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.

May 2024

 Jane's class went on fieldtrip to Hawaii's Plantation Village in Waipahu. 

Kate had a group project on the ecosystem. She was the group leader and very invested in the overall project. She has learned a lot this year about following directions and the difficulties of working with others not so invested in school.

The fun thing about living in Hawaii is the visitors it brings. Kristi and I were able to go out to eat with our cousin Dan and his wife, Jamie. 

Ukulele: I started taking ukulele lessons with the girls. It has been really fun learning some of the popular Hawaiian songs and trying something new. I do get help from my girls, as they have been playing 5 months longer than me and are really good at picking notes.

We had a ukulele concert at the mall over on the windward side of the island. It was fun to have my girls and husband cheer me on while playing "Surf" and "Friends".

Kristi's graduation: Such a fun week full of events with family. My parents and Linsey flew in to celebrate Koko's accomplishment as a DNP graduate from University of Hawaii. 

Commencement Ceremony: Her biggest request was to have a stack of leis (competing against her peers)!

Celebrating the accomplishment at Nancy's Kitchen: A Family Bar.

Kate and Jane enjoyed the extra time with their grandparents. 

Graduation Ceremony: The girls are hoping they will be able to spend a little more time with Koko now that she doesn't have to study! 

Honolulu Museum of Art: Checking off some of the touristy things with my parents and Kristi while the kids are off at school.

Bellows: Again, a must. Unfortunately, it rained for like a week. And this was pretty heavy rainfall. So much that there was a Brown Water advisory, and we weren't able to get in the ocean. We had even booked the cabins for the weekend! Such a bummer... 

Piano Recital: The girls have continued with piano through the entire school year. It was nice that grandma and grandpa were able to attend. 

Kate was so excited for her school field trip to the Ice Palace. 

Because of all the rain, the girls had to perform their Spring Showcase in the cafeteria. This was a bummer because the classes had to be split in half as there wasn't enough room for 5 classes to perform their routine. This also meant the other grades couldn't see each other's performances. The school did an amazing job with being flexible and finding a way because "the show must go on"... 

I am in charge of a hiking group with my church. I try to schedule a hike every 4-6 weeks. The first time I had one person show. The second time two people showed. It has been a struggle because not everyone can go during the day or on the weekend or in the evening. It is also a challenge because some people have stronger hiking skills than others. Hoping the next hike has better compliance among the group! 

Kahana Bay: The best part of this beach, catching chicks and playing in the nearby stream.

Look at my avocado tree!

Last day at Kanoelani Elementary School: May 30, 2024

On to Fourth Grade!

On to Sixth Grade!