Hawaii Super Ferry to Maui

The kids were excited about our first ride on the brand new Hawaii Super Ferry!!! We had decided to ride the Super Ferry because Curt had bought his own Christmas present last month-a very nice 2006, 4-door Toyota Tacoma. a good deal that he found on Craigslist. Sorry, I just realized that we didn't take any pictures of the truck yet. Now Curt has his new big-boy toy and can hang his drool-towel up to dry. Ferry fees cost us only $55 for the truck and $39 per passenger. We drove right onto the boat, parked and then went up to the passenger deck. It was convenient to load up the truck bed with our Christmas goodies and bulky items!

It was an early morning of lugging ourselves and the kids to the dock by 5:45 am. We all took a dose of Dramamine in anticipation of being seasick. I think it made us sleepy by the time it kicked in.
The accommodations were very comfy, lots of flat screen tv's a couple snack bars, a kids play room, computer room, featured movie area, lots of barf bags close at hand. Aside from these pictures I took, this was the only time I walked around (I don't have sea-worthy footing nor was I feeling like throwing a party).
After taking our own personal tour of the new boat we all settled in to our seats...we had an early morning so we were lulled to sleep by the rocking and swaying of the waves. The ride was about 3 1/2 hours...and it was COLD!!! The air-conditioning seemed to have been turned up all the way!
Curt and I got a little green. I wasn't feeling so great by the time we hit the choppy Moloka'i channel's swells. UGHHHHH. Well, I will admit that I felt better after I "coughed" into a cute little white bag. Some other passengers were found to be doing the same thing, sleeping and discreetly taking their little white barf bags to the bathroom. Thankfully, no one started a barf-arama!
View of Moloka'i
View of Cute-ness!Big Cookies = HappinessI grabbed this picture as we were driving off the dock...sorry about the blurry pic (some salt water spray gon on the lens!) Overall, it was a good experience. Even though there is some controversy about the boat services (activists and environmental protests) I feel that the locals can benefit from another method of travel that will help us to spend more time with our family and friends on other islands. Although, I’d rather fly any day and will only travel on the Super Ferry again if I need to transport a car or bulky items! :p

NEW YEAR'S DAY- Family Traditions and More food to eat!

New Year's Day! Spent some time with my side of the family.

Dad grating the coconut meat into fine shreds.
I woke up to the sound of coconut husking, cracking and the pouring of coconut nut juice. A lot of work goes in to making the traditional Tahitian Faraoa Coco, a sweet and heavy coconut bread made from flour, sugar,coconut juice, grated coconut.

The meat and coconut from approx. 17 coconuts were used for this batch.

I was the official "faraoa mixer" this year.


I put about a bowl of mixture on to the tin foil and dad quickly folds and rolls the dough to be baked in the oven at 350 degrees.








Off to visit the cousins in Kailua! Most of us dressed in green to show our UH Warrior support. The anticipated Sugar Bowl game between University and Georgia would be the highlight of the day (fingers crossed).
The kids had fun adding some UH spirit to Uncle Russell's car.

Eat and Lounge...then Lounge and Eat. It's hard work putting on the Holiday 5lbs!

Pyromaniacs- and a lot of food! New Year's Eve Celebrations

Okay, let me show you how we celebrate New Year's - Island style!
Lot's of Fireworks!!! New Year's eve dinner and some pyromaniac activities in Kaneohe with the Okimoto Family...


Kids, don't ever play with fire.


"Let us remember to show more love and kindness to one another...and TO THE WARRIORS"

"Let us be grateful for all our blessings!"

Mahina made a new year's toast too,in her sweet little 5-year old voice..."Ummm, to Barbie girls!"

Aunty Ashley is the designated storyteller.

Bring in the New Year!

Thing One and Thing Two

The neighbors had some great illegal aerials!

Happy New Year!!!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year! May this year bring you joy, happiness, health, prosperity and peace to all of you. One of my resolutions for this year is to keep up on my blog!!! I resolve to blog at least twice a week with all the happenings of home and business.

I have positive vibes for 2008, lot's of things planned for Photo Visions and personal family goals that will help us all cherish what heaven has blessed us with. We have so much to be grateful for. We thank our Lord and Savior for all that he has given us!

Love and Aloha,

Ramona, Curt, Kanalu, Makena and Mahina
(photo by Marina Miller ;)