We stumbled across Limahuli Garden by accident on Friday and it turned out to be the most beautiful place on the island. I could go on for days about it, but I am exhausted, so here's the pics.
















Last day in Kauai. So sad.








We had dinner at Bali Hai in Princeville. This was the view from our table.



Cole tucker his tiki into bed with him tonight. too cute.

The Carter Family Adventure Team is enjoying our last day in paradise. We woke up to a huge rainbow outside our bedroom window again this morning. Last night we had a nig thunder storm and lost power (off and on) for several hours. The boys slept through it.


This is the view from our balcony and bedroom in our second condo. We were at Bali Hai for most of the trip and then we moved to Ali'i Kai for the last three days. Bali Hai is nicer inside the units, but the grounds of Ali'i Kai are much prettier. Both are comfortable though.



Drew and I spent a couple of hours kayaking on the Hanalei River. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I really loved it even if I did rub the skin off my hands on the paddle. It was worth a little loss of flesh.

Here are some random shots.






We went to Kilohana Museum and had lunch at Gaylord's. The boys wanted to take a carriage ride so we did. The horses name is Buddy and he has a weak bladder.


my internet connection keeps dropping. more tomorrow.

Tuesday we got up early and took a very long drive around the island to Waimea Canyon. It's called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is really beautiful even if it was overcast and windy. The weather made it hard to get any good pics and as a result they look like cheap Knott's Berry Farm backgrounds. The wind wa blowing so hard that the waterfall was even blowing sideways. I got some good photos during the drive though. The red dirt against the blue sky is quite a lovely sight. We stopped at a cute roadside stand called The Shrimp Station in Kaumakani on the way there and everyone loved their lunches.

After we returned to Princeville we went to the market, grabbed yet another Bubba burger and had a short chat with a very cool Rasta man who was sculpting a fountain by hand. We then cleaned up the condo and had everyone over for a little party. We had lots of food and played Kill Dr. Lucky until quite late. Somehow the three kid's all managed to keep hopping until everyone left. We are hoping Wednesday brings some warm weather because we really want to hit the beach again.

This group of photos is rather scattered and out of order like me.











Add: A photo of Drew & I that I forgot to post from a couple of days ago. Sunset in Hanalei.

Monday morning we had a leisurely breakfast on the lanai and discussed some of the things we wanted to do while In Kauai. We decided to take a drive to the Kilauea Lighthouse. It was really windy so excuse the crazy-hair photos. We saw a pod of dolphins splashing around while we were there, but I couldn't get a clear photo of them. Those suckers are fast! A ladybug landed on Noah's arm and made his whole day!










Next we took a dip in the spa at our condo to kill some time. Noah liked the waterfall and playing around the plants. When everyone else got home we took a ride on the Wailua River Boat. Sadly, the famous Fern Grotto was closed after a serious storm hit it last year and still has not been reopened. The boat ride was not as interesting as we had hoped, but the musicians and hula dancing onboard was fun. At one point it was pouring rain on our side if the boat and sunny skies on the other. That was a pretty cool thing to experience. Nikki and Noah were once again joined at the hip. She insisted that Noah is her new boyfriend.








Once again, we headed to Bubba's Burgers for dinner. I admit it... we are hooked! I am a big fan of The Slopper which is a burger smothered in chili and cheese while Drew prefers the double teriyaki burgers. Good stuff! We took a walk on Hanalei Beach to work off some of those delicious burgers. Noah and Cole both ended up soaked and sandy by the time we left. Cole was so excited to find a hunk of driftwood and presented it to me as a gift. What a sweet kid! After bubble baths we pulled out the sofa bed and all climbed on to watch Pirates of the Caribbean until bed time.

Drew went kayaking, ziplining, hiking and whatever else this morning, so it's just me and the tots at the pool today. They are chomping at the bit to get out there, so I'll make this short.

Yesterday it was pouring rain in Princeville so we spent the day at Poipu Beach on the South Shore. The weather was perfect there. They used rocks to block off a nice shallow area for little kids, which was really great. Noah loved splashing around in the warm water while Cole spent most of the time digging in the sand. Drew took a walk and came back with a lime shave ice for me. Yum! After the long drive back to the condo we got showered and had dinner in Hanalei. Life is good!

Just a quick update after our first day in Kauai. We were up for 22 hours Thursday just traveling and getting settled into our Princeville condo so needless to say, we were totally exhausted. Our morning started off with Noah throwing up as we were taking off our shoes to go through security at the Ontario airport. That was awful, but he hadn't eaten in a couple of days since he was ill. His excitement coupled with an empty stomach didn't go over well. He was fine once we got some food and water into him. There was also a small jet with landing gear troubles circling the airport while we were there. The plane eventually landed safely at another airport, but it was nerve-wracking and upsetting for us to watch while we waited to board our plane. The kids enjoyed the plane rides and behaved really well for the most part. We even saw whales jumping around in the ocean from the plane's window as we were coming into Lihue airport. That was so amazing!

Today we woke up to perfect weather and were ready to begin our adventure. We took a drive to Tunnels Beach. Drew took Noah for a walk down the beach while Cole and sat in perfect silence eating shave ice and soaking in the experience. Noah could never sit still and just soak up the moment like Cole can. He loved exploring a dry cave and searching for dinosaur bones. (He's super-5 and thinks dinosaur bones and buried treasure lie around every corner.) We had the best lunch at Bubba Burgers back in Hanalei. We'll be going there a lot! We really got a kick out of all the roosters and chickens running loose around the island. They are everywhere and it just kept us laughing all day! We went to a farmer's market in Lihue and hit Costco for supplies before having a good dinner back in Princeville. We stopped at Lappert's for ice cream too. The kids are now in bed sound asleep and I am going to hop into my huge spa tub for a soak. What a day! Here are a few photos of our day.

My favorite part was sharing a cherry shave ice on the beach with Cole. Time seemed to stand still for us. The sound of the waves and the breeze through the palm trees is something I will never forget. It was magical.

Sadly, almost seven years ago, my Dad died after a very rough battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. My heart will never heal. My sorrow is immense. On the bright-side, I am pleased to say two of my close friends have won battles with Lymphoma in the last couple of years. Because of these connections I have become a regular supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I hope you will take the time to read the folowing letter I received from a long-time friend of mine. If you can help even a little, please do.

I have already made my donation and in an effort to help Dennis meet his team's goal I will personally offer a little incentive! For every five dollar donation made to Dennis' Team (see link below) I will include your name in a drawing for a package filled with brand new scrapbook items (many just released at CHA Winter). After making your donation, post a comment here to let me know your name, email address and donation amount. The more donations that are made the bigger the package will be so tell your friends. A winner will be drawn at the end of April.

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Dear Family and Friends,

My legs may wear down. My toenails will likely fall out. I'll burn through more calories in one day than in a weekend spent sweatin' with Richard Simmons' oldies. Fatigue will be a fact of life.
I'll definitely stink.

I'm running a marathon.

As many of you know 2006 was a season in hell for me and my family. For 2007 I've decided to up the ante by training to run 26.2 miles in the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in June. I'm not doing this merely for the catharsis found in pain and physical exertion. Nor am I doing it for the sole glory of testing my personal limits. The main reason I'm taking on this challenge is for my dad, Bud Johnson, who spent the better part of last year undergoing treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

While the year was rough on all of us Johnsons, Bud also took on the rigors of chemo, radiation, and stem cell replacement therapy. It was an intense treatment schedule that took a toll on him physically, but if you know my dad you'll understand that he never complained once. He came out of it in great shape and is now sporting a head of new curly locks where ruler-straight hair previously grew.

Though my dad will be on my mind with every footfall, there is a bigger picture here. In choosing to run the marathon, I've partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. As a team, our Long Beach chapter is committed to raising thousands of dollars for the society's fight against blood-related cancers. As an individual, I've pledged to raise at least $3,000. I'm asking for your support in reaching this goal.

With his original diagnosis, Bud joined the estimated 112,000 people diagnosed each year with leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma and myeloma. Luckily, as my dad's progress shows, there are an increasing number of advances in treatment methods, and the research continues. With your help I'd like to raise awareness for and contribute to this cause, not only for the patients, but also for their families.

Donations are tax deductible and 75% of my pledged amount of $3,000 goes directly toward curing these blood-related diseases. Our tax ID is 13-5644916. Please help by clicking on the link below and give whatever you can before March 10 2007. I look forward to supporting this research, honoring my father and, literally, exercising a few of my demons.

Team In Training Website (link fixed)

With thanks and appreciation,

Dennis
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ETA: Please make sure to post here after you make a donation if you want to be included in the drawing. You can also email me your name, email address and donation amount if you don't want to announce it online. I don't want to leave anyone out unintentionally. My email is PrincessKaren@Superheavy.com

In six days the Carter Family Adventure Team will be headed to Princeville, Kauai for ten days of real bliss. I am so excited! I need this vacation so badly. The kids have never been on an airplane before and are really looking forward to it. It's going to be fantastic. I am taking my laptop so I can update my blog with photos along the way, so stay tuned for little glimpses of paradise. Here's the pool I will be sipping fresh strawberry daiquiri's by. aaah!!


OK, now back to my packing lists and laundry duty.

I am excited to announce the February Celebrity Guest for Scrapper's Bliss...

KAH-MEI SMITH!

Come join us for a live chat on Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm PST / 10pm EST. All are welcome!

Scrapper's Bliss






FONTWERKS LAYOUT CONTEST!
Show us your latest layouts using any of the inspiring Fontwerks products. All entries will be judged on the best overall use of Fontwerks products, so please list those products in your description.

Post your entries in the "February Contest" section of the Scrapper's Bliss gallery by 11:59pm PST on February 25th.

Feel free to enter as many layouts as you like. The winners will be announced on March 1st.

Fontwerks has generously provided the following fabulous prizes...

The 1st Place Winner will receive $60 in Fontwerks products!

The 2nd Place Winner will receive $40 in Fontwerks products!

The 3rd Place Winner will receive $25 in Fontwerks products!

I was there! Kawasaki’s James Stewart won his 3rd consecutive Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series race in front of 43,000 fans at Angel Stadium Saturday night! This victory earned Stewart a place in the record books as the first to sweep Anaheim’s trio of AMA Supercross races. Supercross King Jeremy McGrath never pulled it off, neither did defending Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series champ Ricky Carmichael (The GOAT) or 2004 champ Chad Reed. His three series wins and a 2nd place finish coming into Anaheim III gives Stewart a 15-point lead over Chad Reed. I just love watching Stewart ride! He is by far my favorite rider.


Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won his 2nd AMA Supercross Lites race and moved into a 17-point lead in overall standings. That kid is so fast and he's humble too. I look forward to watching his career progress.





On Sunday, we spent the day at the Elsinore Motocross Track. I love watching Drew ride although I didn't get any great photos this time. When we got home my other two favorite riders took a spin while we unloaded the cars. Cole loves racing on his Big Wheel and was working on his no-hander. Noah got a new bike for Christmas and was practicing his heel clickers and no-footers. I hope I don't have a little Travis Pastrana in our house. Ha!

Labels: supercross

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