Seratonin Deficient
I’M SO SICK OF MOVING!!!! This weekend is the last push. After tomorrow, my goal is to clear everything out of my condo so that next weekend can be reserved for cleaning. Moving sucks!!! Read more
Posts tagged ‘Family’
Dec 3
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Beautiful Bride
How gorgeous!!!! I could only have hoped to look as graceful + stunning as my mom did on her wedding day!!! 
My dad is a lucky man!!!! Read more
Happy American Thanksgiving!!!
I say Happy American Thanksgiving because Canadian Thanksgiving takes place in the beginning of October. People say, “Weird! In October? Do Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving? Were there Pilgrims in Canada? I don’t get it!”. I didn’t either, but I did some research + there’s lots of different reasons for Canadian Thanksgiving – “Jour de l’Action de Grace” in Canadian French thankyouverymuch. Read more
Oct 22
Senior Citizens Love the Bangles + Chaz Bono
While visiting my parents, as they were both futzing around in the kitchen, my mom bursted out singing, “It’s just another Manic Monday!!!” at the sink. “Where did I hear that? Why am I singing that?” she asked. I’m thinking to myself, “Yeah, why IS she singing that?!”. “Manic Monday” is a hit song from 80’s girl group The Bangles. 
Why the heck would my mom randomly be singing one of their songs?
My dad replied, “Well, remember when they played that song on ‘Dancing with the Stars’!”. “Oh yeah!!!! Right!” mom replied as they BOTH started singing “Manic Monday”. They’re so crazy. I remember getting my Bangles tape in elementary school in my Easter basket. HELLOOOOO!!!! Ladies!!! What about, “Eternal Flame”?! Let us not forget!!!! Middle school anthem!!!!!
Later, they watched “Dancing with the Stars” on DVR, (I guess cuz they got so excited chatting about it). When Chaz Bono came on, my mom screamed, “Shelli!!! Chaz!!!!!”. 
If some of you aren’t aware, Chaz Bono is Cher’s son. Born Chastity Bono, as a female – he has just recently undergone gender reassignment + is now known as Chaz. Look how proud Chaz looks in this picture!!! I love it!!
My parents are so hilarious, this is what I am going to expect on a day to day basis once I move back in, + I will savor every detail!!! I can’t wait!!!!! Get it all in before I relocate to the Great White North!!!
Oct 5
Jeff’s 2 Day Birthday Festivities Pt. 2
Jeff’s Birthday weekend, part 2. Jeff is well loved. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND Jeff insisted all of his West Coast family (family also includes the Hoiles of course) to be together to celebrate his birthday, so for that to happen, we celebrated on Sunday. The Hoiles had us over for the partay. Tom, Deb, Matt, Tobin, Steve, Liz, Keiko, Hana, Benjamin + cousin Neil were all there! 
Appies, y’all!!! Shaka!!! 
Filet mignon + shrimp kabobs on the grill, yo!!! Decadence to da max!!! 
Now that is the way to party. Veganism, goodbye. Sorry, Charlie. 
Here’s little button Hana using a remote control as a cell phone. Ridiculously cute!!!!!! Unbearable!!
The dinner spread!!!! I kept instructing Keiko + Matt, “The Ta-Daaaa Pose!!! The Ta-Daaa Pose!!! Arms spread!!! TA-DAAA!!!!”. Like an obnoxious stage mom.
Jeff wanted a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. What do you think of the caption? 45 IS a big deal!!!! The zombie kid at Dairy Queen made me want to reach over to check his pulse, but I got a slight crack of a smile from him when he saw my ecstatic happiness when Isaw the cake. 
Before the cakecame out, Matt, Tobin + I busted out the crown that we all collaborated on the day before with our sweat + tears.
Hana had to give the crown a whirl. 45??? Me thinks not. A mere babe in the woods. A wee bairn. 
Jeff is definitely a young-at-heart 45.
Okay, how many times does it take to wrangle 4 children into a semi perfect group photo? Let’s take a count.
One. Where’s Tobin? Oh, there you are!!! 
Two. Do you like Hana’s Uncle Jeffrey moustache?? 
Three. Uh-oh. Things are starting to unravel. Yikes. Focus Hana, FOOOCUUUUS!!!!! Tobin! Matt! What the heck!!!?? 
Four. Jeff + Hana, come on!!!! Keiko, kudos. Always ready for a photo op. Well done. Well done. 
Five!!!! Success!!!! Oh wait, Hana + Keiko aren’t looking into the camera. Oh well, as long as everyone is facing forward with their little faces towards camera, that equals done to me!!! 
Oh hey, I know what’s going on here!! I see the love gaze flowing between these two!!!!! 
What the heck??!!! Alas, I always knew Jeff was Hana’s main squeeze, before I even met Jeff. I digress. She’s always asking me, “Where’s Jeffy? Where’s Jeffy??”
After cake, Jeff + Hana blissed out in each other’s arms. They were so content, that they didn’t even notice the bright light of my flash. 
So cute!!!!!!!! Buddies!!! Happy Birthday, Jeff!!!!!!!!!
Oct 4
Punch it, Los Angeles!!!
Guess what? I’m finally in Los Angeles. And guess who came along with me? Jeffrey Andrew Keith Fayle. Yep, that’s right. Believe it. Jeff doesn’t start his new job for another week, so he decided to squeeze a SoCal trip in. Also, it’s mostly because I think he knew I’d be inconsolable + despondent facing the reality of brown, smoggy Los Angeles alone. Codependent much????
Eew. Flat + brown.
My mom + dad came to pick us up at LAX which is always a joy to see their faces after a long trip. The weather would be considered warm by Canadian standards, but my mom was wearing a mohair sweater.
For dinner we decided to take our chances at Sushi Gen in my Little Tokyo neighborhood. I’ve been there a couple of times, but haven’t been back in a long time even though they are located right next to my condo due to their long waits. My dad has been dying to eat here for ages, being the foodie that he is. They are considered one of the best sushi restaurants in Los Angeles. Luckily, we arrived early enough + we were seated right away in a booth! Score!!!! 
My mom + I got the Chirashi Deluxe. Chirashi is something you get at a sushi restaurant when you’re too tired to pick out what you want because it’s a smorgasbord of sashimi on top of a bed of rice. It was the best sushi we’ve all ever had!!!! Look at how gorgeous! Fresh! 
At the end of dinner my parents punched it. In Nishino family translation that means, “I do say, that dinner was a culinary masterpiece!!!” They’re so hilarious, so I made them pose for my dad’s signature gesture. A really nice way to be welcomed home. http://www.sushigenla.com/
Sep 27
Luau Memories
I’m going to do a couple series of Hawaii pictures + reminiscing because Vancouver has been gray + chilly! Also it’s because when we were in Hawaii the azure sparkles of the ocean would be calling to me, “Shelli!!! Shelli!!! Get off that damn computer! Come play, Shelli!”. Thus, I feel those posts were a bit lacking, so let’s revisit the much glossed over luau night.
I know I already posted this picture, but it’s my favorite. 
So happy, so in lurve.
I also love the fact that before we got to the luau Kelly said to me, “You + Jeff are like Michael Jackson.”. I said, “Come again????”. She replied, “No, not in the pedophile way, but in the sweet, childlike, innocence you both have!”. Isn’t that really hilarious?! I love being compared to Michael Jackson.
The tram. 
Explanation of how the pig is traditionally roasted underground. I missed this part because I was already on the bridge to be first in line for drinks. 
See? When I heard the guy say, “Everyone please enjoy…” I was already gone. I’m just a blur. I’m like, “Peace out!”.
Dinner, drinks + a show!
The bass player probably has a license plate that says, “I’d rather be fishing”. His face said, “Somebody get me another whiskey + soda.”.
The couple’s dance! My sister Ashley gave the MC our name to announce. This was only the second time Jeff + I did a “traditional dance” together!!! Jeff isn’t much into dancing unless it’s crazy person dancing.
Jeff’s first visit to Los Angeles was the first time we “danced”. Can you believe it?! 
Ohhhh, sniff!!! Looking at these pictures again is making me sad! I had so much fun on this trip!!!!
The mothers got a golf cart ride to the hula performance. My mom was hanging off the back yelling, “Woo-hoooo!!! Wooooo!!!”, when they rolled up.
The “Japanese” part of the dancing was the best. It was so cheesy + wrong. I think I remember they called us, “Our humble brothers + sisters of Japan.”. Ah, so desu ka….
Liz + I called it, “Japanese Disco”, because their kimonos looked all shiny + synthetic even from stage! They were dancing all fast + nodding their heads a lot at each other. I was cracking up! Loved it! 
The “Maori” girls are always my favorite with the fire lit poi balls.
And of course, the piece de la resistance of the hula – the fire dancer. And they always happen to be a chief from some faraway island. Uh-huh, ok.
We all had so much fun at the luau! There’s always haters that complain that it’s cheesy, not true to the cultures, the lines are long + the drinks are weak, blah blah blah. What do you expect!? It’s good clean, dorky, fun!!! I miss Hawaii. I’m signing off to go cry now.
Sep 26
Cottage Culture
Hi everyone!!! I’m completely + absolutely enjoying my Canadian immersion! Over the weekend Jeff + I went out to Steve + Liz’s Cabin/Cottage. Everyone on the West Coast (west coast is the best coast) calls them cabins, but east coasters call them cottages. Steve + the Fayles are East side so they always refer to it as the cottage. Sorry for the tangent, MOVING ON!!!!!
This has been my third trip to the cottage – located on the Sunshine Coast on Sakinaw Lake. Canada is plentiful with lakes. Cottage culture is huge since the summers are so short (regard my last post – Seasonal Affective Disorder, y’all) + Canuncks know to party it up with boating, canoeing, inner tubing, wake boarding, swimming, diving, paddling, water skiing…need I go on?
First, is the hour long BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. Then, it is an hour long drive up the Sunshine Coast to where Steve + Liz’s boat dock is. 
We usually grocery shop in Gibsons + pack up the boat tout suite! 
The girls are old pros. Old pros.
It was surprisingly hot + so Keiko + I went swimming when we got to the cottage. Keiko loves to get in the water + yell, “I’M SWIMMING!!!!!!!!”. And we both get really psyched. 
The next day was also warmer than we thought it would be so Jeff decided to get the party started by jumping off the boat house roof as he is want to do. The girls always have to have their life vests on when they are near the water. Auntie Shelli is learning alot of child safety the past couple of months. 
I’ve done this jump before. It’s a lot higher than you think once you are mid air. It hurt my ears when I hit the water – I’m not a fan.
The girls love to yell, “Again! Again!!!”. This picture cracks me up because I didn’t use a fast shutter so I only caught Jeff’s legs right after he jumped off the roof. Doesn’t it look like muppet legs dangling from the top of the frame?! Hah!
Daddy’s girls. Awwwwww!!! 
So irresistable!!! This picture reminds me of my sister + I. Cuuute. Buuuddies.
A couple pictures Keiko took with my camera. Not bad, eh? Eh!!!! Canuck Transformation commence!!!
Then, we did some work laying wood chip as a path from the dock up to the cabins. 
More SWIMMING… 
The water is exceptionally clear, clean + oh so refreshing!!! There’s nothing like it!!!
After swimming, Keiko + Steve started a bonfire. Check out the determination on Keiko’s face as she’s fanning the fire! Keiko + Tobin are two of the hardest + most tireless workers I know. If they ever teamed up, they will be CEO + VP of a multi billion dollar corporation + I shall work for them. 
View of the cotttages (we stayed in the smaller one – the “honeymoon suite” as Steve called it) from the bonfire pit. 
Enjoying some brewskis + vino.
Last year’s picture from the deck!!!! 
Vintage!
Grilling dinner!
Sakinaw Lake past dusk. Ah, serenity!
The next morning of our departure was crazy downpour. We managed to catch a break + quickly dash out to pack up the boat + take off!!! 
View from the ferry. Oh, Canada. Sigh.
Sep 23
Canadian Bacon
How’s it going, eh?! It’s been great to be back in Vancouver at Tom + Deb’s. Matt has transitioned from geckos to salamanders. Tobin + I have transitioned from sand castles to Lego villages. Yesterday was Jeff’s brother Benjamin’s birthday. Jeff + I stopped by the most awesome british butcher recommended by Steve to pick up some burgers. This place was my dad’s dream. Tongue, haggis, kidney pie, blood sausage, 12 different types of bacon, hooray!!!!! 
Look at the dolls they had for sale!!! I was like, “WHAAAAT!!!!????”. I had seen them before because Jeff + his family grew up with these minstrel dolls called Golliwogs which was a character from children’s books popular in England during the late 19th century. AND they had a Golliwog clock on the wall!!! I just couldn’t believe they had them for sale on their counter, right up in front!
Jeff’s grandmother owned the original 1895 publication of this exact book.
Anyways, we all enjoyed the burgers – Steve, Liz, Keiko + Hana came to join the festivities as well!!! It was awesome being with everyone again! 
The Salamander Whisperer + his face painted assistant, Hana the Amazing!!!
Keiko patiently waiting for her burger to be cut.
Tobin lost his two front teeth!!! Look at his superb cowboy hat + vintage suede cowboy vest. Courtesy of Uncle Thrift Store Jeff. It’s one of Tobin’s favorite looks to go shirtless with the vest.
One totally rad dude. Ready to rip it up to the extreme. Jeff said now he really looks Canadian. Really? I didn’t know Canadians were toothless.
I thought Tobin was channeling Bunker Spreckels, infamous surfer from the 70’s who inherited $50 million from the family fortune (his grandfather was a sugar baron, publisher + railroad tycoon). He partied hard + had really great style. Oh yeah, + Clark Gable was his step father. 
Someone is anticipating cake time! 
YAAAAAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE BENJ!!!!
Today Jeff + I had a phone consultation with an lawyer to discuss our immigration paperwork. It is going to be alot of work, but she told us that if we have all our documents in order, it will take 5-6 months to process!!! Very good news!!! Chin chin!!!!
Well, Vancouver is already damp + drizzly. I’m going to buy a car load of Vitamin D when I move up here. I’m going to get Seasonal Affective Disorder y’all!!! We took the bus to pick up Jeff’s car from the detailer in downtown. 
The bus!!! Very exotic for an Angeleno.
After picking up the car + on the way back home to North Vancouver, we were driving through what Jeff + I call Cracky McJacky Town. Very unsavory, but I could still eat Canada’s crack addicts for breakfast when comparing them with Los Angeles crack addicts!!! But look at what we saw!!! 
Girl fight!!!! The little one was dragging the big one by the hair!!! Then they both stood up + the little one was throwing punches like a pro boxer! It was on the driver’s side + I was hitting Jeff + yelling, “Take a picture!!!!”. Jeff wimped out + didn’t even roll down the window to get a good shot, so it’s blurry. To all my American friends, you probably thought Canada was all maple syrup + baby deers?! Well, think again!!! The mean streets of the Great White North!!! Voila!!!!!
Sep 9
The Last Days of Kaua’i
The days after the wedding were a blur for all of us at Anini House. The adrenaline of the days leading up the wedding completely left us all spent. We lazed around the house + here are some things I’ve learned about kids.
#1 – they really, really love television.
#2 – they really love playing in hot tubs. They’d be like, “Shelli! Come play in the hot tub!!!!” + I’d be like, “NO WAY!!!!! The ocean’s better!!!!” + they’d be like, “No it’s not!!!!!” + I’d be like, “Yes it is!!!!!!” + they’d be like, “No it’s not!!!!” We would have those type of conversations daily.
#3 – I never realized how much they like Ichiban noodles. They ate it cooked or they would munch on it dry!!!! Keiko + Hana are so cute, it sounded they were calling it Itchy Bum noodles. So that’s what we all called it during the trip.
We all made a couple of family trips to Hanalei Bay. I don’t know why I didn’t take a picture of the actual beach. Here’s lunch at Pat’s Taqueria taco truck with my swimming buddy, Ambur. The kalua pork tacos were to die for!!!! FYI, future Hawaii travelers, they close at 3pm.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pats-taqueria-hanalei
After, we had shave ice at the truck next door. It was ono! That’s Hawaiian for good, y’all.
We had dinner that night with my mom + dad over. The Canadian Lady Posse wanted me to highlight what typically happens during dinner prep. Let me enlighten y’all.
Ladies toiling over a hot stove + slaving away.
Oh look…..how interesting!!!!!!! Here, we observe the male species in their natural habitat. Beer AND snacks (provided by the ladies, of course!) Must be nice, guys!!!!!!
Jeff, mom + mother Jean
Okay, okay. The guys helped a little bit, too. They grilled, okay!!!! Sheesh!!!
Look who’s first at the dinner table again!
Jeff with his Moustache Gang!!!! How freaking cute is that???!!!!
The next day some of us went to Tunnels Beach.
Here’s Jeff uptight in paradise. Getting everyone out the door is like wrangling cats. Daphne + I had to have a cocktail while waiting for everyone.
The current was pretty strong at Tunnels, so Deb + Liz took the kids back to Hanalei. Jeff, Daphne, Tom + I went to take a hike on the Kalalau trail along the famous Napali coast.
It is a steep uphill for 3/4 miles, y’all!!! I cursed my short Japanese legs trying to keep up with the long ass legs of the Fayle family!!! But every step of the way was so beautiful!!!
The descent led us to Hanakapia Beach. This sign greeted us towards the bottom. Yikes!!!
River leading to the ocean.
I didn’t know there were Spider monkeys at the beach!!!!
Lava caves
AWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! Jeff is such a romantic!!!! This is what he was making in the lava cave in the picture above. So sweet.
The road back home.
Bye for now everyone!!!!! Sorry there’s so many gaps in the pictures, I still don’t have a hang on this software!!!!
Sep 9
Mr. + Mrs. Fayle – Part 2 (aka “The Big Day”)
Sorry for the delay!!!! It’s hard to post when there’s 21 people in the house. I just want to hang out in the water all day, drink wine + sleep!!!!
After decorating the house, I went over to my mom + dad’s timeshare in Princeville to get ready. This is how the Nishinos get ready for the wedding. Watching the Kardashians + sleeping. Nice guys, real nice.
As I was doing my hair + makeup my sister asked me, “Shelli, did you do a trial run of your hair + makeup?”. To which I responded, “Nope! I’m hoping it all turns out!”. She was like, “You are so crazy!!!!!!!!”. I’ve done crazier.
At the house, Pastor Niles Kageyama + his wife Eileen had arrived. Jeff apparently was bossing people around while pointing + shouting. Like an art director or something.
The boys + their ginger stalk torches
My cutie niece flower girl, Ambur.
Jeff + best man Steve. Very affectionate, aren’t we boys???
Pastor Niles blowing the conch at the top of the ceremony. Mom + mother Jean looking on bemusedly. I wonder what they were thinking. “Oh my! How curious!” or “How very native!”.
The procession begins!!!! Look at brave Tobin’s face!!!! So earnest!!!
Here comes the bride!!!! I really don’t think I could have smiled any bigger. Pastor Niles + Eileen played ukelele singing Hawiian wedding song, “Ke Kali Nei Au”. I wish someone had taken a picture of Jeff’s face as I was walking down the aisle because his facial expression was priceless.
Jeff’s face looked like this:
Jeff + I were both so teary eyed during the ceremony. My tactic for keeping it together + not bawling was to stare at the moustache wax in Jeff’s moustache.
Here’s beautiful Ashley in her Hilo Hattie dress. My mom hand sewed the back to take it in + show off her teeny waist. Doesn’t she look so tropical?!
Our brave ring bearers, Matt + Tobin. Tobin was so nervous about it all day, but they both did an amazing job!!! Ring pillows were made by my mom with vintage aloha fabric courtesy of the fabulously stylish Cacey Riggan!!!
Don’t you love Matt’s cool surfer dude long hair???
Pastor Niles delivered a warm + heartfelt ceremony. Jeff + I were soooo happy!!!! Here’s me clapping for ourselves. So humble!!!
Husband + Wife!!!!!!
The Fayle-Downies
The Fayle-Hoiles
The Nishinos
My lovely + sweet caterers Ann + Catherine from Heavenly Creations – aren’t they pretty?! http://www.heavenlycreations.org/ If it wasn’t for Ann we would of had to barbeque or go out to a restaurant. She saved me!!!!
Appetizers were the best poke we’ve EVER had + teriyaki beef skewers!!!
Dining al fresco, y’all!!! If you look closely, you’ll see my mom bossing me around as I’m taking the picture, + Jeff throwing his shaka.
Luckily, with the combination of families, we had an arsenal of talented photographers.
Here is one of my favorite pictures. Me with the Canadian Lady Posse. Jeff said, “Why would you post that picture?! Look at your facial expression!!!”. Exactly. Hilarious.
Dinner was better than I could have ever hoped for!!!! Grilled Opah fish, chicken, jasmine rice, grilled asparagus, salad + okinawan sweet potatoes!!!! I had seconds, y’all.
The cakes from Kilauea Bakery. Mocha Macadamia + Lilikoi Coconut. Doesn’t it look like Jeff + Rob are getting married?
What a perfect day!!!! All the elements came together so seamlessly (except when I almost couldn’t find the marriage certificate in the morning) with everyone’s love, help + contributions!!! Jeff + I were sort of winging it through most of the process, but we couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out!!! I ended the night watching two back to back episodes of “Saved by the Bell” with Matt + Ambur + then ended passing out while Jeff hung out with the family. Good work, Shelli! I will post more pictures + thought throughout the blog about the wedding, but for now I’m signing off because I’ve been in front of the computer for an hour + a half, hunched over like an old crone. Paradise + family fun are awaiting me!!! I love you all!!!!
Sep 4
Wait, what???
Yes, it is September 4th – the day of the wedding. You’re all thinking, “What is she doing posting on her blog on her wedding day? She’s crazy!!!”. That’s right!!!! CRAZY LIKE A FOX!!!!! I’m just going to post a bunch of pictures with short descriptions, cuz this sister is short on time if you know what I mean.
Our backyard
Me + my workout buddy Keiko
Matt the Gecko Whisperer
Jeff finally learning to relax
Rob + Kelly – so glamorous!!!!
LUAU!!!!!!
First meeting of the mothers – how cute is that????!!!!!
Will post later!!!! Running off to do more errands!!!! Yes! Errands on my wedding day because that’s the kind of bride I am!!!!! Love you all!!! Wish me luck!!!!!
Paradise
Man was I exhausted after a fitful night’s sleep. Nevertheless I powered through a run. Ashley walked over + we all made our way into Kapa’a for breakfast. Kountry Kitchen was on my mind y’all. Ashley had a fluffy macadamia nut pancake the size of her head.
After breakfast Jeff + I headed to pick up his family. Ashley decided to go on her own today because yesterdays festivities were a little too much for her sensibilities. We asked if she wanted us to drop her off a little more into town, but she was so ready to get rid of us, so she was like, “Sayonara, bitches!!!!”
The menfolk went with Jean + the children to do what Jean + children do. Jeff + I + the ladies all braved a mass Costco trip to fill up the house with enough food for 18 people. No, that wasn’t a typo. Here are the Canadians freaking out about the cheap plentiful supply of booze. You can only buy alcohol at government run liquor stores + it’s usually twice as expensive. Sad, right?
We had 3 full carts of food. Since I come from a small, insular Japanese family, it was all a little overwhelming, considering Costco gives me hives in the first place. He told me to take off for a bit + do errands. I had to go to Home Depot to clear my head. Aaaaaah. Sanctuary.
Daphne, Kelly + Deb in the grocery filled car. The booze total came out to $375. I freaked out, but the Canadians were ecstatic.
Next stop, renting paddle boards. Kelly + Deb ran across the street to get smaller item groceries while Daphne + Jeff were strapping the boards to the roof. Look at me in the front seat dejected. I think all the residual stress from the storage unit fiasco has worn me out. But I’m soooooooo happy that Jeff’s family is here now because they are helping distribute Jeff’s intensity. I’m passing the torch. Put a knife in me. I’m done.
We got to the gargantuan house at dusk. Kelly is the maestro of the kitchen + we were all her assistants.
Da kids.
Dinner was awesome!!!! Got to go!!! Wedding stuff to do! More later!!! Aaaaaah!!! Getting stink eye from Jeff!!!!!
Sep 1
Getting Real
This morning Ashley walked the 1.7 miles to our place. She + I found an article in Women’s Fitness called, “No gym? No problem!”. It was a circuit of various timed exercises with as many reps as physically possible. It was hardcore. We were in the zone in our zen garden yelling, “YOU CAN DO IT!!! GOOD JOB!!!! 10 MORE!!!!!”. We were pouring with sweat! After, we did Billy Blank’s ab bootcamp. For any of you ladies who hate doing abs – this is the video for you, sister!!! Billy is your buddy + the best motivator ever!!!! Feel the burn!!!!
Today was marriage license day!!!! We went to Pono Market. A local plate lunch spot where you can eat + get a marriage license!!! Our marriage license agent was also Pono’s barista!!! So, when we were filling out our application, every once in a while he had to excuse himself to make a cappuccino.
We even got a bumper sticker!!! Da kine!!!!! And they took a picture of us to put on their wall.
Afterwards we were all famished!!! Pono Market has the best plate lunches evah, brah!!!! Plate lunches are typically two scoops of rice, a main entree + sides, like kalua pork, lau lau pork, nishime, seaweed salad, poke, etc. Poke is cubed raw sashimi, onion, soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce – omg. Where else can you get a marriage license + eat after?! Here’s Ashley salivating over the choices.
We had some fun window shopping around Kapa’a. Jeff was his overheated polar bear self, so he had to take a dip at Lydgate Park. Lydgate Park has an enclosed + protected pool where kids can swim + snorkel.
After, we headed south towards Lihue to do more wedding errands. My poor sister. Jeff + I are running her into the ground. She has had it, y’all. O-V-E-R IT. While we were all driving down the country highway, Jeff + I were making up stories about all the people we were driving by – but in Jamaican accents. Sometimes it would morph into an Irish accent.
This was going on for about 20 minutes. Ashley was pretending to be asleep + finally she burst out, “Okay!!! Enough!!!! Enough with the Jamaican accent, you two!! I was wondering when it was going to end + it didn’t!!!!”. Sneaky.
We did some pick ups at Wal Mart + scurried to Lihue airport with leis + kukui nut necklaces in hand to greet 3/4 of Jeff’s family.
Step-brother Rob, Mac + Aidan
Kelly!!!! She was so tired from being up for 48hrs that she thought I was a random Hawaiian girl handing out leis.
Jeff’s sister Daphne.
Kelly, me, Daphne + Jeff.
Me, Jeff’s niece Ambur, Jeff’s mother Jean + Jeff
We headed towards their hotel where Jeff’s brother Tom, Deb, Tobin + Matthew had already arrived.
Jeff is giving kukui nut necklaces to a reluctantly shy but excited Tobin (with Jeff’s brother Tom in the background) + a happy Matt.
Dinner was 11 hungry scavengers stalking tables at Monico’s Taqueria in Wailua. I told the kids to linger by the door + rub their bellies with sad, hungry looks on their faces. It was well worth the wait!!! Everyone was super happy with their meals – I had their famous fish tacos, which were insaaaaaane!!!! I would go back tomorrow!!! Same with Mermaids Cafe, BTW. Check out this family!!!!! And this is only 3/4 of us!!!
Soon we shall conquer the world…..soon.
how's it going, eh? 