Good morning!

We did have this nice view of the sunrise as we were winging over California! We got home safely at 4:30 or so, picked up the car with no problems, got a free car wash to clean off all the yellow pollen and stopped for dinner at the Kemp's Fish House on the way home. It was a very long day and we were most happy to see the house. We did manage to make it until 9:00 and then both fell into bed!

Thanks to the Bairds for yet another wonderful adventure!!!

Homeward Bound

It was a packing up day today. The three of us had some good conversation while the boys were at school....and Riley got some good lovin' at the same time. Lots of activity after lunch as Jill is clearing out things from the house....lots of phone calls etc. We did see this in the back yard! It has really come out in all it's glory!

After lunch we dug out all the books we had gotten at the library and had a good reading time.

Then before we knew it it was time to load up the car with our luggage and then head to Colin's baseball practice. That went well. Following that we headed to the airport and gave hugs and kisses and headed into the airport. When we got there we found out our equipment was late coming from Guam and we'd miss our connection in Houston...so ended up getting home at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon....ugh! It was a very long night and day....the joys of travel!

Ko'Olina and a Birthday Surprise

Had a quiet morning this morning. Everybody back in school and Mom's getting back on the time zone. We're off to one of our favorite places this afternoon - the lagoon at Ko'Olina. When we got there we had the place all to ourselves. The seas beyond the rocks were pretty rough, so had some great waterfalls coming into the lagoon.

Is this paradise or what?

The snorkeling wasn't very good though--too much stirred up in the water. However, the turtles were there to greet us!

and there was this really cool crab on the beach....

Ryan and Colin brought their water guns.

If you dare!

Grandpa started building this great fort...

then Colin joined in to help....

Lookin' Good!

Ah, the seas rule!

Then home for a surprise early birthday celebration for Grandpa! A Very Fun Day!

Hawaii Room at the Bishop's Museum

Everybody back to school today with arrangements to be brought home with friends so Grandma and Grandpa take advantage of the extra time and return to the Bishop Museum to visit the Hawaii Room. It's an incredible 3 story made of native woods with much carving and outstanding displays about Hawaiian history. It was being renovated when we were here last year.
They have a wonderful collection of original statues and have a Hale - house that was reconstructed during the renovation with all the traditional elements. There were excellent short videos that gave alot of information about those traditions. On the first floor there were display cases all around the walls with information on traditional gods.
Model of the original boats the first polynesians used to come to Havaii. There models of fish also, alot of hands one instruments etc. It was a wonderful 2 hours just wandering through. I'm reading Mitcheners Hawaii and it was really interesting to see it all fall into place with these exhibits.

The Cape of King Kamahamaha all made from bird feathers.

We finished up at the Museum and headed home and had lunch. Afterwards we had a demo of the volcano for Mom. Did just as well this time.
some baseketball practice with the boys Mom is purging items they don't need anymore in preparation for their move and had sold the sandbox and slide so there was alot of great room for basketball now!

One more flower on the Bird of Paradise today. Some fun around the house and then baseball practice for Colin once again.
We have been really impressed with Colin's improvement. His coach is GREAT!

Home and then dinner and off to bed. Mom lasted a little longer tonight, but not much!

Last time at St. George's and MOM'S HOME!

Our last visit to St. George's Episcopal Church today. This is the plaque on the side wall at the entrance.The church is in limbo right now as the Navy owns the land it's on and they want to sell it and the congregation is made up mostly of military personnel, many of whom move after 2 years. Right now it's a very small congregation and most will move on to other assignments in the next few months and the Diocese has moved the priest to another church in the next few months.
Like many Hawaiian churches, the walls are actually wooden louvers that open during the service to let the ever-present breeze blow through.

After church they always have coffee hours on the lawn. Ryan is here enjoying his goodies on the other side of the wall. It was a good sermon. We headed home to clean house because Mom is coming home this afternoon! We took down the tent, vacuumed, dusted and picked up again so everything was sparkling for Mom.
We had picked up this pretty hanging orchid at Costco on Friday. This spot by the kitchen window was perfect for it and Grandpa found some plumeria flowers lying on the grass on his walk so they added more wonderful fragrance!

Had a quick lunch and then Colin practiced his verses for AWANA. The boys still didn't know when Mom was getting home and it turned out she got in almost an hour early so we picked her up just shortly after 2. Lots of hugs all around. We dropped Colin off at AWANA and headed home.
Ryan showed Mom how much the pea and tomato plants had grown. We had some pleasant conversation and before we knew it, it was time to pick up Colin....who had completed his Frequent Flier Book and gotten his wings. Mom got to go to the presentation--congratulations Colin! Mom brought out two really great gifts she and Dave had picked out for the boys and they went to work putting them together.
Ryan got a Pirate ship that he had to put the decales on. It came in a treasure chest bank and turned out really well!
Colin got a ship in a bottle so had to make the ship and put it in the bottle. He and Mom did a great job putting it together.

Making waves in the water...

working on the sail

It was a great day....very exhausting. All of us headed to bed with the boys.

Cleanup Day

First Saturday of the month is Kid's Workshop at Home Depot. Grandpa got to take the boys this morning and they came home with some wonderful planters and a new pin on their aprons. Then cleanup time began. Grandma started outside with the Lanai and Grandpa mowed the lawn and Colin and Ryan helped clean the chairs and sliding door window with the hose.
Great work! Then to the inside where we picked up. Just about the time we finished doing that it was time for the Butler game. During the breaks we made more cookies so there is a good stock in the freezer.
Go Butler! Colin was a happy camper! After the game we headed outside and saw this beautiful rainbow from the house. We certainly know why they have a rainbow on their license plates.
Tacos for dinner again and then a fun time at the park before heading to the tent for one last night.
All my little guys had a fun time on their bikes! All went well with going to sleep and it was a quiet night.

Friday already??

How can it be Friday already? No April Fools joke here. We had a little play time before breakfast this morning so Ryan and Grandmaa got the store all set for some fun play this afternoon after school is out.
Then breakfast and off to school. Shoes on in the garage...
Holy Cow! There was homework in Colin's backpack last night. We never looked because of the Carnival. It was a quick page to do and he got it completed and his book read before he had to leave. Too fast...
So John drove the boys to school and got to Colin's school and no one was around. Went into the office...no school today for Colin--Teacher Conferences. Duh, we knew that! So they went to the park and killed some time and then dropped Ryan off at his school and came home. Wow, a free morning and nothing planned. Time for some balloon volleyball with Grandma.

In for the kill!

Time for a little science...inkspots

and stripes.

Then time to get Ryan. Then...basketball time! The Butler/VCU game came on just as we were finishing up lunch. Go Butler--Colin still has one of his picks in his bracket in. But alas, Kentucky couldn't quite pull it out.

Ryan spotted this in the backyard after lunch!

Time for art class for Colin and a quick trip to Costco for some frozen yogurt for the Root Beer Floats for dinner tonight. Yum. Alas, so Frozen Yogurt--should have gotten it last Friday!

Time for some action on our own. We headed across the street where some of their friends were playing.

Sat and talked to the next door neighbors for awhile and then Grandma headed home to make pizza dough. The boys came back and got on their swimming suits and headed for the pool and some playtime with Dana, Clark's Dad from next door.

Then home to create wonderful pizzas and dine well. It was movie night and we watched Toy Story I. Grandma and Grandpa had never seen it and we really enjoyed it. Then off to bed in the sleeping bags in the tent...another fun camping weekend!

The quiet end to a busy day.