Yup, that’s right! Another year has passed and that makes me 26 this time around. Wow, the years seem to be flying by and from what I hear time just continues to speed up. If there was any kind of resolution to be made for this upcoming year it would be to slow down and enjoy as much as I can. It really seems like life is in fast forward lately and I’m doing my best to really make each day, each moment count. I feel so blessed to have survived 25 (I know that sounds ridiculous but man there were some curve balls)! Although there were some major bumps in the road I feel like I have been set up to really really appreciate the next 26 years and beyond. I’ve never seen so clearly all the blessings that I have and feel so fortunate to have such an incredible and loving family, an adorable husband who stays up late baking birthday cakes and decorating so that it is “just right”. After all, as the man says “baking is a science” and “you can’t rush art”. Did I mention my ridiculously awesome friends who despite distances and time changes have never felt closer? There’s also that part about living in Hawaii, being able to walk to surf and work, owning a sailboat and a kick ass condo…yeah I would say life is pretty sweet!

and now for the actual day….

Hubs made me his famous french toast and served me breakfast in bed with an insanely large class of grape juice (my favorite!!!). After that we headed to the boat and spent the next 6-7 hours cruising the harbor and venturing out farther and farther to sea. Not only was it my birthday which set the day up to be pretty awesome but the sailing was PHENOMENAL! We were able to work so well together and really got to hash out the whole sailing business. After an incredible day in the sun we headed home to shower up for dinner. Mexican food, frozen yogurt and AVATAR 3-D! Am I spoiled or what?

With the company and help of Mike and Winnie we made it into Waikiki for our first ever destination voyage! The sail over was a little nerve racking since we were headed basically straight up into the wind but all in all the ride was pretty pleasant. It felt incredible to actually put our boat to use and see all our hard work paying off. A quick swim and a little lunch and then we were back to sea for the sail home which was completely amazing! Ahh sailing downwind, a sailors perfect ending to a great adventure! Did I mention the three whales (two up close) and a pod of dolphins that we encountered?!??!

• Update! We also made into into Waikiki this past weekend with our friends Jon and Christy. The sail was beautiful and so much fun. For once we were able to really enjoy our boat and felt confident that at least this time around we had all the quirks worked out and could just enjoy. We swam around, ate a ridiculous amount of junk food and napped to Santana courtesy of our new speakers Ryan just installed! …….And then the topping lift came down- ah to hell with it, who needs a topping lift? haha

Here is a picture from our first sail into Waikiki:

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”- Scott Adams

I think I’ve blogged about Ryan’s chaotic method of the self hair cut and when I came across this quote I thought it perfectly summed up his process. A little bit terrifying for the viewer, a whole lot of silliness and a series of seemingly blind cuts all seem to somehow work out in the end. Mistakes or art? I’m not sure where his approach fits?

What I do love most about this seasons haircut is the amazing rat tail he has seemed to have fallen in love with. There is nothing better than my almost 27 year old husband sporting the latest fashions for the Hawaiian nine-year olds. His beard trimming was pretty entertaining as usual…

The artist at work:

Which style this time? The Half-do? Mullet?

Nah, I think the rat tail is best!

And now for the beard…I left the room after this one, who knows what the end product will be?

And the final outcome, rat tail and all!