Holiday in Hawaii

Aloha family and friends!
Well, we hope you all enjoyed the Christmas season wherever you were and that you got to be with the ones you love. Andrew and I knew that Christmas was going to be a tough one this year (first time away from parents and siblings on the holiday), but thanks to a wonderful little creation called Skype- we were able to feel a little piece of home Christmas day.

After Andrew finished his online class he took the insurance test last week- and passed! Hooray! He now has to apply to the state of Hawaii to become a "licensed producer of life and health insurance" and then he can apply to Aflac. Whew! It has been quite a process so far but each step gets him closer to having a job so we are very thankful!

Due to high winds, we had to cancel a few trips on the boat last week and although it meant money lost- the silver lining was that everyone got to spend more time with family for Christmas.

Andrew got a ukelele for Christmas and has since been serenading me! I think he's going to be the next IZ ;)

And since I rather enjoy pictures...here is a little visual update for you all-

Andrew working on his new hobby- making knives!

Whale tail (on the job)

Best workplace EVER

yes mom, this is where I work..

Watching the Broncos lose miserably online (isn't technology wonderful?)

Cousins! (Kelsey, Trevor, and Haley)

Christmas Eve in Hawaii

some of Haley's family comes to visit (Kelsey, Uncle Bob, Aunt Leesa, Trevor)

Hilarious gag gift from my Grammy for the boys (kittens or fairies- can't decide which one is better!..or worse?..)

Well folks, there's the update. We seriously can't believe this year is almost over! 2012...really? Just today we were marveling on how fast this year has gone and how much has happened! In the last year, both of us graduated college, celebrated our 1 year anniversary, moved...twice, changed jobs, and grew up just a little bit more (maybe). We feel truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place and to have friends and family (all of you!) who love us. Mahalo...thank you for sticking with us in this crazy adventure. We love you all.

Andrew & Haley

ps- shout out to Andrew's brother Grahm who turned 21 today!!!!! Happy Birthday Grahm! We miss you and we wish we could've been there to celebrate with you today.

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

Aloha family and friends!
Okay, so Christmas was two days ago now but we wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love, Andrew & Haley

Ohana

This is our 'Ohana'. This is our Family. 

Love, Andrew& Haley

Critters, Cars and downright awesome sunsets!

Aloha friends and family!
We are beginning to feel more settled into our new home. Thank you all for supporting us in this big step as well as the many calls, texts, and 'skypes' we've received since the move. (Thank you Mama for the Christmas tree...it was just what we needed to feel more at home!) It really is good to hear your voices, see your faces and feel your love as little bits of homesickness set in. Also, thank you for your prayers! Last week Andrew and I were able to purchase a car! Hooray! It is a 1985 Nissan 300zx with extremely low miles and pretty decent gas mileage! (It is also Andrew's new baby...he LOVES this car).

I'm on week 2 of the new job and loving it.  Top three reasons why I love my new job:
1. I'm on the water and in the sun all day.
2. I get to see amazing creatures like turtles, dolphins, manta rays and whales.
3. I am required to be barefoot.
(If you want to know more about my new job check out the website...http://www.adventurexrafting.com/)

Other critters in our life include Kapule, who is David and Kelsey's very cute, very loud kitty. I am loving having something furry in my life again and Andrew is *gasp!* actually not minding her being around either ;) Andrew has also befriended several of the geckos that live in and around our house (and yes...I said "in") The picture below is of Lester, who was chilling in our shower a few days ago. Harold hasn't been seen for a few days now...

We hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season wherever you are.

Love, Andrew & Haley

The Aloha State

Aloha friends and family!
Well, we made it to the 'Big Island' and are settling into our new home. Palm trees instead of pine, and the ocean as a direction being West ("makai") instead of the mountains ("maulka") will definitely take a little adjustment! Andrew and I made a new friend on our first night in the new house...Harold (who just happens to be the gecko that hangs out in our kitchen). We didn't have the greatest introduction but I'm getting more used to seeing him in the house now. Kels and David have been SO patient with us (especially since we have yet to find a car and keep...eh hem...borrowing theirs to stock up on house stuff..)

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job (Adventure X Rafting) and I am psyched to be working a job OUTSIDE! I'm afraid my general paleness makes me stick out like a sore thumb on the island (is it that obvious I don't see the sun much??) Hopefully reading up on dolphins and general facts about the island won't give me away as a 'houle' to the tourists tomorrow! Even better though, is this job means I get to work with Kelsey (living AND working with my 'sister'?! Dream come true folks.)

Andrew has several possibilities for jobs, but right now we're playing the 'hurry-up-and-wait' game...trusting God to provide as He always does :)

It still seems pretty surreal being here. The whole "we just MOVED here" thing hasn't quite kicked in...still feeling like a vacation but, then again, maybe that feeling never goes away living here! We'd love some prayer to find a car with a clean title, updated registration and in our price range as well as a job for Andrew. 

We are definitely missing all you mainlanders..a lot! Please let us know how we can be praying for you all/encouraging you in any way. And come visit!!!

Love, Andrew&Haley

ps-Here are a few promised pics of our house, and first impressions of the island. More to come!

Packing, packing, packing!

Aloha family and friends!

Well, we are down to 10 days left on the mainland! It's strange seeing our little apartment all boxed up, ready to go into storage. Andrew and I are each checking a grand total of 2 bags to take to Hawaii, most of which will be clothes and necessities. It's been a good reminder to us both not to put much worth or need in our earthly possessions! 

Andrew now has 2 shifts left at his job as a night security officer (yay!) and we have only 1 day left to get everything packed before we move it all into storage (yikes!). As we get closer to move-day, I am constantly reminded of how amazing God is. He has orchestrated this whole process and it has been awesome to see Him work! 

Please keep us in your prayers as I know this transition will be an adjustment (especially around Christmas being away from family). I promise not to be so chatty in all of our posts and I promise to post lots of pictures once we get settled in (c'mon...it's me...in hawaii..) Until then, we hope you all have a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Love, 

Andrew&Haley