Mikes Promotion to Master Sgt!!

 We are so very proud of Mike for his promotion to Master Sgt.  

Below are the pictures that were taken during the promotion ceremony.  

Enjoy!!

 I am officially changing Mikes rank from SFC to Master Sgt!!

 This is after the rank change with his Lieutenant Colonel.  Look at Mike's smile, you finally got your rank Honey!!

 Congratulations from his comrades!

 The gentleman on the left is SFC Dwight Hill he received his rank at the same ceremony.  He works with Mike in the Surgical Product line of the hospital. 

Cutting the cake!!

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is the center of many Hawaiian folklore stories. In fact the name itself means "Hana" or bay and "uma" or curved.

There is no fresh water supply in the area, so archeologists are sure no one lived there. However, there has been findings of campfires and fishing tools so we know it was a popular fishing spot.

It is known that the bay has been a favorite stomping grounds of the "alii" or the Hawaiian monarchs. Royalty have played and been entertained here since the early 1800's. Descendants of King Kamehameha such as Victoria Kamamalu frequented the bay and it was King Kamehameha V's favorite fishing place. In 1883 the land was given to Bernice Pauahi Bishop, great granddaughter of King Kamehameha I. She died in 1884 and the bay along with the rest of her land holdings were placed in her estate. In 1927 the estate deeded the bay to the City and County of Honolulu to serve as a recreational park.

We had a wonderful time as a family snorkeling here today.  The fish were abundant, the coral is fascinating, sea urchins were everywhere...it's a really neat place to visit!!

Forever Famous

My saying for today(:

"Your future is as bright as the sun on a warm summer day"

The Byodo-In Temple

The byodo-in temple situated at the valley of the temples memorial park was est. on June 7, 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple was built entirely without the use of nails. It is a scale replica of a temple at Uji Japan that was constructed over 900 years ago. The temple is built to represent the mythical phoenix, its wings upheld by pillars of stone. folklore tells of the phoenix arising from ashes to reflect the promises of hope and renewal.

The magnificent Byodo-In temple translates "Temple of Equality - not to discriminate" and is home to Amida, a golden Buddha unique to the entire world.

The Buddha is taught to be the largest figure carved since ancient times. Towering more than 18 feet, the immense figure is an original work of art carved by the famous Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inui. When the carving was completed, it was covered with cloth and painted with three applications of gold lacquer. Gold leaf was later applied over the finish. The hall and all the artistry it reflects are regarded as representing the essence of the culture of the Fujiwara aristocracy.

The Hall is popularly known as Hoo-doo, or the Phoenix Hall. Because a pair of the legendary birds of good omen and of Chinese origin is seen perched on both ends of the rood with their wings spread and ready to fly away. The hall containing two wings reflects stability as well as artistic beauty.

The Bell House, called kanestu-ki-do, contains a five foot high, three ton brass bell, called bon-sho (sacred bell), cast in Osaka, Japan from a mixture of bronze and tin, by permission of the government of Japan. It closely resembles a bell hanging in an identical Bell House at the Uji Byodo-In. The original is said to be more than 900 years old and to have come from India. It is revered for its distinctive shape, and the tone of the bell sounds a message of deep calm and peace, cleansing the mind of evil temptation. The resonant sound of the bon-sho creates an atmospere of tranquility for meditation that travels for some distance. A soft wooden log called the "shu-moku" is used to strike the bell. The bell is customarily rang before one enters the temple to spread the eternal teachings of Buddha.

Gizmo

We have acquired a new pet in our home, a Jackson Chameleon named Gizmo. Who would have thought, my mama would want a chameleon. Right? Pretty shocking what happen once you move to Hawaii.

"Dear lord, please send me your best crickets to eat. I LOVE the crunchy ones! Amen"

Chey's 17th Birthday

For my birthday, we ate at Jimmy Buffett's restaurant

my birthday sunday! (Brownie on the bottom, some vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, another brownie, then whip cream with macadamia nuts on top along with a maraschino cherry

My amazing family (: (thats a jelly fish light! ^)

"mmmmmm tastes like, wood, a hint of plastic, topped off with lead paint! Delicious"

"Shark Bait hooo ha ha" after we where finished eating, we strolled along the Waikiki area at night. The city sure does come alive then

As we were walking, we came across a Hawaiian Hula show, it was very interesting. This is a picture of the guys. As they where dancing the girls came back out and joined them for one final routine.