Maui Day 3

On Monday, we went out on the boat for the first time. It was so awesome!! The boat was way bigger than I expected and pretty trick. We rode up to the house, then went back down the other way and stopped just near the tunnels you drive through on the way to the airport to snorkel. It was a beautiful snorkel spot! We saw a couple of turtles and Sabrina found a huge eel. It was so cool to be at our own little spot and stay as long as we wanted. Once we are all done snorkeling, we got on the boat and enjoyed some of my favorite snacks: Maui Onion Chips and Guava Juice. On the ride back to Lahaina, Ron spotted some dolphins! We had such a fantastic time!

The boys spent the afternoon back at the man cave washing the boat. Tomi and I spent the afternoon over at Marcia's pool. That night we went to Mala for dinner, which is much more relaxed and right on the water. Nic and I split an Ahi burger and a Kobe burger. Yum!

Maui Day 2

The next morning, we got up early and walked to the Gazebo for breakfast. It is this tiny, breakfast place on the water that has delicious food. It always has a line so its best to get there well before it opens so you can be in the first seating. They are most known for their white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes, which I of course can't eat, but they have tons of other delicious pancakes, omelettes, and other traditional breakfast items.

After breakfast, we walked home and hung out at the house for a bit, while the boys went to the man cave to get the boat ready. In the afternoon, we played some Michael Jackson on kinect and I scrapbooked while the boys went boogie boarding at D.T. Fleming beach.

We went to Lahaina Grill for dinner, which is quickly bcoming one of my all-time favorite restaurants. We got to sit in the private room again and every bite of food was amazing! The warm bread rolls come with this garlic herb butter that is too die for. I got a trio of crab cakes for my appetizer and Nic got the most delicious maui onion soup. I got the fish special for dinner, which was a panko crusted snapper, on top of an artichike risotto, in the most amazing, creamy sauce. In my opinion, the sauce is what makes or breaks a meal like this and this sauce was superb! We also got a few desserts, but I only managed to eat a bite since I was so full from the incredible meal. After dinner we did some shopping in Lahaina before heading home to bed.

Maui Day 1

We got up at about 6am (after 3 hours of sleep) to head down to LAX. Sabrina had some premier thing so she got to go in the Unted lounge, while Nic and I were stuck waiting at the gate. lol. Our flight went by really fast. I read some US Weekly, took a bit of a nap, ate some peppermint oreo truffles, finished two scrapbook kits, and watched an episode of friends. The enitre flight was pretty enjoyable actually and we even got in about 30 minutes early. My mom and Tomi picked us up and we went to some Thai place for lunch, which was really good. Then we did some shopping and headed to the house. We showered and went to dinner at Hula Grill.

Sabrina's Here

On Friday night I picked up Sabrina from the airport. I got us Gourmet 88 for dinner (one of our favorites) and we made peppermint oreo truffles. I saw peppermint oreos at Target and immediately started coming up with baking ideas for them. Oreo truffles are so easy and delicious, I decided to try them first and since they are one of Sabrina's favorites, I figured Friday night was as good a night as any. I obviously didn't have much time, so I did them quickly, but next time I make them, I am going to make Santa Hats. ;) After I finished the truffles, I still had to pack  (I was up until about 3am) because we were leaving early the next morning for Hawaii!!

*The peppermint oreo truffles were the perfect snack for the flight. They were easy to transport (I threw them in a ziploc bag) and they were delicious. They seemed so fancy and decadent that for those few minutes eating one I forgot I was on a plane. Here is the recipe:

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

adapted from: www.bakerella.com

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Peppermint Flavor Double Stuf Oreos (this pack comes with less so I halved Bakerella's recipe)

  • use 11 cookies with cream centers included
  • use 5 cookies with cream centers discarded

1/2 pkg. (4 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature

Wilton candy melts 

1.    Finely crush the cookies in a food processor or a ziploc bag with a rolling pin.

2.    Stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together completely (or clean hands).

3.    Roll the mixture into 1″ balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.

4.    Place covered in freezer or refrigerator for a few minutes to help retain shape when dipping in melted chocolate.

5.    Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.

6.    Refrigerate and enjoy!

My Surgery

On Monday, November 14th, I went in for my first ever surgery. I had to get a polyp removed. My mom drove me to the hospital and Sandy was my nurse, which made the whole experience so much easier. We just spent the morning laughing and joking around and I was surprisingly not very nervous.

I had my first IV and it was my first time experiencing anesthesia. It was pretty crazy: one second I was talking (the room did begin to get a little fuzzy), and the next thing I knew I woke up in recovery. I spent another hour or so back in my room with my mom and Sandy, and then I was released to go home. I felt fine almost immediately after. I wasn't in any pain, didn't feel sick at all from the anesthesia, and honestly felt exactly like I did when I got there that morning.

My mom drove me home and I spent the evening taking it easy. I did feel pretty tired that night and slept from about 9pm to 10am the next morning, so I'm assuming that was from the anesthesia. I also felt a bit of pain and grogginess the next evening, but other than that, the whole experience was really easy.

Scrapbooking Weekend

My mom and I went to a scrapbooking thing over the weekend (11/11-11/13). It started Friday night and ended Sunday afternoon. On Friday night we met Nic for dinner at Origami. On Sunday, we squeezed in a decorating class at Pottery Barn.

All the leaves on the street outside Remember When had changed colors for fall and there were tons and TONS of crows flying around outside so we took a few pictures on Sunday afternoon as we were leaving. For dinner Sunday night, my mom and I went to Wokano for dinner.

Upcoming Surgery

I'm having my first ever surgery on Monday and I'm really nervous, so please say a few prayers for me. Thanks.

Mailer's Haven Luau

On Saturday, November 5th, Nic and I went to his boss' house for the annual Mailer's Haven party. This year's theme was Luau. It was pretty cold, which is unfortunate because the weather has been so nice for so long, but it was still a lot of fun. They had Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians, dinner, and desserts from Portos. After dinner, they did the awards, and Nic was the first person ever to get the "triple crown." He won all 3 big awards in the same year. He go his $20,000 profit award, $50,000 profit award and top sales for a month. I was very proud! :) After the awards, we got to watch an hour long hula show covering dances from many different islands including fire dancing, which was my favorite part! I was picked to go up and do the Hawaiian style hula, which was somewhat embarassing. Most of the people that went up, tried really hard, but were really bad, i.e. entertaining. I on the other hand, was fairly good, i.e. boring! It was tempting to fake being bad just for entertainement sake, but most people know I was a professional dancer so it probably would have ended up being more embarassing. After the show, I was forced (by Nic's boss Tonya) into dancing, then we went home.

The Witch and the Pumpkin

My Oma (my dad's mom) and I share our birthday. Apparently when I was born, someone joked that since I am a Halloween baby I am a witch and Oma got all defensive and said No, I am a pumpkin. Since then we have always joked that she is the witch and I am the pumkin. On November 2nd, I went with my dad to have lunch with Oma and Opa to celebrate our birthdays. It was really nice to spend some time with them and wish Oma a Happy Birthday in person.

My 27th Birthday and Halloween

I had a pretty quiet birthday this year. I went to work, came home, opened a few presents, passed out candy to trick~or~treaters, and then Nic and I stopped by Lindsay's for a bit. We got to see the girls in their Halloween costumes, ate chili, and delicious cookies. I was even serenaded with the "Happy Birthday" song and got to blow out a candle. :)