Whale Watching

My favorite part of a Maui vacation is whale watching.  From December to April thousands of humpback whales make their way from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Maui.  During the summer months the whales will gorge themselves on schools of krill and small fish, and when the Alaskan waters become too cold, they begin their 6-8 week journey to Maui.  For expectant mothers the migration is more about survival than comfort since the newborn calves haven't had the chance to store large amounts of fat, they would likely freeze in the cold waters of Alaska.  The warm waters of Maui are the perfect place to mate and give birth.

Interesting to know that humpback will go the entire time they spend in Maui - up to 4 months - without eating anything at all.  Consequently the adult whales will lose up to 1/3 of their body weight during their winter vacation.  The babies nurse and gain from 7 - 10 pounds a hour drinking the milk which is 40% fat!

The whales are often friendly and come close to the whale watching boats.

This year we saw lots of whales and lots of breaches. 

Scientists don't know why whales breach but there are a lot of theories floating around.   Some think they are using the force of the impact to get barnacles off their skins or perhaps they are working on their tail muscles for the long journey back to Alaska.  The most accepted answer that everyone can agree on is simply because they can.

Watching one of these 20 - 50 ton animals leap out of the water is thrilling! I don't know why they do it but I am sure glad they do! 

Another common whale behavior is called 'pec slapping'.   This is when the Humpback is swimming in a very relaxed state on the surface of the water lifting and dropping its massive pectoral fins into the water on one side or the other.  These fins can be up to 15 feet in length and weigh up to 1/3 of the whale's body weight  so they make some mighty splashes.

Pec slapping is believed to be a means of communication letting other whales know that a particular whale is in the area.

It does resemble waving!  

If I had a few million dollars I'd buy one of the houses on the beach and spend all my time whale watching from my deck!

Snorkeling

We did do some snorkeling this year.  I've always liked the idea of snorkeling but because I am not a super strong swimmer, I was always nervous.  Last year I ordered snorkeling vests and wow, what a difference they make.  Now I love it and find it completely relaxing!

I admit that I was a bit nervous when we read this sign as we were about to go into the water. 

I am happy to report that we didn't see a single shark.  The reef shark I saw in the Galapagos Islands was the last shark I ever hope to see while swimming. 

I fear that snorkeling in Galapagos spoiled us but we did see some pretty fish here too....just not as many.  

The coral formed canyons.  It was tricky to swim through the deep areas avoiding the shallow water over the coral.  The snorkel vests are especially helpful managing this. 

  A fun part of our vacation! 

Here today - Gone to Maui

Here today! Gone to Maui! Corny but true!  We were 'gone to Maui' and it was a wonderful vacation.  When I asked George what he wanted to do on this trip his reply was, "Nothing" so we spent a lot of time doing this by the pool! 

We did have a fun dinner and see a show with our old neighbors from both Barcelona and Eagle, Sandi and Don Palmer.  Always wonderful to catch up with friends.  The show wasn't our favorite but visiting with the Palmers was perfect!

Sunsets on Maui are a highlight of the day!

We've been to Maui many times but this was the first time we've experienced an all day downpour.   A perfect time to watch a couple of movies while the rain came down.  

We can't complain because most of the time it was like this....sunny and warm!

 Maui is still my 'happy place'.  When do I get to go back?

Boise Weekend

I made a quick trip to Boise for a long weekend.  They still have a ton of snow!  I loved it but Matt and Scott are getting tired of all the shoveling they have had to do.

Construction is finally happening after our flood.  I got the new built in bookcases I've always wanted for the family room. 

New carpet! 

Fun new paint colors!  Green accent wall in Scott's room, gray in bedrooms and in the bathroom, extra white trim, porcelain walls and a dark gray accent wall in the family room....  

Matt and Scott ordered their new mattresses. 

I did a lot of sorting and cleaning out.  We took 2 big loads to DI.  And I still managed to have some grandma time with Isabella.  Currently she is obsessed with Pat-a Cake. 

 As soon as I finished it one time she wanted me to do it again! 

So much fun with this cutie!  When she finally tired of 'pat-a-cake' and 'putting it in the oven for baby and me' she entertained herself with books. A girl after my own heart!
 I can hardly wait to go back in a month or so!

Blizzard Round 4

I found this sign on the 75% off table at Safeway last week so I decided I needed it on my door!  And it worked like a charm!

 I went to dinner at a friend's house last night and came home in a 'Colorado worthy' snow storm. 

Those snow covered trees are so beautiful but can also be quite dangerous. See that little branch blocking our stairs?

In a city with so many huge trees the heavy snow presents lots of problems.  Here is a tree in my friend's yard. Luckily it missed the house but her whole neighborhood is without power.

And here is another picture to show the problems this kind of snow presents to Lake Oswego.  Luckily this one didn't hit a house.

Officially in Lake Oswego they are saying we have 9 inches.  On our deck we have about 6! Portland may be closed for days! Maybe until spring! I love the hashtag one of my teacher friends used on her photos of the day - #6dayweekend. It's 1:00 p.m. and I'm still in my jammies!  Enjoying this snow day to the fullest!

The Blizzards

In Portland we don't call them blizzards we call them 'snow events' and we've had 3 so far this winter.  The first one was when we were flying home from the Galapagos Islands.  Our only worry then was whether we would make it home from the airport.  We did!

The next one was about a week later.  The predicted 2 - 3 inches of snow didn't keep me from going to the mall since I was way behind on my Christmas shopping.  When I went out to put packages in my car I realized that it was definitely snowing and that I had better go home.  The normal 20 minute trip took me 2 hours!  Luckily I didn't have to go to the bathroom!  I actually like the way people in Oregon drive in the snow - SLOW!  In Idaho and Colorado there is always someone who thinks they can zip around and that makes me nervous.  I wasn't nervous during my 2 hour drive and my car did great!  I only slipped once or twice.  I just cranked up the Christmas music and tried to relax!

This weekend we had another snow/ice storm.  Most of the time here the biggest problems come from the ice.  We didn't have church today....in fact this is the 2nd time this winter when we haven't had church because of the weather.  Our stake is very hilly and parts are rural.  There is no snow removal equipment and only a few sand trucks.  Our Stake President said that since the city governments were asking people to stay off the roads, we would cancel church throughout the stake.

Our front deck

Apartment complex sidewalks 

The street behind us is a steep hill.  This might best show why we are homebound with this small amount of snow. 

I love snow days!  I know our Boise family and friends are laughing hysterically at what constitutes a snow event here when they have more than 13 inches!  This picture is from our front door in Boise.

In Boise snow depth records that have held for 30 years have been broken and it has been super cold.  It is snowing again today.  Here's the sidewalk to our house. 

 And the driveway! 

Isabella loves it! 

As does Monica!  I don't think she has seen this much snow in her whole life!  I should clarify that she loved it the first few days....I'm not sure if 'love' is the right word now. 

Isabella, Monica and John walked to the grocery store.  I would love to know what Isabella thinks about this new white, cold world! 

I think everyone in Boise is feeling like this.... 

Holiday Movies

George and I usually go to the movie pretty regularly but the last few months there just hasn't been much we were interested in seeing.  During the holidays we saw two really fun and totally enjoyable movies.

On Christmas Eve we took the family to see Rogue One. I loved it!  It is so fun to know 'the rest of the story' about the stolen plans for the Death Star from the very first Star Wars movie which we saw as newlyweds in 1977 !

I knew I was going to enjoy Fantastic Beasts as soon as I heard the Harry Potter theme music.  It made me smile.  The whole thing was just pure fun!  I'm glad that it is pretty obviously set up for a sequel starring Johnny Depp.

I love when George takes me out to the movies!!!!