Kate is a teenager!!

Kate has really flourished this year. She started 7th grade at Highland Intermediate, facing all the challenges that come with a new school, new friends, and a new location—and she has handled it all with such determination and grace. She has learned to be more independent (only missing the bus once, on her very first day of school! 😂), navigated the frustrations of group projects, and grown so much in confidence.

But one of the very best parts of this year has been her little friend group. They are some of the cutest, smartest, and most gifted girls, and they have given Kate such a fun outlet to just be herself. It has been so much fun watching her come out of her shell, try new things, and build friendships both at school and at church.

One of my favorite things is hearing her come home laughing as she tells us about all the crazy things that happened in the hallways or lunchroom. Her teachers absolutely adore her, and she has even turned her love of crocheting animals into a thriving little business!

Kate continues to play the piano and ukulele and loves tennis. She also started playing pickleball with her friends after school once a week. And while she still absolutely cringes at the thought of getting into cold water, somehow that’s exactly what she chose for her birthday party—a trip to an inflatable water park! 😂

She was SO excited to get a cell phone for her birthday, and honestly, it has been wonderful to see how much it has helped her friendships grow even stronger.

Thank goodness for parents who raise good daughters, because Kate has surrounded herself with some pretty amazing girls. ❤️

We love you so much, Kate! Watching you grow into the beautiful, kind, funny, talented, and confident young woman you are becoming has been one of our greatest joys. We can’t wait to see what this next year brings!

Happy birthday, Kate! We love you! ❤️

 

September/October 2025

Hiking Likeke Falls trail with friends from church: Wendy and Jane. We almost got lost because the marker was hidden. We didn't go too far off the train, but we did find others who did take a extra long detour. 

Scuba diving with Liz and Whit at Electric Beach. 

Grateful Liz is such a great photographer and likes to take pictures of Bryan and I.

Bryan is finally getting to some of our house projects. He replaced this window early 2024. The outside was fixed, but the inside needed sheetrock repair. He recruited a friend from work to help. Thank you Grant!

Birthday weekend get-away. We spent the night at the Royal Hawaiian and had a 5 course meal at the Azure Restaurant. Thank you Kristi for watching the girls for us! 

We did sunrise yoga, got massages at Sakura Massage and Spa, walked the beach, and pretended to be tourists for the night/day. 

My beautiful dragonfruit plant after opening up in the moonlight.

We snuck into Bryans office to decorate for his birthday. He had zero idea we had planned this surprise! His boss and co-workers were in on it as well.

Happy Birthday Bryan!

Bryan was so confused how we had gotten into his office. Kathy, his co-worker, loved that he was so "upset" about being caught surprised. 

An after surfing treat at Dole Plantation with our surfing session group.

Another beautiful scuba diving session at Electric Beach. 

Starfish

Hiking with our friends at Lower/Upper Waimalu Loop over fall break. 

Keiki Kingdom with Liana. 

Our cabinets for the bathrooms were delivered while I was away for a CANS Abstract Symposium in Washington DC for work. He started demolition immediately. We've been excited about completing some updates to the Leko Place house.

Jennifer met me in Washington DC for 48 hours. Unfortunately, because of the government shutdown, none of the museums were opened.  We ate some yummy food, went to the only museum opened (Spy museum), and walked around the National Mall and Memorial Parks. 

CANS Abstract Symposium: Standing next to my monitor of the Activity and Mobility Promotion Project. I have been working on this project with Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) for the past 2 years. This is a first for me!

The girls performed Halloween music to the local nursing home with their piano studio.

Jane was awarded "Rainbow of the Quarter" during the 1st quarter at Kanoelani Elementary School. She is a dedicated student, follows directions well, and makes sure all students in the classroom feel welcomed. Great work Jane!

Desmond Doss Health Clinic Halloween Trunk or Treat. The theme: KPop Demon Hunters

Zoe, Rumi, Romance, Mira

Look at all this candy!

 

Jane turns 10!

It was so fun to celebrate Jane this year. We had the girls pick an island to visit for their birthday weekend. Jane chose Kauai. We stayed at a resort hotel with the best location to travel north or south. We enjoyed the pools in the mornings and nights, while we did all the sightseeing mid-day. We brought smaller presents to the hotel for her to open on the actual day. Kristi made her the beautiful lei (she came with us). We all went mountain tubing down the sugar cane irrigation water system for the special day. We sang to her in the longest tunnel and then again at the Mexican Restaurant. 

 

And then again when we arrived at our home in Oahu. She requested carrot cake. 

Jane has truly begun to come into her own this year. She was nominated as the student representative for her 4th grade class, joined the choir, and even auditioned to become a Junior Police Officer (JPO) for the 2025–2026 school year. Jane demonstrates strong leadership qualities and excels at building meaningful, lasting friendships.

She enjoys surprising others with thoughtful handmade gifts—whether it's a creation from her 3D pen or a heartfelt handwritten note. Jane is deeply considerate and cares about how others perceive her, sometimes feeling upset if she believes she has made a mistake or let someone down.

She remains devoted to practicing the piano and ukulele, and she actively participates in both soccer and diving. Outside of her activities, Jane is passionate about K-POP Demon Hunters, Lilo & Stitch, cats, and all things Sanrio.

We just love our Jane and are so proud of the amazing person she is becoming!

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.