Berry Delicious.

I have been in Washington on the island of Whidbey for 4 full days now and I have to say, I am impressed that it has not RAINED yet. I have never been here when the weather is so nice. It has allowed me to get out and explore the outdoors. Let me give you the tour of where I have been frolicking.

Behind my parents house is a forest. In that forest is a wonderful green meadow. In that green meadow there is a patch of daisies. I love this spot. There is only one tiny area in the meadow that allows the daisies to poke their smiling faces through in the summer. I found it 2 years ago and every year it continues to grace me with its presence in the same, exact spot. It makes me smile.

Also, since I have arrived here I have seen multiple signs: "U-PICK BERRIES" I was SO excited. I LOVE raspberries and usually pay approximately $5 for a teensy, weensy canister of them at Foodland in Hawaii. We paid $5 for an enormous tray of them AND we got to pick them on our own. Stupid Hawaii prices. Then at another farm down the street from my parents house...pick your own STRAWBERRIES. As soon as I saw these signs, only 1 word came to mind. PIE. And a delicious pie I did create! (along with some little berry tarts). There is just something about the labor of it all: picking my own berries, cutting them, preparing them for the deliciously flaky crust, then eating them within hours of being off the vine.

Walking on Water.

Fortunately, Hailey, Jeremy & I all had this past Wednesday off work!

We decided to take a drive up the road to Haleiwa & try our hand (or feet?) on the stand up paddle boards (SUPs). Our friend happened to be working at Surf N Sea that day, so yay! for free rentals.

We went all the way up the river, which was quite picturesque. I didn't bring my new camera for fear of dropping it into the nasty river water, but take my word, it's definitely worth the journey. We got down to the end of the river and there were about 4 turtles that kept popping their heads up to spy on us. I really did not expect to see turtles that far up the river! Noteworthy: We also also spotted a creepy, rusty playground in the middle of nowhere. It was SO weird. It looked like it should have been from a scary movie or that old show on SNICK, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".

 

 

Funny Little Redhead.

I get to see my favorite little brother in 4 days! 

I miss you.

I've come to realize that good girlfriends are few and far between. It makes me really appreciate the ones I do have. No matter where they are, I have stayed in touch with them and I miss them something fierce! I miss you all. A lot. A lot a lot. 

Audi, I can't wait to meet that 'lil baby of yours! I miss you.

Sarah, I hope your enjoying looking for whales in the Gulf of Mexico. I miss you.

 Cody, I seriously need you back so you can make me laugh again. I miss you.

Stevie, I can't wait to see you in 2 weeks! I miss you.

Genn, it has been far, far too long. I need to hit some balls with C-train. I miss you.
(sorry, it was the only picture I had of us...it's been too long!)

Katie-Kins, thanks for making high school a fun memory for me. I miss you.

Rugrats.

I ADORE these little keiki. Sometimes, I get to play with them for hours & hours. One sweet summer day, we baked chocolate-chip cookies & learned how to skate the mini-ramp in my backyard. Kari, thanks for letting me steal your kids & get some serious playtime in every once in awhile.

Tevita

Malia

Shalye

A Shower for Becky & A Baby to Boot.

I'm so glad we were able to have Becky's Baby Shower before she had the baby! I was a little worried for a while there...We did a garden theme party on my lanai in Hau'ula.

We dined on fruit kabobs, cinnamon rolls, croissants with jams, quiche, and a delicious tart.

Had some great prizes for the funny games we played.

And everybody got to take home some Basil & Chives seedlings.

Then, almost exactly 2 weeks later, baby DeMartini made his debut.
...and, I just LOVE him already.

Congrats Doug & Becky! I'm so, so, so happy he is finally here.
Can you tell?

I Am Ridiculously Excited.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I read my first Harry Potter book when I was in Mrs. Ormonde's 7th grade English class. I haven't been able to stop since. These are the only movies that I will guzzle a giant Mountain Dew and stay awake for a midnight premiere (along with the rest of the 12-year olds). Let me know if your in. November 19.