Well, I am finally back to the world of blogging!! I have had several computer problems and was not able to post for awhile now so I will be trying to make up for lost time over the next week. Just before my computer died on me, my husband and I enjoyed an awesome trip to Hawaii compliments of Stampin' Up! I knew it was going to be a wonderful experience but I had no idea that it would be all that it was. Below is a picture of us just after receiving our leis as we were welcomed at the airport. If you would like to see more photos, click on the photo album links at the bottom of the left column

We started the adventure by leaving a few days early and staying on the Big Island just south of Kailua-Kona and right next to one of the greatest snorkeling spots on the island, Kahaluu Bay Beach Park. My husband and I love to snorkel and did so every chance we got. I really enjoyed the sea turtles that seemed to be everywhere.
The first day we sat in on a presentation about the island and, in the process, we won a free snorkeling trip to Kealakekua Bay where the Captain Cook monument is located and the Place of Refuge. We saw several sea turtles, angel fish and schools of yellow fish.
The second day, we rented a car and toured the island on our own. We visited several waterfalls, ate Saladas (Hawaiian style donuts), chatted with some local fisherman at Laupahoehoe Harbor, left a message on the lava bed using coral graffiti and ended our day at the Kilaeua Volcano on the east side of the island. (As we drove to the area where we could view the volcano, we saw an entire community of homes encased in a lava flow!) We waited till night so we could see the glow of the lava. The next day we met several other demonstrators at the airport and rode a bus to Waikoloa Village. The 60 acre resort was incredible with beautiful gardens, swimming pools with waterfalls and art and artifacts of Hawaiian history everywhere. It was mating season for humpback whales so as an extra treat there were whales breaching every time you looked out over the Pacific.
Each night Stampin' Up put "pillow gifts" in our rooms so it was always fun to see the goodies that awaited us. The first night, they gave us each a tote bag. Mine matched a wallet that Stampin' Up had used to send me our travel documents. The second night we received a huge variety of snacks wrapped up in Ti leaves...Hawaii style gift wrap!!
Other gifts included a sarong and a handcrafted silver necklace with the word "Aloha" engraved on it. The last night Stampin' Up! treated us to a luau that ROCKED!! Children greeted us with leis made from nuts and shells which we were able to take home with us. The luau included a beautiful and moving blessing ceremony, a feast of local dishes and a time to enjoy being with friends...new and old. We were able to make our own leis, watch locals cut open coconuts with machetes, learn how to weave palm fronds into tiny fish,enjoy a display of Hawaiian quilts and handcarved drums, sample poi (if you were brave enough), be entertained with local dancers and musicians and have our pictures taken with Hawaiian warriors.