Blake Lewis, a Bothell native, came home on Friday for a visit.  The town came out and gave him a parade.  Following the parade, he performed at the Bothell Landing Park.  My mom (grandma), Bridge, and I all went down to see him perform--I mean, it was so close, we could hardly think of missing it.  We arrived at 3:15 and he wasn't scheduled to perform until 4pm.  However, things ran late as they always seem to do and he didn't arrive until what seemed like 4:30 (I really don't remember the time, only that it was later).  The mayor talked for a while and announced that it was officially Blake Lewis Day.  His parents were invited up on stage.  Blake also unveiled the concert line up for the summer at the amphitheater.  Finally, he performed 3 or 4 songs (who knows, it might have been 5).  We dragged Alice and Will down there so it wasn't easy to keep a good view.  Grandma ended up standing away from the crowds with the kids most of the time.  Bridge was the only one who was able to see most of the performances--hence she took most of the pictures.  There were so many people crowded in that small spot that taking pictures was hard because you were constantly being bumped into.  That is why most of the pictures are blurry.  He ended up walking out to his excape vehicle using the sidewalk we were lined up on.  We were just feet away from him, but pictures were difficult with all the security he had.  We had a fun time...it will be fun to watch on Tuesday.

We returned last week from our trip to visit Betty and Bruce in Oahu.  It was the most relaxing vacation I think that I have ever had.  They invited Alice and I to come over a week early while Jake continued to work.  He joined us after 5 or 6 days and then we had a week to spend together.  I really got used to Hawaii and think I could possibly live there.  B & B live in a wonderful part of Oahu called Ewa Beach (pronounced Eva).  There are virtually no cloudy days there--it could be raining in Honolulu, but rarely in Ewa Beach.  LOVED IT!  Plus, it is usually around 85 degrees but there is always a breeze to cool you off.  Back to the trip...

 

B & B picked Alice and me up at the airport (btw, Alice did great on the flight--thanks to the portable dvd player!  Isn't technology wonderful?) and took us to Cheeseburger for lunch where I had one of the best burgers ever.  The next few days, they drove us around the whole island and played tour guide.  We went to Honolulu, Waikiki, Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), Chinaman's Hat, LDS Temple, Turtle Bay Resort/Golf Course, Ko 'Olina, Makaha, the Northshore, the Dole Pineapple Plantation, and much more.  It was great!  After Jake flew in, Bridge, Mark, and Owen flew over from Maui to spend a couple days together.  The whole crew went to the PCC and really enjoyed it.  The next day we went to the USS Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, Waikiki, and the Dole Pineapple Plantation (again--btw, if you go you must try the pineapple ice cream).  B & B were gracious enough to drive us around in their "Tour Bus", as Bruce calls it (Saturn Outlook--nice vehicle, roomy).  Besides, our rental car couldn't fit 4 adults and 2 car seats.

 

B & B have some great neighbors.  It seemed like a good number were LDS.  Poor B & B--they can't get away!  One family actually entertains for a living--polynesian style.  The wife, Natalie, was actually voted best female vocalist in 2006 and is said to be Hawaii's best kept secret.  Her hubby, Io, plays and sings with her.  I wish we could've seen them perform before we left, but, there is always next time!  Some other neighbors had kids that were Alice's age.  Ammon and Liahona were so cute!  They could come over everyday and knock on the door and ask for Alice.  She misses her new friends.  Most of all, she misses B & B--boy, did she get spoiled!  We really owe B & B for their hospitalilty.  It really felt like home there...I miss it (them) already.