Hawaii-Earth Day

For Earth Day yesterday we headed up to Monoa Falls--complete with rainforest and bamboo forest. The hike was amazingly beautiful, probably some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I took a picture about every ten steps (and we walked 12,039) so I'll just put up a few. We walked about 5 miles we think since we were following some random trail after we saw the falls which we didn't know the length of. Several rain showers hit us...one was pretty big at the first so we were soaked most of the hike, but it was warm and humid any way.






After hiking about 2 hours we turned around and on the way down finally saw 2 other humans actually enjoying the mountain. They say there were swimming holes at the top, but we didn't make it to them before coming down...we think it would have been another mile or so, but we didn't know at the time if we would just keep going up forever. This should definitely be the popular hike in Oahu...it was gorgeous.







Then we headed over to the beach house which is so cute and fun...and about a 90 second walk from the beach. The water is really pretty over here on the Windward side of the island, tons less people, and a lot more relaxing feel than Waikiki. We spent the afternoon on the beach relaxing, reading, trying out our new snorkle gear (it was $2 cheaper to just buy the stuff rather than rent it), boogie boarding, getting rained on, and eating at an overpriced Italian restaurant. We did have some yummy dark chocolate mint ice cream though. Mmm.





**all these photos were taken by us. It seriously was that beautiful that a regular old camera with an amateur photographer could capture that much beauty...imagine if I was a professional.

Pearl Harbor & More

We started the morning at Pearl Harbor which was neat and very informative. We learned a lot and it was really interesting to see the parts of the ship under water and hear all the stories of that day.


After Pearl Harbor we went by The PunchBowl that Taylor's mom insisted we have to go to. It was so beautiful and our favorite part of the trip up to now. Plus only about 5 other people were there! I don't know why more don't go up there because it was breathtaking and had an amazing view of the whole coast. There were maps describing all the battles that took place in the Pacific (mostly from WWII) and then a huge memorial to all the men who died in WWII, Vietnam, and Korean Wars. And tons and tons of tombstones. This place was absolutely amazing. We loved it. And took about a hundred pictures, but only put 3 here. =]




When we were done here we grabbed some yummy lunch (Tuna & Mussel) at Longhi's. Marcus and Elizabeth told us it was really good and loved their Pina Colada's so we went and were not disappointed. We've had some delicious food thus far. Then we headed to the beach to relax and play for a couple hours. We saw tons of crabs on the rocks, but couldn't get a good picture with Taylor's phone.

Just before we went to the beach I talked to James and had the following conversation...

Me: We're going to the beach.
James: Can you find me clam?
Me: I had one for dinner last night and saved the shell for you.
James: No, a live one.
Me: How will I bring it home? In my suitcase?
James: No, just dig and find one. Then hurry before it crawls away take a picture of it.
Me: Ok.
James: Ok, bye!

So this is Taylor digging for clams...we did not find one.



After playing at the beach we hiked Diamond Head which has another great view and was kind of a fun hike. However, I do not like dark, enclosed spaces and almost had a panic attack in that crazy tunnel you have to walk through. *Shudder*



Last we were driving home after picking up dinner/breakfast at Whole Foods and we stopped at a empty beach by a lighthouse. It was really neat there with huge coral up on the beach.

Hawaii--The Arrival

Yesterday we left the kids sitting happily on Bec and Eric's front lawn and headed out. The flight actually wasn't bad at all with no kids. Six hours flew by reading, watching a movie and playing the in-flight trivia game. The islands looked so cool from the airplane when we were flying in.




After we got out car and checked into the hotel we just wandered around the beach and then found some sunscreen. We had yummy sushi for dinner at Durako and saw part of a show down in the mall. Part of dinner was miso clam soup that had the whole clam in there so I saved the shell for the boys after I ate the clam. Mmm.


The trees are all so pretty and I took lots of pictures of them because I thought the boys would think they are cool. Then we watched the sunset which was beautiful of course.




On the way back to the hotel a girl stopped us and gave me a laie...she was selling them for her volley ball team so Taylor paid for it since I really wanted one and it was real and smelled amazing. Then she asked where we were from and we said "Denver." She said, "Oh, I thought you were from Utah." Haha, are we that obvious? So she was LDS too. It was funny that like the first person we actually talked to on our trip is also LDS.



It was a great day and we went to bed at 7:50 because we were so tired. But were up today at 5 am...can't wait for the sun to come out so we can go to the beach!

Red Rocks

We randomly decided to drive up to Red Rocks last Saturday morning since we've never been and it's a pretty big Colorado "spot". Plus it's literally 15 minutes from our house. Maybe less.

The area was beautiful! We went on a 1.4 mile hike that claimed it was difficult, but we didn't think it was too bad. James walked all the way and Matthias just got a shoulder ride for a bit. There were signs everywhere saying you can't climb on the rocks. so pretty much the whole time we heard "why can't we climb on the red rocks?", "you have to go to jail if you climb on the red rocks", "how do the red rock people know if you climb on the rocks?", etc, etc.










The ampitheater there is really cool and there were tons of people (like 200) running the stairs and jumping the stairs and all kinds of stuff. Apparently it's a hot work out spot. After lugging Hannah for the hike and up the stairs to the ampitheater I was feeling pretty worked out too.

Hopefully we'll head back again soon and try some of the other hikes. We are really close to the mountains and with the warm weather finally showing we should get a lot of hiking and mountain fun in the next few months!

James' Logic

Me: You guys, we're done with swords right now. I was up half the night, I'm tired and grumpy and I can't deal with swords this morning.
James: Ok. (pause) to Matthias I have an idea. Let's do karate chops for our weapons. You can't take away karate chops.

When I left for my nice, refreshing, 5 minute shower James was busy teaching Matthias karate moves...

Our Branch

Currently we live in a branch and it has been a really interesting experience. When we first moved in it was a ward, but shortly after was changed to a branch so that we could pull leadership from outside the boundaries (we actually live outside the boundaries as does most of the Ward Counsel). Also so there would be more leadership per person in the branch since we only have about 20% activity or so it was really hard for the leaders of each organization to get to all the other 80%. Now we have about the same percent activity, but less total numbers to visit and try to bring back.

Our primary is combined with the ward that meets in the building at the same time as we do. It's a pretty normal size primary with both the units put together. 11 of the kids come from our branch. But the break down is 7 boys ages 8-11, 2 CTR 5 (James is one), and 2 Sunbeams (Matthias and the one and only girl in the branch). So basically during Sacrament Meeting it's up to us to keep the peace. If our kids our quiet the chapel is silent. If they are a little rowdy that day you know the Harveys are the culprits.

We've had a great time working and serving in the branch. We have met some wonderful and amazing people who have such strong testimonies and faith in God. I have learned a lot from the people here and enjoy getting to know them all better. The branch president's wife (Robyn) is determined to get Hannah to like her...but since Hannah only likes me and Taylor she is having a hard time. Maybe soon Hannah will realize she's okay!

Having the church is such a blessing. We love the acceptance and friendship we feel here.

Beautiful Day

We've missed you Spring and are glad you've finally come to stay. (we hope)