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. 

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. 

 

March 2024

Jane has really enjoyed soccer this season. Her team, Myna Birds, is really good! It is with the AYSO, so the scored is not kept at games. But we are pretty sure they have never lost a game (maybe a tie?). Look at the beautiful background we get to sit in while we watch her play!

Hanging out with some of my co-workers from MIS Hawaii.

Hanging out at Kahanamoku Beach with Kristi! My girls absolutely love that they have an auntie here.

I LOVE this picture of Kate with all her freckles! Pretty sure she did get in the water with Koko and Jesse. 

Jane and her friend Jordana. We are so lucky she lives just a few houses down from us!

Egg drop: Third grade rite of passage. Jane worked really hard on this project and her egg was successfully dropped without breaking!

Kate with some of her good friends from school posing right next to her.

Checking out Sweetland Farm in Waialua. They had 2-week-old goats! The goat cheese and gelato were super yummy.

Completing the pineapple maze at the Dole Plantation. Trying to check off some of the touristy things so we know what to tell our guests when they visit. 

Bryan left for Washington D.C. to complete Iron Major Week. And what a perfect time to go- cherry blossom seasons! Unfortunately, this was during the girls' spring break, and I was in charge of trying to make it fun and memorable while still working...yikes! 

One day we hiked the Koko Head Botanical Garden with friends. 

Another day we hike the Aiea Loop trail with Howie.

Another day we went to the mall and tried out the Razor park.

During the end of our Spring Break, Kim and her younger kids came to visit. The first day of their arrival, I lost the keys to the Jeep and had a little panic attack. Turns out, they were inside the piano! We finally made it to Kailua beach and forgot all about the crazy morning. 

Electric Beach: So much fun for the adults and kids. We saw monk seals, sea turtles, and dolphins!

Bellows: A necessary stop as Kim and I both grew up boogie boarding on this beach for 6 years!

Another necessary stop.

 

10 Days with Kim

While Bryan and I were being all adventurous, the girls were having the time of their lives with Kim and her family. She did a fantastic job of keeping me in the loop of what was going on and I'm certain they didn't miss us one bit!

The first few days, she hosted an art camp.

The girls got to see Kim teach piano and play with some of her stringed instruments. 

They were able to go on a hike up American Fork Canyon. Rachel and family even tagged along on this hike!

Kate loved collecting and counting the eggs.

They made their own pizzas!

Norah hosted a Disney camp and had all sorts of arts and crafts (edible ones too!).

Pretty jealous that they got to slip 'n slide down her hill!

They also went to some restaurant that only served cereal. There are all sorts of cereals to choose from, that I probably would never buy for my girls. So obviously that was a blast!

Kim even went to a birthday party that involved Bryan's side of the family. So grateful she is adventurous and willing to make my girls feel special!

She even took them to see High School Musical in the park!

And another obvious, loving on all her animals- chickens, rabbit, and dogs.

A HUGE thank you to Kim, Norah, Zander, Malachi, and Felicity for making the girls feel loved! I'm sure this transition from Texas to Kansas will be tough on their little hearts, but they were so cared for and received so much attention while in Utah. I owe you all BIG!