Aloha to our visitors

I just wanted to post some photos of the week around our wedding. We had such a great time having everyone here and made some good, lasting memories. Thanks again for coming! xo

Jeeps are so much fun!
Jen took this one of me living it up! :)

The welcome-to-the-island mai tai:


Some Waikiki pics:





We chartered The Royal Hawaiian Catamaran to take all of our guests out on a cruise:

Married!

Drew and I are married!! Our wedding took place on January 28th and was so very special. We chose a beach near where we are staying on Oahu and it couldn't have been more beautiful. The scene and lighting was a gift from God. Our love is a gift as well.
Although I have attended and photographed many weddings, I didn't understand the joy and intense emotions of love that one experiences on their own wedding day. To have someone promise to love you forever is so wonderful, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. I feel so lucky and blessed and loved. Drew is now truly my family and we are partners in this life. He is the rock in the middle of the sea that I will cling to. No one will lead and no one will follow.

Jes (www.jesleephotos.com) took most of these pictures with my camera at the wedding. I'll update this with more images when they start rolling in (there were a lot of people taking pictures!).

Hugging Drew's sister, Angela:
I love this shot of my dad and Drew's mom and sister:
Kahu Helemano was the greatest!

The breath of life

Married!! :)


The whole crew:

Life is Good

We have been thoroughly enjoying our time here in Hawaii. The weather has been so wonderful that I almost feel guilty! ;) It is so nice to be surrounded by so much beauty and to be able to soak up the amazing natural world around us. The waves on the north shore have been big lately - 20 to 30 feet - and watching the power of them crashing on shore and against rocks is mesmerizing. There are flowers blooming and wonderful and different trees all around. Honestly I haven't been taking many pictures lately because we've been doing activities where bringing a big expensive camera with wouldn't make sense. We tried out scuba diving (and I didn't even freak out!), surfing, snorkeling at a few different spots, we've been running, hiking, and of course just hanging out and reading at the beach.
Anyway, here are a few pictures that I have taken lately:

These overlook ones are from hiking up Diamond Head crater. It's quite the walk (especially if you go at noon!), but you are rewarded with a great view.



Waikiki at night. We found a great restaurant on the beach.
Back up on the north shore.


These ones were taken down by where we're getting married.

Mele Kalikimaka

This is the view from our place on Christmas morning. I'd never seen a Christmas rainbow before!
Here is our beautiful Christmas tree. ;) I had mentioned that I hoped Santa would bring us one and Drew surprised me by sneaking out and getting this for us. It's perfect! You'll notice that Santa also brought an underwater camera and some Japanese mochi. You rock, Santa!
There was a big swell on Christmas and the waves were amazing to watch.

Hang loose, Santa! We went to the Honolulu festival of lights. It was very cool. They decorated around 30 tress. I love the smell of real Christmas trees.
Cuddly Santa!
Surfer snowman:
This is me and Drew before going out for New Year's Eve. We're looking pretty blond!

Tons of people go down to Waikiki for to celebrate the New Year. The beach was packed and the fireworks were awesome. Happy New Year everyone! 2010 will be great!!!