Turtles, Shrimp and Waterfalls

The Beatty's are still here and we have been busy, busy, busy! Saturday everyone went to Tara's volleyball game then they all went to the swap meet. As the sun was going down, we were headed to Hanauma Bay. Twice a month they do night snorkeling so we weren't going to miss the opportunity. It was very cool. We were able to rent underwater flashlights and to look at the dark water with the lights moving just beneath the surface was very inviting. In all actuality, it creeped us out. You could hear stuff in the water but you couldn't see anything unless it was directly in the beam of you flashlight. You never knew what was lurking just ahead. By unanimous vote it was decided this adventure, although sounding very cool, was creepy....very creepy. Sunday we went to Bellows AFF so the kids could do some boogy boarding. They also got an added bonus that day- there was a turtle feeding around the jetty so they kept an eye on that. We headed to the West side of the island for Germaine's Luau that evening. It was great fun and served up some fabulous mai ti's. Yesterday we hit the North Shore and our guests sampled the wonderful shrimp scampi from Giovanni's Shrimp Truck. While waiting for our eats we all passed the time by adding our names to the countless others found on every inch of the truck. They were fascinated by the many turtles at Lanikea or Turtle Beach. Snorkeling in waters where turtles nearly run you over is intoxicating. Next on our list was Waimea falls and other than an overzealous life guard, the icy swim is fabulous. Today we are going to head out to the sand bar for some volleyball and good times. Have I mentioned lately how much I love it here?? As soon as I find Darby's camera I'll update with some pictures...

Tara's Last Day of School & the Beatty's First Day on Island

School's out for summer!! Yoohoo!! Tara's last day of school was yesterday. We said good-bye to first and it's on to 2nd grade. Wow! Our little girl has become an exceptional reader and for that I am very thankful. I don't know what second grade will bring but I love to watch her learn. She is like a sponge that is awed by her journey of learning and discovery.
The Beatty's are here! We all walked Tara to school and after I dropped them off at the beach. Tara only had a half day and that was just for a party and to play. Her birthday is always after the school year so I made her a ginormous chocolate chip cookie and Macy decorated it to share with the class for a mini birthday celebration. We met up with our latest guests when school was out and Trey had napped. They were snorkeling, boogie boarding, walking the beach, exploring the tide pools and having tons of fun in the sun. When I left several hours later they were making plans to head to yet another of our beaches. Needless to say, today they are crispy critters, especially Darby and our very own Flamin' Payden. Today they have strategically planned to stay out of the sun and are headed into Waikiki. They are going out on the Atlantis submarine and then hanging out to explore and watch sunset. I am actually going to work tonight (nobody faint!!). Macy bought a skim board so I am sure they'll be hitting the beach while I am sleeping tomorrow. Twice a month they do night snorkeling at Haunauma Bay and this Saturday we are going to try it. I am excited because Kev and I have talked about it but haven't done it yet. Not quite sure what we'll do with the little kids but I'm sure we'll figure it out. I love when people come to visit and we get to be tour guides!!

8 years, 3 kids, 3 states and 4 houses

Tuesday was a crazy day. My list of errands had me running all over base and into town too. The good thing was that for the first time in about 2 months, I did errands by myself. (Hey Pam! They did not sell Kev's uniforms!) Tara had volleyball pictures and then it was off to her first soccer practice. Her soccer coach is one of the coaches from cheering and I was quite impressed with her organization. She had already prepared a snack list, due dates for trophy/monogramming money, pictures have been scheduled and the date for the end of season party has been penciled in too! She was wearing her new cleats and there were lots of kids on the team that she knew so she was a happy camper. Tyler will have practices at the same time, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6. It will be another season of running between both, each child wanting me at practice and me wanting to be at both also. Do I sound as if I will be doing this alone? Maybe I am just pre-planning because my dear husband, who has been home for less than 48hrs, has already mentioned the possibility that he might be leaving for Italy in July. We shall see. Tyler had to get his first pairs of shin guards yesterday. He wore them to Tara's practice and brought his new soccer ball so that he could play too. He is so cute and he has so much enthusiasm for the sport, any sport actually.
Kevin and I celebrated our 20th, no 8th, wedding anniversary.****Hehehe**** We were able to work dinner into our schedule. Dinner alone and together. That, in and of itself, is amazing. Dinners out have almost becomce extinct in our lives and will remain that way till Trey is much older. The only way we usually eat out is if there is a play area or chips on the table immediately. Our dear neighbors kept the kids and we dined undisturbed. There were margaritas involved and it was a wonderful evening.
Tammy, Payden, Macy and Darby will arrive tonight. Tomorrow is Tara's last day of school. The madness will then begin. But, oh the fun we'll have!!

Kayaking

I've been here for two years. For two years I have looked at the kayaks slicing through the waters of the bays and I have longed to do the same. Saturday we went to a gathering at one of the beaches on base and on the way there I decided I was just going to go the marina (a mile away) and rent one. You can't beat it, for $4 an hour or $30/day you can rent a 2 man kayak with tie down straps, life jackets, back supports and paddles. They will even put it on top of your vehicle and fill your cooler with ice. Can I just say that the jeep looks really good with a kayak loaded on top! Kevin was still gone and of course we had gone with the Reyes'. Melissa isn't big on the water so throughout the day I went out with Ray or Estella. Of course, I absolutely loved every minute of it. We paddled out to and around turtle rock and saw a very small beach where you could get the kayak on land and explore. We saw the eroding shore on the ocean side of the island that is tunneled from the pounding waves. The waters are so clear that the world beneath is completely exposed and you can't help but to stop and just stare. I could sit on the kayak and watch the reefs for hours. Kev was home Monday and when we decided to go to the beach I again went to the marina. We were at a different beach but the effect was still the same. Kev and I put the boys between us and paddled around the cove of secret beach. Trey loved it as he watched the colors from the world below and Big Guy kept a good eye on the big waves he thought we were getting too near. This is just one more thing I love about the ocean and I am sure given the opportunity I could become a kayak junkie.

Yeeeaahh! Daddy's home!!

Yesterday after church we had Catholic Heritage Day. Food, face painting, bouncy houses and games are always a good way to mark the end of another year of CCD. The kids went to the pool in the afternoon and then we made the sign as seen in the picture. Tyler was sooo excited. We couldn't leave for the airport till 9p so Tyler kept bringing me the clock to let me know exactly what time it was. Tara found lots of flowers for Daddy and wrote lots of "I miss you and I love you notes". When the hour finally arrived I loaded 3 very excited children into the van. Baby Trey didn't know what was going on but if his brother and sister were happy, then he was happy too! The airport is a 20 min ride. Halfway there poor Tyler fell asleep. He tried so hard to stay awake. Trey hadn't made it off base before he fell into dreamland. I don't know how Tara did it but she yakked the whole way and somewhere within a minute of the airport, I think she fell asleep mid-sentence. Kevin arrived on time and climbed into a van full of adoring, sleeping kids and I whisked him away into the night.

The T-Ball Finale

Well the first season of Tyler's first organized sport has come to an end. He had a fabulous game and finally received that trophy he has been waiting for since the first practice. He hit the ball solidly each time up to bat, had some good throws and his final run into home was memorable to say the very least. Make sure you watch the video of that!! Dad would be proud and Coach Tony presented Tyler with the game ball. Way to go Big Guy!! I can't wait for soccer!