Aloha!

One of the best experiences I have had in my life was being able to go to school in Hawaii, and not just because Ben and I met there (of all places-on a curb).  That was definitely a plus to it, though.  Hawaii will always hold a special place in my heart, and I often miss the beauty of the islands and the spirit of the people that live there.  At times I wish I had stayed more than just a year, but in my heart I knew I wasn't supposed to.  There have been many times that I have just wanted to say to Ben that we should pick up and move there, even just for a year or two.  I haven't been back to Hawaii since my roommate got married in 2002.  I'm so excited to go back as Ben's graduation present (he graduated almost a year ago).  Hopefully later this year we will be going.  To hold me over, Ben, Baylee and I swung in at the very end of the Arizona Aloha Festival on Saturday in Tempe.  Ben had spent most of the day helping my parents move, so we barely made it.  I was so happy we did, though, even if it was just a quick visit.    

Baylee and I after eating some yummy Hawaiian food by one of the performance stages.  I love Kalua pork, and they even had malasadas (like fried doughnuts)!  When I was in Hawaii there was a truck that went around the island selling malasadas.  You never knew where is was going to be.  Sometimes you would find it when you made a trip a few towns over to go to Walmart, other times it was exciting to find the truck in the little (and I mean little) shopping center by the school.  They were so yummy!

We had to get a picture of Baylee and Ben together too.  She was loving the strawberry lemonade-it was so hot!  We had just woken her up, and I think all she really ate on Saturday was sugar.  We hadn't eaten lunch, and it was about 4 when we got there.  She wouldn't eat the plate lunch we got, but she did finally eat the malasadas. 

We spent some time walking around, reminiscing, and wanting to buy too many things (the Aloha sign above is one of our purchases).   

 
Anyone recognize these guys in the gray/black shirts?  They are from one of the "Biggest" reality shows.  We are rooting for them!  It was really fun to see them there!

We had a lot of fun.  I didn't get enough of my fill of Hawaiian food, but at least now I know where there are a couple of Hawaiian food places.  I was really tempted to go back yesterday.  I wanted more food, and I wish we had been able to watch more of the performances.  So, we will definitely go back again next year, and I can't wait for us to go back to Hawaii and take Baylee and Payton!