Adieu Meyers Family

Glen's sister, Monika, and her family are moving this Summer to UT for new opportunities. Her and her husband, Ben have worked at Disney behind-the-scenes for a decade more or less and we've really enjoyed getting into Disneyland for every Christmas present after deciding to not renew our passes -- those prices are just dumb now. It had been over a year since our last excursion and the 60th anniversary celebration stuff happened within it so we were stoked to see everything changed and just to be there again.

Everyone excluding Glen's dad (he was in Florida on a business trip) came to have fun! Monika and Ben have three children now and they're all at really fun stages.

Kade is four and the boss of the crowd -- do what he says or suffer his wrath. Kiri is the timid two-year-old, but extremely adventurous  when not hiding between her parents' legs. And Arwen is seven months and all smiles and screeches when flying up high in your arms. We spent the first and last half or our day with them. 

Kade and Grandma; we rarely get to spend time with them so it was really nice to have family time in such an exciting place to be. The kids were (mostly) always happy which makes it easy to have a good time.

We went to Tom Sawyer's island for a good portion of the morning/early afternoon for Kade and Kiri to run around and do whatever they wanted (within reason). We played in the caves and hunted dastardly pirates around ship wrecks. It was crowded and hot and lots of fun. Alex had decided to skip the island adventure for Haunted Mansion and waiting under a tree for us. After we floated back, the Meyers went home for nap time and we went on Matterhorn.

The new effects and refurbished insides are seriously awesome in there! It used to be just a fun, mostly jarring roller coaster-ish ride we'd go on if the universe aligned itself and we're waiting for fast passes to come into effect, but man! It's mostly jarring and really cool too now! Glen and I had grabbed fast passes for Splash Mountain before the island and the time had come, so we went over there while Alex and Mom went on Small World (dodged a recurring bullet on that one).

Something about water rides... Glen loves him some water rides no matter the temperature, no matter the time of day. I am more choosy in these types of things. Temperatures must be high and the time earlier than late. It springs from an acute awareness of my mood when wet and cold -- add tired in and I might as well be poop on your shoe, in my humble opinion. On this day though, I had promised Glen all the water rides he desired; no take-backsies. I know... I'm a pretty great wife haha.

We hopped over to CA Adventures and I ran over to Tower of Terror for some fast passes as they got in line for Soarin'. We ended up going single rider because the liiiiiiiiiine and did not regret it. Little tid-bit about Soarin' if you're wearing slip-ons... take 'em off and leave on the floor in front of you; my little toes are happy as can be in the freedom of hanging naked :)

Glen and I tried to do Grizzly River Run, but failed because another crazy long line and the single rider line was cut off right before we got there -- ugh. So, while Alex and Mom went on Little Mermaid, we got in line for my favorite ride! Toy Story Mania. You know why it's my favorite? Because it's one of those things that Glen and I are both great at. The competition is real and ever present. There's no shoving or harsh words because I know it's a fair contest. Usually in games where I know I don't have a chance at victory cheating ensues in the form of jumping on backs and extreme laughter. He wins anyway because I don't cheat to win... I cheat to laugh so it remains fun for me too. So, now you know when I'm not cheating it's because I think I can win. And I usually try to help the opposite team too just to keep my competitiveness in check. If I'm not cheating or helping/friendly with the other team, would someone kindly remind me it's just a game and no one's going to die if I lose? Thanks and good luck with that.

This time though, I won. Yeah, that's me on the right.

Crappy picture of a picture, but we had the best time on Tower of Terror. Alex is hilarious on the scarier rides. And the cast member that opened the doors in the end scared the girls in the front row and it was the best too.

We headed back to Disney and sat in front of this beautiful thing for hours for good seats to see the parade and fireworks show. The Meyers showed a little before the parade began and stayed the rest of the night with us. Glen and I shared a corn dog for dinner and decided they need to be in our lives more than we have allowed. 

We watched the new Paint the Night parade and it was surprisingly fun to watch. Glen and I never stay for parades, we use the time efficiently by choosing a side of the parade to get on as many rides we can before the end crowd. We thought we were making the biggest mistake staying, but it we were wrong.
The best float ever is in this parade -- Mack from Cars. He's amazing and I didn't get a picture because I couldn't do anything but look at it. His whole trailer was filled with strings of lights hanging from top to bottom in rows and rows. In the past, I've said if I had an extra room in my house that was all mine I would put nothing in it because I like that sort of thing. Mack changed my mind. I want those string lights throughout and just a circle in the middle where I can sit.
When the Frozen float went by in the parade, the crowd literally erupted in Let it Go. It was a little frightening and extremely infectious.

The fireworks show didn't disappoint and after they finished, we went to Fantasyland for some rides the kids enjoy. But not before the castle burst into light and didn't stop for like an hour.

Glen and Alex and I had fast passes that were only just expired for Star Tours so we decided to run over there before Fantasyland just to try. We ended up getting a pass from this other girl for three people which worked perfectly. Weird and awesome.

They were just getting onto Dumbo when we got back and Kiri got the pink one -- her favorite color.

We went on the carousel next and Arwen was a sleepy trooper the whole night.

Kiri wanted a pink horse; a lady stole our initial choice, but we found a slightly less pink one and settled in. You probably can't tell, but that red looking color is actually hot pink. And although Kiri doesn't look the part of happy and excited, she was.

After every ride, we would ask Kiri how she liked it and her only response would be "Mo' wides!" repeated vigorously. So, we went on mo' wides until they had to leave for bed time.

All in all, our day was not what we usually do with our Disneyland time, but was filled with laughter and family and fun. After the Meyers left, we went on Indiana Jones as somewhat of a tradition for Glen and me. Alex nor Mom had not been on since the refurbishments and Mom had barely been on it at all anyway, so we thought it necessary.

After, we walked to the buses tired and happy.

Hope to be happy and tired from this place again soon.

Aloha.

Our First Date

In honor of Disneyland's 60th anniversary (which is today if you haven't noticed all over Instagram, Facebook, network news, etc.), the first of my memory posts is at this beautiful place.

17 December 2008; Glen and me at Disneyland in front of Small World on what would be recognized as our first date. We look adorable, I know. I was eighteen and Glen, twenty-three. It was off and on rain all day which means the most magical time to be at Disneyland because others won't endure. 

Glen's mom dropped us off and his sister signed us in (free dates have always been the best). We spent all day there. I had Ritz cracker packages in my purse for snacks and we went on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride about twenty times because of the part where you drive through 'hell'; the heat was marvelous. We were soaked through to skin and dying from the cold (but we were dumb and happy -- kind of like now).

As evening was settling in, we were still getting used to the changing temperature and decided to hit main street for some hot chocolate. I hate hot chocolate. Hot drinks in general really make my head hurt, not sure why. But I was so cold and it really helped that Glen wanted some. We sat in the store on the edge of main street on the castle end, shared a cup, and played checkers on one of the store's tables with balled up pieces of the two straw covers we acquired. I can't remember now how we differentiated the two sets of pieces, oh well.We watched the fireworks and probably rode Indiana Jones three more times for good measure before heading out. 

Thinking back on that day makes me feel grateful and happy and joyful and blessed. We had a fun day together and Glen wanted to hold my hand the whole time but never summoned enough courage. Poor guy :) I wish I could go back as a bystander and watch us jump over railings, run from Thunder Mountain to Space Mountain just because, laugh, talk, take pictures of each other doing dumb things. Although, I probably wouldn't be able to see most of it because I'm such a crier now.

So, happy birthday, Disneyland -- you money-sucking, magical place, you. I'll love you forever.

Curry & Commemoration

Glen likes to take pictures of me. I like to watch him take pictures of me. I know it's super cheesy, but whatever. My boss' wife (who is so extremely sweet I can barely handle the thought of leaving HI because of it) told me on the way home from town that when Glen is around, my face changes. She can see my love for him and I love that.

We went to watch one of the first swells of the winter season for a lunch date. It was the first time we had been to a beach in weeks; being busy is lame.

In Glen's hand is the remains of what was once an incredible meal. We went to the Fiji Kitchen for some curry love and got it. We went not knowing what to get because everyone said everything was good. My initial reaction to that was get the cheapest thing because duh. We spoke with the lady there about which we should get and she didn't give us any useful advice other than it just depends on our own preference. So, the menu had to make our decision for us.
We ended up with the vegetable curry, which changes with whatever they have that day. It just so happened to be pumpkin and Glen was stoked on it. I went along with his excitement because when Glen gets going he's too cute to say no to haha. I was so glad I went along with it and that it was actually tasty. It also helped that we were extremely hungry.

So, it's been five years as a Gray. Even though I didn't change my name for a year or two. It was just too hard to find the stupid S.S. office and wait in that dreaded line. When I finally looked up where it was on Google which took like three agonizing minutes, drove over there in five spiteful more, and waited behind the only other person in line, I almost just gave up. Isn't it funny how many things are super annoying and take forever until you just do them? That happens to me too much. I should change it somehow... but that's going to take like years of discipline and will probably not be worth it in the end. Get it?

Here is the first thing I think of when I think of each year:

2009-2010: Working together in group homes for mentally challenged adults; learning to serve others above ourselves. I'm sure it helped us give more of ourselves and that is why we are happy and have grown closer in marriage.
2010-2011: Going to Disneyland every week for date night. If you can believe it, we love Disneyland more each time we go. It was our first date and continues to make memories in our marriage. Three of the photos below are actually from the happiest place on earth.
2011-2012: Calling Hawai'i home was never something we expected, but hoped for. For Glen, it was a chance to reunite with his island fever haha. The Marshallese own part of Glen's heart and I love it. For me, it was a chance to get tan again. That and like connecting with roots or whatever.
2012-2013: Really feeling like I was myself again. Maybe this is something to talk about in more lengthy terms and in a different circumstance, but it is what I think of. It brought Glen and I even closer and made our relationship truly flourish. Not to say that we were at all unhappy or having "problems," but happiness is a spectrum, which we are topping off since. It was an internal struggle that we dealt with together, which allowed my trust in Glen to become unshakeable.
2013-2014: I honestly have a million things that reel through my mind because it has truly been the best year so far. I expect each new year to be this way because it has always happened. I'm so grateful for a man of God that has always encouraged me to fill my life with what makes me happy. I could never be this happy alone and that is the true beauty of marriage.

But honestly, who wouldn't be happy in love in a beautiful environment? Here's to another year.

Aloha

Winter Sun Does a Heart Good.

Months have passed and not much has really changed with us; still going at that student life... Oh wait, no I am NOT! Glen is still working as hard as ever in school while I am in the weird after graduation, before job status.  Because of this, Christmas break and the first few days we were back, I felt pretty useless and stressed about not having secured a job for these 8 months we have left in HI, but it has been a great learning experience for me.

I don't actually know how to explain my feelings about it because they aren't very clear to me still. Without sounding too philosophically inept, I'll just say I am looking for a job, but it feels good (both spiritually and otherwise) to not have one at the moment. Enjoying HI hasn't been nearly as exciting and relaxed as it is right now.

Now, hold on to your seats. We're going back in time.

November '13

This beautiful piece of art is just a drinking cup at Opal's in Hale'iwa. Thai food like never before tasted. Seriously though, it's like a fusion of different kinds of food to get to this; according to Mark anyway. I've only had Thai food here and maybe two other places knowingly. I'm not an expert on it, but this place is fantastic. And I want their cups.

Another fun experience at this place, we ate sting ray that day! It was deliciously crunchy on the outside with a surprisingly soft, smooth texture within.

We went to the he'iau (one of the many agricultural temples in HI) and watched Waimea not breaking.

Thanksgiving day. We cooked, ate, relaxed, and slack-lined.

December '13

My last night in the accounting lab as a tutor, Ben decided to really send me off right with a great outfit choice. 

The story goes, we were studying together pretty much that whole day, went home for dinner, and came back to the lab. Nerds match  after they eat sometimes. 

Pipe Masters was fantastic. A great way to be like, "Hey last semester! Yeah, you! Catch ya never." 

Kelly Slater was rocking those barrels like a valiant, pungent reindeer King! The waves were dying down by this time, but he definitely knew how to pick 'em.

There were said to have been over 10,000 people on the beach that day. It felllllt like it!

We stayed for around eight hours and got about four free shirts that day. Success stories all around these parts.

Merry Christmas! Our ward Christmas party was a ton of fun and Santa came!

Disneyland!!! Look at that kid in front of the trash cans. He's just smashing leaves and having the best time. "Why pay to have him go into the park," Ma & Pa say, "when he can just stay out here and smash leaves all day while we have fun inside?" But seriously, his parents... where are they?

Vi & Ben came and hung out with us all night! You seriously need to go to D-land and get on that Indiana Jones ride. It will amaze and may inspire you to change your life. Especially if these two can make it even better :) Love them.

By the way, my feet were FREEZING! I haven't needed regular shoes for a while so I just haven't had any. The necessity was obvious this night; I got some for Christmas.

And I'll sign off with a beautiful sight of Juanitas and me. She warms hearts in the middle of a cold cold winter. I bet she could save the world with a single flick of her wrist. If only she had one.

Holiday at Home.

Okay, so this post really makes it look like I wear the red pants Glen got me E-VER-Y day... which is not completely a lie because I enjoy them so much. Almost every picture where my legs are visible, there is red. But every day? Certainly not.

At least I have different tops on...

Christmas:

Jaydyn is pretty much the reason I live now. She is the new definition for adorable. Look it up.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family and friends. Glen made me Smashball paddles and a cutting board. He is just the best husband. We went bowling, got haircuts by Marinda, got sick on Christmas and didn't get better until we were back in warm, sunny Hawaii, and just hung out for as long as our eyes would stay open;which did not help the afore mentioned sickness.

It was my first time playing Settler's of Qatan and I totally rocked that island. 75% of the time, I won every time. My favorite present that we gave was to Bruce & Marinda: Sauce. 

For some reason, Hawaii has an enormous amount of sauce specialists... they sell at Costco.

They give you samples of each kind and then you realize you've invested too much time at their table to just walk away empty-handed.

So, we don't. And we're happy about it. Probably.

Disneyland:

We went to Car's Land! Luigi's Tires was my favorite ride. Most people don't get the concept and run aground from their excessive leaning though. Follow what the signs have shown you! I fell out of my seat because we hit the wall so hard; while most others were stuck in the middle of the field going in small, not fun circles. You waited in an hour-long line to NOT follow what the signs that were staring you in the face were telling you to do?

Oh well, you can't win them all, I guess. Unless you can, then they're just not that bright.

In Disneyland, we fed ducks out of our hands :) There was this one annoying duck that always wanted more when the other ones hadn't had any. Doesn't know satisfaction or when he is not wanted, poor guy.

We love this place.

Genealogy:

 Glen and I have been on somewhat of a weird genealogy kick recently. It all started with this scholarship that I can get if I prove my Hawaiian ancestry. So, it started with greed, but ended up in the right place... I think. We have been going through censuses and all sorts of legal documents to figure it out.

Top Left:

The U.S. census from 1910 showing that my great, great grandparents were in the Polynesian community of Iosepa, UT. My great, great grandpa had been working on the Salt Lake City Temple and then moved to Iosepa until he was called to go back to Hawaii to help build the Laie Temple (shortly after this census) with most others in that community.

Bottom Left:

The middle guy standing there (in Iosepa) is my great grandpa, Archie Kennison. He was helping to build a road .

Bottom Right:

A death certificate for my great, great grandparent's first son, Leonard. He died of Pneumonia at four months.

Top Right:

My great, great grandma (the one who was in that 1910 census), is buried in the town I live in. It was awesome to actually be able to go and see the person's grave whom we had been doing all of this scouring the internet over. I definitely recommend it.

Just Life:

We went to the Vans Triple Crown before we left for Christmas and saw three boards break. On our flight back home, one of our bags got damaged and I was super bummed because it was my favorite. But then, we got a new bag (red... like my pants).

AND, I fit in it :) So, that's fun. 

We went to Waimea when we got back to watch the waves because they were breaking over 20 feet. We weren't allowed to go in the water, so we dug out a sand chair and had fun watching people get yelled at by the lifeguards for getting too close.

Happy Valentines Day in two weeks :)

And remember, don't lean excessively = fun.

Aloha!

Adventures... Abroad?

We went to California for Christmas.

Highlights:
Madi's baby shower
I don't have any pictures, but you can go to her blog and see her prego self.
Jaydyn!
Our so adorable niece.
Who is Emily's twin.

Jaydyn is the Queen of Cuteness.

Also, she likes to make Emily annoyed. Yay!

Gray Family Photos.

Taken by Jill Brady.

 And this is our so-handsome nephew, Caden.
His Dad's holding on tight behind him. No worries.

Slack-Lining
A sport.
Tie climbing webbing from one tree to another and walk on it.

Glen sprained his foot playing basketball
We went to Dr. Holland's  and he chiropractor-ed him up to aid in the healing process!
I was there, it was amazing!
I did not know that you could just push away inflammation.
There was literally a cavern in his foot.
He's doing much better now, not even a month later
and he's been snorkeling and spear fishing.

Christmas
The Balboa Boat Parade was pretty lame in the lights section.
There were a few boats that actually tried. This was the best.
It has sails. Made of LEDs. So good.

2012 happened
We went on a boat ride on that foggy year ending night
with Bruce, Marinda, Thomas, Alex, and Justin
 (a co-worker of Bruce and Thomas, not Hugie unfortunately).

Disneyland
The Christmas decorations were still up.

 The new entrance to California Adventure is handsome.

And... we're back.
This is at Malaekahana Beach Park.
We had a barbecue with our friends last Saturday.
The women cooked and the boys went spear fishing.
They went so far out that we could barely see their bright orange buoy!
Good thing I had my binoculars:)
They caught a trumpet fish and a unicorn fish.
We barbecued and ate them as well.
The trumpet fish was good.
The unicorn was just alright for me.

I use my binoculars a lot now.
For nothing particular.
Just because I can.

We loved being in California.
Hawaii's good too though.