It was fun to have Jon Allison and their family come to visit us here in Hawaii. They arrived the evening of July 3rd and the 3 girls and Allison and Jon stayed in the condo above us. Sam and Alex stayed in our 2nd bedroom. The day after they arrived was the 4th of July which is also Jon's birthday, so we decided to have a barbecue at our condo pavilion to celebrate.
They dressed in red, white and blue for the occasion!
We invited the senior couples and the young elders that serve in our ward.
I made a macaroni salad, a veggie and dip plate, hamburger fixings and some baked beans. Shannon brought a fruit plate and pasta salad and Ruby brought the chips. We had LOTS of food!
Hal was our chef and he cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs to perfection.
Lillian gets more beautiful and Alex gets taller every time I see them!!
Enjoying the spread!
Birthday celebration time!
Happy Birthday Jon! We love you! I baked a triple chocolate cake and a lemon cake.
Coming to the Kona Temple
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| Notice the "Creeper" in the background! |
They all came to the temple. Lillian, Alex and Jon did baptisms and Evie and Ella waited quietly in the waiting room. President Hee entertained them and they were really good! Hal and I assisted and Allison was able to watch this family event. They did baptisms for both Hal and my family names - this really made it a special event.
It was great to have a picture of all of us taken in front of the doors into the temple. Allison and Jon came back on another morning to do some initiatory and an endowment session. Hal and I were able to help in initiatory and at the veil. It was a wonderful morning and so good to have them there.
Visiting the Place of Refuge
The girls liked this ancient Hawaiian game the seemed a bit like checkers.
We were lucky enough to get to see this big turtle in the bay. Hal and I returned home and Jon, Allison and the kids finished touring the Place of Refuge and then went snorkeling nearby. They were able to snorkel 4 times during their time here - they loved it! Of course, they also went to Hapuna Beach (the best beach on the island) and Magic Sands Beach (which had dangerously high waves) and a third smaller beach which Ella and Evie particularly loved.
Visiting the Hilo side of the island
Hal and I were able to go with the family for part of the day on Monday - our "P" Day. Of course we visited the Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls - both were beautiful that day!
Grandma and Grandpa with the Woidka grand kids 
The Woidka Family
Taking time to smell the hibiscus
Our next stop was KHOP for breakfast.
The girls shared a Happy Sumo giant breakfast and the boys shared another Happy Sumo.
Of course they sounded the gong and all the servers yelled "Happy Sumo" when they served all the plates of food! Neither the boys or the girls were able to finish the shared food! Those pancakes are ginormous!!
Allison and Jon had macadamia nut and coconut pancakes.
I had the ham, eggs and pancake breakfast and Hal had eggs Benedict. Everything was delicious!!
Alex took this panoramic picture of Ken's House of Pancakes.
Visiting the Volcano
Hal was able to arrange for Jon, Allison and Family to go with Gilbert Miles to see the volcano from Lalani Estates. They were all thrilled with what they saw!
They viewed the river of lava through binoculars and took some awesome pictures and videos!
River of lava
Bright volcano sky
After viewing the river of lava, they went to the Miles' home for pineapple upside-down cake and ice cream! Sister Miles is the best hostess ever!!
Beautiful orchids on the temple grounds!
ALOHA!!
What a beautiful family Allison has! It looks like you/they had a wonderful time. I absolutely love the picture of all of you outside the temple. That is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Allison and family got to visit. Looks like you had an awesome time together. I too love the picture of you all outside the temple doors. Such a treasure.
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