Aloha with Hawaii Smiles

We have much to smile about but I thought you might like to share some smiles from Hawaii with me today.

As you know we just got back from taking a group of 19 (including us) on this 14 day cruise.  I am so glad that we went to travel agent school after retiring from teaching high school. Smile…. Smile….. We love traveling and getting paid to travel makes it even nicer. We had a wonderful time.

We sailed out of the port of LA on Wed. April 11th.

After 4 great sea days…. aboard this floating resort, The Golden Princess, …..

We arrived at the big Island of Hawaii.

We docked in Hilo and set off on our Polynesian Adventure.

Our first stop was at the beautiful Akaka Falls. You can only barely see the falls from the road.

It is about a 1/2 mile hike through beautiful scenery to get to the falls.

I was well worth the effort as you can tell from our smiles.

Our next stop was the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut factory tour.

Can you smell the chocolate cooking?

Of course we couldn’t resist buying some chocolate covered nuts. They are rather expensive but they are delicious.  Smile…. Smile

By the time we boarded our tour bus we had a nice supply of nut goodies for us and to take home for our family. Sorry we couldn’t get enough for all of you.  (Can you see me standing by the bus waving to you?)

Our last stop was at the Pana’ewa Rainforest,  Zoo and Gardens.

What a lovely place.

The foliage was beautiful.

Orchids grow wild.

I was tempted to pick this pineapple but of course I didn’t.

Before we knew it, the day was gone and we were sailing away from this big island of Hawaii and heading for Kawai. We loved our day on Hawaii. We are thankful that we were able to see God’s handiwork on this beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific ocean. We feel blessed and full of smiles.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little trip to Hawaii with us. Our next stop is Kawai. I hope that you will come back and visit that garden island with us in my next post.

Hugs to all of you, Grammy L

We are almost back home

We have been sailing the seas.

Have you missed us??? I have missed you.

Can you guess where we have been?

Below  is a picture clue.

We have been on an a 14 day cruise to Hawaii on the Golden Princess with 17 of our friends and clients.

We went to Hawaii first…… then to Kawai

Then to Oahu …….and……. Maui

Then after 5 wonderful sea days  aboard this beautiful ship…

…we arrived at Ensenada, Mexico this afternoon. We are now headed back to LA.

Being a travel agent is a great job. All my clients did well. It is so much fun cruising with friends.  We have had a wonderful time. We feel blessed to be able to have this experience. We will be home in a few hours and I will tell you all about each of our lovely ports of call.

Until then….. Aloha….. witch means… Goodbye with love.  I hope that you all are doing well.  Hugs, Grammy Lura

p.s.  I wrote this blog last night and tried to publish it from the ship but the internet connection was too slow to do it.  We just got home a few minutes ago.  Does anyone want to come over and help me unpack?????

Utah Smiles

Every trip to Utah involves  Karaoke  time. Our son, David even built a Karaoke stage in his family room.

Everybody gets in on the act…. from the youngest to the oldest.

Karaoke always makes me smile.

Back yard basketball games and trampoline fun also makes me smile.

Eating shamrock cookies one the pack porch brings smiles too.

Having lunch with my Niece and my blog friend LeAnn was special.

 

 

 

 

Attending John’s brother’s 84 birthday dinner was a highlight.

These are John’s two older brothers. It is always nice to get together.

Happy Birthday to Forrest.

Going to watch Lonica dance is special

She came in first on both of her solo dances and was crowned queen.

Lynell’s little dance team came in first too.  And one of Lynell’s teams was selected by the judges to be their favorite group dance of the whole show.  That made my sweet choreographer/ dance teacher daughter very happy and I was bursting with smiles.

The grand finale was attending the Utah state gymnastics' meet to watch Johnny. I will share those pictures another time.

This time last year I was painfully holding on to life in Intensive Care. What a blessing that I could make this trip and enjoy all these smile. I give thanks to God for our wonderful family… and that we get to be with them quite often even though most of them live 2 states away from us.

I am taking a little trip with some friends. I may have limited internet time…. but I will be thinking of you and be in touch when I get back.

Until then….. I hope that all is well with you and yours.

Hugs, Grammy Lura

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