May 2025

Spring Piano Recital 2025

6th Grade Graduation Ceremony

Kate was elected by her teacher Mrs. Ichiki as GLO Student of the Year. 

I cried through the entire thing. My baby won't be in elementary school anymore. 

I am so proud of her! She is going to rock Middle School next year.

Primary Activity- making play dough at Sister Simpson's house.

6th Grade Banquet at the Okinawa Center

Jane Choir Concert

She has worked really hard at learning all the words to each song. I am so proud of her for trying something new, making friends, and being elected the MC for the group.

CHEEHOO!

Honolulu Olympic Traithlon- May 18, 2025

6th grade Disney Day

Rainbow of the 4th Quarter

Rainbow of the 4th Quarter

Being chosen as the Rainbow of the 4th Quarter is a true accomplishment—it shows you’ve been outstanding all year long. So proud of my girls and all the hard work they’ve put into their studies!

 

Learning to make musubi at Brother and Sister McMillan's house.

Last day of school for my 4th and 6th graders

Kate will be going into 7th grade at Highland Intermediate School

Jane will be going into 5th grade at Kanoelani Elementary School

Jane made this sign as the 6th graders paraded around the school waving goodbye to everyone.

After the last day of school festivities, the girls and I flew to Kona to support Bryan in his Half Ironman. We stayed at the really nice resort at Waikaloa Beach Marriot Resort & Spa. It was a real treat to celebrate summer.

December 2022

Kate sang with her school at the tree lighting ceremony at Fort Leavenworth.

The girls did an excellent job at their Christmas Piano Recital with Mrs. Low.

Kate had a superb student teacher over the last 4 months. They sent him off with lots of love and gifts.

We did a Luminary Walk in Overland Park, Kansas and talked with Santa Clause. The fairy gardens were our absolute favorite!

Kate and Jane made gingerbread houses. They get better and better each year!

And of course, we decorated sugar cookies with friends.

We brought home Ruby (Michael's dog) after Thanksgiving to see if we could mate her with Howie. Stay tuned...

Our gift to the girls for Christmas this year was a 5-day Disney Cruise out of Miami, Florida. We went to Castaway Cay, then to the Bahamas, back to Castaway Cay, a sailing day, and returned to Miami.

We were blessed with great daughters!

Meeting a dolphin was definitely a highlight for Kate and Jane. 

They loved swimming in the pool and watching Disney movies at the same time. 

We stood in line to see ALL the princesses- Jasmine, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Tiana, and Belle. The ship put on the musical Beauty and the Beast. It was absolutely fabulous! 

Kate and Jane were able to go to the Bibidi Bobidi Boutique before dinner one evening. This was also a highlight of their trip.

We flew out Christmas morning. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed and then delayed again. By the time we got home, we were exhausted. Well, mom and dad were exhausted. Kate and Jane saw that Santa had visited our house while we were gone and wanted to dive right in to opening presents!

For the New Year weekend, we drove to Silverthorne, Colorado to ski into the year 2023!

 

November 2022

               I completed my Missouri 1/2 marathon at the beginning of the month. The beginning was rough and cold. It was actually snowing! By the end, blue skies! Crazy Midwest weather.          

Kate's 4th grade class had a Veterans Day Choir Celebration. She really excels in the musical realm.

We went as a family to the Science Center in Kansas City. 

Kate was invited to a birthday party for Mia Dixon at iFly Kansas City. 

We made our trek to Pagosa Springs for Thanksgiving with Bryan's brothers. The girls got to play with their cousins and I made most of the meal, while the boys skied and slept. I am glad this is the last year this is happening as we won't be flying over the Pacific Ocean to get together for a 4 day weekend. We did go to an indoor/outdoor hot spring for the first time while visiting.

Another neighbor birthday party/late over, Caroline Wegner.

We bumped into friends from Fort Hood early on - Walker and Jackson's. We tried to have dinner together as families or a lunch date with the ladies once a month. It was really nice to have friends we know near by, especially with our kids all being near the same ages.