Happy graduation day!

It was a hard task getting up early and getting the niece and dogs ready to go (including a bout of sore stomach) but we managed to arrive at Oberlin's Tappan Square as the ceremony was finishing up. The dogs were a big hit again. Ikaika was a great sport and allowed everyone to pet him. I only got to see Louis, Sam and Rachel but we had to go after an hour... it was very humid and hot and I didn't want the dogs to get overwhelmed.

The most UNsuccessful shopping day... ever!

So I was a hopeful Aunty and scheduled several activities to do today but the day didn't start off with a bang. In fact, we did not want to get up or got ready in time to do half of the things on our list!

I finally had time to go to my public library to pick up my requested books and movies... lo and behold, the libraries closed over the weekend for the holiday.

We drove to several different stores looking for a cheap but decent dresser for Khyla's new room only to be disappointed at the choices or appalled at the prices for a small 3-drawer dresser! After 3 stores and feeling discouraged, we stopped for lunch. My heart was set on a soup and sandwich from Panera Bread but after passing Denny's and seeing their empty parking lot, we stopped there instead.

We pressed on to look for some electronic equipment and movies. I did my usual routine and decided to price check between Best Buy and BJ's. By the time I confirmed that Best Buy once again was the cheaper routine, both Best and BJ's closed. That meant I couldn't do my food shopping as well.

We did however find a decent looking and reasonably priced dresser from Target. The box was heavier than we thought it was but a nice worker came over and helped put the box into the cart. Only we discovered the man wasn't a worker -- he just wore a red shirt. How nice of him! We also had to ask for help getting the box into my car. Wonder how to get the box into the house...

Going home empty handed only led us to Cobblestone Regal Cinemas where we decided to see Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. We had a hard time staying up but we managed by eating popcorn. It's our first attempt to not take a nap in the middle of the day!

Once we got home we were invigorated again and decided to put the dresser together. How did we get the box into the house? By opening up the box and bringing in the parts bit by bit. My hubby's so smart sometimes -- thanks for the tip! Two hours later, success!




Khyla's new bedding
Leftover dinners, nice hot bathes and the start of Hairspray wrapped up our busy day! But we'll have to do it all over again tomorrow!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Circulation girls night out

Khyla and I picked up Kiran and Tiesha from the library. We had dinner from the Thai House in Elyria. After we hung out and watched Sherlock Holmes at my house. A nice, relaxing girl's night out!

Kiran, Tiesha and Khyla

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Day 4

The day has come for my family Keali'i and Ho'e to leave Cleveland and move on to Stonington, Maine for their new jobs. We're going to miss you!

Keali'i saying goodbye to Keala

Aloha Uncle Ho'e!
It's just little Tita, the dogs and I now...

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Party in the dining room

The boys are sleeping before catching an early flight out of town, and the girls are having a video party! Well, Khyla and I are staying up all night so we make sure the boys get to the airport and leave on time. Jennifer is giving us last minute "instructions" with cousin Essence listening in. It's like we are all in the same room together, in our pj's! Fun! Gosh it's late...




What a minute... there's a male hanging out with us too!

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Evening 3

SKY RIDE...


POWER TOWER (UP)...

MAGNUM XL-200...

TOP THRILL DRAGSTER...


Dippin Dots and Shave Ice time -- no worry, Ho'e shared this with me!
THUNDER CANYON...

Of all the people in our round boat, only Khyla and I got totally submersed in water. TWICE! I'm going to look at waterfalls differently now! The boys just got splashed on. I don't have my shirt on underneath -- it was drenched and sticking to my body.
MAVERICK (ATTEMPT ONE, BROKE DOWN) -- CEDAR POINT AND LAKE ERIE RAILROAD...

Lunch time at the car -- fried chicken, hotdogs, spam, rice, mom's potato salad, bananas and mandarin oranges followed by a short nap or cool drinks
RAPTOR...


Followed by dessert -- funnel cake with chocolate!
WICKED TWISTER...

Can you spot the Hawaiians waiting in line?




Oh, oh... sugar kicking in!
WILD CAT...


I better down the funnel cake with a shooter of Mountain Dew...
MILLENNIUM...

RAILROAD -- MAVERICK (ATTEMPT TWO, BROKE DOWN AGAIN!)...

Babe, da Maverick when broke down again...
TOP THRILL DRAGSTER (ATTEMPT TWO, BROKE DOWN) -- ARCADES

Look what Ho'e won for Khyla -- Pepeiao, for his big ears
It's almost 10 p.m. and we are aching on every part of our body! Time to go home and pack. Good thing we got princess parking parallel to the entrance gates. Sweet!

What a beautiful day!

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Day 3

It's Cedar Point day! The Hawaiians were actually up before me! So they took Keala on a morning walk while I got ready and cleaned the kitchen. Big surprise -- Ikaika stayed home with me.

We left at 10:30 a.m.!

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Evening 2

Ho'olaulea at the Brlas backyard!

Steak, rice, mom's potato salad, cheddar cheese brats in a bun, hot dogs, sour apples, iced tea and Coors Light






All we need is an in-ground pool and some tiki torches and we're set!

Hey, where are the stinkin' thunderstorms?? Ah-yah!

Uncle Keali'i took Keala on her midnight walk...

...while Uncle Ho'e took Ikaika. Unfortunately he put "da stops" several times! Ikaika, that is!

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Day 2

All the weather channels said it was suppose to thunderstorm in our area so we decided to go Cedar Point tomorrow. It will work out for the best since we all woke up LATE! We are thinking we are going to relax in the backyard and have a BBQ! When the storm comes we are going to watch movies. And go sleep early!!

But first, Ms. Slave Driver is putting the boys to work... nice job!

Hawaiian lawn service

KHYLA'S KONNECTION: Ho'e and Keali'i Day 1

Goodbye Lanai...

Aloha Cleveland and Elyria, Ohio!
I can't believe I was up early enough to meet the gang at the airport! It's because I was so excited I couldn't really fall asleep. I cleaned instead. Khyla chose to grab some breakfast at McDonald's before heading home.

Keala was so ecstatic to see everyone! She looked like a little puppy jumping up and down and wagging her tail wildly. Ikaika came out and sniffed everyone before running back in his crate. But it didn't take him long to venture out in the dining room -- he smelled the food! And he stuck around!

Keali'i and Keala

Ikaika and Khyla
After settling into their rooms and taking showers, we all passed out and took a much needed nap. We woke up 4-5 hours later and watched Iron Man 1 on Blu-Ray. That inspired us to go out.

We drove to Avon Commons and Crocker Park in search of beanies for the boys. Keali'i ended up buying two beanies, two shoes, slippers and socks! With all the good smells around the stores we ended up going to Champps for dinner.



After Ho'e and Keali'i walked over to Giant Eagle while Khyla and I hung out at Borders. We also bought tickets for Iron Man 2. I was kinda sad that we had a small theater to watch the movie. It really makes a difference for action films! But they all loved it all the same.

We were driving home at midnight and decided to do some food shopping at Walmart. Ho'e is cooking fried chicken and rice for us to eat tomorrow. Cedar Point food is always expensive.

Don't forget the dogs... a lovely night for a walk.

Skype time! Who-misses-who more? Us or Tita?

We all relaxed and ended the night watching part of Up. You know what tomorrow is! Pray for good weather!