Mermaid Cave

Today I convinced the kids to go with me to find the mermaid cave on the west side of the island.  They didn't want to leave the house!  

But they had fun while we were there and we found it so it was a win all around.

Will was the first to drop down into the cave.

 I went next and helped Caroline and Eric down.

 We enjoyed exploring and finding shells and sea glass.  The sound of the water hitter the walls of the cave and rushing over the rocks/coral was the best part in my opinion.

 Does that look like the entrance to a mermaid cave?  Well right near that sign in the back right part is where you drop in the cave!!

 There were several holes in the rock where we watched the water coming in and out.  So fun!

 It was rainy and dreary up at our house but the water was an amazing aqua color and the sun was shining on the west side.  A beautiful day!

 The kids enjoyed throwing rock in tide pools.

Then we went home and relaxed.  I had a follow up appointment after getting a shot in my SI joint a few weeks ago.  It is doing so much better and I'm in a lot less pain!  So the shot diagnosed that it is my SI joint causing the back pain so the next step in physical therapy.  So we'll see how that goes!  I'm hopefully optimistic that I'm on the right path to less pain.

A little spring break fun

This morning was like any Thursday morning.  Will and I took Eric to school then went to the commissary.  We were going to meet friends up at Turtle Bay to play but they let me know they weren't going to still be there by the time we could get Eric and get up there. So we changed our plans and then after we picked up Eric we went hiking!  We went to Waimano trail (Dad, this is throne we did in August).

There were great views.  That's looking back towards our house.

 There was Miles helping Eric keep a decent pace.  Otherwise he so S L O W.

 And the kids' favorite part...old irrigation tunnels!  They brought their headlamps and Miles even went in with them too.

 Fun branches to hang on.

 Big sticks to carry around and more branches to swing on.

 We were hoping to have a creek to play in but the lack of rain this winter has made this a nonexistent  creek.

 But that didn't stop them from still playing in the creek bed.

 Miles found a shady spot to watch the kids playing.

It was a great hike and we all enjoyed it.

After getting home and dropping Miles off we headed to the movies to see Zootopia.  Then we walked across the parking lot and had dinner at Chili's.  The kids thought this was a pretty good afternoon and I have to agree!

Good thing there's still over a week of spring break left so we can have more adventures and fun.  And Justin comes home on Sunday to he can have fun with us!

Not your usual Saturday

Justin left last Tuesday for Cambodia.  So that means something will go wrong.  I had to take Caroline doctor Friday morning.  She has an infection on her shin.  Not sure how it happened.  Saturday morning I woke up to Eric crying.  I come out and his foot was hurting him so bad he couldn't walk on it!  It was swollen and really red.  He had stepped on a thorn Friday afternoon, I pulled it out.  But apparently it got infected or something.  So back to the doctor we go.  2 days 2 different kids both on antibiotics.

The picture on the left is from Tuesday and then the left is Thursday.

 Eric's foot was very swollen and he even had a slight fever.

 Caroline's leg was looking better after several days of meds and hot compresses.  It looks even better today!

Then Saturday night I went with a group of friends to the Spouses Club Mock Dining In.  It was a lot of fun.  Each table had chosen a theme, dressed the part, and had 15 minutes to decorate our table.  There was also a grog (a crazy mixture of different items, most alcoholic, and not the best tasting), skits, and prizes.  Mainly it was just a lot of ladies being silly and having fun!

There were groups dressed as librarians, totally 8o's, the real housewives of aviation, moulin rouge, Cops and robbers (me), and my favorite, Inside Out.

 Our table complete with partially eaten doughnuts.

 I was handcuffed to the cop while we added to the Grog.

 The whole group.  Several of these women's husband's are MP's.  The girl that's the judge her husband is a lawyer.  So it was fun!

Sunday sunsets

We don't have many left unfortunately.  But we are on a hunt for the green flash!  Last Sunday we packed up dinner and headed over to Ko'Olina to the lagoons.  We took a friend with us since her husband is out of town.  The kids had a great time running down the sand and jumping off the grass.  We didn't get to see the sun hit the water, clouds were in the way, so no green flash.  It was still a beautiful evening and a great way to start a busy week.

 My stair steps!

 Eric landed that jump!

Janet also took some pictures and then made a video for us.  It was a perfect way to show how much fun we had that evening!

Where to next?

Well, it look alike the Redfern's are going back to Fort Leavenworth, KS.  We didn't get any of the places we picked in our top 10.  But that's how the Army works.  So we will report to KS mid-July.  With stops in NC before we do.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone in NC in June.  

Justin will be working for MCTP (no clue what that means but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!).  It means he will do LOTS of traveling training different groups.  He will travel about 2 weeks of every month with 2 months of no traveling in the summer and winter.  The fun part is I know 4 other families going to Leavenworth and 2 are really good friends that I do my fun Fridays with!  We have already are plans to switch to antique shopping when we get there!!

Justin had the boys for most of the day Saturday while I was at a swim meet with Caroline.  They got treats after getting hair cuts.

 Pre-bedtime snuggles with the youngest!

I know it's not as exciting as Hawaii but we sure hope you all come visit.  We love having visitors!!

Sunset Lanai

This place is just incredible!  It never disappoints and the views are top notch!  

The view looking towards Waikiki and Diamond Head.

 The kids had fun taking pictures while we were waiting for our food.

 Group shot!

 The night lights coming on.

 My blondies!

 I think they look alike.

 Caroline too the picture below!  It's pretty awesome.  It's a view from right beside our table looking down on Pearl Harbor.

 And some after dinner shenanigans.

 I think I took about 10 and not one turned out with all 3 kids doing the right look!