KonaWe got up early and swam with wild dolphinsAfter nearly 10 years of trying to find dolphins in the wild, we finally were successfulWe took this rainbow to mean that we would be successful in seeing manta raysThis manta ray came near us while on our late afternoon dusk diveAround 30 feet below water we hung out at a “camp fire” and saw at least three different manta rays swoop through to filter-feed on the plankton that gathered in the lightMy one request for this trip was to have L&L. It was a perfect dinner after our dives
Matt put this video together of our dolphin and manta ray experience
Day 2
The birthday girl and her brotherAfter sleeping in, we spent the day at the beachOur early flight from Kona to Honolulu was full of military personal
When trying to decide what I really wanted to do for my 40th birthday, I couldn’t think of just one thing. So, I took a page out of my sister’s book of birthday celebrations and did something for myself everyday of the week!
Monday: People’s Palace lunch with friendsTuesday: hike with friends and ended up at this damWednesday: Mani/pedi at Dashing DivasThursday: after going to our temple, my friend took me out to lunch at La CreperieThursday: Matt took me to dinner at “Blackbird“My birthday dessert at the restaurantFriday: Exercise at Jump Yard trampoline parkAnd now I’m 40
As a new year begins and I reflect on the past year that just ended I find that I forget the good and bad things that we experienced. The purpose of this blog is to act as a family journal for posterity, and also share family updates with close friends and relatives. So here is a quick look at our 2017!
We bought a new home and moved into it on March 31
In April, I got to go to Utah for one of my mission companion’s wedding.
The beginning of May, Matt’s sister got married in California.
Towards the end of May, Matt & Tia flew to Utah for the sealing of close friends we met in the Philippines.
There was a really good airfare deal, so a lot of our family came to visit us. We made a trip to Waco to visit the Magnolia Silos.
In June we had a family reunion for the Limary side of the family in Las Vegas. Nearly all of the siblings and grandkids attended.
While in Vegas, we were able to attend the wedding of my brother Robbie.
Right after we got back from Vegas, Kalani and I went to a church girls camp for a week.
Beginning of August, my 17 year old brother passed away. All of the siblings and spouses were able to attend the funeral in California.
The end of August, Matt & I took a trip to Florida to scuba dive and visit with close friends that we had met in the Philippines.
We got hit with Hurricane Harvey in August. So most weekends in September were spent “mucking” homes as we raced to tear out sheet rock, carpet, cabinets, etc, before mold could set in.
Halloween was a wet evening, but the cousins got together to trick-or-treat (despite the downpour) and got a lot of candy.
Mom & Dad Farley visited us in November.
We had a full house for Thanksgiving that we hosted.
Kalani was in a lot of plays this year. Fiddler on the Roof, Little Women, Cinderella & Macbeth to name a few.
When it snows in Texas it is worth staying up until midnight for a snowball fight.
And finally, we spent 3 1/2 weeks in the Philippines to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year.
Last week our baby turned 1! We have loved this past year to be able to have a baby in our home again. Blake brings so much joy and happiness to us everyday. And living in Asia, he gets a lot of attention with his blonde hair and blue eyes.
He is well traveled and loves the beach and ocean
How he was normally carried when we left the house…attached to his mom using the Moby Wrap
