Fabulous February and Aloha 'Oe Ava

 February started off with Sam having the brilliant idea to camp on Chinamans Hat. Ava and I agreed that sounded like fun! Gavin, Jansen, and Tyler joined us! Usually, when I hike chinamans hat I wear my swimming suit and chacos and walk across the water. This was going to be different though because we didn't want to worry about trying to change out of wet clothes and having to walk across the water in the dark with our sleeping bag. We loaded up some kayaks just before sunset and launched when it was totally dark. None of us had flashlights. We were relying on the huge dark shape out in the ocean as our destination. dark. We also forgot that high tide had come in so as we were paddling we were getting splashed by huge waves. Ava and I were in this blow-up kayak and we were getting thrashed around. We kept telling ourselves to keep our eyes on the dark figure ahead and paddle with all our might. We almost got washed out several times but somehow managed to land without getting soaked. I have no idea how we did that. We could have lost everything we brought to the sea. Sam and Jan went around the back of the hat and almost lost everything for good. Once we were all safe Sam set up his military dome in 7 seconds. It's hilarious watching him set that up. He goes in the middle of it and then starts punching the sides of the tent till it's all set up. It's quite a show. We enjoyed watching the stars and playing games together. Tyler fell asleep the second the tent was set up. I am not sure how he was able to sleep through our crazy games. Gavin came later that night because he had to work later. But there was a cop in the parking lot and he had to swim across the whole ocean. Sam went out looking for him. I am not sure how he found him. We woke up the next morning to the best sunrise ever! It made sleeping on rocks worth totally worth it! 

Gavin and I got up early one Sunday to hike before church. Church is also only 15 minutes because of covid.. But we went to hike Pali Notches! This hike was so beautiful in the morning. I could see every shade of green. We couldn't have done it without our trusty Chacos! 

Since Grayson missed the family's big Hawaii trip in November he came in February to spend time with Ava and me before she goes on her mission. It was super fun seeing Grayson but he isn't exactly a Mr. Adventurer. Ava and I took him to so many of our favorite places. He was either unimpressed, didn't want to get in the water, complained about the heat, or forgot his water. He was a hard one to please. We hiked one evening to the Pink Pill Box to watch the sunset. The views from the West side are the best for sunset. Ava made a pasta salad and we met the rest of the girls up there. The other hikers were jealous of our spread.  It was pretty tasty! Sam and Grayson were the only boys there. Sam has a lot of female friends now that he is dating Jansen. Jansen loves taking all the pictures and doing all the girl's stuff. She is always asking him to take her picture. They are so cute! 

 We took Grayson to the lighthouse where and a hike up Crouching Lion. But he wasn't super pleased with any of it. I think he was just worried about getting sunburned because he forgot to apply his sunscreen... oh Gray...  I don't think I saw him get in the ocean one time. Poor guy, he is missing out on a good time. We did how however convince him to shave his legs. They were too hairy to look at. He agreed they were hairy. Good thing he has two sisters to help him out. 

My parents came out again to visit us because Ava decided to get endowed in the Laie temple! We did so many fun things with my mom and dad. We made flower crowns with my mom so we could wear them to the PCC night show. Ava hadn't seen the show yet so Laurie helped us get tickets for everyone! While we made our flower Haku's my dad and Gavin went motorcycle riding. My mom pointed out that my dad has a motorcycle smile. She said she hadn't ever seen him smile so big then when he is on a motorcycle. Off the boys went to the North Shore. Gavin sent us a picture and it proved my dad does indeed have a motorcycle smile. 

We spent so much time outdoors enjoying the beaches and mountains. We went to Pali Lookout, National Botanical Gardens, out for Acai, and a picnic on the beach. I have a lot of fun with my parents when they come to Hawaii. My mom makes me laugh so hard and my dad is always down for anything. 

Ava's farewell took place on Sunday. Our Bishop called her Sister Ova. We weren't sure who he was talking about when he called her up to talk. But we assumed it was AVA. She gave a wonderful talk. I am so proud of her. We had a party on the beach that afternoon. My mom decided on BBQ in a cup! It was a hit. The wind was super strong that day so we didn't last long outside. The following day she went through the temple. It was wonderful being in the temple again with her and all our friends. The temple is only open for those getting out their endowments for the first time. So because she was going for her first time a lot of us were able to go in. We ate garlic shrimp before that probably wasn't the best idea. But it was sure good! I am pretty sure we all smelled of Garlic though. None the less it was still a fabulous evening. 

And just like that, the month of February was over. Ava left on Friday and I cried the whole way to the airport. I am going to miss her like crazy. I was feeling sad because I knew that the time we had together in Hawaii was probably never going to happen again. We might not ever live by each other again or get to spend as much as we did together. I will always treasure the times we had. I will miss her cooking and baking. Everything she makes is so much better than when I do it. She has some talent. Can't wait to give her a hug in 18 months. We splashed around the beach one last time with a wishbone and she said some goodbyes to friends. Aloha 'Oe Ava. Till we meet again. I will miss you! February was fabulous.