Nobody Feels Cute at 41 Weeks
At 41 weeks I am a big, hot mess!!! Here’s some photos taken where I look shockingly horrible in a hilarious way! Read more
Posts tagged ‘Love’
Mar 31
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Baby Shower in a Box!!!
From Los Angeles to Vancouver – my friends threw me a baby shower!!! In a box!!!! Read more
Kitty Mama Drama
Sorry to post about Megumi again, but we’re having some serious kitty woes + I’m so worried y’all!!! Read more
Buddy Emergency
It’s the worst feeling in the world when you’re non-speaking buddy is sick + you have no idea why. Read more
Good-bye, Valentine
Jeff left to go back home to Vancouver today. Yes, we are married + still live apart. Yes, we STILL haven’t turned in our immigration paperwork. Yes, I know, I know whatarewewaitingfor. I’ll tell you what: immigration paperwork sucks big time. That’s what. Read more
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 3
Jeff’s 2 Day Birthday Festivities
Who get’s to celebrate his birthday for an entire weekend? Jeff does. He’s 45 y’all.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST – Jeff’s actual birth date
A present from yours truly.
Tobin’s new chapeau. All the rage with the kids.
Bent plywood magazine side table/stool!!! How moderne!!!!
Later, I had Matt + Tobin help me with some decorations for Jeff’s birthday party for the next night. It was a group collaboration, not without a couple creative differences. We had to stop every once in a while + re-group with a board meeting. 
Serious teamwork.
That evening, I took Jeff to Deep Cove to have dinner at a great restaurant called Arms Reach Bistro. It was tasty + stylish without being pretentious – so very Canadian!!!!
We got into a little fight before we reached the restaurant. Here’s me expressing my discontent in a very mature manner.
Jeff caught my very discreet expression + so I obliged him with a reluctant stiff smile. Not bad, right?!
I couldn’t stay mad at Jeff! He’s too cute!!! We hugged it out after a little talking + we enjoyed our dinner. We had a beef carpaccio appetizer (Canadians call it an “appie” as in a beef carpaccio appie – funny, right?) which I’ve never had before. It was UNBELIEVABLE!!!! OMG it was so good, like melt in your mouth good. 
http://www.armsreachbistro.com/frame.htm
After dinner we went for a movie. FYI, Canadian movie theaters really need a serious makeover. Ever heard of stadium seating? Surround sound??? Consider it, Canada!!! They’re all pretty small + outdated + make me feel like I’m in middle school at the Janss Mall going to see Beetlejuice. 
I can’t wait for the Muppet movie to come out!!!!! Oh, Fozzie bear, you charlatan!!
I wanted to go see Moneyball, but since it was Jeff’s birthday we went to see Ryan Gosling in Drive. I mean, who doesn’t want to see a movie about baseball + statistics?! Let’s just say Drive was highly lacking. Jeff enjoyed it for some reason. The actors were extremely good, but there was absolutely no character development + the storyline was majorly weak sauce. When we got back to Tom + Deb’s, they were still up so we shared some bubbly to celebrate Jeff’s 45th year on the planet. Tom just got back from a trade show in Europe + bought this perfect Mr. T shirt for Jeff in Spain. Pity the Fool. Pity the Fool.
What are we doing here in this picture? I don’t know but it looks like a bunch of ballyhoo to me. Stay tuned tomorrow for Jeff’s 2 Day Birthday Festivities Part 2.
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 22
Last Day in Paradise
I’m writing from Vancouver, but wanted to post some pictures up of our last day in paradise at our Puako house, in fond remembrance. The entire day consisted of AMAZING snorkeling (we searched + did not find our shark again, but instead swam with a school of unicorn fish), reading + hanging out with my turtle buddies. Paradise, indeed. I’m so sad to have left it, but now it will always be a special place where Jeff + I will always return.
Here is a photo I found on the internet which is a really accurate representation of the marine life we snorkeled with in Puako. I’m not even exaggerating. 
We came upon a couple of turtles having their shells cleaned by surgeon fish + tangs. So exciting + fascinating to watch. Again, not our photo, but a great example. 
When the turtles are munching at the moss underwater, every once in a while they would bring their little heads up for a breath. I would wait with anticipation for that moment, like the patient naturalist that I am. 
This little piggy was chowing down like it was his last meal for god’s sake.
Out cold. A most uncomfortable looking snooze.
The day we left the island, I went outside for the last time to say goodbye to our beach + to my turtle companions. It was high tide + I saw a group of three having their breakfast. I became teary eyed + went back inside. I hope to return to swim with them again. 
Paniolo Pride
Ladies + Gentlemen, we celebrated the 36th Annual Waimea Paniolo Parade on Saturday, September 17th, 2011!!!! Jeff was up + ready! We drove 20 min inland + when we arrived in Waimea, I saw the crowds + tents + boy howdy did I start getting excited!!!! I LOVE festivaaaaaaals!!!!! Lobster Fest, Octoberfest, Scottish Fest, Swallow Day Fest….I could go on. It’s too bad my festival homie Debbie Im couldn’t be with us. In spirit, Debbie!!! In spirit!!!
Jeff found this Hawaiian western shirt couple days ago thrifting + wore a tiki bolo tie that he brought from his collection in Canada, just in case. Who knew it would become useful on this trip? Who knew? Jeff knew. 
The parade begins!!!!! I’m going to organize the photos by section because we took so darn many. Hawaiian Royalty!!!! 
Check out the court announcer singing with his gelled Jonas Brothers hair. And check out the kid in the red loincloth next to him giving serious stink eye!!!! Hah!!! 
This guy is going to beat you down with a stick. In ancient Hawaii it was kapu (forbidden) for those of lower class to look upon the chief or cast your shadow upon him. The penalty is death. I think this guy is regulating!!! 
These were my two favorite guys at the parade. How cute is the french horn player??? 
I picture this as my friends + I as we gracefully enter our sunset years.
Here come the paniolos!!! My heart was racing!!!!
Why sir, that is a very handsome moustache! Y’all know I’m a sucker for a hearty moustache!!!
Here are a couple of hunky paniolo pics for you ladies:
Lots + lots of adorable keiki (kids)!!!!
The Princesses! Each one represented a Hawaiian island. They would extend their hand from their mouths + softly say, “Aloha.”. After each one passed by, without fail I’d say, “preeeeettyyy”, like Lennie from Of Mice and Men. 
The pink princess, I called the Nicki Minaj of Paniolo Princesses. She was all about it!!! Posing, waving, huge smiles!!! Girl was like, “Haaaaay!!!!!”!!!!
Here are some other highlights from the parade.
My favorite outfit with the whitelace gloves + jaunty woven hat. Sassy!
Let’s not forget the pooper scoopers!!! Each one had a different theme! Look! The driver is receiving a kiss! Poop + romance!!!!
The haole local ladies sitting in front of us did not appreciate this one!!! Oh my, no they did not!!!!
Jeff was obsessed with this kid because he had a drawn on moustache. Ole!!!!
After the parade was over, we went to the Waimea Farmer’s Market where Jeff had a fresh, homemade bacon sandwich. He pretty much was salivating over the lady making it + staring intensely at her (which I think freaked her out a bit), because we were staaaarved at that point. I really think it was wild boar that they killed in the hills because apparently the island is over-run with them + it tasted really, really amazing + fresh.
I still think it was not enough food for a lumberjack, unfortunately as you’ll find out later in the post.
Sir, why so intense, sir??? Do you realize you’ve been on a tropical island on vacation, sir? Hello, sir???
At least SOMEONE was enjoying themselves!!! Sheesh!!! Island style, brah!!! Chill, mon!!! Someone bring me a Mai Tai!
After Jeff had a little food in him, we wandered to the park for the Ho’olaule’a for food, hula + fun. My recommendation to anyone going to the 37th annual Waimea Paniolo Parade is to skip this part. Great people watching, don’t get me wrong. But it was crowded as heck, the lines were insanely long for food + it is generally like herded cattle. We waited for $7 kahlua pork, they forgot about us + when we reminded them, they said they ran out of rice + the amount of pork given to us was like a melon ball scooper’s worth. Jeff was so irate but I felt bad for them because they seriously looked panic stricken + one of them was calling their auntie to bring mo’ rice. 
Look at all those darn people! Moooo!!!
Princesses on their off time, hanging out in their jeans + drinking pop. This one princess in tan was probably related to Andre the Giant + was like 2 times taller than her husband. He + the baby were both wearing forest cammo tshirts. Bad ass Waimea style, yo!!!!
The good part is, there was a really crowded craft tent + Jeff bought a carved bone necklace by this old time artisan, Ika Vea who carved the pendant that Jeff chose + wove + braided the necklace while we hung out. It’s a very special handcrafted piece of art that Jeff is really happy about. 
Here is Cranky Pants not so happy to be in a craft tent holding one of the gorgeous wood carvings Ika made that we now regret not bringing home with us.
Note to all ladies. Don’t take your significant others to festivals unless they’ve been previously amply fed. You’ll thank me later.
Sadly, I’m writing the ending to this blog post from Vancouver. Not sad, because I love Vancouver (we arrived at 2am to Tom + Deb’s last night), but sad because I miss my tropical paradise + all of my turtle family. I spent the entire last day in the backyard of our house at the beach. I couldn’t bear to be near the computer + had to fully enjoy our most amazing last day of the honeymoon. I will post more pictures of that last day tomorrow!!!! Sniff, sniff.
Sep 16
Puako Fantasy
Yesterday, do you all recall the drama we encountered with tractors + jackhammers right next to our Puako honeymoon rental? Well, after I called the rental management company leaving three very angry messages, the care taker who resides in the main house below came to sheepishly explain to me that even she was surprised by the construction this morning, as well. Verrrry suspect, considering it appeared that the work looked like it had been going on for quite a while. I asked her to get the scoop on how many days they planned to be working because I couldn’t deal with the noise because I come from downtown los angeles, yo + I do not need to be listening to generators + trucks backing up all day!!! I do not!!!!! When she returned, she said they were re-building the sea wall + would be working for the rest of the week. OH HELL NO!!!!!! I called rental management + asked them if we had other options. While I was angrily negotiating + hopping mad, here’s what Jeff was doing: 
Enjoying a snack, y’all!!! He let’s me be bad cop because he knows I can be as mean as a hornet when I get fired up. I see how it is…
Guess what, folks?! They moved us into a house down the road – A HOUSE!!!!!! We went from a studio TO A HOUSE!!!! AND they gave it to us for the SAME PRICE as the studio!!!!! A $510 a night house for $225 a night!!! 
Granted, the studio was full of character + super charming, but it was small – I had to shuffle things around to prep dinner + had little buggies hanging around. But, this house had a stove!!!! Washer + dryer!!! Dishwasher + tons of counter space!!! I felt like a housewife fromthe 50’s. Being a lady of modernity, I was seduced!!!!
Shiny!!! Bright!!! Sparkly!!!!
Also, there was a mezuzah on the doorframe, so we knew we were in the right place. For all not in the know, the mezuzah contains a parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah. My mom will be so 
happy to hear about this! Shalom!!!!
Wraparound windows in the living room!!! 
Our backyard!!!!
Reflection in the window from the porch.
The master bedroom with retro phone + Hawaiian quilt bedding!!! Love it!!!!!! By the way, I’m really not talking on the phone in this picture. I just like to pretend.
It’s kind of funny, because when we first got to the house, we noticed construction going on next door on a new home. I was going to flip. But Jeff talked to the guys + they were just building a deck. I can deal with some hammering + sawing over a jack hammer any day! The houses are far enough away that I don’t even hear them from the porch!!! Score!!!! Also, this is turtle central!!!! It is like a turtle cafeteria in our backyard!!! They are muncha-crunching out there, we swam alongside them + you can see their little heads surfacing the water all the live long day!!!
I like this cutie-patootie’s sleeping style!!! Snoozel noodle!!!
This adolescent is like, “Peace out, you old folks keep napping!!! I gotta motor!!!” Action Jackson over here!
Whoopeee!!!!! Wild card!!! Black sheep!!! The rebel, as they say!!!!! 
Up the coast, Kohala’s ritzy, cha-cha-cha resort hotels. Oh, rather!!!!!
Let’s just say we spent the rest of our day enjoying the house to da max. After moving in + moving out of the old digs, we just wanted to straight up chill. If chill means doing 3 loads of laundry. That night, bartender Jeff blended some cocktails + fired up the 2 grills. 
What a romantic!!! Jeff insisted on traveling with the tealights we had recieved for the wedding from the Catlows + meticulously lights them every night! He’s a better man than I!!! Oh, wait that didn’t sound right….
We blasted the radio + had a dance party in the living room! When Flashdance’s, “She’s a Maniac” came on, we tore it up!!!! We got so psyched, Jeff found a youtube clip – in german + we kept on dancin’!!!!!!!
Ja!!!Es ist so gut!!!! Enjoy!!!
Sep 9
Commence Honeymoooon!!!!!
Hi!!!!! Yesterday morning we packed our little butts off at the Anini house. I’m going to miss the family so much!!!! I mean, is this irresistable or what?!
We rushed to Lihue Airport like bats out of hell. We didn’t make our flight, we were put on stand by + ran to the gate + prayed. We made it + were the last 2 on the plane! Of course I didn’t take any pics because I thought Jeff was going to burst a spleen. Here is our stop over in Honolulu Airport.
Here’s a tricky picture I took of the line of Japanese tourists waiting to get on the plane. They were READY, y’all!!! Tickets + passports out, y’all!!! That’s the way we do it!!!!!
We arrived in Hilo + checked into our hotel the Hilo Hawaiian. I knew Jeff would love it because it is funky + old school. This is the view from our balcony.
Magnum!!!!
Hilo Farmers Market – hang loose, granny!!!
Will you be surprised when I tell you my dear readers, that we went to two thrift stores? You’re all aghast, I know. But it is a triumph when I convince Jeff that leaving a thrift store with only one gem + not 12 so-so items is a success. I found some sweet vintage muumuus, y’all!!! Check out the hot lady behind the counter in the purple bikini. Very Hilo. Hilo has alot of rough characters. Jeff was surprised by all the tattoos + thug like bruddahs.
Dinner at Ocean Sushi Deli. My family has been going there for many trips. It is relatively cheap + very local. They have never let me down before, but I wasn’t as impressed this time around. Still a really fun place to be, though!!! I still recommend!!!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ocean-sushi-deli-hilo
Here I am irritable + impatient at Jeff who took my camera to adjust the white balance + ISO or somethinglikethat. I didn’t realize he was taking a picture of me. We were both tired + crank, y’all!!! Thus, the lack of good photos yesterday. Oh hey – but check out the cranky couple behind me!!! Classic!!!
Then, it was back to the Hilo Hawaiian for early bed!!!!!! More later!!!!!
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!!!!
how's it going, eh? 