Just Some Pictures From The Big Island

I know, I know...Super Late.

Strange Family


Hi'ilawe
Can you tell that the sun is killing our eyes?

Aloha means "Good-Bye"

Molokai

We went to Molokai for Christmas. Naia got to meet all of her aunties, uncles, and cousins. I'm too lazy to write a lot, so enjoy the pictures.

Merry Christmas!

This is how Naia treated everyone at first.

This is Kyson, Naia's cousin. He's three weeks younger than her.

Check out her face...she got devoured by mosquitoes.Hello Great-grandma Faraon.

YAY!!! The Beach.

Hello Grandpa Jess!

This is how she treated all of her cousins.

Graduate School Here We Come!

In October 2006 I heard the talk "Rise Up, O Men of God" given by President Gordon B. Hinkley. At the time I was newly married and contemplating my educational goals. I was more interested in getting the "paper"(diploma) as fast as I could and getting out of school. Then these words, I felt, were directed to me:

"Approximately 61 percent of young men enroll in college immediately following high school, compared to 72 percent of young women.

Women have earned more bachelor's degrees than men every year since 1982, and more master degrees since 1986.

It is plainly evident from these statistics that young women are exceeding young men in pursuing educational programs. And so I say to you young men, rise up and discipline yourselves to take advantage of educational opportunities. Do you wish to marry a girl whose education has been far superior to your own? We speak of being "equally yoked." That applies, I think, to the matter of education."

Most who know me would assume that my motivation was based on pride, and the desire to not allow any girl to be better than me. That assumption, fortunately, is wrong. I left that conference feeling lazy. At the time I was thinking about studying Travel and Tourism, mostly because it is a great way to get me home to Hawaii, and also because there are only 45 credits required for graduation (I could have graduated in December 2007).

I guess I felt bad for trying to find a quick way out. I hate being called lazy (though history would affirm that such is the case). So I set forth to find an area of study that I would enjoy, regardless of the time required for graduation. Shortly after I was introduced to the Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation major and, as you’ve seen from earlier posts, I am enjoying it quite thoroughly.

Almost immediately I realized that graduate research and education would help me(us) be more competitive when the job search arrives. This semester I wrote a proposal with one of my professors to do research of desert bighorn sheep in southern Utah. At the end of October we were told that the proposal had been approved. In November Dr. Smith (Tom), Eva, Naia, and I took a trip down to the study area. Tom and I both got to fly through the study area and help to survey the sheep population. So, basically barring any extreme circumstances, my graduate research should begin in January 2009. I will get a great head-start on my graduate degree (I should finish my undergraduate degree in April 2009). We’re a little sad that we will be away from Hawaii for so long, but this will ultimately help us get there (without living with parents or having Eva work). Here are a few pictures of our trip.

I got to fly in a helicopter for the first time in 10 years. I got a little nauseous. Those things are smaller than I remember.

This is Dr. Smith. He's pretty new at BYU, and prior to being a professor there he was a research biologist in Alaska. He has a couple of current polar bear and brown bear studies that I would like to help with.

This is a pretty good looking ram that my boss Justin found while surveying another area.

Naia figured out what the camera is for and began posing. She was pretty happy to be at the hotel room after the 3 hour drive from Provo to Moab.

It was nice of Tom to let me bring my family, even though it was only an over night trip.

This is Dead Horse Point, part of the study area.

Eva's First Loaves of Bread

Pretty self explanatory. Our friend, Kimberley, helped Eva make her first loaves of bread. Kimberley has a Bosch mixer, so that is now on our list. Needless to say, I am addicted. I think I'll buy Eva some bread pans for her birthday. Good idea?

GREEN HALLOWEEN 2008

"THE SPROUTS"

This year we decided to play on our last name and dressed up as Jolly Green Giant Family. Naia was "Little Sprout," Jolly Green Giants sidekick. The costumes were well worth it and very homemade. Naia actually did pretty well in her costume considering she could of plucked all the leaves off. Needless to say we won 1st prize for our costumes at our ward Halloween party and it was probably because of Naia's cute little face and Kanalu's tight sexy green stockings.

"Sad Little Sprout"

"Fussy Little Sprout"

All together Halloween was great. We had fun at both Halloween parties we attended. Naia will probably never remember her first Halloween, but she doesn't need to worry about that because pictures will remind of how fun and tough it was to be Jolly Green Giants sidekick.

The Crazy Things She Does

Here's a few photos of Naia in all of her craziness. She always keeps us laughing.

Gagging Herself
Working On Her Abs

Showing Off Them Pearly Pinks

Cruisin' w/Mom

BYU FOOTBALL!!

We're not the craziest BYU fans or anything, but we do enjoy cheering the school on. We got to take Naia up to Logan to watch the BYU vs Utah State game. Kubi goes to Utah State so Naia got to see her aunty and uncle again. Here's some pics of the occasion.