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! ❤️

 

February 2026

Kate's Young Women's Class

Milena, Sadie, Kaoiwinani, Kate, Naomi, Lilia, Makamae

Howie might be looking at a reflection. What a silly dog! Jane is wearing a sweater Jennifer found with Stitch and embroidered her name. Got to love the personalized clothing from my bestest girl friend. 

Preparing Valentine cookies for the Primary Girls to decorate.

Kate with her cute friends at their school's Valentine's Dance.

Celebrating Kate turning 13 at the bowling alley in Aiea. Kate's birthday landed on President's Day, so everyone had the day off to hang out with the birthday girl!

Funny little videos we created on the bowling screen.

Jane and Kristi

Everyone had a good time (well, except for maybe Jane). We forgot to order the bumpers for her, so she was a little sad the ENTIRE time because her ball kept going in the gutter. 

My favorite 13 year old got her first cell phone. She was super shocked and had no idea! I love a good surprise. 

Sophi, Emma, Emma, Kate

Kate was able to celebrate with her friends the following weekend at Wai Kai. It is an inflatable waterpark set up in a lagoon in Ewa Beach. 

Jane was able to invite her friends Liana and Sammi.  

Pizza party outside in the truck. Apparently, you are not allowed to tailgate. Luckily we were mostly done eating when we got caught!

We decided to start painting the walls in the house in preparation for turning over our house to renters in the summer. Can you believe we have been here for almost 3 years? Kate was so helpful... I think more so she wanted to get her room back! 

Not the greatest picture, but Bryan and I ran the Kolekole Pass at Schofield Barracks. I believe this specific race has not been opened since before 2020. The road hardly is used, except in times of emergency. I think this event was a 10K- 3 miles up and 3 miles down. The only way to do a race (or a hike) here in Hawaii!

MIS work party at the Waikiki Outrigger with a beautiful sunset in the background. Bryan mentioned going to miss my works annual parties because they are always in great locations with great company. My coworkers also know that I will be leaving soon, so it stung a bit too. 

Suzi, Sheila, Rebekah, Marta, Char, Cynthia, Nadine

I have really loved working with these beautiful people. 

My work bestie- Sheila

 

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. 

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.