Still here...

Hi! It has been awhile since I've (either of us) have blogged. We've been really busy ringing in the new year and hosting Matt's parents. Matt's mom came right after Christmas with a suitcase full of gifts! One being Matt's new flip video recorder (see last blog)...or should I refer to it as Matt's new obsession!! We had a wonderful visit with Joy. She helped us ring in the New Year in style (70's style that is) as we boogied down with K.C. and the Sunshine Band! The concert was a blast and in true Elizabeth fashion...I happened to bump into K.C.(looking pretty old...but sounding very disco!) as the concert ended and we all got to meet him and shake his sweaty hand! We also hit up almost every Hawaii tourist attraction (yes, I went to Pearl Harbor for the 4th time) and shared with her our "secret" beaches and bars as well. We sent her back to 20 degree PA with a glowing tan!



Matt's Dad and Karen flew in on the 14th and we did it all over again! No, not really. We mix it up for our guests! We actually went on a whale watching tour which was really cool! Whale migration season in Hawaii is late Dec. thru early April. We took a boat out off the coast of Waikiki and basically stared at the water for 2 hours. After 30 mins. in and no whales you can imagine Matt's attitude. But then out of no where, we saw a huge blowhole spray and a partial whale body. The whales kept it coming for the rest of the trip. Of course not one of them "breeched"(jumped up and out)...like you see in pictures, but it was a very cool experience. Matt caught it all on his flip, so I have no pictures to post now...and I have no clue how to work that thing, but a video might soon follow. We grilled out alot and spent a lot of time hanging out at Bellows and Waimanalo beaches...the prettiest I've ever seen.



Since Dad and Karen left, Matt and I are getting back to our "usual" routine. I finally started back to school on the 24th...after a 22 day Christmas break!! I've never been out for so long... hmmmm, wonder why Hawaii is ranked so low in education stats?? We also get 2 weeks off for spring break...I'm not complaining! Matt went back to work on Tuesday for a 2 week stint. He's currently maxed out on patients which leads to longer hours, but he's getting through it. We've got some fun things to look forward to... We are going to the NFL Pro-Bowl on February 10th and then I'm SURE (heehee) we'll go on some sort of Valentines trip...Maui, Turtle Bay, at least Waikiki, which is more than most people can say!! We're most excited about jumping on a plane and flying for 12 hours to Philly!! No, really I'm serious! We are leaving on Easter Sunday and will spend a long week in PA with Matt's family. We are very excited to see Bill, Gina, Chris, Kathy and our sweet nephews, Billy and Charlie. We will also have a brand new niece...courtesy of Chris and Kathy (due 3/17...of course, it's a Hogan)!! We can't wait to meet her!



Star sighting?? We've lived in Hawaii now for 6 months (can you believe it?) and I had yet to see a celebrity even though they're pictured here all the time...where the hell are they?? But the other day at our local Hawaii Kai branch of First Hawaiian Bank we had our first...kind of. Matt had run in the bank and I stayed in the car. I get this text from him that reads "Dog is in here"...so I immediantly think, "that's wierd, but so?" A seeing-eye dog I'm sure. I sit a little longer and it suddenly hits me! I run into the bank and there sits Dog The Bounty Hunter (Ex bounty hunter maybe?). Anyway, I've never watched the show, but I recognized him immediantly. T-shirt, MC hammer-like sweatpants and the longest blond mullet ever!! I proceeded to pretend I was doing some official banking business and snapped a photo of him on my cell phone. Of course I have no clue how to get that picture out of my phone...if it's even possible, and really, who cares!! We actually knew (or had heard) that he lived in our neighborhood, but I guess he's been laying low since his big racist debacle. Anyway, he drives a navy suburban with a dream catcher hanging from the rearview mirror for any of you secret fans (aunt Beth). Anyway, so typical that he would be our first semi-celebrity sighting...such a dissappointment. I was much more excited when I ran into Davis from last year's season of Real World at the LA fitness in ATL.



Since the flip has taken over our lives I haven't really taken any pictures since Christmas Day...so here they go. Matt and Charlie had to work so instead of getting depressed, Roisin and I hiked to the tip top of Diamond Head and showed off our Christmas spirit (note the rainbows behind us). Later that night we cooked a Christmas meal for about 10...even though it was only the 4 of us. Roisin introduced us to "Christmas Crackers"...these poppers that spew out a gift and a crown for everyone...YEA...featured below.



The most important thing I can tell you is that we MISS you so much! Never in my life have I missed my family and friends more. We'll be visting PA and GA in the spring and we can't wait!! YOU need to start planning your Hawaiian vacation soon! Yes, I'll even take you to Pearl Harbor!