April 2025

Manana Ridge Trail: Hiking with friends on a Sunday afternoon

Kelsey, Tiffany, Rebekah, Wendy

Jennifer came to visit and we took her to the Mauka Warrior Luau in Ewa Beach.

Giving Jennifer a tour around the island with the kids in tow. I had to make sure we didn't too much walking- as we had to save our legs for the 1/2 marathon on Sunday.

RACE DAY #beforeScott

Always trying to get the best post race selfie- this was like take #3

Taking Jennifer on an epic hike on the windward side- Pu'u Ma' 'eli' eli Trail

Stopping at the NEX to send a picture to Corbin and then dropping off my bestie at the airport.

Great shot of Bryan and me surfing- curtesy Brian Duncan.

Jane's 4th grade class field trip.

         Jane's BIG 4th grade project on the Ahupua'a. 

More sewing projects I have been working on.

Easter 2025

*Note to self- no candy in the eggs placed on the outside of the house

The girls also attended an Easter celebration for Bryan's work. Collecting Mario and friends characters was the highlight. 

Some friends recorded me at the Ukulele Festival in my muumuu.  

It was so fun to have friends attend our performance. 

Afterwards, we attended the SPAM Festival in Waikiki. The food was awesome, but the crowds were not as awesome. I guess there was also a Boys to Men concert that night. 

On Sunday, the girls completed their first bike race in Haleiwa. I rode along with Jane, while Kate felt confident in taking off on her own. I am so proud of them for doing hard things that we sign them up for (and they don't get much notice). 

Jane getting an x-ray after falling on her elbow and complaining for several days. No break. She got to wear a sling, and that seemed to make her happy.

Kate going roller skating with friends from church.

April 2024

Easter 2024: Our house is pretty awesome for hiding plastic eggs inside AND outside. 

The obsession begins with Sanrio...

We got the celebrate Easter with Krisit, Kim, Zander, and Norah. We all went to church together and then had a yummy dinner together afterwards. 

Green World Coffee Farm: Checking off those tourist spots!

Month of the military child: Dress in purple

Myna Birds

Track: This is one for the books! It was very rainy that day and because we were in the mountains at Pearl City High School, it was also really cold and windy. Can you even imagine that in Hawaii? Cold? Ha! We are proud of Kate trying out a new sport and trying her best. 

Hapalua Half Marathon: Bryan and I were definitely not prepared to run this race. I was in so much neck pain that my goal was just to finish the race. I think Bryan might have been upset that I signed him up for the race...haha! But we finished!

Bryan's sister Wendy came out to visit her daughter going to BYU Hawaii. She was able to see Bryan and I finish out bike race and then we headed over to Turtle Bay to hang out with some college kids. 

 

April 2023

Jane and Kate built a fairy house in our front yard. They found some dirt in the back yard that molded like clay and made bowls, chairs, a fireplace. They were very sad when the wind and rain ruined everything a couple days later.

Bryan went to Colorado for the weekend to ski with his brothers and sister. So the girls and I had a girls weekend. We went to Ikea and bought a bunkbed and new bedding for our next duty station. Afterwards, we visited Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. It's a family fun attraction with farm animals, birds of prey, butterfly gardens, nature trails, an old schoolhouse, and a Kanza Native American habitat display. 

I got free tickets to a Royals baseball game. We've really tried to embrace the sporting events here in Kansas City. The girls weren't too impressed with the actual baseball game, but LOVED all the food from the vendors!

We took the girls to do an Easter egg hunt at a local park in Leavenworth. Bryan and I are pretty set on not taking the girls to do anymore egg hunts afterwards. Too many kids. Not enough eggs. Mostly crappy candy or toys. Nothing to remind kids why we celebrate this holiday.

Before the hunt...

During the hunt.

Kate and Jane invited neighbors and friends over to decorate sugar cookies. 

Egg dying time!

This is a much better Easter egg hunt- behind our house in the field with neighbors. 

We took the girls biking on Line Creek Trail- probably rode 5-6 miles. Poor Jane doesn't have a gear bike yet, but was motivated to keep with us. So proud of her!

We found this miniature train on our way home. We got a free ride because they were training new employees and needed the practice. 

Date night: Kate and I went to see the Secret Garden. It was wonderful! Bryan and Jane rode their bikes to the movie theater and saw The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Jane's 2nd grade Dinosaur performance at Macarthur Elementary School. It was so cute! 

Kate's class went to Kansas University for a field trip. She loves her class and teacher SO MUCH! She said that they have really bonded over the past year.

The girls had their end of the school year piano recital. As per always, both performed beautifully. They put a lot of effort into practicing and attending lessons with Mrs. Low. She will be missed! Now I have to find someone new at our new duty station. 

The girls acrobatic recital was the same weekend as their piano recital. So they attended in their dazzling costumes!

There acrobatic piece was so fun to watch! My favorite part was the giant pyramid with all falling and rolling at the end. 

Jane has been motivated to do a backbend kick over since Kate learned during Spring Break. Here she goes!

April 2022

Jane attended a birthday party at the horse stalls near Belton Lake. All the horses on the farm are "retired" horses of the US Army. Some are grumpy and some of pretty old. But a handful of them will let you ride them and even paint them. Jane was lucky enough to get to ride the birthday horse, which was dressed up like a unicorn. She felt so special!

Easter might have snuck up on us this year! I think we dyed eggs on Easter Sunday... We did have a really nice dinner because we invited some friends over. I made my mom's homemade rolls (which I still can't figure out), ham, sweet potatoes, and green beans. We even ate from our fancy dishes and cups!

I ran another race in Nashville, Tennessee. Jennifer was supposed to join me for this one as well, be she had some medical leave of absence excuse. So I went by myself, as Bryan and I don't have really anyone to watch the girls for a long period of time. Wish we did! 

This was a pretty tough race. I didn't expect so many hill! I did make it under the 2 hour mark- but it was not a PR for me. The scenery was great and it was fun to end at the Titans stadium. 

I visited the Ryman Auditorium  Museum (first grand ole opry) and ate really good food at the food hall across the street. I actually went there twice because of all the available options!

Kate working on some moves at jujitsu.

Jane kicking some side!

Every spring, Northside Baptist Academy puts on a Spring Concert. Both of the girls worked so hard with their musical numbers. We are very proud of them! 

Jane with a few of her 1st grade friends- Riley, Lily, and Abigail.

Kate with her best friend Hadassah.