Tony has returned safely to the island - and is happy to be home. He had a great time on his trip to Mammoth, CA with Mike and Nick! They had fresh powder/snow every day of their trip. 

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Day 1 of Snowboarding:

Nick sunbathing

Tony throwing the shaka

 

Tony and Nick

 

  

Mike 

 

Nick (left) and Mike (right)

 

Pre Hot Tub

Day 2 of Snowboarding: 

 

  

  

The Mammoth mascot...

  

Day 3 of Snowboarding: 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 Day 4 of Snowboarding:

Up above the clouds

  

  

  

   

  

  

   

Tony "Ansel Adams" Callaway Photography

 

Last Day: Check out how big the airport was...!

Yesterday, Tony went on a boat trip to go surfing in Hawaii Kai. I worked last night, and we were both exhausted by time I got home. Tony went surfing again this morning, in Waikiki, thanks to a nice south swell. 

While most of our readers are stuck in 30"of snow, Tony's cousin Kyle arrived safely in Honolulu this afternoon. His original flight got canceled, but he made the drive down to Norfolk and had no problems. He was so excited to get here! We greeted him with a fresh orchid lei and then headed to Rum Fire to watch the sunset, but unfortunately it was a cloudy evening, so we will try again this weekend. After some pupus at RF, we headed to Doraku for a yummy sushi dinner, followed by 3D Mini Golf at Big Kahuna. Tomorrow we plan on going snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. More to come! 

Aloha! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

I want to start by congratulating my baby sister, Mandi, on her graduation from Towson University, and on becoming a nurse!

Today was her pinning ceremony, which I am very sad to have missed! Luckily, I have two wonderful brothers, who sent me pictures throughout the ceremony - with a play by play!

Isn't she a cutie :)

Last night, we went to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, because of a rumor that Jimmy Buffett himself would be appearing and playing a set for his fans. The rumor started on Jimmy Buffett's Facebook Page with this post "If you happen to be in Honolulu Friday night you may want to stop by Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber around 8p. We're just sayin'," which was than brought to the attention of many others, like myself, at Hawai'i magazine's website, with this article. So we ventured over - but unfortunately it was standing room only, and no food was being served on that side of the restaurant, and we were STARVING! People had started lining up at 3:30pm! So we ventured over to Doraku Sushi for some, as always, AMAZING sushi. We tried a few new rolls last night, and I am already craving it again! Jimmy did show up last night, wish we had gotten there earlier. It would have been a great story to have seen him at a surprise show at his restaurant!

We took it easy today, relaxing around the apartment. Tonight we went to Ala Moana mall - Tony did some Hawaii wardrobe shopping - he did good, buying a new pair of shorts, a few t-shirts, new swim trunks and even a new pair of rubber slippers (what you mainlanders call flip flops). For my excellent personal shopper skills, Tony bought me an adorable new beach hat at Rip Curl - pictures to come!!! After the mall, we watched this weeks Netflix movie, Funny People.

Tomorrow afternoon we are picking up Tony's cousin, Chris Eldridge, from the airport. He is staying with us tomorrow night (on our trusty air mattress), and then will be right down the street the rest of the week, for work. Tony has visited Chris in Cali and surfed on his turf, and is excited to take him to "our" beach!

On Thursday, our good friend Lawrence is coming to visit for a long weekend. We are psyched to show him around the island... and I am psyched to attempt to snorkel again.... and hoping to not hyperventilate again!! There will be PLENTY of pictures to make up for this 1 pictured post!!

Hope everyone is having a good new year so far - WE ARE!

xoxo

Aloha! Happy Sunday! GOOOO RAVENSS!!! Ravens IN, Steelers OUT - Music to my ears!!!

New Year's Eve

We went to Tiki's Grill for a late dinner and hung around and listened to the music until just before midnight. Tony and I shared the yummy scallops!

Me & Russell

 

Me & Tony

At 11:50 we walked down to the beach, where hundreds of people were set up waiting for the fireworks.

 

The fireworks started at 12am Hawaii time - and lasted for about 15 minutes. All throughout the night there were fireworks being lit around Waikiki. There was a foggy haze of smoke as we walked home that night!

New Year's Day

We started out the day at a friend of Tony's, Mike and his girlfriend Leslie's house, to watch the bowl games, and enjoy some gourmet pizza - Mike made homemade dough & sauce and the pizza was amazing! 

That evening, the New Year's Day Good Luck dinner was a big success. I made a roasted pork loin, with black eyed peas (with onions and bacon... anything to help the dirt taste), corn, potatoes, corn muffins and brownies for dessert. Tony loved the pork!

Yesterday, I got to video chat with my brother, Brian, and my handsome nephew Corey for a few minutes. As soon as Corey saw Tony with his shirt off, his t-shirt came flying off, so he could show us his muscles. I miss my babies :) Love that we get to video chat!!!

After our chat we went out to the beach, where we sunbathed until the sun went down.

 

Tony standing on the wall... 

 

See me??

 

 

Can you see me?

 

Tony wanted to catch the "green flash" that occurs when the sun sets - I think we got it (a little after 25sec into the video...). Do you see it?

Last night, we had a relaxing dinner at Cheesecake Factory, and then went home to lay around!

Hope everyone had a good weekend! So happy about the Ravens!

xoxo

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, Happy New Year!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, Happy New Year!! I am sure everyone is out celebrating already... it is only 3:35 here and Tony is still at work. We are going to dinner tonight at Tiki's Grill to celebrate New Year's Eve. The restaurant is having two bands and a DJ - and with the open balcony we will be able to see all of the fireworks on Waikiki Beach!! We will take lots of pictures!

Tomorrow I am making the Good Luck New Year's Day Dinner - including a pork roast and black eyed peas.

We had a great 2009, and can't wait to spend 2010 in sunny Hawaii. We wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Aloha!! Hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas! We had a nice, sunny and relaxing holiday.

A few new pictures for your viewing pleasure...

On Saturday, we went to the beach in the afternoon.  

 

 

 

 

For lunch, we went to our favorite - Wolfgang's Express. We "switched it up" and tried the Pepperoni pizza for the first time. 

 

Mmm Mmm Good!

 

 It was delicious AS ALWAYS! 

Saturday night we went to the famous Duke's Waikiki restaurant, to celebrate our 5 YEARS together!! We made a 4:45 reservation, which is early, but the dining room is on the beach and the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Us, walking to dinner... 

There is live music from 3-6ish (until right after the sunset) on Friday - Sunday. 

 

The sunset...

 

 

Dinner was good, nothing to write home about - although I am :) - probably a first and a last.

 

After dinner we talk a walk along the beach, towards home. Water was nice and warm. It really was a perfect night.  

 

 

 

On Sunday, we went to the beach again, having more fun with the new waterproof camera.

Tony in his custom sand beach chair...

Floating in the lagoon...

 

The "Christmas" pot roast got postponed until Sunday - we ended up eating with friends at Yard House for dinner on Christmas.  The pot roast was gooood. Nice and juicy.

Thank you for all of the holiday cards!!!  We love them!

Tony has a 4 day work week, with New Year's Day on Friday. No plans for NYE yet... we hear that there are fireworks EVERYWHERE On NYE in Waikiki. Can't wait!

xoxox