Stone Reunion 2013 in KONA

Wow.  It's taken me a month and half to finally get this trip on my blog.  I finally just had to stay up late to get it done!  And now I get to put a big fat check mark on my to-do list.


July 30-August 8
Ohana Retreat
Kona, Hawaii

The highlight of our summer was the week we spent at the Ohana Retreat in Kona, HI (the big island).  My family (parents, all siblings, all living grandparents and the 6 oldest Stone grandchildren) had a reunion there and it. was. the best.

It was Sean and Hayden's first time to ride an airplane.  I love how excited they were.

At the airport early in the morning waiting to catch our plane

We took our four oldest, and left Sydney and Bennett home with Uncle Mikey and Aunt Amber.  Sydney still talks about you guys, by the way.  The other day she thought she heard someone in our family say Mikey is mean, (I can't remember what actually was said, although I know it wasn't that)  and boy, does she have your back, Mikey!  She set the record straight that Uncle Mikey is NOT mean.  He is really, really, nice!  Thank you soooo much, Mike and Amber for taking such good care of our littlest Garietys.  They love you, and we love you guys too!

Ohana Retreat

 

Isn't this funny?  There were flowers in the toilets when we arrived at the home.  

The home where we stayed is on a plantation in Kona.  There are actually two 8 bedroom/bathroom homes on the property, but this time we only rented one.  They have a pool, a tennis court, a shuffleboard court, ping pong, and we can pick any of the fruit and flowers growing on the property.  We picked delicious mangos and starfruit, and limes galore.  When we were on the property, the kids were almost always in the pool.  We also had lots of family dinners, a movie and even a family dance out in the pavilion which is equipped with a serving area, tables, chairs, tiki torches, a big screen TV and a sound system.  We would plug in our devices during dinner and listen to the Hawaii channel on Pandora while we ate.  :)    We read and played games, ate and took naps, rested in the hammock, listened to stories from our Grandparents and had family home evening.  We did a temple session together, the bros-in-law went golfing and the girls went to Costco to get a bunch of food.  (That might not sound like much fun, but it actually was pretty fun.)  We went hiking and snorkeling and fishing and swimming and basically, just made wonderful memories together. 

a view of part of the house from the pool

A trip to costco.  We almost needed two cars to get all this food home.

Hayden

Dallin, juicing limes

The beautiful nieces in a polaroid picture, 

courtesy of Jemma's polaroid camera

gecko

ping pong

shuffleboard

fish tacos for dinner at the pavilion

more geckos

Deep Sea Fishing

We got up bright and early to head out to sea for some deep sea fishing.  Kona is supposed to have some of the best deep sea fishing in the world, and we were keeping our fingers crossed that we'd have some fish for dinner that night.  This was the most disappointing day of the trip because our boat didn't even get a single bite.  We just went for a 6 hour boat ride in the ocean that cost more than I'd want to pay for a boat ride.  And poor Uncle Brian was sea-sick for most of the trip.  But Arthur was able to use the experience as an analogy in his most recent High Council Sunday talk, and it was a really good analogy.  Also, I got to go to the bathroom in a fishing boat, and I guess that was an experience.  Wow.  I'm okay if I never have to do that again.  ;)

The other boat, however, had more action.  They got three bites--a marlin they fought for awhile but he got away, and then 2 tuna that they reeled in.  Reed and Jade were at the pole for those two.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling--We went snorkeling several times, and everyone tried it.  One of my favorite things was going out in the water with the kids and hearing their voices (muffled through the snorkel gear) exclaiming, "Look!  A yellow fish!  Look!  A turtle!"  I think we saw about 10 turtles between our different snorkeling trips.  Those were definitely my favorite.

 

Friday--Family Fun Day

For a few days, we had the entire place to ourselves but on Saturday, there were some people coming to stay in the 2nd house.  So on Friday, we made sure to party-it-up there at the plantation before there were other people we were sharing facilities with.  So we had a Stone Olympics of silly events in the pool.  Boogie board paddle races, biggest/smallest splash, who could jump on a boogie board and stay standing the longest, and also a water-volleyball competition between the original Stone siblings VS the in-laws.  

Now, here's the thing about the Stone siblings: most of us are not very athletic.  Additionally, none of us are very tall.  Those are both big strikes against you when you are playing volleyball.  So even though there were 9 people on our team, and only 6 on their team (one of them being Dallin) they STILL had a HUGE advantage.  So we had to tweak the rules a little bit.   Basically, the rules were the Stone's started with a 5 point lead, and could hit the ball as many times as necessary to get it over the net.  We played three games, (increasing the lead by 5 points each game) and we lost all three.  But it was a BLAST!  I haven't laughed so much in a very long time!

We also had a family dance, which my kids were so excited about!  They asked about it daily until it finally occurred, and had been planning out the songs they wanted played for weeks and weeks prior to the vacation.  Our good friends, the Shepherds, who were our Stake DJs for the youth dances until recently, stocked us up with lots of favorite dance tunes for our "Stone Family Dance."

We also were treated to some ukelele sing-along tunes from both Grandpas, which was super fun, and Grandpa Stone even wrote us words to a little song for our family reunion!  I still hear the kids singing it from time to time.

Grandpa and Grammy Stone

 

Grandpa Packard

The Hilo Side:  Akaka Falls/ Tidepools/ Mt. Kilauwea

One day we drove over to the Hilo side of the island and spent the day doing things over there.  We walked to the beautiful Akaka Falls, and had a picnic lunch afterwards.

After lunch, we drove a little further around the island to some tidepools for some snorkeling.  They are a little tricky to get to and parking is scarce, but they are such a great area for kids to snorkel because the water is very sheltered.

I love this picture of Jen!

Arthur helping all the girls

Isn't this cute? 

These are all my living grandparents watching the rest of us out snorkeling.

I didn't actually get to snorkel there because Sean and Hayden kept having emergencies.  They scraped themselves on the lava rocks and were bleeding and Hayden thought he would surely die of his fatal wounds.  And once he got over that, he had to go to the bathroom.  Not the kind you can go in the ocean.  the other kind.  And there were no bathrooms at these tidepools, so I had to drive him down the road to a state park to use the port-a-potties there.  Sean came too, and Hayden was yelling from  his port-a-potty to Sean's, "Hey, Sean!  Did you go poop yet?"  Sean:  "No."  Hayden:  "Sean!  There's a whole bunch of poop in my toilet.  AND some cheetos too!"  Nice.  

By the time I got back, the others were packing up and leaving, but I got in the water to check it out really quickly when Hayden declared that he really had to go to the bathroom AGAIN!  So we took another adventurous trip to the port-a-potties and had another fun experience that I won't put on the blog.  Believe me, you are glad about that.

After we stopped for dinner, half of the group headed home, and the other half went to go check out the Mt. Kilauwea, the active volcano on the big island of Hawaii.  It was rainy and misty as we drove up the mountain which made it seem very mysterious!  We got to the park just minutes before they closed the museum, so we looked through as much as we could before they turned out the lights and kicked us all out.  (It was a pretty small museum, so we actually saw most everything.)

Behind us, you can see the glow of the lava lake located 200 feet below the crater rim.  

It was really cool to see at night.

After viewing the lava glow, we found this cool lava tube that you can hike to, and since it was dark, we were the ONLY ones there!  A lava tube is basically a cave that was formed as lava flowed from the mountain out to the shore.  The lava on the outside of the tube cooled and solidified and the molten lava would flow through the tube.  Evidently if you go during the day, this tube is packed with people from all the tour buses.  But we had it all to ourselves, and the uncles made lots of scary jungle noises as we walked thru the jungle in the darkness that really had those kids CREEPED out!  It's rather fun to be scared now and again. 

Captain Cook Monument--Hike and Snorkeling

Some of the best snorkeling in the Hawaiian island is at a little bay called Captain Cook.  The only way to get there is to charter a boat or kayaking excursion.  Or you can hike down.  It's 2 miles downhill, and then 2 miles back up.  A group of us wanted to go check it out, so we woke up at 5:30 a.m. and hiked down.  Once again, we had the place to ourselves.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  We saw so many different fish and colorful coral.  We had a wonderful time snorkeling and were ready to leave just when we saw the first boats and kayaks of the day begin to arrive.  

This is Captain James Cook's monument.  

He was an English explorer and at first the Hawaiians thought he was a diety.  But when they discovered he was in fact mortal, relations became strained and  he was killed by a group of Hawaiians not far from here.  The monument wasn't as impressive as the snorkeling, for sure.  And I LOVED being the only people there that morning.  So beautiful.

On the way back up, Grandpa Packard wanted a little head start because he was worried about the steep climb out.  I volunteered to go with him since I figured I was the next slowest person in our group.  Well, we missed the turn off and probably added an extra 1/2 mile or so out on the black lava rocks just getting hot and using up our water.  So instead of beating everyone back, we were lost for awhile and got back to the cars dead last!  I tell you what, though, that man is trooper if I ever saw one! We had to stop every few minutes to let him catch his breath and get some water, but he just kept pluggin' away.  Glad we survived, Grandpa!

Hapuna Beach

Our favorite beach on this island is Hapuna Beach.  It is exactly what you imagine a perfect beach is:  clean white sand, clear turquoise blue water, and no rocks to stub your toes on or seaweed or anything else creepy brushing up against your legs while you are in the water.  The kids could have played here all day.  Sean and Hayden were just little maniacs jumping in and out of the waves.  (I was glad over and over again that I stuck to my guns and made Hayden do swim team this year--he pretty much lived in the water while we were there.)  And what is it about the beach that compels me to take so many pictures!  (Believe me, there are lots more where these came from. . .)

Aunt Melanie made sand mermaid tails for all the nieces.

But there were some rogue waves that kept coming up and washing the tails away.  So Uncle Reed made a human barrier and protected the mermaids from the water that threatened to destroy them.

This is just a cool lava tube that we saw off the main highway.  When you climb up you can see little cave and lava tubes whose ceilings had collapsed all over.

Sunset on Sunday

Nine Stone siblings (who stink at water volleyball)

had to do it--the fake laugh picture

me and Daph

Shaved Ice

I can't even remember the name of this place where we get these ginormous shaved ice with ice cream inside.  And those are the Keiki sizes!  (children's sizes)  So many flavors, so very delicious.

The Last Day

Pretty much everyone had flights that left in the morning or during the day sometime.  But Grandpa Packard and our family's flights didn't leave until late in the evening, so we had a whole extra day to enjoy.  The best part was that the next group to check into the house weren't coming for a couple of days, so the manager let us check out late at no additional charge.  So we spent our last day at our favorite beach, then went back to the house to shower, finish packing, and eat some dinner.  On our way to the airport we stopped to get some delicious shaved ice, and then at Costco to stock up on our hawaiian chocolate snacks.  Finally made our way to the airport to head back home.

shaved ice one last time

saying good-bye to the house

We made such happy memories at our Stone Family Reunion in Kona.  And we cannot wait to go back in 5 years with all our kids and rent BOTH houses!  

Family Pictures

At the temple

At the plantation, wearing our awesome STONE t-shirts designed by my brother Jacob.

Arthur and I with our kids, my parents, and my three living Grandparents.

All of us

San Francisco

July 10-12, 2013

One of the reasons we drove out to California this summer was because Arthur had a NSREC conference for work in San Francisco.  So we took a little extra time and before and after to be with family.  And my mother was wonderful to keep our 6 children (even Bennett who still wasn't sleeping through the night yet) while I went to spent a couple of days with Arthur in SF.  Thanks so much, Mom!

And since that is the city where he proposed to me, we counted it as our anniversary celebration.  We celebrated 14 years of marriage this month!

When I see this bridge I think of the song, "California, Here I Come!"  

Anybody else know that song?

It goes like this:

California, here I come,

Right back where I started from

Where bowers of flowers bloom in the spring,

Each morning at dawning, birdies sing and everything, 

A sunkissed miss says, "Don't be late!"

That's why I can hardly wait.

Open up that Golden Gate!

California, here I come!

This trip was cool because even though we both grew up just 90 minutes from San Francisco, neither of us really spent any time there, because sadly, that's what happens when you live near something. You never see it as a tourist.  And I discovered that I like being a tourist.  I like seeing things with new eyes and being impressed by stuff.  :)

The Embarcadero Ferry Building

Just a walk down the pier, and a view of the Bay Bridge

The atrium in our hotel--the largest atrium in the world.

The night I arrived, we attended a fun social event thru the conference: a dinner cruise around the bay on the San Francisco Belle.  We left while it was still light, but here is a picture of the boat as we were leaving to walk back to our hotel.

The cruise was great because we had some beautiful and unique views of the city, Alcatraz, and the two famous bridges that connect the city to the rest of the state.   Also, I should mention that it is much colder when you're out in the bay with the wind blowing on you, then when you are walking around on the street.  I was wishing I'd brought a ski parka.

Coit Tower in the distance-center

Alcatraz--the front

Alcatraz--the back

A quick note about Alcatraz.  If you ever go to SF in the summer, you need to book your Alcatraz excursion MONTHS in advance.  I've never been to Alcatraz, and would have loved to check it out, but by the time we asked about it, the only boats available were ones that cost $90 a head and even though Alcatraz fascinates me, I didn't feel like shelling out $200 to see it.  So we'll have to save that for another trip to CA, I guess.  

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE  

such a cool bridge.

A gorgeous view of the bay bridge with the city lights behind

It was also pretty fun to enjoy the dancing after dinner.  And by enjoy, I mean watch the conference attendees (read: nerds) who'd had a few drinks, dance.  It was pretty entertaining and made me smile from ear to ear!  I love dancing, though I am not very good at it.  However, I did convince Arthur who doesn't dance (AND who hadn't had anything to drink except diet Coke) to dance the Cupid Shuffle with me, so  we could tell our kids that we danced on the dinner cruise.  It's one of those songs that tells you what moves to do during the dance, which I figured was the safest way to get Arthur on the dance floor.  Thanks for dancing with me, babe.  

The next morning we took a bus over to Muir Woods (across the golden gate from SF) and spent a couple of hours hiking around this amazing redwood forest.  Note to self: the next time you go to SF BRING A SCARF!!!  You'll need it, no matter what season you go in.  I spent the first part of this hike running to get warm.  Once my blood was circulating, I could slow down and enjoy the amazing trees.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Pacific Coast Banana Slug!

Okay, check this picture out.  (above)  I had been looking all morning for these banana slugs without any luck.  And then we came across these three kids who had found a bunch and were letting them crawl all over their arms!  Check out how big and slimy they are!

I just liked this sign.  There was a specific spot along the trail that they named the cathedral and asked visitors to walk and speak quietly through that area.  It felt reverent.

After our chilly hike through the woods, they bussed us over to Sosulito, a little shopping town, which if you know anything about Arthur and I, held little interest for us.  But we ate some delicious sandwiches in a little cafe and I warmed up with this ginormous mug of hot cocoa.  Looking at it even now makes me feel warm and happy inside.  

Then we took the Ferry back to SF where we walked around the marketplace in the Ferry building. We saw some of the weirdest mushrooms ever, smelled fresh fish and salt water, and tried on big yellow hats.  And yes, we even bought a couple of things at a little shop called Sur la Table since they were having a sale.  

A big yellow hat

That night we walked along Embarcadero St., checked out Pier 39, and had dinner on Fisherman's Wharf at a little place where we ate clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, of course, because that is what you do if you are a tourist in San Francisco!  Warm and delicious.

Pier 39 with Coit Tower way in the background

Friday morning it was time to leave, but before we left, we went for a walk to check out China Town and Union Square, where we made our biggest purchase, a whole BUNCH of Ghirardelli Chocolate.  (They have a new flavor out that I keep longing for called Toffee Truffle, I think.  Heavenly!)  I have no picture of that because I was so overwhelmed with its deliciousness that the thought to document didn't even enter my mind.

China Town

And this picture,  (below) I saved for last, because we took a picture by this very fountain the evening Arthur asked me to marry him.  (I would post the original but I had a bad haircut and I don't look very beautiful.  Luckily that didn't deter Arthur.  Also, I would have to dig it out of my closet-of-despair and scan it in and that's just more time than I can commit to.)  

Anyway, 14 years later, here we are, and I'm glad every day that I said yes.

Happy 14th Anniversary to us!

Love this guy.

July Quotes

Sydney:  Hayden pulled my curly hairs!!

Hayden wouldn't go up to the door of a friends house because, "They have a viciouth (vicious) dog who'll try to bite me!"  

(made me laugh because he knows what vicious means, and also, because the dog is a tiny, little, old dog --50 dogs-years-old--who just barks a lot.

Hayden:  Why do the Thonic workerth wear thkateth (skates)?

Sean:  I think so they can go fast in case the people are starving.

(Since Sean is in a perpetual state of starvation, his answer made perfect sense.)

Sydney:  I awesome.  Right, Mom?  I awesome.

Me:  Sydney says she needs some friends.

Arthur:  Can I be your friend, Sydney?

Sydney:  NO!

Arthur:  Well, that's why you don't have any friends.

In the car, stuck in traffic and the kids start telling us they have to go to the bathroom, and which kind.  Some said "Number 1"  Some said, "Number 2" and Arthur, joking, said, "I have to go number 3!"  Hayden said, "No!  Three?  That's throwing up!"

Me:  Sean and Hayden, pick up all those pillows and put them away, please.

(no response from the boys.)

Me:  Boys, did you hear me?

Sean:  Come on, Hayden.  You heard the woman!

While we were swimming at a friend's house the kids were doing some cannonballs into the water.  Hayden stood on the edge ready to jump and said, "Mom, thith ith bigger than a cannonball--thith ith . . .  what ith that thing called that can blow up a whole thtate?"  "A nuke?" I guessed.  "Yeah!" Hayden yelled, "I'm a nuke!"  And then jumped into the water.  I guess that's the kind of cannonballs you get when your dad works at a National Laboratory.

Me:  Hayden, when you are in Kindergarten, we're gonna see if you can see a speech therapist to help you with your lisp.

Hayden:  NOOO!  I don't want to do thpeech therapy.  I wanna keep my lithp! 

(I kind of want him to keep his lisp too.  I love it.  But I'm sure he won't love it when he's older . . .)

Hayden and Sydney were fighting about something and Hayden threatened to bite Sydney.  Sydney said, "Stop!  Don't EAT me!"