AloHa blOg - daY 5

Day five consisted of a four hour ATV tour at Kipu Ranch. Many movies filmed throughout the ranch, including Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark, Outbreak, and Jurassic Park.

One of our first stops was at a rope swing seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark. In the movie, Harrison Ford swings into the river to get away from Indians and then takes off on a sea plane. All the boys had a blast doing various tricks into the river. Mom was the only brave girl willing to give it a try.

Throughout the day, we went to a few waterfalls and even stopped to feed some boars. They tried to catch one of the little babies, but were unsuccessful.

After the tour concluded, we decided to find a nearby “hidden gem” as our travel book called it. Kipu Falls is a favorite for the locals and daring tourists. To the side of the waterfall is a rope swing high up in the trees. It was a lot of fun watching the boys swing off the rope and fall 35 feet into the water below.

(Video Below)

Why would someone wait an HOUR at a fast food restaurant for a burger? Stay tuned for day six to find out.

CongRatulations!

Another congratulations is in order. This time, it's for my sister, Erika. She is pregnant with her third child and found out yesterday that it will be her first BOY! We are all so excited for her and Trent as boys in the Johansen family are rare to come by. Congratulations you two!

AloHa blOg – daY 4

Following a busy first three days, day four was filled with a little relaxation. The morning began at a local LDS branch where their attendance must have tripled due to tourists.

The meetings concluded and we hurried home to get Erik and Trent over to the number one golf course in Hawaii (according to Golf Digest), the Prince Golf Course located in Princeville.

I’ve learned over the years that the one thing Erik can never be late for is golf.

While the two boys were off having fun, the rest of us took it easy by the pool for the remainder of the afternoon.

Gearing up for day five, the ATV tour at Kipu Ranch was essential.

MileY ManIA

Being that I am in my mid-20's, Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) isn't a celebrity I am currently infatuated with, however my nieces in Arizona along with every other child in America between 5 and 15 sure are.

I got my first true glimpse of this obession Friday afternoon when I got online to purchase Stadium of Fire tickets for myself and my two nieces, Lindsay and Kayla, who will be visiting during the 4th of July. (Miley Cyrus is headlining the event in case you've been living in a cave this past week and haven't heard.)

Erik and I were planning on buying a large number of tickets because we knew selling them on ebay would be easy money. Both of us got online 15 minutes prior to sale time and were immediately "put in queue". When it turned 5 o'clock, I thought there is no way we are going to be able to get tickets. To my surprise, Erik got through. He tried to purchase 8 tickets but it kicked him off prior to confirming the final step. Finally, after a couple more tries, he was able to purchase 3 tickets.

Shortly after I confirmed with Erik multiple times that we had really gotten tickets, I went on ebay to see if any tickets had been added. To my surprise, 3 tickets in a section very close to ours were currently bidding for $450! My stomach dropped. I kind of wished I would have never told my nieces about the tickets and then we could have secretly made a few hundred dollars off of crazy parents, although guilt would have filled my heart forever.

I am so excited to experience "Miley Mania" with my nieces. I can't wait to see their faces when they finally see her on stage. We're missing out on a few hundred dollars and many hours spent driving, sitting in traffic and walking to our seats, but it will all be worth it to me. Thanks again honey! You're making their dreams come true.

AloHa blOg – daY 3

My two favorite activities in Kauai were the helicopter and catamaran tours. I love being out in the water; even though I’m not an expert swimmer and am deathly afraid of drowning. Erik often laughs at me because I like to stand in swimming pools and just relax. Adventurous is not an adjective I would use to describe myself.

With all of these points taken into consideration, boat rides seem to be the perfect water activity. I get to be out on the water, I don’t have to get wet, it’s relaxing, I can sunbathe without getting too hot, and the times you get to view marine life in their natural habitat are the best.

Views from our 4 hour catamaran tour were extraordinary. The weather cooperated (rain in Kauai is inevitable), though the water was a little choppy and inhibited our snorkeling time. Oh darn.
The highlight of my day was when we saw Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. They can leap into the air and make as many as 7 complete spins before diving back into the ocean! For some reason, the more noise you make, the longer they swim in front of the boat. Seeing them so close was quite entertaining.

(View dolphin video below.)

We also saw a number of Humpback Whales and Sea Turtles. I wonder if a random tourist has ever gotten a picture of a whale mid-breach. It seems like they all end up like this: The tour guide told my brother-in-law, Eddie, who is extremely afraid of sharks, that it is not uncommon to see them where we were snorkeling. He became a little nervous for a moment, but I know he had a blast. We all did!

AloHa Blog – daY 2 conTinueD

After the helicopter ride, we made our way to Poipu to get “Puka Dogs” (Hawaiian hot dogs). I don’t really care for hot dogs that aren't 100% fat free because it grosses me out thinking about what’s inside of them, but these were absolutely delicious! The hot dog is placed directly into a hole inside the bun. Of course, Erik and I being such picky eaters didn’t try the Hawaiian sauces, but the rest of the family raved about them.

While we waited for our Puka dogs, Liisa was busy trying to get a picture with a rooster, which she did, almost everyday during the vacation. The rooster had enough of Liisa chasing it and started to fly away, but was stopped when it collided with a nearby glass window. Poor thing…who knew roosters could fly that high anyway.
Later that night, it was time for the Smith family luau. Before the festivities started, we toured the Smith property, which had many types of trees, flowers, and birds. It was beautiful!
Between the Johansen’s not one, not two, but five cameras, it seemed like we posed by every tree and flower on the property. I even brought a miniature tripod so we could take a family portrait on the lawn. Let’s just say there were a lot of pictures to go through at the end.
After our family portrait session, we stuffed our mouths with delicious food and then relaxed while watching the dancers shake their booties.
What an eventful day!

AloHa Blog - daY 2

The much anticipated helicopter ride finally arrived on day two! Our 60 minute tour flew over the entire island of Kauai.

We saw it all! The beautiful Na Pali sea cliffs ---

Manawaiopuna Falls (seen in Jurassic Park) ---

Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) ---

and Mt. Waialeale, the rainiest place on earth (receives an average of 450 inches of rain a year). I have never seen a more beautiful land than that of Kauai.

(Drag the little arrow on the volume control, which is next to the Blogger icon below, all the way to the left so you don't have to listen to the loud helicopter noise during the video.)

AloHa Blog – daY 1

After many years of trying to plan an “adults only” Johansen family vacation around pregnancies, school, missions, work, and nursing babies, it finally took place March 13th – 21st on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

My parents were the only ones who had been to “the garden island” before so this was a brand new experience for the rest of us. The Taylor’s (Erika & Trent) flew here from Las Vegas and we met up with the Lopez’s (Liisa & Eddie) in Phoenix at our connecting flight. As usual, the long flights were anything but enjoyable.

Aloha and welcome to the beautiful island of Kauai!

The weather was perfect and we couldn’t wait to get on our way. We loaded the luggage into our enormous rental van and were off to our hotel.

We quickly noticed that there were chickens everywhere! They (and Liisa's coughing) woke us up every morning but did keep us entertained while eating breakfast.

Stay tuned for Aloha Blog - Day 2 which will include the incredible helicopter ride!

Photo Captions:
1. Erika, Liisa & Tanya waiting at the airport.
2. Erik & Tanya on the flight to Kauai.
3. View of Kauai from our airplane window.
4. Eddie feeding a chicken cheerios on the patio.
5. Tanya with a beautiful flower Erik picked.

Liv (Erik's sister) is Expecting!

CongratuLations, Liv and Steve! We aRe so exciTed for youR upcoMing bunDle of joy and caN't wait for tHe arRival of yoUr firsT baby. Get sOme slEep before it'S too latE.

***ALOHA***

SoMe of you maY have been woNdering where I've beEn lately due to tHe lAck of posts. Erik and I wEre happily vaCatioNing in Kauai with my faMily this paSt week. It was so mucH fun! I can'T wait to tell yOu all about it. OnCe I go throUgh my picTures I will begin my "Aloha Blogs". Until thEn...

HapPy BirtHday EriK!

I juSt doN’t get iT!

As you aRe all aWare, Erik & I owN 2 laundrOmats. We’ve had a very diffiCult time keePing employees for onE of the shifts over the pAst 2 years.

ReplaCing an employee is noT a fun task. Most of the tiMe, they don’t even show up foR work! These peOple are poor; don’t they waNt a job? Usually what haPpens is we get a call froM their child (wHo speaks better EngliSh than they do) statinG that their mOther is in the emErgency room and sHe woN't be iN for woRk tHat day. Keep in miNd tHat thEir shift stArted 4 hoUrs aGo; and thaT's if theY eveN caLl! ThanKs for tHe notiCe.

Why would they think it is oKay to not show up for work? FinDing an honest, lOyal, hard-woRking employee is so haRd these daYs.

How mUch stuFf is iN yOur puRse?

Do yoU reaLly knoW whaT is in yoUr purSe? I had no idea there were so many thinGs inside mine. AfteR looking at this piLe, I had to tell myselF that there isn't anythiNg wrong with being pRepared. I've often wOndered, "why can't I caRry a little, danty cluTch"? UnfortuNately, I can't liVe with out all of tHis:

1. Bathroom Clean-up Spray for Khloe
2. Black Sunglasses
3. Bobby Pins - 2
4. Brown Sunglasses
5. Camera
6. Camera Outlet Cord
7. Camera Computer Adaptor
8. Chapstick - 2
9. Cuticle Cutters
10. Doggy Treats
11. Door Card for Work
12. Excedrin
13. Fingernail Clippers
14. Hand Sanitizer
15. Keys
16. Khloe’s Dog Food
17. Lip Gloss - 2
18. Lotion
19. Mirror
20. Nail File
21. Neosporin
22. Pad of Paper
23. Pencil
24. Pens - 2
25. Phone
26. Pony Tail Holders - 3
27. Receipts for Items to Return
28. Tide-To-Go
29. Tweezers
30. Wallet

If you ever need anything, you can pretty much guess that I will have it in my purse.

So, what are you carrying around?

"Khloe and Zoey, sit!"

Khloe and heR sisTer, Zoey, got to pLay together at Zoey's hoUse yesterday. Zoey's Mom, Jessica, was grAcious enough to praCtice commands with theM for a little while. It was so cUte watching the two of them siT, stay, and then rUn over to Jessica to get a treat. (See video below.)

As you cAn see, Khloe does NOT look the same as sHe did in her preVious pictureS. UnfortuNately, she was victim to a botcHed hair cUt on Monday. I went home crYing because I was so saD. It was like she wAs a completely difFerent dog and because of this, I reFuse to post any pictuRes of her until the hAir begins to grow. To maKe a long story shoRt, the groomer cut the toP of her head and cheeKs way toO short and left her eaRs disproportionately loNg. I think her entire boDy is too shorT, but Erik likes it aNd so I'm just goinG to have to livE with it for a couple moRe weeks.

Whether it's your oWn hair, your chiLd's hair, or your peT's hair, a botched haiR cut is extreMely traumatiZing. I'm sure you feEl my pAin.

Did yoU knOw...

Cafe Rio taKe out coNtainers aRe miCrowaveaBle! Who kNew? No moRe dirTying a cLean plaTe. Hallelujiah! ThanK you AndRew for tHe verY exCiting, tiMe saVing tiP. It's mUsic to mY eaRs!