Happy Easter!

This post comes via Maui, Hawaii. In fact I am sitting on the balcony, listening to the ocean as I write about our most recent adventure.
It took 3 different airlines through 4 different cities and over 5000 miles in the air for me to arrive here. G and I met Friday morning in Phoenix and had a great day there with friends. G's friend Scot took us to lunch at Alice Cooper's restaurant- where the entire wait staff wears eye makeup like Alice Cooper, it was distracting but the food wasn't bad. Then we had dinner with our good friends Lynn & Dave in Tempe. What a cute town and seems like it would be fun if we had more time. When we got back to our room that evening we were able to enjoy the bottle of wine that Lynn & Dave had thoughtfully sent up as a surprise.

We left Phoenix bright and early (although it was raining which was a bit of a shock) and landed in Oahu and then boarded another flight to Maui. We got here about 3 Maui time and promptly headed straight to one of our favorite places, Fred's, for cheap Mexican food and a margarita.
Once we checked into the hotel we were excited to see the new addition of an infinity pool and of course went for our first Lava Flow at the bar. We walked a little to stretch our legs and had a small bite to eat at Humuhumunukunukuapua'a- oh yes we can pronounce it too- it is the name of a fish here in the islands and also a restaurant at the Grand Wailea.
Then we were in bed by 8:30 because I was still really on EST and G was at least on PST. Sleeping with the sounds of the ocean in the background is so peaceful.

Today we spent most of the day lounging around- breakfast again at Fred's, a walk, pool time, and then lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise, some more reading and lounging by the water until it was time to drive over to Lahaina and have dinner at our favorite place, Roy's. The meal was delicious as always and dessert (famous chocolate lava cake) perfection! It was a great Easter and we are so blessed to be able to spend some vacation time in Hawaii once again!
P.S. In case anyone is wondering how we do anything without Hana, it is because she is in the caring hands of Linda that we are able to be here at all. We even have considered driving to her namesake again but I think once was enough for me! :)

One year

It has officially been one year to date that Hana has been a part of our pack. Little did we know the joy, anxiety and unconditional love she would bring to our little family. She was the shyest, most fear aggressive puppy when we picked her up from the shelter and now she has become quite the intelligent, Frisbee loving, gentle soul.

Her good doggy friends in San Diego (we still miss Dude & Hovis) who spoiled her as they let her wrestle and have her way with them. She hasn't found friends quite as good yet though Daisy, Bella & Ginger are all learning to deal with her. Hana still frets over getting in the car but she has learn to catch a Frisbee and that is all she wants to do.

Hanalulubeardogpups is part of our pack forever - to know her is to love her!

Long time no post

I have been slacking in the post department but working full time keeps me pretty busy. Happy Belated Birthdays to Tripp & Galen!!! Thankfully Galen's birthday was the complete opposite weather wise than last year. We miss seeing Tripp and hope to see her very soon.

March is a very busy month for us. Not only is it March Madness- we are still riding high on the Cards Big East Championship and expect a #1 seed this evening!! Spring is bringing lots of activities and friends. Last night we celebrated G's friend's 40th birthday, next weekend I am walking the Rodes City 10k with my college roommate (she has graciously agreed to walk with me though she could run it with her boyfriend), and then the last weekend in March we finally get to meet Elena and celebrate the Rath family return to the States with their beautiful daughter. We cannot wait!

Hana continues to be our pride and joy - she is getting smarter and better at playing Frisbee every day!. I have had a hard time leaving her but luckily Linda has stepped in to be our dog daycare on days when G is traveling. 9 hours is way too long to leave my baby at home by herself. Speaking of those 9 hours away- school is interesting and different from other places I have taught but I am enjoying it. I have already bonded with my 12 AP Psych kids and will miss not seeing them on a daily basis. I am still tutoring online as well.
We should have more exciting posts in the next few weeks with results from the 10k and pics from Elena's welcome to KY party.

The end of trees

Bye bye Birch & Pear trees. We are sad to see you go. We are so lucky however to have power, water, fuel and cars in one piece. This is more than so many have in KY right now. We took Hana for a short walk today to survey the damage in areas around us. You can hear generators humming and lots of yellow and orange tape where wires are down. Hana is still enjoying the snow and is pleased to play frisbee whatever the weather.

Snow, sleet, and ice- oh my!

Hana is the only one who seems to be enjoying herself in this weather. I was good with the snow but when it turned to sleet and then ice- I lost my enthusiasm. G managed to get out and go to Southern California without me this week, but he will repay me when he returns :).

This morning Hana was truly like a kid on Christmas day. We went for our first outing which is usually short so she can have her breakfast but today she could not wait to get back out there. This was real snow- about four inches where she could dig and run into piles- she didn't care that there were icicles forming between her pads and she had to stop to lick them every few feet. When we went back out this afternoon to a sheet of ice covering the snow- it did not stop her but it did slow her down a bit, she liked to hear the crunch as she sank in with each step and it was just more ice for her to eat.

All the schools are closed again for tomorrow so I don't have to worry about work, but I do have tickets to the U of L game and I am hoping I can still go- I will need to get out of the house by then. Keep your fingers and toes crossed that the ice does not snap power lines!!