Maui 2010 Day 2

The windblown Maui look.

The Maui Banyan in Kihei where we rented a one bedroom condo.  We stayed here the whole time and it was great!

Maui 2010

It's been a very busy couple of weeks since we have been back from Maui. Here are just a few pictures to wet your apetite.

 Hawaiian airlines....the only way to fly!

 Notice we didn't even change our clothes from the plane to the sand?!

Brittany making the most of our first day on Maui.

Maui Posts On Their Way....maybe

I know, I know.  Why is it taking me so long to post our trip to Maui?!  Well, we are down to one computer, Brittany's lap top, so I have to share!  Our home computer is being brought back to life somewhere else.  I also wonder if anyone really looks at our blog...so, let me  know if you want me to post a bunch,  will ya!

Me? Kayaking?

Some people are surprised when I tell them that I am afraid to go Kayaking.  I think I've watched one too many movies in which the kayak tips over and the person gets trapped upside down and can't upright himself....and then drowns.  Just didn't sound fun to me. 

Lamar and Andy went kayaking years ago.  I bought them rentals for Lamar's birthday so they could have a father/son memory.  They had a blast and Lamar's been trying to convince me to go ever since.

For some reason, recently, I somehow lost my fear and decided I'm going for it!  Don't ask me what changed.  As far as I can tell, nothing.

But I will say, I wasn't really fearful today, but I was a little nervous.  Not of being on the river, but getting in and out of the kayak itself.  No matter how you do it, it's not pretty or graceful.  And you know what? I didn't care! I just decided to have fun with it.  We all laughed at each other and it was good.  No, I drew the line at getting any photos of us making fools of ourselves or at least publishing them.  But, I did give my permission to take a picture of me afterwards...I was pretty darned proud of myself! :-)

About a mile down the road from us is Hwy. 30 and across from the highway is Scappoose Bay and Multnomah Channel which goes into the Columbia River.  We have lived here for 22 years and I am ashamed to say, this was my first time on the river in a Kayak.  Lamar and I borrowed two kayaks from our friends, the Wards and Brittany and her friend, Brittany (yup, it's true) borrowed two from her aunt.  So, we were set to go! 

As soon as I was in the kayak, I knew I'd like it.  It was so easy to do.  OK, Lamar, you can tell me "I told you so" now!  Easy to do, yes,  but tomorrow, I have a feeling my arms will be screaming!

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day.  It was cloudy this morning while I worked.  By the time we picked up the Kayaks at 1:00, the clouds were just starting to burn off.  By the time we got in the water, they were fluffy white cottonballs.  The water was calm.  Perfect!

We headed out of the bay and into the channel towards Scappoose.  It was fun seeing everything from a different perspective!  We live in such a beautiful place!

We followed the main channel until we saw a "street" going left...so we decided to see where that led.  It went on and on forever, but it was so cool to be somewhere that was so quiet and beautiful.  We felt like Lewis and Clark discovering new territory.  But,finally, it was time to turn around.  We'd already been out for almost three hours.  I actually was disappointed that we had to get out of the kayaks.  I don't know when we'll do this again, but...

I know it definitely will be soon!

Dad

Dad's birthday was Sunday.  He would have been 79.  We all miss him dearly.  Thought I'd share some happy memories in honor of a wonderful man.

Irvan Earl Stanton  July 18, 1931 - 2003

Sunny Oregon Beach?

                                                      How often do you get to go to the Oregon Coast 

and get a gorgeous day....or two?!                                                                  

Last weekend, I headed to Manzanita with the ladies of Warren Baptist for our annual Spring retreat.

  

Hard to believe it has been six years since I've been on a retreat.   It's always a great way of getting to know others that you see every Sunday, but really don't know that well...just a little bit better.  It was a very relaxing weekend.. much needed!   

 Friday was cloudy, but really nice.   On Saturday,  we had a smattering of showers,  but we were able to get a couple of walks in...inbetween them.

Then, Sunday, we woke up to blue sky and hardly any wind.  Lamar spent the night in Lincoln City by himself and then drove up the coast to pick me up so we could spend the rest of the day enjoying the beach together.  That was definitely a bonus!

Happy 25th Birthday, Andy!

Our son, Andy, turned 25 today.  I still remember longing for a baby for what seemed like forever.  I remember getting that unbelievable call from our caseworker telling us that they had a baby boy just for us.  We loved him the second we laid eyes on him.  God brought us all together.  He made us a family. 

Happy 25th Birthday, Andy!