May 2015

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." 

-Jacques Cousteau

Leftovers with Chris and Jill
This was such an epic day--Chris officially stood up and surfed after years of no surfing due to knee injuries! This guy had both of his knees replaced and now he is back up and surfing-talk about being hard core! Leftovers is where Chris has been surfing since his 20's and now he is back. It was an awe-inspiring feeling to see him stand up and surf again. Afterwards, the four of us went snorkeling close to shore and found treasures to take home. 

I love this picture of them :)

Chris surfing like no one's business!

Jill insisted on this pose

<3

World Ocean Peace

Gettin'  my mermaid on

Chris and Jill hold hands while they snorkel :)

Moser Baptism
Randy's cousin, Jamie and her family, came out to Hawaii and had their son, Vance, baptized in Waialua. Randy and I were grateful that we had the opportunity to go although we may have gotten confused and went to a chapel in the opposite direction and were quite perplexed to see no one there. After a quick phone call we realized we went to the wrong chapel! Luckily we made it before it was over. Jamie is hilarious and I have to say their children are some of the sweetest kids I have ever met! The Moser clan even came to church with us the next day in Kahuku and I was able to hold baby Bruno most of the time--I was in baby heaven! 

The Moser/Burgoyne/Saunders Clan

Nadia's Recital
Randy and I were so excited to see Nadia perform in her dance recital down in Waialua! We had been to some of her practices and she seemed to really enjoy dancing with her friends. However, on the day of the recital she got a little stage fright and did not perform with her group. Luckily, her dad took her up at the end and danced with her. Poor Nadia cried a little bit here and there but guess who can always make this little girl smile--her Uncle Randy! I seriously wonder sometimes if Randy is a child whisperer. Although we do not have kids of our own yet, he seems to be able to calm children down pretty easily.  I'm sure we will feel differently once we have kids of our own but I love seeing Randy and how he treats his nieces and nephews. I am not gonna lie--he may possibly be a better baby sitter than I am.

Nadia all smiles with Uncle Randy

 Surfing at Gas Chambers
I took a few pictures this day of Randy surfing and thought this shot was cool. The water is impressively clear! On days like this, when it is too big for me to surf, I like to read my books, layout and snap shots of Randy. 

Open Mic Nights = Free Entertainment
Jacob and some of his siblings have been performing at open mic's around the island. Randy and I have been able to go twice this month and see them perform in Wahiawa at Surfers Coffee Bar. We also watched Jacob perform another time at Turtle Bay. As I watched the performers and observed the crowd  I felt myself rewinding back in time when Randy and I were dating in Utah and we would go to shows like this and watch our friends perform. There really is so much to enjoy in this world that costs very little or is free!  

Two of the younger McMillan kids showing off their mad skills

 Jacob singing his heart out at Turtle Bay

Memorial Day
I am grateful for the country in which we live! I am grateful for the people who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we each have. A few years ago I was able to volunteer at the NVSSC (National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic) for a week in San Diego. In that week alone my love for them grew and I developed a better understanding for what each of them individually sacrificed for me. I hope we can take a moment to remember the people who have died and sacrificed so much on our behalf; to be alive at this time in history is truly a blessing. 

Beach Time
Look at this sweet little girl and that tongue! She was having such a blast digging holes in the sand, playing in the water, and waving that stick around everywhere she went. Randy and I joined Wendy and her fam near Ali'i Beach Park after we stopped at one of my favorite lunch spots--the Beet Box Cafe. 

Digging a huge hole for a bath tub

Girl's Camp Fundraiser
This month was very busy with my young women's fundraiser for girl's camp. The young women did an Italian dinner complete with lasagna, salad, bread, and a cupcake for dessert. They also sold cakes as part of a cake auction for Mother's Day and they did so well! We were able to raise all the funds necessary to go to camp, which is a relief considering we have camp next month.