Happy Naadam!

July 11 - is one of the biggest holidays in Mongolia: Naadam is the festivities of wrestling, horseracing, and archery as well as gathering of families and friends for food and fun.

So, some friends invited us for some food and fun on Sunday. Keith and I went and had fun and ate some Mongolian food. Yummy!!!

Visit to Hawaii - part 3

Three days of babysitting:

Mom & dad went to Kauai on some mini-vacation on Friday and Keith and I ended up with three energetic kids. So, while Maria and I spent some girl time with shopping, Keith took the boys to the park and visited his work and the Army Museum in Waikiki.

They met these dogs at park and the owner had let them play.

At Ft. DeRussy Army police station:

Then off to the Army Museum:

Then back to the park to burn some energy:

After lunch, we went to our water adventure on Atlantis Submarine: We got on a boat at the harbor and after 10 minute ride, switched to the submarine.

Submarine is here:

Each person is given a dive log with fish pictures and names; so we had fun time trying to figure out which one we saw and of course trying to say the Hawaiian names of the fish. Can you say: humuhumunukunukuapuaa? That is the name of the Hawaii State fish - also known as Picasso Parrotfish. :-)

Did we just see that fish:

It is very bright above deck.

Every Friday night, Hilton Hawaiian Village has a firework display in Waikiki. It is our attempt to take a picture from our apartment window:

Second day of babysitting: Kids are still alive and we barely are: It is breakfast time and thank to my honey we had pancakes.

Then we went to the Honolulu Zoo to meet and greet all the animals:

Dalton just wanted to ride the pony and pet the cows. But, nope only animal he could pet was the goat and he didn't care for them.

This peacock was on the walking path and wasn't scared of anyone coming up close and personal.

Hippo is asleep but we still got to see them and discuss if we coudl wake them up for photo:

Little push cart gave some break for my upper arm strength training.

After walking aroudn in a hot sun, the dipping dots cooled us down nicely.

The brothers: don't they look the cutest?

Picture time and I am the photographer, thank goodness.

Not in this one, oh well, I do look pretty tired.

And he is tired too - he was out in my arms before we got back to the car and didn't even wake up through getting in and out of the car seat and changing diapers - what a sound sleeper - good for him.

Much needed pool time to refresh and cool down. Shallow end was for the two of us - while the other three played in the deeper end.

Rainbow - very common here - yet still beautiful everytime:

Third day: Breakfast at IHOP and then off to Ala Wai to feed the fish:

We asked a jogger for a break to take our picture.

Then to Tantalus Drive lookout (I know it is a state park and has a name, but we always refer to it as Tantalus drive lookout since we are on that road for good 20-30 minutes winding up the hill):

Is he waking up yet for the picture?

Shopping time for some more food:

Then to the airport to pick up the parents: we got leis again - so kids can greet with leis: Hawaiian Style:

Welcome back - we survived!!!