School is in Session!

School is officially back in session and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's peaceful and quiet around the house...maybe too quiet. I did get my work done this morning on the computer for perhaps the first time all summer. We ended the summer with a bang going to the Newport Coast Villas which were beautiful and amazing. I would love to own one someday. (But I want a house first!) I will post pics soon, I can't find my camera cause I haven't finished unpacking yet. The kids were excited to be back in school, Zanna is driving the new car to school...I have trepidation about that but will remain hopefully optimistic. Taylor seemed happy to be starting 8th grade. Carter and Lace have been in school for a few weeks and started soccer and Lace starts dance soon. Busy, busy. But it is really nice to have another willing driver. Zanna is very helpful, don't know how long that will last. Cemetary....I mean seminary starts next week so we'll see how exhausted she is with her extreme workload this year. She passed AP European History and has 3 college credits to her name. This year she is taking even more. Her determination astounds me...she didn't get that from me!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow-in Hawaii

This is a typical Hunsaker Family shot-I thought I would let our imperfections show so the rest of the pics will look fab!

The statues in the Easter Island Exhibit

Taking a hula lesson in Figi Village

We spent two days at the Cultural Center because there was so much to do and see-T playing an old fashioned drum

On the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

Little Surfer Girl-I missed her catching her first wave!:(

A quiet game in the Hawaiian Village at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Zanna's first surf lesson

Carter blew the conch shell on his first try, ask Scott how long it took him. (i couldn't do it at all)

At the Laie Hawaii Temple. It was breathtaking. Such a beautiful temple

Waimea Falls-we are swimming towards the waterfall to sit in it!

Turtle alert! (can you see it?)

Me and T in Shark's Cove

Aloha! I am faced with the daunting task of trying to recreate through blog our amazing family vacation to Hawaii! It's impossible, I guess I will have to just take you all there so you can see for yourself! It was so beautiful. We are so grateful to John and Mandy for their hospitality. The week flew by, everyday we explored the island and found a new spot that we loved. Kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, hula lessons, hiking a volcanic crater, visiting Pearl Harbor, swimming in the bluest, warmest water ever. It was a priceless experience that I hope my family remembers forever!

It's the PITS!

Smile the camera is actually over here!

See the pit behind the "wild animals"

Sloth and jaguar

Woolly Mammoth Bones

undercover in the little theater

We made a day trip to LA to visit the La Brea Tar Pits and expand our knowledge of history. Yah right, I just thought it would be cool. Anyway it was a hot, hot, hot day, maybe not the best weather for visiting tar pits, but we had a great time. As you can see, Taylor is impervious to weather in his invisibility cloak, uh I mean sweatshirt. We explored the pits (well not actually inside them, but around), watched a movie on the pits, saw tons of dire wolf bones, mammoth, camels, sloths, really cool stuff. I'm sure the highlight was the gift shop full of stuff that has nothing to do with the pits. Lame, I told the kids it had to relate in someway with the trip, so they all opted for different rocks...which I guess using the six degrees of Kevin Bacon theory you could tie back into the tar pits in some way. At least they come from the ground!

Home

Exploring the tidepools

Uncle Paul, Taylor and Carter

A game of frisbee Football

Sparklers from Grandma were a HUGE hit!

Aunt Scarlett and Carter at the tidepools

Taylor and Carter

Sisters

Amy and Mom

Cousins-Lacey, Emma, Tyler and Carter

We had a mini family reunion this week with my family. I have the greatest family in the world...but everyone probably says that! I love to spend time with my family. We are growing by leaps and bounds with new babies and in-laws! I have the cutest nieces and nephews. We spent the week together playing, sleeping over at Grandma's house, late night runs to Cherry on Top, the beach, the park, the pool. So much fun. Scott teases me because my idea of heaven is being with my family hanging out, just like Sunday nights at my Mom's house. Talking, laughing, debating...enjoying life. I think the thing I have been thinking about the most this week is you could strip everything away, and as long as I had my family, I would feel at home, safe, loved and cherished. I love my husband and children and I am so happy that I have such an amazing extended family with sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews that I love so much. Thanks for a great week!

Fireworks

Lacey and Gavin (camera shy? Yah right!)

Savi, Tori, Elise, Lacey, Gavin and Carter

Charlie's Angels of course

Fourth of July was a blast this year. We spent the day at the Hafer's BBQ with friends. Had delicious food and fun. Swam until we were waterlogged then headed home to clean up and go watch the fireworks. Zanna got her license (!) on July 3 so she decided she wanted to go to the fireworks with her friends and accidently took my car instead of Scott's. I am sure this was just the first of many car stories to come. Good times, I am not really looking forward to that. But anyway we made it to the Norco church building and watched the fireworks. I missed having Zanna there with us and I especially missed being with my crazy fun, family at the Yorba Linda Fireworks, hearing the patriotic music and dancing with my little bro Joe. Next year!!

Beach Days

Carter and Gavin (Lacey's friend)
Gavin and Lacey
Carter, Andrew (Taylor's friend), Taylor
I know I've said this a million times, but I love the beach. We started off the summer with a bang. We went to the beach before school even got out on a minimum day. We decided to go to Balboa. We have gotten into the habit of having lunch or dinner at Ruby's on the pier and then visiting the Balboa Candy Company that sells vintage candy (well vintage era the 80's) and salt water taffy. On this particular day we ate dinner at Ruby's Diner and then proceeded to the candy store, which was closed! Now this would be ok if we were all adults, but to kids looking forward to candy...you see where this is heading, right? Well, a kind older woman suggested we take the ferry over to the island as that store stayed open later and we would surely have success there. I quickly calculated the ferry toll and decided to take the plunge. The ride over was fun and we excitedly exited the ferry and looked around for the candy store. You might think I would have asked for more specifics from the lady, but no I did not. We started walking...and walking and walking. In the past I have always driven onto the island, parked and visited the candy store, so I really had no idea how far away it actually was from the ferry. At this point I was seriously questioning myself and wondering what to do when someone finally directed us in the right direction and we walked for another 10 minutes to the candy store. Hurray! It was open, we got our candy and then, we got to walk back! Everyone was extremely tired of walking, especially after being at the beach all day, and Carter said he had had to go to the bathroom since we were on the pier. Nice. It was a great adventure, and a great beginning to the summer. The water, the smells, the sand, I love it. I know Mom, right now you are thinking I am crazy. Which is probably true. But then you are the one who wears Bronze Goddess the quintessential summer scent, so who really is the crazy one?

Hunsaker Family Reunion

Carter and Uncle John at the waterfall. Brett and Sawyer are in the background

Zanna, Lacey and me!

Lacey explaining the benefits of hiking to Makenna, Aunt Cynthia, Uncle John and Lucas

Austin, Brandon, Peyton, Lacey, Carter and Taylor

We had a blast this last weekend with the Hunsaker side of the family up in Lake Arrowhead/Crestline. What a great chance to explore nature and enjoy each other's company. We stayed together at The Strawberry Lodge that had ping pong, swimming, horseshoes, lots of room to explore and rooms for everyone in the family! Everyday a different family cooked and had activities for the family to participate in. We missed the families that couldn't be there but had a great time with all the cousins!