"Dixie Tour" -- Along w/ some JR shows, we took a roadtrip to meet up with some friends and family in Alabama. David Drake is a close friend and true Roll-Tider thru and thru...

Seeing the Ferguson's reminded us why we like to be around family. Southern hospitality was at its peak in Hoover...

Ran into a few funny people along the way...

It wasn't the Apple Valley Open, but Mel would be proud knowing we played a mean game of tennis on the Fourth of July. "Get ready for the big serve from this former Girls' Doubles State Champ -- bringing the heat."

DREAMLAND...a full rack of heavenly ribs. No one does it better. No one.

Blair was the skipper while we all took turns on the knee board, tube, and skiing. Some of us just ate licorice...


Auntie Juju workin' her magic with Kai...

Spencer shows his stuff on the knee board...

Good times on the lake...

"Back to the Mainland" -- Although there are many things we'll miss about Hawaii, we are psych'd to be back in SLC. Since moving from paradise, we have kept busy washing the car...

Eating corn on the cob (thanks mom and dad)...

Playing on the rocking horse at Grandma and Grandpas...

...and celebrating Kristie's big 30th birthday. We love her and think her cake is right on by calling her "FOXY!"

ALOHA to Hawaii...

The Falevais...

The Taeas...

The Gayles...
Kai's best buddy, Nalu...

The Buckholz...

...and the rest of our Kahuku/Laie ohana. Mahalo Nui Loa. Aloha; a hui ho.

As you probably know, Kristie and I accompanied the BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir tour to China and Mongolia. It's impossible to show all of the things we got to see, but here's a glimpse of a trip that we will not likely forget...

Seoul Korea Temple



The choir sings inside the Forbidden City...

Hiking the Great Wall proved to be no small feat, but
still one of our favorite spots on the tour.

Can you get away with this in China?

The choir performs a traditional Hawaiian piece and crowd favorite...

Taking a bicycle ride on top of the City Wall of Xian...

Terra Cotta Warrior Museum...simply awesome.

I'm told this one was the strongest warrior. His
bravery was unmatched and warranted a large concubine.

Orphanage in Xian

Ruins of an ancient city along the Silk Road...

...our hosts were always so generous. Here we are being warmly received by alocal high school in Xinjiang Province.

Probably the best part was meeting new people and enjoying the company of friends...

We were fed like monarchs...

...dined like royalty.

...even in the university cafeteria.

..they just kept bringing out dish, after dish, after dish, after d...

"Really -- I'm good...take that back to the kitchen...please...for the sweet love of all that's holy

...and of course nan -- traditional bread of the Uyger people.

While we were in Northwestern China (Urumqi) we got a taste of the Uyger culture...felt right at home.

That "blonde" bombshell in the middle was a hit with the local Chinese. Kristie got elevated to "Rock-star Status."

One of the earliest forms of irrigation was first established in this part of the world. Grapes are the big crop here along the Silk Road...