4th of July

Independance day is a little different in Colorado than in Pennsylvania.  For one thing, there's no humidity.  And there is plenty of parking when you want to go out to find entertainment.  Actually, there are no people either because we went to the mountains.
The biggest difference is that it just isn't hot.  We went to a lake, and my kids wouldn't even get it and were shivering with big goosebumps about 20 minutes after we got there. 
Anyway, God Bless America!  I'm so grateful that I live in this free country.

World Travelers

...sort of.  Here are the photos of the awesome month of June, starting with Hawaii!
*Disclaimer: this was a trip focused on scuba diving, even though you wouldn't know it from my pictures.  I was terrified of dropping my camera in the ocean.  Or getting it wet or stolen while I was under the water.  so there are no pictures of us doing the coolest things on the island.  Scuba rocks.
Anyway...
On the plane:
  
We hiked up Diamond Head Mountain for great views!  It was pretty hot and I am pretty sure I had sweat rings down to my ankles.

 And if that wasn't enough hiking, we climed up a Cocohead Trail a few days later, which is essentially rail road ties up the side of the mountain, just like the Incline here in the Springs.
(We actually did this hike twice, and then another hike to a waterfall, but I didn't have my camera.)
These pictures prove I am made for mountains and not beaches.  

 We ate at all the good shrimp trucks. (And a few not-so-good ones too)

 I learned how pineapples grow!  Who knew?!  Only 2 per plant and it takes almost 3 years to grow 1 stinkin fruit!  No wonder they are so expensive.

 There are no words to describe this picture.

 Waikiki Beach

 Awe, look, it's Bryan and Steve's 30 something anniversary!

 (BTW, Bryan wore those pants the ENTIRE trip.  Not even joking.)
Ok, I don't know the people in this picture, but I like the colors, so it gets to go on the blog.

 Kim and Steve's anniversary!  Yea!

 How romantic, sharing icee's at the Japanamation kimchi stinky shop.

 I love all the flowers that just grow around the island!

 We visited the Oahu Temple.  It is beautiful!

 I tried coconut milk/water/whatever the crap it is, it is NASTY.

 And we ate some more shrimp.

 I am ashamed to admit how often we ate at the Cheesecake factory.  So I won't.  But all the Asians make cool signs in photos around the island, so we tried too.  (We are not as cool.)

 Golf.  We got rained on.  A ton.

Other noteworthy thoughts:  I got beat up by a boogie board.  Really.  I ended up with a fat lip and blood running down my face.  Plus a stiff neck and small goose egg on my forehead.  It was pretty embarrassing.
I don't think I will ever get on one again.