Mahalo Mahola House!

This is the spot where Rob and I married.

At one time, when we were planning to have a full-blown formal wedding -- we visited nearly every estate and beautiful vista on Oahu from Elvis' and Paul Mitchell's estates to vintage homes in Manoa to elegant country ranches in Mokuleia. Places that ranged up to $8,000 for a site fee!

...And now that I look back at that time in our lives...this kind of venue hunt is typical to my personality...where the grass always seemed greener just beyond...when in fact, I really didn't need to look any farther than our own backyard.

We married in my family's backyard on Mahola Street, where I grew up in Aiea. It has been in our family for nearly 20 years and rests alongside a valley where I remember waterfalls flowing when it would rain really hard.

I forgot how beautiful the Hawaiian sunsets were from our balcony, which overlooked Pearl Harbor, where we could see from Waikiki to the Waianae mountains.



Since I was a kid, I always resented this house because it was always so much work and maintenance. And now that it's been sold and will no longer be in our family as of May...I realize how beautiful of a home it was to grow up in, and what a waste it was to resent it for so long...I guess you learn these things as you grow up and the landmarks in your life are no more.




At any rate, in celebration of our second anniversary...here's something funny Lisa Nabb sent me...

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids)

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8


WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10I

Halloween in Sicily!

October 26, 2005 Rob and I had a wiki wiki (fast) pau hana (after work) wedding in my parent's backyard.

We'd been engaged for a few years but never felt compelled to make it official until our immediate move to Italy required that we reconsider our stance.

Given the time crunch, in leiu of wedding attire, we showed up in jailbird costumes with a ball and chain 'round the ankle.

So it struck us silly that two years later in Sicily on the day of our anniversary we'd be invited to a Halloween costume party.



Here's Steve squeezed in the back of our Lancia. Didn't his mother ever teach him how to sit properly in a dress??!



I love this expression on the bandit's face. He's obviously having a hard time getting a leg up on the ladies.



Now maybe Maryellen doesn't do costumes as her shirt says but that sure does look like a good impression of a jack o lantern face if I've ever seen one!

Halloween in Sicily!

Rob nabbed first prize as "The Pampered Chef." Pampered Chef is a big thing over here at Sigonella -- it's like the Williams Sonoma version of a tupperware party. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find adult size pull-up Depends for a man as big as Rob.

Gambino Winery in Etna!

So after mom and dad left, Steve from Sciacca came to spend our anniversary weekend with us! So we set up a little trip to Gambino Winery...for a vineyard tour, wine tastings and antipasti lunch. Here's zio Steve and me!






This photo cracks me up - our tour guide's expression. He looks like he's saying .... "blah blah blah Mr. and Mrs. Americans ...blah blah blah."

In truth, he did not look this bored...He was really dynamic, gave us a fantastic overview of the winemaking process and showed us a really great time at Gambino.



These oak barrels are imported from France used three times to flavor and age wine and then are sold as planter boxes to the locals.



Atlanta Su and Kelly pose in front of the vineyard of more than 4000 grape bushes...

Gambino Winery in Etna!

Pat and Rob look like folks that came to Gambino on the short bus...if ya know what I mean!



After touring, wine and food .... Pat noticed chestnuts along the roadside. So we all jumped out of the car and helped gather. She later boiled them and they were fabulous that way!

Monreale in Sicily!

Monreale is just a few minutes uphill from Palermo. There's a beautiful church there, which is even more lovely during a wedding!