Pineapples Fields Forever!

The fields did seem like they did go on forever! But, I'm saying this in a positive way. The tour began at Kapalua Village and we learned so much about the beginnings of the pineapple business. I wish my last name was Baldwin! The Baldwins from Hawaii....I wonder if the Baldwin brothers are part of this family.

Wish We Were Back

It's after midnight, so this officially counts as a new day. I'm heading off to North Carolina in a few hours so I need to add another post to my blog now! It counts! LOL Anyway, Roy and I really are so relaxed when we are in Hawaii. Look how tan and calm we look. Or maybe it's the Mai Tais and the drinks of the days that help us chill. I wish I were there now and know that I will be back soon!

Brenda and Steve In the Fields

Steve was really going after those pineapples! He went further into the fields than Roy! At the end of the excursion, our nice new white tennis shoes had evidence of the rich, red dirt! The soil, the weather and the overall environment all have a hand in making these pineapples the best! I believe I have one more pineapple spread and that will be for tomorrow!

Maui Gold

Well, we found out that Maui Gold pineapples are only going to be sold in Hawaii. The new company will not be shipping it any longer to the mainland. What a bummer! These are the best pineapples in the entire world! Did I say that some tasted like coconut? Those were delicious! I recommend this tour to everyone!

In the Fields

Some more shots of Roy and I in the fields! Look at Roy picking out our pineapples! I really didn't have a desire to climb into the field. You could find great ones close to the edge. It was a beautiful day, not too hot out there. But, I know I could never have been a picker.......

Pineapple Field Tour

Here we are in front of the bus waiting to take us to the pineapple fields! Don't you just love our pineapples! They are the best! I will be sharing some pages of the excursion in the next couple of days! I just couldn't get rid of the photos!

Memorial Day with the Crocketts!

Oh, I miss Paula and Bill! They have been our good friends and family for over 30-years! How lucky we are to have them in our lives. I ran across these pictures from 2004....we went to Redondo Beach and I can see that we went to Tony's On the Pier because we're holding our Mai Tai glasses and then we went to this bar down by the waterside We had a great time! Lots and lots of great memories with the Crocketts! Love my sister from another mister!

Maui Brewing Company

Little did I know that one of the places I would be visiting in Maui was the Maui Brewing Company. A small place with big taste! You can find their signature beers at some of the local restaurants but it was fun just to drink the samplers! Next time you go to Maui, head on over to the Maui Brewing Company, pull up a stool and enjoy! Aloha!!!!

My Cousins

I had such a wonderful time growing up with all my cousins! It seemed that we were always together at someone's house. Here we are enjoying the beach; we use to go to Santa Monica since we lived in Venice. I don't know where we are in the middle photo and I put a small dot beneath the cousins I recognize. Some of the others are probably second cousins. Our family parties included my grandmother's siblings families too.

Stubby 2000

If you are reading this it is either because you are wondering what or who is Stubby or you know! Here she is back in 2000! What a cute little puppy she was. She is still a cute little dog. Her face is just so precious.....she is Michael's dog but living with us now. She is older and just likes to sleep and snore! I love to watch her run and she is quite happy living with people close to her own age....wait a minute in dog years, she is 70! She's much closer to Roy's age than mine!

Diane and Sibs

Here are some more photos of me along with my siblings, Regina and Michael back in the 50's. And, that is my dad in the upper left. I am so lucky to have these "old" photos of me and my family. I wish I could work all day creating layouts of all the pictures I have! What a perfect "job" that would be!

My First Family Photo 1954

I am considering this to be the first family picture of the Gavigan's. My parents were both pretty young when I came into their lives. I was born in Oceanside, California. My dad was in the Marines, we lived there for a little while and later we moved to Los Angeles to be closer to my mother's family. What a cute couple they were. My mother has some pretty crazy stories about how she wouldn't let people breathe on me, how she boiled my diapers and other little things. She was a great mom (still is to this day). Thanks for meeting each other and bringing the four of us into this crazy world!

Diane 1955

It's me and it's 1955! We lived in the city of Los Angeles. I really do believe that the water spigot was probably a favorite plaything for me! I have to share that my son was wondering who would be getting these pages someday. I think I'm going to have to make copies so that everyone in my family has their own. I do appreciate the fact that I have photos of my grandparents and of my Auntie Ro and Uncle Glen.

My Beautiful Daughters 1984

Heather was 10-years old and Brenna was 3-years old in 1984. I think everyone took their children to Olan Mills back then. I always tried to stick with a color theme whenever they had their "photo shoot". My girls are very precious to me and I am so proud of the women they have grown to be. The time has flown by too quickly. Sometimes (just sometimes lol), I miss all the hustle and bustle of those days.

A Night at the Pub

It's great to spend time with friends and we are lucky enough to be able to do that often. Here we are with the Sharps and Horaceks enjoying an evening at the Pub. This was taken before we went on our Alaskan cruise, so I'm sure we were doing some planning! Looking forward to many more trips, evenings out and laughs with our group of friends!

"Official Grandchildren Christmas Photo 2007"

I love this photo of my grandchildren! It was their first official, professional photo together. Little Rudy was only two-months old at the time. Isabel was not enjoying herself at that moment. Look how Little Rudy is just staring at her. I love how they are so color coordinated! I hope I don't have to wait too long for another "official professional photo" of my favorite grandchildren!

Diane / Then and Now

I thought that I would create a page that only featured me tonight! "Then and Now" is the title for this page. Obviously three different ages are listed here....I am so thankful for all of the experiences I have had in my life. Looking forward to quite a few more chapters!

Let's Play Dress-Up

One of Isabel and Melanie's favorite activity is dress-up! They each have quite a few princess outfits! Isabel even brought hers from her home in Hawaii. It was very special to watch them play together and they enjoyed their time with each other. These photos were taken in July of 2009. I wish I could have both of them together every day!

Still Cruising

This is a series of photos I added to a photo folder I had on hand. Look at the beautiful rainbow behind Brenda and Steve. You never mind a little rain in Hawaii because you are always gifted with a rainbow. I don't know of anyone who doesn't enjoy a rainbow. The first in the series of photos, we are waiting for the catamaran. We boarded it right from the beach in front of the Westin. And I hope by now everyone who reads my blog recognizes me and Roy! Aloha.....Mai Tais here we come!

Cruising Along

I think Roy looks like he's a little chilly in the upper photo. It was actually raining a bit but we had a great captain! He did a fantastic job of getting us out of the rain and into clear skies. And from our vantage point in the front of the catamaran, Brenda, Roy and I had a great view of the shoreline. It was also the best place to feel the rain on your face LOL.

An Ultimate Adventure

Roy and I enjoyed the cocktail cruise very much. A combination of a great early evening, drinks and just being in Maui together makes for the ultimate adventure. It feels like we are "home" when we are in Hawaii.

Cocktail Cruising Maui 2010

Look at how relaxed Roy and Steve look here! Ok, maybe Steve looks more relaxed! All the Mai Tais a person could drink on this cocktail cruise! And Steve found the person who made them the best! We were there for 15-days and only went on two excursions and this was a blast! This is the first of my Maui series for 2010. We enjoyed a great vacation with great friends! This vacation was so restful and you will see more examples of our "fun" in my future pages.

Brenna's Beach Babies

I love these photos of Brenna's babies! Isabel and Rudy are true little beach babies! The one of Isabel in the turtle float was taken at our vacation place on Maui. She was just over a year old and really loved the water. The other two photos were taken at one of my favorite resorts on Oahu, Turtle Bay. See the sand on Little Rudy's head...that was my bad! I put sunscreen on his head and he liked to put sand everywhere! LOL Looking forward to next summer with my family in Hawaii!!

Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley is the first "roller coaster" ride Melanie experienced a few years back. From this beginning she has moved on to Big Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn and Space Mountain! Do you remember the first time you put your hands into the hair while riding the roller coaster? I still will not do that. You go Melanie!

Fun on the Ferris Wheel

I love this photo of Michael and Melanie as they're waiting in line for the ferris wheel. We are back at the Lemon Festival. I thought I had finished but found more photos. They are quite a pair, these two. She is her daddy's little girl and she can sure talk up a storm just like he could when he was five.

Title Page for Lisa's Baby Book

Next week is Lisa's baby shower and I will be "in charge" of the baby's scrapbook! It is a surfing theme since James is quite fond of the sport. This will be the opening page of her book. I included the invitation that her mother and sister (Kathy and Laura) made and a spot for a picture of Lisa. I am looking forward to seeing the album at the end of Baby Boy K's first year!

Family Fun at the Firework Show!

Here is the family! It was so much fun to share "our" fireworks with our extended family! My mom, my brother and sister-in-law (Mike and Michelle Gavigan), and my sister Regina. The Jenkins' group has been attending for at least the last 15-years and we love adding new people to the group! The weather always seems to be perfect down on the football field and the chicken always seems to taste better!

Melanie July 2010

The Fourth of July is just another reason to have a new outfit! Melanie shared that she needed to have a fireworks outfit to wear. Is that a learned trait? I think it's always a good idea to have a new outfit and accessories for an event! Who's with me on that line of thinking? I think I hear Melanie saying YES!

Family Fun on the Fourth of July

Just a few more photos of Roy and my mother with Melanie. How special it is that "Gigi", that is what we call her (great-grandmother), is able to spend time with her great-grandchild. What a wonderful memory for the both of them! I'm almost done with the Fourth of July of 2010! Love the fireworks.....love the music, makes me feel like twirling a baton!

4th of July 2010

Here we are attending the annual 4th of July festivities at Upland High School. We added new family members to our group this year. Ok, ok, they're not new but it was their first time attending. Their photos will be on tomorrow's layout. We always have a great time waiting for the fireworks display and it is so much more fun when you have family and friends with you. More to come Thursday!