Hilo and Honalulu Oct 1-2

Beautiful beaches on every island.

Friday Oct. 1: We had a very pleasant day on “the big Island of Hawai’i. We docked at Hilo in the morning, and by 8:30 we were off on a tour of the “windward” side of the island.

Our tour guide was very personable with lots of interesting stories, about the island. 

I didn’t realize it, but there aren’t snakes or other predators in Hawai’i…so it’s not quite so dangerous if you get lost in the jungles..just lava tunnels to fall into and volcanoes that might erupt. The mongooses (mongeese?) have kept the snakes at bay, but not the rats and mice because they aren’t nocturnal (a word CJ once told us when he was about 2 years old!) So they don’t have the same sleep patterns. We also learned a little about how to pronounce the language, which only has 13 letters in their alphabet, and some things about their culture and history. 

On the way to see the Akaka Falls

 We got to walk through a jungle wonderland in order to see beautiful waterfall.  I was expecting to see strange animals at every corner, but it was just pure vegetation.

The biological gardens at Hilo were one of my favorite places to visit.  They were amazing, with brushes, trees, and flowers of all kinds beautifully landscaped.  We had a soft drizzle most of the time we were there, but were in carts, so it wasn't a problem.

Orchids at Nani Mau gardens

We also visited a macadamenian plant, which had cute quilts.  

I'm "nuttier" about quilts than nuts!

Kona Coffee Bean plantation
Saw this on the way to the Blue Hawaii filming area.

Botantical Gardens of Nani Mau in Hilo

Hawai'i All Hands On Deck

Post #2 We’ve had to change our watches three times so far, and Dad keeps getting up earlier and earlier as a result. I think he left at 5:30 to go walk Wed. morning. I only got in 8000+ steps today and yesterday, but am so thankful I’m not seasick any more. We’ve attended a couple of lectures about the islands, as well as about whales, marine life, language, Hawai’ian foods, etc. Dad ate snails and frog legs for supper tonight. My most exotic thing has been to try sushi and cold apple soup.

We haven’t been able to talk any of our group into joining us to play games this trip. All the wives say their husbands don’t like to play games, so I guess I’m lucky to have one who does. Tonight we played 5 Crowns by ourselves.

I spent most of the day glued to Dan Brown’s Lost Symbols. Finished it Thurs. morning. It was surprising how many of the ideas – especially in the final chapters of the book, parallel LDS beliefs. Usually people are criticizing us because we believe that man is as God once was, and as God is, man may become. Brown also espouses the idea of intelligence and spirit given to us by God, that we’re created in his image and can become like him. Nice surprising ideas coming from a popular writer, since I had expected him to attack the Mormon-Mason connection.

We’re re-reading The Last Lecture, which will be a book discussion on the return trip. I highly recommend it for all those with children still in their jurisdiction and care. Lots of good ideas.

The Widdison’s in our group celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary today. She is a 3 year survivor of cancer. Another lady at our table is a 5 year survivor. Have also made friends with a couple from St. Anthony Idaho..the Beeches. They are farmers, but she worked at the Rexburg hospital for 52 years.

It has been quite hot out on the decks of the ship in the afternoons. There are 3 big pools, and several smaller ones, which we have yet to try.

Hawaii here we come

Bon Voyage Sept. 27: We're off on a great adventure to Hawaii. Theron delivered us to the SLC airport, and we flew out on Delta at 8:30 for LA. The Princess Cruise line had reps there to pick us up almost immediately, and we had very little down time at the airport. However, we couldn’t board the ship until 12:30, so they took all the cruisers to the Sheraton Hotel where we filled out our boarding papers, and had some refreshments.
Sunday when we left, the San Pedro Harbor the rocking of the boat wasn’t bad as the water was still. We met most of the other nine couples going with Brent Judd, and enjoyed a good musical welcome at the ship's evening program.

Day Two took a decided turn to dampen my ardor, as I suffered surprisingly from vertigo, and my usually steady feet make me look like a drunken sailor—or maybe a tilting tailor. I was pretty content to stay in bed, sleeping and reading most of Monday, though I did put in an appearance briefly on the promenade deck, and at lunch and dinner. By evening Steve was coming down with a sore throat, so he didn’t go to the “Words and Music” musical tribute to composers: Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, and others.

As usual, the cruise ship meals are great motivation for getting up in the morning, but I am trying hard to avoid things that are disgustingly delicious, carbo-laden, having no redeeming value to a recovering sugar addict. We eat at the fancy dining room in the evening with others from our group, but get to pick and choose for the other two meals. Steve & I have been walking each morning so we don't get too carried away with our luxurious life style!

I’m missing my soft comfy bed, and have to do extra stretches to get moving each morning, as this bed is none too comfortable, though Steve says he likes it.

The Golden Princess is making her first trip to Hawaii this season, and is filled to capacity. They were the #1 cruise ship last year, and one of the biggest with 2600 passengers. With the staff of over 1100, it probably has as many people as the berg of Blanding aboard! There are many people from England aboard, and the staff comes from Australia, Philippines, Hawaii, and many other countries, so there are accents galore, which makes it fun as we become acquainted.

As of yet we haven't found anyone who likes to play cards, though often the wife would join us if the stogy husbands would. Maybe today! I did play in a ping-pong tournament, and didn't fall down, which is often quite a feat when you're back-handing a flying missile. It was fun!

Last weeks of summer

A beautiful quilt Alta finished: Sis Dille, Juanita, Wanda, Bernice, and
Rachelle helped tie it.

Aug. and Sept. have flown by. I've been canning 2-3 days each week and have done lots of beans, tomatoes, and peaches, plus applesauce. Dad says there is only 1 more box of quart bottles and 1 more of pints then all the empty bottles will be filled. We've had quite a few peaches given to us, besides the ones I picked at Hovenweep, and then Dad picked some out at Dick Watkins' this past week. Most of those we sent back with the Waunekas to Ganado. Their son Corey is living with us this school year and going to college.

Last week we traveled down to Ganado for a Gilbert Kinlichee's funeral. He is the grandfather to the Burnette family. He was killed in a roll over, Tues 8. It was a very sad thing for their whole family. We went to the last "gathering" Friday night. Typically, Navajos meet four nights in a row, prior to the funeral, and have a chance to share their feelings, and memories about the deceased, and get comfort and support from one another. At that time the extended family and friends, bring food, and contribute money to help pay for the expenses.

We spent about 2 hours there, and counseled with the parents and grandkids. This was the first family we taught in Ganado, so we know them very well. We stayed overnight with Corey's Aunt Wanda. We did a major picking of our garden the day before and fixed 22 sacks of produce for the members there, as well as prepared food for the Kinlichee family.

Sat. morning the missionaries called and asked us to meet at the church at 9 AM before the funeral at the Presbyterian church. Unbeknownst to us the branch had made us a quilt after we left, using photos taken at our farewell party. It is such a wonderful gift, and brought back s many memories. It was really a special occasion for us. There are 30 blocks each with photos of our wonderful friends in Ganado.



Monday the Waunekas brought Corey up, and we had a cookout that evening with Rob's family, and the Camps (Baptist minister across the street), and some other neighbors. It was a nice evening, and then the Wauneka's drove home afterwards.

Rob has been busy for about 3-4 weeks getting the Memorial Golf tournament organized to raise money for a bench w/ photo and dates of Brian, Eric, and Kim. He had a lot of discouraging moments during the process but stuck with it and the results were great. They ended up with 15 teams and raised enough to pay for the bench, which I think will be on Hole #7. I'm really proud of him, for initiating the idea, and for Kathryn and Ethan for supporting him. I know the three families appreciated it as well.

Last week was peach pie delivery week, I think I made about 6 or 7 that we took to other people, They were so yummy. We also went to Beppy Gibbon's funeral last Thursday. Dr. Gibbons also has cancer, and he has given himself 3 more months to live. I think he may be right. He was really a good doctor to our family, and delivered all except the first and last babies I think.

Autumn and Theron are on their Wyoming adventure through the park and into Cody. Theron took first again in his category at the Lodaja madman's competition. They left from there on their family vacation.

Rachelle Chung is coached by Debbie Bayles

Our big tour de force last weekend was getting this big wheat order delivered and distributed. There was 4.7 tons of wheat delivered at 5 PM Friday, plus 11 five gal buckets of honey and 14 cases of olive oil. By 6:00 3/4ths of it had been picked up. It was a miracle as Corey's mom and myself and Sister Chung were supposed to be to the quilting workshop by 6:15. Whew.....Thanks heavens for those tender mercies of the Lord. It was a blessing. It was really a fun time with the Blanding quilters, and they were so helpful and friendly to my Ganado friends. They want to come back and do it again.

Friday night the guys went to the ball game. We could hear the noise of the game at the Sr. Center where we were working, but we think we had the most fun. The Waunekas and Sis. Chung stayed two nights.

It's a good thing they brought their truck, as we sent the little blue table back with them for his sister's hogan, plus 3 pallets from the wheat truck, and about 6 boxes of produce. They helped us pick beans, tomatoes, grapes, onions, squash, etc.

Tomorrow I'll can more peaches, and then need to go to the nursing home to play the piano, then AR at night. I'm going to use our new quilt as a metaphor. Alta told me the first time they set the blocks together they were all crooked and not aligned, so she and Wanda took it all apart, and they restitched it after squaring up the blocks. I think that correlates with repentance in the addiction process, so I hope they'll appreciate the analogy.

Snowflake Ganado Trip

In June we had the great pleasure of going back to Ganado and seeing several of our good friends there. We did a planting project for Serfina Hardy's family, and were so glad to see her, Brandon, Richard, Virgena, Amber and Jerrall again. (Oh, yes, can't forget about Josh, and Crystal.) We also stopped in a minute to see the McCabes, and Waunekas.


The Hardys and Clarkes helped us plant some perennial flowers, lilac bush, etc. to brighten up their home. Earlier they planted an apple tree for her, and since we came have put a fence up around it, to ward off those free-roaming cows.


Sat. we were able to attend the Snowflake Temple with Brother Joseph Yazzie and his daughter Daphne Etcitty.

Pres. Brown, Laura and Chris were also there. It was a happy day for all of us. We are so happy about Brother Yazzie's progress, and know his wife was full of joy that day on the other side.

24th of July in Blanding

Grandma Janet caught a ride back to Blanding with Autumn and Theron, the kids, and Leah (the dog) We left about 4 PM, and got home about 10:00. The kids traveled really well. Where were the DVD players when we were raising our kids and travelling with 8 children, no AC, and crowded conditions??




The next day Grandpa entertained the kids with water bottle rockets, fishing, and tricks. We had a cookout with Rob's family and Autumn's friend Amber and Steve Smith on Friday.





Sat. was the big Hillman Triathlon, which puts a new meaning to "enduring to the end."














Theron had the misfortune of getting a flat tire, so wasn't able to make up lost momentum from the reservoir swim, which he hadn't practiced for.








Autumn did well, but didn't expect so many hills in the run. They both did all 3 events.








Jeppsons cool down after hard competition. Final results not posted yet, but should be on this web site soon: http://hillman.weebly.com/index.html

Oquirrh Mountan Temple Open House

On July 21 I was able to attend the new temple open house with Autumn, Hunter and Peyton. The kids were really good, especially climbing all of the stairs. It is a beautiful building and will be well used. The dedication is next month.




This month's Visiting Teaching message reinforces the importance of temples in our life, and the strength and peace they can bring to us. Last conference there were five talks specifically about the temple and our need to live worthy lives, so we can bring blessings to our ancestors, as well as ourselves. I hope we all take the opportunity to go often.

Nathan and Tammy's new home

After many years of military moves, packing and repacking--Nathan and Tammy finally have their first home, and it is a really nice one in Tooele. Anthony, Theron, Chris, CJ and Michael were able to help them with the move from their rental home.

I stayed for a 3 days and helped pack and unpack the kitchen, other boxes, and clean the other home. Tammy is such a great house keeper, it wasn't bad at all. We are so happy for them.

It is a two story home with a full basement. Five bedrooms upstairs, Laundry room upstairs!, 2 1/2 baths and a garage. It will have plenty of room for family expansion, and storage. Laurie and Brendan are happy with the move and their new bedrooms.

The Gannon Bawl Express

Though he likes to express his displeasure, we still think Gannon is a wonderful new addition to the family. He was born June 29, weighing 7 lb. 13 oz.

 Mattea is being a great big sister to him, and a good helper for mom. Jaxon hasn't tuned in to his role yet, just rolling with the flow. I sure had fun with them. We all enjoyed picking the raspberries and eating them--even the dog did!

The rest of the Wasatch trip

In the process of posting what happened the last two weeks, came to realize that I hadn't even blogged in the Gilbert Trip. I'm having a harder time of tracking our travels, that I did keeping track of kids when I was raising them 30 years ago!

Anyway, here's some more fun and games with the Wilcoxes and Jeppsons.

Peyton's Birthday Party July 17

Blowing Bubbles with the cousins!

Using fabric crayons to make back pack



Mmmmm, isn't this corn good

 .



Peyton turns three



Dancing the night away!

Cuttie Patooties



Our wonderful 2005 four year olds:



Visit to Gilbert

Quent and Bev's family:

Here's Brig's new perky photo



Girls ready for Church in their cute dresses



Quincy and Sage attended music camp
 and performed for families





We got to see the stage performance of Wicked
from the "top" seats in the house -- though Grandma
about got kicked out for taking photos inside!



Wasatch Front Visit

Here are some of the things we saw and did with the families up North.




Grandpa Steve playing with Mattea and Jaxon



Mattea & Jaxon back from Church

Gannon's first excursion into Dinosaur land. Sorry you don't get to see him yet!

Cousins on the Turtle

The Ogden Dinosaur park was very impressive, and a definite must see for families with "dinohead" kids who love the big guys. Kind of scary for grandmas, however!




"Where's Peyton?  I can't find her," says Boney the Dino.