July 2025

4th of July at Schofield Barracks

These treats cost $16 each! It was like a corn churro with ice cream throughout. 

Collective Soul was the featured band.

We found some of our friends on the field and caught the fireworks with them. (Christians)

Tea Party at the Surf Rider with friends. (Kaylee Jane's birthday)

We got all fancy and ate super fancy food.

Then we hung out at the pool afterwards.

This was the best part of summer. I signed the girls up for diving. Then the coach asked if I wanted to participate as well. I decided it would be fun and invited Kristi to tag along. It felt like our summers at Hill Trail waiting in line at the board.

Mini golf in Aiea

Bryan took all us girls out on a date.

We took a trip to Kauai for Jane's birthday weekend. Our first stop off the airplane- Waimea Falls!

Hanapepe Swing Bridge

The town Lilo and Stitch is real-life inspired.

We took the most exciting excursion on a zodiac up the Ne Pali Coast. Of course, I got sick at the very end of the trip. This picture is after throwing up in the water.

And this picture- Jane didn't want to jump in the ocean because she thought she would land in my stomach content. Isn't this the coolest picture ever though?

Footage of our trip through the sea caves.

Waimea Canyon State Park

Getting ready to go Mountain Tubing through the old sugar cane irrigation systems of Mount Wai'ale'ale. This was Jane's actual birthday. We sang to her through the tunnels. The water was refreshing and the activity one of a kind! 

We went to a Mexican Restaurant afterwards for the birthday girl's 10th year celebration. They made us all wear Mariachi hats. 

Kauai Coffee Company

At the hotel, we worked on our "bombers". 

Great ice cream. Great picture.

Kilauea Lighthouse

We saw some many Nene's while we were in Kauai. 

Howie was a naughty boy while in the care of our friends. He had diarrhea. Stacey took this beautiful picture of Howie and June. It might be one of my favorites. 

Sunday school class party for Kate.

We decided to let the girls have separate rooms starting this summer. They started the move without me, which was actually quite helpful. We got a new bed for Kate that converts into a king-sized bed. Jane got to decorate her room with Lilo and Stitch. The plus side- we got to go through all of their belongings and get ready for a garage sale. 

Jane got Calvin and Hobbs for her birthday, and the girls have been non-stop reading. 

Stacey came to visit us for a week. While we were hiking to Manoa Falls the tsunami alarms went off. She freaked- I was mad we were going to be stuck in traffic.

I showed her Bellows.

We ate shaved ice at Matsumoto's. 

Sweet As in Hale'iwa

Bryan and I have been working on our surfing skills. We are lucky to have friends

 that take cool pictures. 

Hike up Peacock Flats with some of our Primary girls and then a trip to...

...Sweetland Farms to feed the goats and eat lunch.

Another activity with the Primary girls: tie-dye bags. 

Kate's Penthouse

" Kate's Penthouse"-That's what grandma Debbie called our beach side quarters in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico because Kate was on vacation with BOTH her grandparents. We had lots of fun with Grandma and Grandpa Koplin, Grandma and Grandpa Ahlborn, Harold and Renae Zentz (Bryan's sister), and Adam Ahlborn.

This picture was taken at the airport on our way home.  I think its a pretty good picture of us all.  Unfortunately, Adam is not here because he had an earlier flight (Plus, he was out dancing all night with his Mexican girlfriend.  Yes, he picked up a girlfriend for the week we were there!)  

Even with a baby, we were still able to do lots of fun stuff.  It helped that we hand a lot of willing hands! 

I went zip lining with Harold, Dad, Renae and Debbie. This is a great capture of the group before our first line.  There were 10 in all.  It was quite the view of the little town, rocky river, and jungle below.   

Grandma Koplin and Grandma Ahlborn giving Bryan and Kate a hard time!

We went on a boat ride to Las Caletas on a Vallarta Adventure Excursion. We went with Dad, Adam, Debbie, Renae, and Harold. I got really sea sick on the ride there.  Dad, Bryan, Adam, and I went scuba diving, while the others took care of Kate.  The water is definitely different on the west side of Mexico.  The water is a lot colder and the visibility is about 20-30 feet.  There were times I was nervous to leave the guides side! We saw lots of fish, sting ray, one GIANT turtle, eel, and capsized boats.  We also got to meet this trained sea lion.

Adam, Dad, Bryan, and I am in the back swimming to the platform.  I had a difficult time with this second dive; my weight needed to be adjusted, I was feeling very sea sick, and the water wasn't calm down under.  

Adam receiving kisses.

Kisses for Rebekah.

Bryan getting kissed.

Dad looks very happy to be kissed!

Bryan and my dad went on 4 other dives while they were there.  Those lucky chaps! I didn't sign up because of Kate, but we made our own fun.  Plus, I was still feeling super nauseous from the boat ride.  Maybe the water messed with my ear because it continued for about a week after we got home from Mexico.  

Kate and I played in the sand, the ocean, and the pool while the boys were away.  Doesn't she look so cute in her tiny swim suit and glasses.  The optometrists' baby HAS to have glasses!

Mom with happy Kate!

 Bryan giving kisses to Kate!

 As you can see, we had lots of fun with our family. It is different going on vacation with a kid, but do-able.  I knew that from the get go and prepared myself for more of a relaxed, resort vacation. We were still able to do lots things and take Kate on most of the adventures.  I am just so glad she didn't get any sun on her precious skin! She is one lucky girl- an international vacation at 3 months!