Where would you go?

So I wanted to do a survey instead of this post...couldn't figure out how though! go figure! ;-)
John and I are starting to think about our 5 year anniversary, it is August 1,2009- I can't believe it will be 5 years, crazy how time flies!
We were thinking an all- inclusive, adults only, beach ( similar to the typical honeymoon experience) BUT as I was sitting here tonight I remembered New England. I have never been to that area and I REALLY want to visit there! I have never been to the east coast but I just love it, so I think!
So here is the big question... First, would you choose the beach or New England? Second, tell me where, more specifically. We need some ideas! Think romantic, no kids, beautiful...you get it!
I expect some good responses! ;-)

Up until 1:30 last night!

I don't know it was the fact that my body is still on Hawaii time and so it was really only 8:30 when I went to bed or the book that I literally couldn't put down. When I started reading at around 11pm last night I thought for sure it would help me get tired and fall asleep as reading usually does for me. The book had another idea. I started on page 117 and didn't stop until I got to the end, page 23?..it was a lot of pages, you get the idea.
Those that know me well or have heard me say it, I'm not a reader, so I didn't think. I have decided that I love to read, it is just rare that I find books I like to read! This book was amazing and I think the fact that I stayed awake reading that long, at those hours says so! Same Kind of Different as Me was so moving and even challenging for me spiritually!
The story is basically about a modern day slave from Lousiana, a wealthy art dealer from Texas and how their lives came together!
I would reccomend anyone to go out and buy this book!


P.S. don't look at the website too much (or at all until your finish the book), it will give away the story- I am one of those who doesn't want to know anything about the story though.( in books and movies)

Final post from Hawaii

So, it took some convincing today, but Natalee and I took off to the windward side of the island and rented a sea kayak.  I know what you are thinking...I've done that and it was lame and frustrating, etc., etc.  Well, that's because you didn't know what you were doing, or maybe because you didn't have anywhere to go.  I agree, sea kayaking down the coast doesn't make any sense and probably isn't any fun.  But, Nat and I went out about 2 miles to a bird sanctuary island called the Mokulas.  We walked around, snorkeled (we saw a sea turtle), and ate lunch staring at the beautiful island of Oahu.  Then we headed back in and Natalee almost dumped the boat over trying to jump in.  All in all, we didn't have any mishaps and it was a great day.  Then we came back and played in the pool for a couple hours.  Tomorrow morning we are going to get up early and head to Pear Harbor.  Apparently Natalee's grandpa was in the Air Force and she said she'll feel like a bad American if she doesn't go, so we're going.  Then we will fly out and get back in to DFW at 5am...then we'll try to stay up all day so we can go to sleep at a normal hour.  I'm so, so, so glad I'm taking off Monday as well.  See y'all soon.

Here's the view from our island to Oahu

Me and Natalee on the way back to the leeward side
The view right before we went into the tunnel
she's adorable!!!


Jealous???
Ironically enough, there was lots of birds on the bird sanctuary island...

Pineapples

As you can see, we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  I was feeling kind of sick, mostly just a sore throat, so I was a bit of a "grumpy tuna" but we did have fun.  There was a cool lady there selling local, fresh produce and I threw down half a papaya, it was amazing.

so they have pineapple ice cream...who knew...

here are a couple "nature" shots...from Natalee and I


And now, let the awesome begin....

kids and catamarans

Here is Natalee and I on the Ko Olina Cat a catamaran that we got a free ride on because we sat through the time share presentation.  It was brutal and long, 1 1/2 hours, and I hated to say no but who the heck can afford 40 grand for a week???  But we did get this boat ride and it was fun, someone did throw up though, I'm not telling who...

This is me playing with the nieces and nephews...

Fia Fia

Here are pics from Fia Fia, the Lua we went to...

From yesterday...

Yesterday we went with Sarah, Greg, the kids, and Stephanie up to the North Shore to look at surfers, jump the rock, etc.  It was a great time except that Hudson got really bummed out when his swimsuit got wet, go figure...  Greg, Stephanie, Natalee and I all jumped off the rock again, it was brilliant.  

This is from the Mai Tai reception, which was actually pretty neat.  They gave us some drinks and put on a little show.

Speaking of the show...guys in trees...
Us at the North Shore
The kiddos...Nat took this picture, it's awesome.
Coming in from jumping the rock.

Photos from today...

These are pictures from our day up at the North Shore.  It really was pretty amazing.  The waves were huge and the surfers were everywhere.  We had lunch at Cholo's, some Mexican place that actually was really, really good.  I had fish tacos and a Pina Colada, Nat had a quesadilla and a coke.  Here are the pictures.  Hopefully we'll go back up there. 

Still to come...

Pictures from the Mai Tai party tonight...

Pictures from our canoe excursion...

and pics from our trip aboard the Ko Olina Cat for snorkeling and lunch...stay tuned...

we love and miss y'all...

Yep...that's me!!!  Natalee jumped off to, believe it or not!

She is amazing!!!

This really cool place next to a snorkeling spot called Sharks Cove...
The man who sold us our roadside pineapple, cut it up for us...
I think some would beg to differ, I, on the other hand, think it's awesome!!!
Apparently this place is famous.  There was a line out the door and they had directions on how to order, kind of like the soup nazi, but for Shave Ice.  Natalee is eating Coconut Cream, and it's pink...I don't know either.

Photos So Far...

Here was our view at breakfast on Friday morning...

My nephew, Hudson, just being awesome...
My other nephew, Harris, trying to save his sister, Hannah, from the scary waves...
My sister, Sarah and her husband, Greg...
Us...(oh, John is the one blogging)
Our rental car...come on now, you know you're jealous of the Chevy Cobalt!!!
On Friday, Natalee and I went to Hanauma Bay and went snorkeling, it was cool...

The front yard of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
That's my sweet wife, and Greg, Sarah, Hannah, Hailey, Hudson and Harris Knakal