A White Christmas

After 30 Christmases in my life, finally I had myself a true white Christmas!

We've been in Spokane for our first Jayne family Christmas. A very nice time filled with family and fun in the snow. It first snowed the day we got here and then again
Christmas night. And since then, many more inches of glittery white have piled on the ground.

Yay for snow on our first day!

So happy together...

Snow falling Christmas night. A true white Christmas!

Celebrating my first white Christmas.

We've sang, played games, laughed, froze our toes, went sledding, and even walked on a frozen lake - my first ever. True highlights include Grandma playing Wii, Bryan's nephew Cameron completely complexed as to why we weren't married like all the other couples in the family, duo-sledding, measuring the ice on the lake, a rousing game of Pictionary in which I was on the winning team, and the $100 bill I found on Christmas Eve - which we then donated to the Salvation Army.

Winter wonderland in Bryan's parents' yard.

Making a snow angel at the lake.

Bryan with niece and nephew on the frozen lake.

The frozen lake - more than seven inches thick and we walked along it!

Tomorrow we fly back to Hawaii and then immediately take off to Maui for New Years with good friends. I know my toes will welcome the warm air but I'm sad to be wondering when I'll next see snow.

Over the River, and Through the Woods...

Or rather, over the ocean and through the airports, to the Jayne house we go. And there should be snow. Which will be very exciting.

This morning we left the house and saw this:

I feel very, very lucky to be able to experience rainbows and snow within 48 hours of each other. You don't get that everyday!

Merry Christmas to all!

Sick, Like for Real

I'm sick. I've been sick for days. I stayed home from work on Friday and had to take a sick day for a day that was basically a play day in the office. They got bonuses and had a holiday thing, and I was in tears from a fever of 103.

Anyhow, turns out I have strep throat for the first time in my life. Let me tell you, it hurts!

I was sick on Saturday and Sunday but still gathered all my energy for a trip to Hilo to see my parents and extended family. Good times, even if I did need a nap. Family is good for being sick around, you don't need to be too nice or entertaining and they have to take you as you are. Unfortunately, it's not as easy with friends. For that reason, I think I have to bail on a birthday celebration tonight. Bummer.

Just because I'm sick, doesn't mean you need to be bummed out too. And for that reason, I've included these ridiculous pictures from our holiday party. Check out possessed Jenni and freaky-dancer Bryan.

It's a Small Town

On Friday I joined a few friends for a few drinks at two select parties downtown. A good time was had by all and in the span of three hours I ran into roughly 25% of the people I know in Hawaii.

I saw a friend of a friend who I had met once or twice.
I recognized a girl and her husband from a party we attended around this time last year in Lanikai.
I ran into my yoga teacher, cheek-kissed hello and introduced him to my friends.
We chatted it up with a friend's roommate named Chip.
I spotted a guy I met floating through the ocean during Flotilla.

Then we changed venues to go to an ad party. And there, I encountered half of our men's paddling team. Plus an old co-worker or two.

Needless to say, I felt popular and very in it. Yay!

A Tree for All Seasons

On Sunday evening we went to the grocery store to pick out our Christmas tree. While we won't be here for Christmas itself, I felt adamant that we should have a tree. First off, we invested in about $30 worth of decorations last year and I certainly don't plan for them to sit in the closet for 11 months for no good reason. Second, a tree just makes it feel more seasonal. So we had to have a tree.

After great consideration, we decided on a living tree. It's just nicer to think about rather than a cut-down one that spent the last month in a refrigerated container sailing from Oregon to Honolulu. The living trees they have around here are mostly Norfolk Pines and I find them adorable. Plus, plus... they're from the South Pacific. So it's like a Christmas tree that actually belongs in the islands.

Bryan and I don't make any decisions lightly. It only makes sense that our tree selection process was indepth and full of education. We inspected all of the Norfolk Pines, pondered which were healthier than others, estimated which height would look right in our apartment, and guessed as to how much they might grow. Finally, we were referred to a tree expert name Albert. Albert gathered his knowledge of plants and trees while growing "stuff" for his uncle. You know what sort of stuff. Albert works in the nursery at the grocery store and answered every single one of our Norfolk Pine questions with patience and knowledge.

That is how we came to have this delightful tree to decorate and keep all year round. I've named it Albert, Al for short, in honor of the plant guy that started out growing "stuff."

Umm, Okay

I kid you not, this is the weather forecast today in Honolulu. I know we don't have the extreme weather much of the country is facing but have you ever seen such dramatic shifts exactly on the two hour mark?

Go Warriors!

If you haven't heard, the UH football team is the only undefeated college football team in the country. And the whole state has warrior fever. We're crazy for them! And guess where Bryan and I will be on Saturday evening? AT THE GAME!

I never thought I'd be this excited for a college football team that isn't my own. But we live in a small market over here and this our team! Soooooo... GO WARRIORS!

California Vacation, A Tale in Pictures : The Conclusion

Safely in San Diego, Jenni and Bryan hung with the family enjoying such delights as Old Town Mexican Cafe and In N Out (finally!). Tummies full, they headed out of El Cajon and ventured to San Diego's apple country - if only to prove to Bryan and Washington isn't the only place with apples!

After visiting antique stores and the general hardware store, there wasn't anything left to do but enjoy apple pie... At the Julian Pie Company.

These are Jenni's folks who nicely treated them to the aforementioned goodies.

Leaving Julian, they passed through the areas recently hit by the fires. Seeing many blackened trees and ground, it was amazing to see how many houses had been saved, and to realize how much work went into save each house.

Watching the sunset as they weaved along the winding road, they said goodnight to one more day in fabulous California and prepared for their last official day of vacation.

Their final evening in California was spent at wedding of a high school friend of Jenni. Stacey said her "I do" as we all commented how beautiful she looked. Bryan and Jenni laughed and chatted with friends Heather and Love over drinks and appetizers. Sadly, Jenni was struck by an intolerable migraine headache and they had to leave the festivities early. Such an incredible bummer. While they would have loved to stay at the wedding longer, they are thankful for the few extra hours they had with Jenni's parents.

The next morning they packed up their bags in a hurry and took off in a jet plane headed to Honolulu. Remembering 10 great days in one terrific state, they both felt this trip had changed their lives forever.

The End.

California Vacation, A Tale in Pictures : Chapter Five

Departing the infamous Madonna Inn, Bryan and Jenni headed south, leaving the Northern California wind swept coast for the Southern California surf swept coast. Their first stop was the delightful beachtown of Pismo Beach. Take it from them, there's not a single thing to do in Pismo on a Wednesday at 11am except watch the birds and the surfers. And so they did.

Bird in Pismo framed by surfers in Pismo.

Jenni and Bryan were delighted to learn that Pismo Beach is famous for the Pismo Clam! The Pismo Clam is actually found up and down the coast but this city has pride, and that must be why they took a very, very large clam sculpture and dressed it up like a turkey. Funny, no?

Cruising along Highway 1 and 101, they saw pretty coast lines, small towns, and eventually made it to Santa Barbara with plenty of time to find the beach and find themselves on the pier with a drink in hand.

Santa Barbara is magical, especially in the fall with a beautiful sunset. Bryan may currently be scheming about how he can live forever in Santa Barbara... despite Jenni's stern warnings about how expensive it is.

In Santa Barbara they chose a beachfront motel for the night. A dump but look at the view for breakfast!

After Santa Barbara they headed even farther south, into the land of LA. LA is a very scary place but they stayed strong and stuck to the coastline. A pretty drive through Malibu and they found themselves at the Santa Monica pier. Not interested in rides, candy or other tacky touristy things, they tried on hats. Bryan opted not to buy this one.

Jenni did buy this hat. It's cute. And green.

A little more driving south and they stopped to take in Venice Beach. A good time of people watching, people avoiding, and quick street art perusing. An hour or so later they looked at each other and said, "I'm hungry... In N Out!" Unfortunately, this tiny tale doesn't have a happy ending because there was no In N Out to be found and they were overwhelmed by LA, even the coastal part. The first opportunity they could, they jumped on the 405 and didn't stop until they reached San Diego.

California Vacation, A Tale in Pictures : Chapter Four

The Madonna Inn chapter...

Just midway through their trip, they arrived at the destination Jenni has most been looking forward to... The Madonna Inn. The Madonna Inn is famous for being odd, and tacky, and strange. And for having a cave room. With real rocks! We'll just cut to the chase here, you should never drive through this part of the state without a stop at the Madonna Inn. Each room has a different theme and they don't do anything here half-assed...

Bryan prepared for quite a treat as he entered the Rocky Mountain room!

The Rocky Mountain room in all its glory! Real rocks! Wooden rocking chairs! Lamps shaped like sticks! Blue walls!

Bathroom in the Rocky Mountain room, over the top but somehow just short of terribly tacky. And, the highlight of the whole room.... (drum roll...)

ROCK WALL WATERFALL SHOWER!
Swear to God. With real rocks, a shower head AND a waterfall. Sort of a "yeah, I'll try this once" thing. But good fun.

Celebrating good times at the Madonna Inn, Bryan and Jenni feasted on a relatively small breakfast in a very, very large red booth.

Goodbye Madonna Inn, hello Southern California!

Thankful

I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving. Ours was very special and gave us much to be thankful for.

We're thankful for...
...going to the beach on Thanksgiving day
...friends that invite us over for Thanksgiving dinner
...three kinds of turkey (fried, turduckenhen (four birds), and imu style)
...sunny days
...dinner views of Diamond Head
...island hopping for a three day vacation
...connections at Marriott that hooked us up with a free stay
...oceanview room
...football
...Hawaii winning their game and being the only undefeated team in the nation
...a full moon on the Big Island
...total relaxation at the pool
...seeing friends and family
...tasty food
...remote white sand beaches
...a 30 minute flight home

California Vacation, A Tale in Pictures : Chapter Three

The Big Sur Chapter...

Day five of their adventure began along the 17 Mile Drive to Carmel. Beautiful!

The 17 Mile Drive is perfect for spotting the creatures Jenni and Bryan discovered at the Aquarium. Here they watched otters frolick, kelp float, and birds fly around.

Near the end of the drive they stopped to see the Lone Tree. You can never get enough of this Lone Tree! So zen, so picturesque. Just downright cool.

With the tree.

After a stop in Carmel for a coffee and more hoity-toity than they could stomach, they hit the open road for their first ever ride through Big Sur.

The Big Sur coastline is breathtaking. Snapping pictures left and right, Jenni just couldn't get enough of it.

Hugs and sunshine made them very happy.

Stopping for a very tasty lunch at the famous restaurant along the coast, Bryan pondered the menu and took in the view.

A view like this isn't something you see on your typical lunch break. Fantastic!

Back on the road they drove, and drove. But fell more in love with the beauty of California. Just around that point way out there they'd find their hotel for the night, The Madonna Inn. A chapter in and of itself.

California Vacation, A Tale in Pictures : Chapter Two

This chapter may more accurately be called the "Aquarium Chapter." Get ready for jellyfish madness...

Day four of their fabulous vacation, Jenni and Bryan embarked on the roadtrip portion of the adventure. They headed south along Highway 1 with the ocean to their right and the road laid out ahead.

After a brief stop in Bonny Doon and a cruise through Santa Cruz, they arrived at their destination - the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. The excitement was so great Jenni dared make a fishface for the camera.

Once in the Aquarium, Jenni discovered her love for jellyfish. Is there a creature more beautiful?

Jellyfish.

Jellyfish.

Ugly fish.

Jellyfish.

Bryan was a huge fan of the kelp forest and kept a keen eye out for the Garibaldi fish, of which he has a fascination that can't really be explained.

The Monterrey Bay Aquarium rocks!

They even touched starfish!

Happy together, happy with the fish, and taking in the sunset, so concludes Chapter Two.

To see even more pictures of jellyfish and the extremely long version of the story, click here.