The 9th Island

Saturday 1/26 we went on a roadtrip with some of our winter ward folks to the Las Vegas Temple. Hwy 95 is about 100 miles of two lane, multi-dip adventure to get from Needles to LV.



The day was desert clear and the drive was a fun escape from our self imposed 57 day exile, Bigfoot was unhappy to be left behind but the Aura was happy to get a chance to log a few highway miles. One of our goals was to visit the distribution center. The gal that waited on us saw we were from Hawaii. SO WAS SHE!! Most of her Waimanalo relatives had moved to LV. She said that there were so many Hawaiians here that they referred to Las Vegas as “The Ninth Island”. Good fun. Before we went back, we had lunch at the Costco in Henderson. Hard to have a better day!
This is the view that the Runnells have of the Temple. They live just across the street. We didn't get to visit with them this time because they were holding a birthday party for one of their grandsons.

London's New Bridge

Many cars cross the new London bridge because it is twice as big as the old London Bridge. The arial shot was taken from the Big Ferris Wheel like attraction called The London Eye. Aunt Catherine and the 3 Auswanderers walked across the bridge and also took the scenic boat ride that went under the London Bridge. In the background you can see the tower Big Ben which is a part of the complex of buildings known as Parliment, the Seat of English Government.

Arizona's London Bridge

Is that Bigfoot crossing the bridge?

40 Days & 40 Nights in Needles

We have been in Needles for 40 days and Nights. We are celebrating by doing a poll. We heard a car dealer commercial which urged people to "Come on down to Beautiful Downtown Needles". We decided that we would go to downtown Needles and see if we could take a picture of "Beautiful Downtown Needles". Now we need your help. Below are the pictures we took. Give us your opinion by participating in the poll (if we have it up and working).A. Needles City Circle Park Monument
B. Well Kept Spanish Style Chapel
C. Car Dealers on Main Street
D. The Recently Restored Railway Station
E. A Hotel near the Railroad Tracks being restored by the City.
F. Caboose & Other Full Size Train Cars
G. Nightly lightshow as the sun sets behind the Western Mountains.

Looking back over time

My fam (circa’52) in front of a quad-colored Ford (high fashion at the time). Back row L to R Auntie Pat, Nana, my Dad. Front row L to R Aunt Catherine, me,


This photo represents a happy time for us in 1980. We had spent a year on the mainland living in Capistrano Beach. I was on a teacher exchange program. I taught at Dana Hills High School while the exchange teacher taught in my line at Kalaheo. L to R –Mom with her new/favorite hair cut, me in my aviator sunglasses, Megpie, GP, Jon, Becca and Kelly. It would take another year before Amanda joined and completed our family.
By 1983 we had had our full compliment of six Connelly children. Jon and Kelly were born in ’66 and ’67 respectively (both on Sept 13) and became our “Big Kids”. These four became the “Little Kids”. On Fridays we had a fun family activity of everyone accompanying Dad to the library in town to turn in and check out material for his teaching job. Mom especially loved these together outings. This photo, taken in front of the Honolulu main library caught a moment in time, which displayed more than any posed shot could capture, the personality of these children. From L to R Megan the Carefree, teasingly ignoring the fact that she had her headband on her head and didn’t want to release the other headband to her sister. Next is Becca who has, from day one, been close to Ganon, whom she referred to as “our boy”. In this picture she has an arm around GP’s shoulder and is laughing trying to cheer him up. Ganon, The Serious, has his brow furled in concern over the squabble going on between his two younger sisters. He always assumed the role of Protector and Leader of the Sisters. Mom remembers him often saying “Come on Girls!”. And at the right we see a two year old Amanda (with the beautiful curly hair which took her two years to grow), nick named “Demanda” because she never let her youngest status in the family keep her from protecting her rights, belongings and wishes.
Looking back over time further strengthens our testimony that families are forever