August 2025

Stacey visited from the end of July into August. We did a lot of touristy stuff while she was visiting.

We hiked Diamond Head with Stacey.

We missed a bunch of surf nights with our group while we had visitors and/or vacations- so they took a picture as a remembrance to come back!

First day of 7th grade for Kate

First day of 5th grade for Jane

We missed the bus on the first day of middle school for Kate. We just watched it pass by as we were approaching the street. This is a video of her riding the bus for the very first time on the second day of school. We have not missed a day since that dreadful first day!

Forcing my girls to take a walk on the beach on North Shore.

The Blue Angels came to town! I remember watching them when I lived in San Francisco, so I made sure we didn't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.

There were a lot of STEAM activities on the tarmac, which helped to pass the time until the Blue Angels did their thing. 

Made in Hawaii. Expensive, but worth it!

Bryan and I have missed out on opportunities to go scuba diving in one of the best places on the earth. No more! We are paying one of Bryan's friends to take us out once a month. This will guarantee attendance.

Rebekah attended Kristi's graduation from her DNP Residency.

Kim, Malachi, Norah, and Zander came to visit for the week. It was nice being able to hang out with my sister and check things off my list I have not yet done.

Malachi and I were able to hike Koko Head Arch.

We finally were able to swim in cockroach cove and crawl through the tunnel.

The kids went swimming near Mermaid Cave.

The tide was too high, but we were able to go in some parts.

We celebrated Kristi and Jesse with a friendly game of bowling at Schofield Barracks.

We attempted to hike the legal way to the Stairway to Heaven. There were police at the beginning of the trail who would not let us pass until 7am. We decided to hike Tripler Ridge Trail instead. Great views, but terrible without long pants. We got so scratched up from the ferns. Krist almost died from dehydration. And Jesse had a panic attach. Malachi, Bryan, and Rebekah did just fine. 

March 2025 (plus Fiji)

My parents came to visit at the end of February until mid-March. I took my dad snorkeling up on north shore. We pulled a giant slug out of the water- it was nuts! 

Kate and Jane were invited to Ava's birthday party.

My cute mom watching us surf at White Plains.

Kate and Jane were invited to another birthday party for Macy at Wai Kai. I even got to walk around on the inflatable boardwalks and obstacles. Super fun!

Kate's last soccer game at the Waipio fields.

Jane's coach Christ. He really made the soccer season so fun for the girls.

I started collecting aloha shirts and jean jackets from Good Will or Thrift Stores and created these fun jackets for the girls and myself. It's a fun (cheap) way to add some 'aloha' to our outfits.

For Spring Break, we took a 6 hour flight over to Nadi, Fiji. It is very similar to Hawaii and afterwards, Bryan and I decided we probably will just visit the other Hawaiian islands if we were going to have a beach/island vacation. 

Ziplining and Repelling 

Visiting the Garden of the Sleeping Giants

Kate's favorite picture currently.

Getting muddy at Sabeto Hot Springs

We took a boat ride over to Beachcombers Island for the day.

 The water was SO clear and there were tons of fish.

It was really fun to take out the underwater camera case while we were swimming.

To get to this waterfall, we had to drink kava with the family who owns the land and then be escorted down to the waterfall. We were the only ones there and the water was so refreshing. Kate hates cold water and never got in- we told her she'll regret it!

Making some stops along the Queens highway. 

We found so many shells along the beaches.

We hiked through Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and on the way back to our car we heard and saw all these HUGE bats. They were so noisy!

After arriving back home, we went out with Kate and Jane's cousins (Alaina and Myriah) to watch the sunset at Sunset Beach Park. 

Proof of life: Sending photos to friends while watching June. Howie lives for car rides to Lowe's.

Kate's 6th grade class wearing their fun run shirts...

 

and then dying them.

February 2025

Winter 10 U Soccer Season "Thunder Chickens"

Winter 12U Soccer Season "Dominators"

Surfing for Jane in Haleiwa

Flying on a 10-passenger airplane to visit daddy at work and celebrate 

Kate turning 12 years old!

Visiting the famous cat sanctuary. We were told 700+ cats live here. 

Jane fell in love with this one and wanted to bring it back home to Oahu.

There are less than 10 restaurants on the island- you have to make sure you know what days/times they close or you are out of luck!

Manele Bay Beach Park

Sweetheart Rock

Tidepools

Sunset at Manele

Barbeque and roasting s'mores at the beach with our friends Jared, Kendra, and family.

Morning hike with Jared and Bryan. We saw lots of turkey, some deer, but no rams...

Although this picture was taken a couple days later, we celebrated Kate turning 12 at the Adventure Park at the Four Seasons Resort. It hovers over water and is in such a serene location in the forest. 

Happy Birthday Kate! We know you enjoyed the thrill of climbing and 

beating dad at finishing the whole course.

It was so fun to watch our friend Kae do the ropes course.

Coconut Beach

Unreal. Molokai to the left and Maui to the right. You could see and hear all the whales while enjoying the clear, still ocean water.

Look and listen!

Shipwreck Beach

Restored plantation church, Ghost town of Keomuku

As soon as we arrived home from Lanai, we just had to celebrate Kate's birthday. It's a good thing the house was already decorated for her! 

She got a portable desk, Crocs, and a carrier for her Stanley.

Jane volunteered to showcase Germany at her elementary school's Culture Day. Bryan and I both dress up in our Trachten. We gave away pretzels and washable tattoos. Initially, I was a little overwhelmed with Jane's volunteering- because that really means mom is volunteering. But it was such a great activity, and we learned some much about other cultures too.

Braces for this one! She doesn't look very excited to have braces at all! 

Valentines Party for Kate with the YW. She won the cookie decorating contest. Her crafting has really taken off this year!

Howie and June

We found a wonderful family to help with dog watching when we travel. The dogs 

play so well together.