The Birthday Girl in Hawaii

Yesterday was Denise's birthday!  She and Art planned their month of volunteering here at Pu'u Kahea so that they would celebrate their anniversary AND their birthdays in Hawaii.  (Sounds like a great idea to me!)  Her birthday fell on a busy workday for the conference center, but we still found time to celebrate.

Denise came out of their cottage first thing in the morning to find a special sign for her golf cart and a birthday banner.

We headed to the big house for breakfast service, and when we sat down to eat a group of the ninth graders from the Honolulu Baptist Academy gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to her.  I think she was surprised.  Good job Art!

Although we had a lot to clean because this group of 150+ was leaving and another group checking in the same day, it didn't seem so bad because the men all pitched in and helped.  (Now that's a great birthday present!)

Art invited everybody to meet after lunch for birthday cake--Chocolate Chantilly Cake from Ted's Bakery.

Left:  The directors of Pu'u Kahea, Jimmy and Ashley Tucker and their precious children, George and Jolea came to help celebrate.

Right:  Michael, the PKCC chef and kitchen manager, who keeps us entertained with his quick wit, and his son Beau were also there.  Beau celebrated his 19th birthday last week, so Art put a candle in his piece of cake, and we sang to him too.

Dexter, Joyce, and Fred, the other volunteers, were there too to help Denise celebrate.  AND she received lots of calls, texts, cards and gifts from friends and family.

Art planned a special birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Honolulu.  SO delicious. And fun.  We walked around in the shops for awhile, and ended up on the waterfront before dinner.

All in all, it was a pretty special day.  I just hope the Birthday Girl enjoyed it as much as I did!