Entries Tagged as 'chris'

Kona Brewing & Pub

March 24th, 2011 · No Comments

That night Dallas, Danny, Caroline, Cory, Chris and I went to Kona Brewing for dinner. Like the real Kona Brewing Brew Pub… in Kona! We’d been drinking Kona Brewing beer all this trip and we had Kona Brewing’s Fire Rock Pale Ale as one of our wedding beers, so we were all excited to check it out.

There was a little bit of a wait when we arrived, so we headed for the bar. For those of you keeping track, this was about our 13th day of drinking… ahhhh… my liver! But I had to try one beer. I had the Duke’s Blonde Ale (A crisp, light and refreshing ale. An excellent warm weather midday quencher with a delicate touch of hops to balance the light maltiness), which is only available on draft. That was all I had. I think Dallas only had one beer as well. We were losing our steam!

For dinner we all split some pupus: Kalua Pig Naalehu Nachos – White Corn tortilla chips layered with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, black beans, green chiles, tomatoes, black olives, corn, jalapeños and a side of salsa. These were really good. We also had Pele’s Fire Wings – Fire Rock Pale Ale marinated wings, tossed in your choice of spicy sauces and served with a side of KBC’s ranch dressing. I didn’t try any of these, but I’m going to assume they were HOT since Pele is the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Finally, we had Keauhou Crab Dip – a rich blend of crab meat, cream cheese, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, roasted red peppers, a touch of fresh garlic and a splash of Longboard Island Lager. Served with KBC’s herbed pita bread. Pretty good, the crab meat was plentiful.

For my entree I got Uncle’s Shrimp Tacos – Three soft tacos made with cajun-seasoned shrimp, topped with cabbage, black beans, corn, diced tomato, green onion and cilantro. Drizzled with a chipotle yogurt sauce and avocado aioli. Served with a side of rice pilaf. I think maybe I just made a wrong choice? Or they were having an off night? I really liked our pupus but these tacos just were not doing it for me. The shrimp was way over cooked and had shrunk down to the tough little tiny shrimps. Not good. And I didn’t love the chipotle sauce. I would go back here, though, and we did later on(!) because the beer and the pupus were great.. and because everyone else seemed to like what they had.

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Shopping and Sunbathing on the Big Island

March 23rd, 2011 · No Comments


Hapuna Beach Prince Lanai

On our first day on the Big Island I woke up early so I went to the Cafe Hapuna and got some coffee, yogurt, fruit, juice and snacks. It was so nice to sit out on our private lanai and drink my coffee, eating some breakfast and listening to the ocean. I let Dallas sleep in.


Hapuna Beach Prince, Beach Bar


Club Sandwich

About mid-morning Caroline called me. She, Danny, Cory and Chris were on the Big Island at the same time as us. Dallas, Danny and Chris were all golfing at the Hapuna Beach course that day, so they were on their way driving over. When they arrived we went to the Hapuna Beach Bar for a light lunch before heading out for the day. The guys had Kona Brewing beer. Cory and I had a bloody mary. Caroline and I split a club sandwich. We saved our plastic cups. More on that later.


Hapuna Beach


Hapuna Beach Prince, Looking towards Beach Bar (lower level) and Coast Grille (up above)


Hapuna Beach Prince Pool

While the guys were golfing, Caroline, Cory and I went to Waikoloa to go shopping. We went to both the Queens’ Marketplace and the Kings’ Shops. Kings’ Shops were a little more high-end and by the time we got there I hit a wall where I couldn’t shop any more. I sat outside on a bench trying not to fall asleep like an old lady while Cory and Caroline were inside a store trying on bikinis! Luckily for me, Cory and Caroline realized this was our cue to leave, so we went back to the Hapuna Beach Prince to relax by the pool and beach.


Big Island Chips

Remember when I said we saved our cups? For some reason, Cory and Caroline had like a half bottle of rum that they put into a water bottle for the pool. While we were shopping we picked up some pina colada mix. Then Caroline went to the bar to ask for ice so we could mix some drinks. I never had pina coloda on ice, but it wasn’t bad! Especially with Cory’s generous rum pours! We also snacked on a few Big-Island made chips. Atebara Potato Chips are made in Hilo and are a really good potato chip. Kind of greasy, but good. They reminded me of the Maui made Kitch’n Cook’d potato chips I had a few years ago when visiting Maui. The Maebo’s One-Ton Chips were so good, though. They’re made of fried wonton skins! And they’re made in Hilo.


Gorgeous Hapuna Beach Sunset


Sunset from the hot tub.


Red sky at night….

We hung around the pool and beach for the rest of the afternoon. When Dallas, Danny and Chris were done with golf they joined us for a swim. Nice and relaxing!

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Whale-Watching Oscars Barbecue

March 21st, 2011 · 2 Comments

Name three things you never thought would go together: Whale-watching, Oscars, barbecue! Ha.


Ging, Damien, Billy (Photo by Rob)


(Photo by Rob)


Damien (Photo by Rob)


Jordan & Liz (Photo by Jen)


Cousin, Loden, Brian (Photo by Rob)


Dallas (Photo by Rob)


Cliff Jumping (Photo by Jen)


Ross (Photo by Rob)


Brian & Jill (Photo by Kristin)

If I back up just a little bit, though, when we got back from breakfast a bunch of people had gone to Shipwreck Beach. Dallas and some others left to join them, but since we’d told people to stop by the house on Sunday, I thought I should stay there. Kristin and I sat around by the pool. I took a nap on a float. After a while, it was clear that no one was stopping by until later. I blame this on hangovers! So, Kristin and I went to Shipwrecks for a while too. I had fun playing in the surf with Brian and Chad and Jill for about an hour.


Tien, Pina Colada Master


Cousin, Dad & Dallas Grilling


Dallas, Josh & Tweeny Grilling


Richard & Amanda


Richard & Rachelle


Todd, Kelly, Damian, Vanessa, Sara, Brian, Adam, Christine, Trevor, Kate


Todd & Kelly


Such a pretty sunset!


One last sunset shot, this one taken in the same spot a few days earlier. (Photo by Kristin)

When we came home friends began coming over to hang out. Some just stopped by on their way out of town or on the way to other plans. We had a big barbecue to try to eat up our leftover food and drinks. It was a task we were not up for! We sat out on the lanai and watched whales while eating dinner. There was a beautiful sunset that night and I found a bunch of our friends across the street watching the beautiful show. Also, the Oscars were on (on a time delay) so some people were having fun watching who won. This was our last day on Kauai, so it was nice to hang out with everyone one last time.


Watching the Oscars


Watching the Oscars


Josh & Tweeny watching basketball


Paul, Kate, Caroline, Cory, Tammy, Chris, Dallas


Party Slippers


Cory & Kathy


Dallas, Danny & Chris

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Christmas Dinner at Aunty Gail’s

December 28th, 2010 · No Comments


Cory, Miko, John


Kenji, Hideto and Derek playing the super-old pinball machine


Tickle fight with Tommy


Dallas & Rachelle. I don’t know why I’m so squinty. Wine?


As you can see, the kids were really focused on eating dinner (Tommy & Kenji)


Mitch & Hideto


Cory, Chris, Aunty Laura, Scotty, Krystyn, Hideto. In the front: Danny & Caroline.


Chris won the prize for figuring out how to fold up the chairs.


Aunty Glenna and Uncle BB


Trying to assemble for a family photo.


This always takes a while.


Getting closer…..


Almost there….


Made it! (Photo by Heather)
Back: Jeff, Heather, John, Kyle, Miko, Dallas, Chris, Caroline, Danny, Chris, Aly, Brad, Amanda, Cory.
Middle: Uncle Neil, Kate, Aunty Gail, Kenji, Aunty Peggy, Derek, Aunty Laura, Hideto, Uncle BB, Aunty Glenna.
Front: Doug, Naoko, Tommy, Mitch, Ben, Winnie, Rachelle


Dallas, Hideto, Cory


Kenji


Tommy


Some of the older kids help facilitate the gift exchange.


Derek, Chris, Mitch


Gift exchange in full swing.


Amanda and Brad. Brad got bacon popcorn that we brought.


Danny got Spam in the gift exchange.


Mitch & Chris


Tommy & Kenji


Dallas with his rice. (Photo by Heather)

On Christmas day we always go to Dallas’s Aunty Gail’s house out in Mount Prospect, IL. Every year Aunty Gail makes beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole and her mom’s lettuce/mayo/crab/pea salad. It never varies. Dessert varies because other people always bring different desserts, but Aunty Gail always makes her signature cookies. Now, I’m not complaining that it doesn’t vary, because it’s not like I’m eating steak and potatoes every night! And dinner always tastes super good.

After dinner all of the adults have a $10 gift exchange. There were a lot of people participating in the gift exchange this year. 25, I think, but it wasn’t very crazy at all. Not compared to some of the other years. We’re going to have to kick it up a notch next year. This year I came out with some votives and Dallas got a big bag of rice. Actually, he got something else and traded for the rice. He always wants that rice gift that Aunty Gail puts in every year.

This year it was amazing to see all the kids in the family. .. and more on the way!

Previous Christmases at Aunty Gail’s:
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005

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Early Thanksgiving Dinner at Aunty Laura’s House

November 17th, 2010 · No Comments


Tommy


Dallas in the basement playing video games with Tommy, Kenji, Mitch and Chris.


Kenji will be 2 in December.


Brad and Amanda getting ready to eat.


Aunty Gail helping her grandsons Chris and Mitch get dinner.


Pretty blurry, but Naoko is always the cutest pregnant lady. And she told me she’s never gotten morning sickness!


Matt, Aunty Gail, Uncle BB, Brad, Amanda, Danny

On Sunday Aunty Laura hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I think Laura does this every year but we have only been able to go one other time, in 2008. Funny Naoko was pregnant then too, and Tommy was about Kenji’s age. Doug and Noako are expecting the baby in January and they don’t know if it’s a boy or girl. I hope it’s a girl!

Great food. Good to see everyone again. We hadn’t seen much of these guys since early September.

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