January 2026

We brought in the New Year with some friends in Wahiawa. Unfortunately, I was still having phone issues and do not have many pictures from our midnight happenings. My parents flew in right at midnight too!

Grandma and Grandpa Koplin enjoying Bellows Beach Park.

Bryan promoted to LTC Ahlborn on a thunderous morning at White Plains Beach Park. The plans were to surf, but the electrical storm and the flat surf conditions said no way. It was a beautiful ceremony. Bryan might have even shed a few tears with all the support he had from his friends, family, and co-workers. This promotion was well deserved. Bryan is such a dedicated worker.

Bryan's Friday morning work surf group

Bryan just looks so happy in this picture! I love it.

On Monday, we had another celebration for his promotion to LTC at Desmond Doss Health Clinic. This event was super stressful because the company I ordered from forgot about our order when I cam to pick up the food. They were able to finish about 45 minutes after our original pick up time, but I was really stressed and grateful all turned out in the end. Yay to promotion parties!

An eventful moment: shaving my dad's beard off

Kate made this cute crochet duck for Christmas. So cute!

Grandma and Grandpa Koplin at Lanikai Beach Park. It was such a beautiful day. No wind and clear water. The kids played on the paddle board most of the morning. Only wishing Kristi and Jesse could have joined us.

Surfing has gotten a little easier these days. I have noticed if I go out at least 1-2 times a week, I am more successful and confident. White Plains Beach park for the win!

We took my dad scuba diving at Point Panic. We had a hard time keeping him down in the water. The picture below shows how Bryan and Liz held him down most of the dive. 

Hiking to Pele's Chair.

Jane with her best friend.

Kate isn't seen in the water very often. She likes to read a book and stay dry. 

Jane was the MC for Rainbow of the Quarter. Grandma and Grandpa were able to attend in my place. One of my friends recorded the event and told me she did an excellent job. I am so very proud of Jane. She is fearless.

Another crochet creation by Kate.

Dave's Ice Cream

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.

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!