Aloha!! I had a wonderful time on Oahu for the last two weeks. I got home late Monday night, had one day to run laundry and then had jury duty today so I haven't had a chance to post a picture of my dinner with Amanda and Masaki until just now.

It was wonderful to see them, and Little Fish is just adorable! The Takais took me to dinner at a Japanese restaurant one night, and then came the next week to have a picnic where I was staying with friends. Marika is an absolute doll who lives in the middle of an adoring circle of adults, as well she should. I had so much fun just watching her in action. Like most toddlers her age, she is in constant motion.

Here is a picture of the Takais at the restaurant:

Glad you had a great time. And all the Takais are beautiful...what a beautiful baby!!

Oh how lucky you are Marsha, to get to meet Marika! What a treat to have dinner with her dear parents as well!

Have been wondering about your meeting, Marsha, and so happy to hear from you!

Beautiful family, and Marika is really "Daddy's little girl! (IMHO)"

Would love to hear more about your trip!

It WAS a great time and we loved getting to meet Marsha's friends as well at the picnic.

Marsha - I did get the picture of Marika on my phone eventually - thanks!

Masaki

We had such a wonderful time seeing Marsha again! And she got to meet our not-so-little fish. Her friends were as great as she was.

Glad to hear you're setting back to every day life, Marsha. The trip would have been perfect if George were there, too!

Marsha,
Thanks for posting the adorable family photo! I'm so glad you had a nice time. Welcome home!

Beautiful photo of a beautiful family!

Welcome back, Marsha.

Kathy, I haven't spent time in Hawaii before and I really loved Oahu. We were right on Waikiki beach and I got into the routine of going down to the water every morning at about 6:30 for a swim before breakfast. It was idyllic.

We saw a lot of the island, trying to take a different road every day. We made a couple of trips to the north side where we saw different beaches and spent some time at an orchid farm. There were some very interesting looking small towns on that side of the island and I wish we'd had more time to look at some of the small art galleries over there. One of my friends and I hiked Diamond Head one day and enjoyed the spectacular view. The weather was gorgeous the entire two weeks. My only problem was that my curly hair frizzed every which way in the humidity!

One of the nicest things about Hawaii was the unhurried pace and the extreme friendliness of the people who live there. That sensibility was contagious.

I really enjoyed my girls-only vacation but I missed George and he was so sorry not to get to see Amanda and Masaki. Photos will have to suffice until we can go together!!

Beautiful picture - Little Fish is adorable - Marsha your early morning "dip" sounded wonderful -

We're all so jealous! What a wonderful picture and good time had by all!

Don't you just want to pinch her little cheeks! What a cutie!!! :hug:

Nope, I want to kiss those cheeks.

Glad you had a wonderful time. I loved Hawaii when I was there many years ago.

Marsha,
It sounds like a wonderfully relaxing time for you, especially having the time to esplore. My only experience there was when I persuaded DH that "it was on the way back" from an Asian trip we took in 1970. I can't imagine how different it must be now! Stayed at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki and took a flightseeing trip of the other islands, landing on Hawaii and Kauii, still vivid memories.

I'm very glad we did it as we're not beach people and wouldn't make that long flight now to see it; it made a nice break on the trip from Hong Kong, but we had been gone 4 weeks and I think I was ready to come home!

Kathy, the Royal Hawaiian was just steps away from the apartment where we stayed, and it's really a glorious spot. The gardens are beautiful and the pink buildings really suit the setting. They have a new wing that I didn't think fit in too well but overall it's a beautiful hotel. They were setting up for an enormous wedding when I was prowling around and it looked to be a very impressive affair.

Marika has grown A LOT since we saw her last November - but still as adorable as ever.

Marsha, thanks so much for posting the photo - it was great to see the whole family! Your Hawaiian trip sounds like it was a wonderful vacation.

She definitely has more hair than when you saw her, Margo. :D

Masaki

Marsha - so glad you had a great time in Hawaii.
As for the picture of the Takais:
Amanda & Masaki have not aged a day since MINT, but look how big Marika is already! They must have put her into a time machine so she gets older and they don't! :D

Ah, Gil - you silver-tongued devil. Your check is in the mail. :)

Masaki