Family time

With the kids out of school we had ample time to play hard.

Saturday: All morning, the boys played tag football with other Honolulu wards, at Makiki Park. In the afternoon, we hiked Diamond Head Mountain. Later, out for dinner and a movie called Bedtime Stories, which both my boys loved.

Top of Diamond Head Mountain. Behind us is Honolulu, where we live.



A more complete view of the city of Honolulu.

The inside of the Diamond head's crater.

On our way down, through the mountain.

Sunday: Church at the Tabernacle and a hike up Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Wendi, Eric carrying Pearce on his back, and Connor midway to the top of Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Pearce decided he was big like Connor, and hiked up part of the way.

Pearce having a break.

Connor hiking down from the summit, descending from out of the clouds. On either side of us is a shear drop.


Connor communing with nature.

I was playing around, trying different modes with our new camera,
and some how this flick was made in black and white
defusing only certain greens here and there. Turned out cool.

After the hike. Connor and Wendi, muddy and tired.
One of Connor's Christmas gifts was a pair of black Keens, men's size 7. Can you believe that?

Monday: The kids and I went to the Honolulu Zoo and later boogie boarded at Waikiki Beach, specifically Walls.

Pearce poses at the elephant yard,
with beautiful Diamond Head Mountain in the background.

Every time I come, these two are getting it on.
Horny Buggers!

The Honolulu Zoo has the best playground surrounded by giant trees.
Pearce likes to play here at least once a week.

The Keiki Zoo means Little kids Zoo.
Pearce likes this part of the Zoo because he gets a lot of interaction with the animals.

Pearce in the fish bowl.

Pearce takes the adventurous route to the goats.

I just love the Honolulu Zoo. It's so open and lush.

The famous painted trees. Gorgeous.

At sunset, we sat on the beach eating Teddy's Bigger Burgers and shakes. They have a pineapple shake to die for.

Tuesday: All morning we played Madden 09' football on our SPS3. Then got off our duffs and spent the afternoon at Sandy's beach on the east side of O'ahu. These waves are legendary and not for the weak of heart. Only a local, like president elect Obama can ride these bad boy waves that can pipe 10 feet right onto the beach. Luckily, today the waves are only about 4 feet.

President Elect Obama body surfing Sandy's break.

Connor working up the nerve.

Pearce taking his afternoon nap.

Eric pushing Connor to engage.

Connor comes back for his boogie board .

Waiting for the right moment to emerge.

Connor flies through the waves all smiles.

And this is how the locals ride.

Wednesday: Star Wars marathon. This took us from early morning till into the early afternoon. I think we only made it through 5 out of 6 movies. I think we ran out of treats. Both my boys were in heaven fighting along with every battle. Then we took the kids to the nearest corner lined with tents selling every type of Firework. Basically, in Hawaii anyone can buy anything you can set off. And it literally turns Honolulu into Baghdad. Pops, and bangs rang throughout the city from 3 pm till 3am. Smoke clouded the air so thick; the large skyscrapers became invisible. Days later, we talked with friends who had completed several tours in Iraq. They told us that all the fireworks brought back a lot of bad memories and anxieties. They drank themselves to sleep to avoid the night. That's sad.

Around 9pm we set off a batch of fireworks, at a local park. Connor was in Heaven while Pearce, our safety boy, stood as far away as possible. We would explain that it was okay to come closer. But without hesitation, hands waving, Pearce repeated " No thank you. I'm fine."

Around 11pm we walked with hundreds of others to the beach walk at Waikiki to watch the State of Hawaii wow us with their fireworks display.

Sitting in the sand at Waikiki beach, Eric, Pearce, Wendi and Connor anticipating the count down to 2009 firework show. The stranger who kindly took this picture didn't speak English, and so gave us no warning that she was taking it. Explaining the weird expressions and my hands around Connor trying to move him back for the picture. So it’s an action shot. Love those.

Thousands in unison counted down 3, 2, 1.... 2009. Simultaneously the fireworks exploded over the ocean and the beach erupted into cheering and kissing. It was exciting. The fireworks were set off from large barges parked a couple of miles from the Waikiki shore. The ocean below mirrored each burst of color. It was magical.

Pearce was so impressed by the fireworks, he would raise his hands up in praise and awe after each pop. I love seeing my kids completely happy. What an awesome beginning to a new year.

Thursday: Early in the morning, Connor and I went Parasailing together off the coast of Waikiki.

Connor and Wendi. Up, up and away.

That plane came pretty close.

Flying 500 feet above the ocean, side by side we flew in the most beautiful silence. Connor was in awe. The view was astonishing. The deep blue ocean turns aqua once next to the sand, hugging a large glassy city, backed by towering green-carpeted mountains. The moment made for sappy feelings.

And suddenly we were being pulled in slowly. We gently anchor our feet to the boat and Connor's expressions exploded with excitement. His words pour out faster than I could take them in. I couldn't stop grinning; this was definitely a happy mom moment.

The afternoon was all about Connor and Daddy time. Eric took Connor and a few of the boys in the ward out to the jungle to play 6 hours of Airsoft games.

Lt to Rt top row: Jason, Eric, Connor and Lewiston.
Lt to Rt bottom row: Soros, Lefty, Al.


Pearce ready to play too.
Poor kid was crushed when we told him he couldn't go.

..........And in *Phillips fashion, the night ended with dinner and a movie called Bolt.

* This term 'Phillips fashion' means we keep going with activities until the city closes down and kicks us out. The Phillips family motto is never stop to sleep. Ever. Especially Jane and David Phillips...for the love get some sleep!

Friday: Back to Sandy's beach until sundown.

Sunday: Thank goodness it's a day of rest.