Museum of Natural History- SLC, UT

My Saturday in Salt Lake was wide open, the wedding for Rickey and Jason was that night, and so my brother Ryan, his girlfriend Pearl and her daughter Lexie- My parents and Grandma Denise all went to the Museum of Natural History by the University of Utah. There was a special Viking exhibit and event (food, dancing, and things to buy) that was very interesting to learn more about that Norse culture. We perused around most of the museum until our feet hurt and our stomachs were hungry. It is always amazing to me to see the diversity of rocks, plants, animals, and earth on this planet. The dinosaur exhibit is quite extensive and very well done. I had fun and I think everyone else did too!

Wedding for Rickey and Jason in SLC, UT

My longtime friend from high school was finally getting married- we worked at the cheese factory restaurant and have kept in touch through the years- and I had already decided it was going to be too hard to actually be there in person. Then, I said- you know what? How often do I get invited to weddings? Hardly ever- so why not? I'm going to go! I bought tickets and was going to take Cael with me as well- BUT he stayed home to play in his last soccer game instead. So it was a quick 3 day trip, but so fun! I am thrilled for the newlyweds- Rickey and Jason! The wedding was lovely, Rickey is a gorgeous bride, and Jason seems really great! It was fun to dress up fancy for this special night

THE HAPPY COUPLE- They finally had a minute after group pictures to grab some food and I totally interrupted them.

Just to prove I was there at the wedding! I got my dress at the thrift store for $5!



Here is the handsome groom keeping his bride as dry as he can. Rickey is giving her grandma hugs as she leaves- it was starting to get late!

Hokule'a- Hawaiian Navigator Ship that went around the world

One way the school keeps parents informed about community events is through an electronic newsletter. Most of the time I quickly scan for important information, and most of the time there isn't anything that I think is very essential for the family. However- when it was mentioned that the Hokule'a - a boat that had traveled around the world using what the native Hawaiian navigators would have used- I knew this was something we needed to see for ourselves. 

It seems to take a drill sergeant to round up all of our children and put them in the car/truck whenever we are going somewhere. After questioning, crying, and other forms of whining-- we may or may not be all together and then a neighborhood search is started to round up the last child(ren) missing.

Well today- after we all got in, I was feeling so happy ... just love for my fun family and the stage that we are in. I snapped this quick picture because we are all together- it's the best place to be.

We had to wait in a line as they explained the journey that the ship took around the world. No GPS, electricity, or radio. They used the stars and maps as they navigation tools- which is really cool in an age that relies so heavily on such devices. I struggle to find my way home if I am in a different part of town!

Cael was showing us where the crew would sleep, small bunks on the sides with a canvas cover. Not a lot of privacy, but a good place to rest your head! After the kids grabbed, jumped, and turned the "steering wheel"... we took a few group pictures and quickly disembarked before we broke anything. It was a good adventure before we went to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. We are so lucky to live in Hawaii!

Connor in Class

Playing Dress-up with Cannon

These are just a few random pictures from a shopping trip to the thrift store that is here on post. About a month before Halloween, they start pulling out the costumes and wigs and lucky for us, Ben had a morning free to join in on the action. We had a fun time putting these crazy wigs on our little model, but I don't think that Cannon enjoyed it as much as we did! We had to hold his hands down or he would rip those crazy things off so quickly. You can also see the look on his face shows his displeasure with what his parents are doing to him. 

After the fiasco at the thrift store- and yes, we did buy that blue sparkly one- Cannon started to feel better about the whole costume thing, especially when this Batman mask is involved. He would insist that I tie a blanket around his neck for his superhero cape and then he would run up and down the hallway making all sorts of fun cheers and giggles. This kid sure is a fun one to have around- he just makes me laugh and I really do appreciate the moments that we have together- that I have watching him and cheering him on.

Fun Stuff Last Week

TEMPLE NIGHT- Ben and I let Cael watch the rest of the kids so we could spend some time dedicated to the Lord. We went down the road to our favorite Mexican Food truck- Guadalajara Grill. We are at such an interesting stage having a teenager in the house- but the last-minute babysitting is really coming in handy. 

NORTH SHORE WITH CANNON- The rest of the kids are in school and I am trying to have some fun with my little guy. We played at the beach for a little while and then I thought a nice shave ice was well deserved. We had a great time!

SPOUSES RETREAT- Sometimes for these events you go away to a fancy hotel for the weekend and listen to some guest speakers, eat some great food, and your children are taken care of the entire time. This was a little bit different event, but I thought it was a good time! My favorite part was the ropes course/obstacle climbing. Most of the ladies didn't want to participate, so I took advantage and climbed up and down as many times as I could. Each track had a different level of difficulty, but I challenged myself to the log ladder and suspended pole to reach the top.


SILLY SUNDAY- Going to church and making cookies after to bring to friends. Ben is out of town, and I don't know why it always makes going to church a little more difficult!

SHRIMP TRUCK- The famous Giovanni's... everyone loves this place, there is always a long line and so we had to give it a try. First of all, we aren't really big into shrimp-- we all ate a piece, but weren't really that impressed. Some people love the garlic stuff... but it's just not for the Platt's.

Ma'akua Trail, PCC, and Shrimp Truck with the Family

Ma'akua Trail and Laie Point with Fara Akhay