Our Little Family

I did some tripod magic and took our own family pictures.  I know, everyone in white shirts is so 90s, but I don't really care.  Haha.  I'm really happy with how they turned out, and hope you guys like them too!

Jensen & Everett's Newborn Pictures

After Jensen and Everett came home from the NICU, I was able to take some newborn pictures of them.  I decided that I would take them because, though I am not by any means a newborn photographer, I only wanted something very simple and knew I could handle that myself.  They were technically about 2 months old in these pictures, but it was still before their due dates and they were super sleepy like newborns so I think it counts.  They were under 6 pounds and still had some hair left.  I love my sweet little babies :)

TBT: My Maternity Pictures

Remember that one time I was pregnant?  I had grand plans to have a beautiful maternity session in my 3rd trimester, but unfortunately I was put on bedrest long before that was a possibility.  Luckily, as I was getting ready for the fancy (silly) tea party my mom's family has every year, I decided to have Blake snap a few pictures for me.  I was only 22 weeks at the time, but little did I know just 3 weeks later I'd be on bed rest and in 8 weeks I'd have babies. So, here are a few of my favorites.  I really miss that belly sometimes.

Coming soon: Newborn pictures and family pictures!

Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In Temple is a replica of a famous Buddhist temple in Japan.  It is located right off Kahekili Highway in Kaneohe at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.  It costs $3 per person to visit the temple.  There is also a small gift shop near the temple.

There is a bell you can ring before entering the temple.

 

There are signs asking you to remove your shoes out of respect before you enter the temple.  Once inside, it is a relatively small room with a huge Buddha statue inside.  They have incense there that you can light if you wish.

The grounds around the temple are beautiful.  They have ponds, streams, statues, and waterfalls, as well as koi and swans. 

Overall, I think this is a nice place to visit if you have some time to kill or have a big interest in Buddhist or Japanese culture, but not something I'd make a big effort to go see if you're on a short vacation. 

Pali Lookout

Pali Lookout is a fun place to stop at if you are heading through the island on the Pali Highway.  It is really easy to find, there are signs for the lookout exit on the highway from either direction.  Parking is $3 at the lookout.  You can enjoy a beautiful view from between two mountain peaks down to the valley and ocean below.

At times it can be very windy there.  Like really really windy.  Here is a video of Blake's cousin and her friend when they were vacationing here.

There are also some hikes/walking trails nearby.  The one I have done so far is actually the old Pali Highway that is now overgrown.  It is pretty awesome.

 The next picture is a view of the lookout from the walking trail.

And now, a picture of us at the lookout.  Cuuuuuute.