January

Gavin had the opportunity to task force in San Francisco for 12 days at the beginning of January. I really wanted to go with him but was nervous about calling out sick for 12 days. He had to get a sports coat and nice dress pants for the gig. Thank goodness we have Macy's because Kauai is probably the worst place to live if you need anything specific. We ordered three different suit jackets on amazon before finding the best fit. He sure looked nice once he was all dressed up. 

We had a photo shoot the morning Gavin left at the rainbow tree grove. We are both so awkward in photos I'm glad the photographer told us exactly what to do. The only other nice photos we have of us are from our wedding day. I am how ever wearing my wedding dress again. But I love that it was such a casual dress that I can still throw it on from time to time. 

Gavin's task force job ended up taking every second of every day. I am glad that I didn't go because I wouldn't have ever seen him. He was paid hourly during his time there including the travel! He worked a total of 80 hours one week. He was beaten. He was in charge of banquets while there. He told me didn't leave the hotel for 3 days because of how much he worked. He did however meet a lot of people and learned a lot more about the hotel industry. He also got offered a full-time position to be a guest service manager. His voyager program will be ending in a couple of weeks. I am so proud of Gavin for working so hard. Marriott has been so good to us the last year! We are looking forward to working together next year at the hotel. 

While Gavin was gone I spent a lot of time with the girls. It was our friends Hannah's birthday and Eve put together the most beautiful party for her at baby beach. We sat on the sand on a low table and ate yummy finger food before making our own Haku lei! It was the perfect night to be out with the ladies and watch the sunset. 

As we walked into church on Sunday we saw Elder Rasband sitting on the stand! We were pumped when we saw him up there. We moved from the hard chairs and wiggled into the soft seats quickly. Gavin took this photo and shook his hand as he walked by our Sunday school class. 

Since I am a concierge I get to do the tours on the island for free! I can always take a friend with me. Of course, that person is going to be Gavin. We picked the ATV tour because I knew absolutely nothing about it and a lot of people from the hotel booked it. I was excited because the tour goes on a part of 
the island you can only see by booking the tour. It happened to be a flash flood the day we went. Tour companies hate canceling the tours they pretty much always have the tour. Even in horrible weather. 

If you are looking for an ATV ride this probably isn't the tour for you. We were only driving for about 45 minutes out of the 3-hour tour. We stopped at several different spots where we learned some island history and about some of the different movies that were filmed here. 

At the end of the tour, we fed some cute ducks. 

It's a New Year!

The start of a new year always make me reflect on the last. When I think about last January and how I wasn't even married yet feels like a life time ago but then also like yesterday. Time is a funny thing. I tend to just focus on one day at time. I've never been the type of person that has the next 5 years planned out or really has any plans for the future. I don't like feeling tied down to plans that might not work out so far in the future that I probably won't have any control over. 

But with a new year Gavin was telling me about some of the goals he has. At work all the managers shared their goals out loud with everyone and every three months they are going to be be held accountable. Gavin has some pretty big goals. He wants to run 1,500 miles and read 6 books! I think those are both great goals. I guess a lot of the managers made work out goals or health goals that the general manager is allowing the managers to use the gyms at the property to help them reach their goal. Gavin is pretty stoked about that! 

I subscribed to the Wilma app with Ava back in November and we text each other after the workouts every day to keep each other accountable. It's been so fun to see my strength improve and I am glad my sister is doing it with me! The texts are usually something like this "MY ARMS" "dripping over here" "fully body was killer" "ouch" etc. I've always wanted to be better at weights but it's something I just could never find the motivation to do. Wilma has been the answer for me. I actually enjoy working out at home. 

I was also just recently called at Young Women's President in my ward. I was not expecting this at all but I am excited. Nothing brings me greater happiness than serving the Lord and those I am around. I sure have a lot to learn. On top of being Young Women's President the bishop told me that I am going to also keep my current calling of Sunday school teacher for the 14-15 year old's. Both of these callings keep me busy. I am definitely in the process of still getting to know everyone in the ward and young women's. I was added to the group chat and didn't have 1 number saved from the twenty that were on there. It's going to take some time... But I am all for it. 

We had new beginnings 3 weeks after I was called. I was glad the bishop just let the youth plan the whole thing. Everyone is such good friends in the ward I sometimes find myself standing their awkwardly as every around me chats and laughs. I don't mind though. I enjoy seeing everyone have so much fun. 

As I was studying the New Testament this year I heard someone say that it's the year of Jesus. I absolutely loved this. Gavin and I always start off our Sunday lesson by saying it's the year of Jesus. 

We started off the new year by paddling up Kalihiwai river on the North shore. We both had the day off which was perfect! Since New Years day was on Sunday, Monday counted as another holiday which meant no tours on the Kalihiwai river! 

It was a peaceful, beautiful, calm paddle. We loved passing all the homes that were on river with huge yards. We talked about what we would do if we had place like that as we paddled on by. Gavin said he would build a bamboo hut and plant a dozen coconut trees. I guess that's one plan we have for the future. Hehe 

The river is full of  the African Albizia trees. These are some of my favorite trees on the island. We pretty much had the whole river to ourselves. We had no idea where the actual waterfall was, so we had a lot of fun bush waking to the falls. We both took a plunge in the water and it was a lot cooler than I was expecting. I think I have adjusted to the weather here because I really do get cold when it's below 70 degrees.... 

Table of Contents

It's a New Year-January 16, 2023 

January Task forcing in San Francisco-January 16, 2023

A Vist to Oahu- February 16, 2023 

All You Need is Love-February 27, 2023

March Days- March 13, 2023

Kaya's Baptism, YW's, and missionaries!- March 27, 2023 

Scotland- April 16, 2023

Ava and Mom come to town and a trip to Maui- April 30, 2023

May Shenanigans-May 14, 2023 

Tahiti and Bora Bora- May 31, 2023 

Young Women Camp- June 20, 2023 

Summer- August 5, 2023

Welcome Home Grayson- August 27, 2023 

Kayaking Napali Coast and Kauai Half Marathon- September 4, 2023 

Napali Coast with Gavin's Family- October 15, 2023

Australia- November 10, 2023 

November, Thanksgiving, and Gavin's 27th Birthday -November 30, 2023

December Times -December 10, 2023 

Christmas in Kauai- December 30th 2023