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. 

Jane turns 9

Jane has really thrived in Hawaii. She loves the pool, ocean, the hiking adventures, the chickens. She has made some really sweet friends at school, church, soccer, and summer fun. Jane loves the Sanrio characters- especially Cinnamoroll. She is excited about our trip to Japan, so she can stock up on merchandise designed with his logo. Jane is such a thoughtful individual. She makes the sweetest notes for her parents, teachers, and friends. She loves reading graphic novels. In fact, I think she has read the Wings of Fire series 5 or 6 times! She continues to play the ukulele and piano. It is always so fun to hear her playing both in the morning before school. Sometimes, I have to double check which child is playing because Jane is slowly gaining on her big sister! I've noticed a little more nervousness- like climbing the ropes course or being assigned to a different classroom than her friends. She also is preferring to do inside activities like reading, playing video games, and watching TV. It is hard to see your kids grow older and not need their parents as much. Jane has been a delight to watch grow. I know she will do amazing things this coming year!

July 2024

Dressed up for the 4th of July!

We watched the fireworks on Pearl Harbor from Crestview Park. They lasted maybe 3 minutes. A little sad compared to NYE.

Celebrating Jane's birthday early- Kristi had to go to the mainland for Army Reserve Training.

We invited friends over to surprise Jane for her birthday. She figured it out because of all the shoes in the garage!

Kate made the cutest scavenger hunt with all of Jane's presents. She got a purple Stanley cup, the cutest Sanrio dress, and a claw machine.

We went to Coral Crater Adventure Park to celebrate the new 9 year old!

Ukulele Festival 2024

Kate and Jane

Ukulele Festival

Rebekah

Bryan is training the girls young.

 

Jane turns 8!

Making Jane's birthday special was really important for me. I wanted her to know that we were thinking about her, even with everything else going on. I was able to find the tropical island decorations and get a few presents shipped to our house quick enough to celebrate the day. I think she did feel loved!

Kate is the sweetest older sister and has been working on presents for Kate over the last 1.5 months. Jane was so excited to FINALLY open what Kate had obviously been trying to hide over that timeframe. 

We enjoyed the morning playing at the waterpark Wet 'N Wild by Jane's request. Then we walked to a local restaurant for dinner. Because she couldn't decide on which dessert she wanted, we ordered two! Her face is priceless.

Some of Jane's presents showed up a little later than planned, so we had birthday opening later in the week. I even baked another dessert. Lucky girl!

She is sweet and strong. She is smart and sassy. She is funny, but also dramatic. It has been fun to watch her become a little more independent during our time at Fort Leavenworth. She would walk the dog around the neighborhood, run over to friends houses to play, send letters to friends and family, and bike home from school. She was often found playing Barbie's or with her stuffed animals. She also likes to create villages for gnomes, fairies, and her tiny mochi squishies. She excels in reading, but hates the way her new school teaches math. She is involved in piano, soccer, and tumbling. She has mastered the cartwheel and backbend walk-over. I am not sure if she like performing yet, because she still very much enjoys doing the same things as Kate. Jane loves animals and friendship. I told her she can get a cat when we get settled into our house, but I haven't kept that promise. She reminds me daily. We just love Jane. I hope you had a great birthday week!