So thankful!

We had a marvelous Thanksgiving!  It started bright and early (of course) and headed to Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore. The big boys were running in a 5k turkey trot. The sunrise was still beautiful even though it was a little cloudy. 

Will watching the surfers. 

Ready to ride!  First time running in the stroller for Eric. 

Graham coming in to the finishing area. 

Feet off the ground shot for you dad!

Justin and Eric coming infor the finish. 

A high five on the way across the finish line!

After the race we went to waimea bay, played in the water, paddle boarded, and jumped off the rocks!  Ryan took a nap at the beach and then we headed home to finish dinner preparations. Susan and I had done lots the afternoon before to include cooking the turkey. 

We had a wonderful feast and are so very thankful for the many blessings in our lives. But this year very thankful Susan, Graham, and Ryan could travel all the way out here to visit with us!!

Aunt Juwie (the name I love to hear!)

Susan, Graham, and Ryan got here Monday afternoon!!  We have had lots of fun already. 

A little after dinner shinanigans with aunt Susan!

Tuesday morning we went to Ko'Olina to the beach. We enjoyed swimming and playing in the sand. 

After naps we went to Kaena Point. 

My boys!

Then back to a different beach for a picnic dinner and sunset. 

What a fantastic first day!!

Girl Scout camping

Friday night my co-leader and I (and some other troops from our service unit) went camping at Bellows beach.  We had 4 girls go and it was a nice manageable number.

Having a hot dog dinner.  We were the only troop to "cook" dinner.  The other troops brought sandwiches or went to the store up the street and bought something.

While we were sitting around the campfire a little rainstorm popped up.  So we used that time to make a craft!

The girls worked hard on the ornaments and then the next morning we put some sand in the bottom.

Sunrise Saturday morning was beautiful!!

Learning some knots

Our camp area!  

We had a little time to play before leaving.

Besides not getting much sleep, (our girls were the first asleep) the night was a great success!  The wind was pretty strong and kept flattening the tent on one side for most of the night.  But the girls did great and had lots of fun!

Our house (part 1)

I guess after living here for 4 months it's time to give a little tour.  Some of you have been here and some have gotten a little Facetime tour.  I've given up on waiting until it's cleaned and organized to take pictures, because quite frankly my reality right now doesn't lend much time to an organized clean house!  So here it goes!
Our house is a big "U"  The bedrooms are all on one side of the "u" and that makes it very nice.  I'm getting used to this house and how it flows and my favorite part (most of the time) is how the kitchen doesn't have a/c so making homemade bread is so quick!!

One side of the middle bedroom, which is the largest of the 3.

The boys share a room.  The top bunk will be for Caroline when we have company.

The other side.

I was standing in front of the A/C looking out of the room for this shot.  You can see the playroom and part of the kitchen area.

The hallway is LONG and has 9 doors!!  3 bedrooms, 3 closets, a bathroom, outside door, and playroom door!

I'm standing is Caroline's doorway looking towards the master.

Caroline's room will be the main guest room.  But she hosted the boys so that Granddaddy and Uncle Paul wouldn't have to share the bed!

The dresser closest in the picture os a guest dresser.  It's hard to get Caroline to keep it cleaned off!

I don't have pictures of the other room yet and these were taken back in September!  

The big kids had their yearly check-ups today and are both doing great.  Caroline and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go camping with Girl Scouts.  Justin and the boys are hanging out at home.  Will has a football game Saturday morning.  Will is excited I'm leaving so he can watch Looney Tunes and eat twizzlers!!!

So I'm off the get packed and pull out some camping gear!

Another one!

Great weekend that is!  Saturday morning Caroline and I went and took a surfing class at Hickam Air Force Base.  It was really fun and we had a blast.  It was everything I had thought it would be and I love it!  I'm ready to go again and teach Justin.  The waves were small so it wasn't overwhelming or scary.  The first wave the nose of my board went under and I slid off.  The second wave I was able to stand and take a nice long ride!  So awesome!  I learned after having to paddle all the way back out that I didn't want to ride that long again and the instructor told me to just walk backwards on the board to "put on the brakes." So I was able to stop myself after that and not have to paddle so far.  I fell plenty and got several sinus rinses (lots of water up the nose!).  I even got to catch a few waves without the instructor giving me a push to get started.  Caroline could kneel on her board but never stood on her own.  The instructor put her on his board and then she was able to stand up and ride waves in.  She enjoyed it as well!  After surfing we had lunch over looking the bay where we had been surfing.  Then came home.

Caroline's picture she drew at lunch.  She wrote "thank you for teaching me how to surf" on it and gave it to our instructor.

Our view from our table.

Those were the baby waves we were surfing out by those buoys.

Eric has a cold and isn't feeling well.  Lots of couching and a junky nose.  He spent a long time Saturday afternoon looking at books.

Then he brought me book after book to read to him.

Today (Sunday) we went to church and then hung out at home watching football and taking naps.  After nap we drove to the north shore near Dillingham air field to go for a hike at Kealia Trail.

Blurry picture but this was the beginning.

Even though it was cloudy, the view was spectacular.

It was a steep hike with lots of switchbacks.  Not sure what Will was doing here but he hadn't fallen and wasn't hurt.

Over looking the air field.

Caroline is in this picture too!  Justin is stopped in the turn and Caroline is a little above him.

Love!

Miles really enjoyed the hike as well!  Will was looking forward to Miles sleeping well in bed with him tonight.

That's what we climbed!  3.2 miles, 1:45 minutes, 1,233 ft gained

There was minimal complaining from the kids and they did great on the steepest hike they have done.

Sunset was gorgeous! 

After our hike I made fish tacos for dinner!