If the Shoe Fits...

buy it in every color!

LD has an addiction. Shoes. Closed-toe, sandal, heel, running shoe. As long as it is a shoe, she's reaching for it. The more "bling" the better, but she won't turn up her nose at a shoe.

Walking now gives her the ability to show off her footwear and if she wanders by you she just may try to swap out hers for yours. Addiction. Shoes and LD. Let the love affair begin!

'Aiea Loop Hike in Pictures

A Hiking We Will Go

Oh, a-hiking we will go
A-hiking we will go
We'll wander the 'Aiea Loop Trail
For a good 5 miles before we're through!

DF called me on Sunday night and asked me to go hiking with her and the boys. Always up for a challenge, we decided to try a 5 mile loop that meanders along the ridge line of 'Aiea. The trail boasted beautiful views of Pearl Harbor, the Ko'olau Range, and a wreckage from a plane crash.

This hike is my first one that I have done by myself with LD. She is turning out to be a great hiker (I know she's not technically hiking the trail, but she has to stay in the backpack without throwing a fit). I think she really enjoys being outdoors where she can explore the world in her own way. Reaching out toward tree branches, smelling a flower that I pick for her, or watching us hike and navigate the trail.

For 5 miles, through various terrain and biomes, we worked as a team. The boys did an exceptional job hiking the distance. With the way my feet felt by the time I reached the car, I can only imagine what theirs felt like. We sang songs, made up songs, and chatted about sticks and shows and everything in between. It was a great idea to start off a week.

I know I've written it before in a previous blog about Oahu, but it never ceases to amaze me how on one tiny island you can experience a rainforest, mountain region, and desert like conditions in one hike. DF and I gasped with each vista and the good Lord opened up His mountains to us in a perfectly clear blue sky over the mountain range (a very unusual occurrence during the winter...storm clouds build fast!). We were also pleased with a clear view of Pearl Harbor and the airport region. At our snack spot we enjoyed looking towards Mt. Kaala, the highest point on Oahu. I waved to HH's workplace from another opening in the trail. The views on this hike made the effort to hike it well worth it.

5 miles in 3 1/2 hours. Not to shabby for two moms packing two kids over 1 and keeping a 5 and 8 year old on the trail entertained. Countless cool roots to imagine faces and shapes. Beautiful small flowers and interesting Eucalyptus bark patterns. Hiking on a Monday with LD and friends. Priceless.

A Zoo-tiful Day

After a very hard Saturday of me recovering from a very fast slap of a 24 hour flu bug, we were all in need of some time outdoors in the fresh trade winds of a fine Hawaiian Sunday. The zoo called our names and we packed up a picnic and headed to the Honolulu Zoo after LD's morning nap.



HS was on a mission to discover what endangered animal he wanted to research for his wildlife loop (Cub Scout thing) and LD was just happy to be strolling through the zoo on her own two chubby feet. HS laughed his infamous belly laugh while the gibbons amazed us with their acrobatic prowless. LD stared in amazement as the chimpanzees picked bugs off of one another's backs and then played a game of chase. Snores could be heard as the tiger cub laid in his hollowed out tree and took a snooze. Both HS and LD enjoyed mirroring the long trunk of the elephant with an arm and a little finger. The animals were more active than I think we've seen them ever and HH and I enjoyed watching the signs of excitement that the kids truly enjoy animals and want to help not harm them.



Our Honolulu Zoo may be smaller and less showy than many of the others, but it has one important element that we always enjoy. Fun. It was a zoo-tiful day. A perfect way to spend a Sunday.

PS: In case you were wondering, "what animal did HS pick?!?" The day was successful. After much debate, he has chosen the White-Handed Gibbon. Look for further details on this project as he discovers the reasons while this animal is all but extinct and what is being done to protect it.

Bottles No More

Our little girl is growing way to fast. It seems like she is growing faster than what I can keep up with and enjoy. Now I understand why my mom couldn't do all the special keep track things with me that she did with my sis. Life with two is two times the fun. Regardless, I may not have exact dates of her milestones, but I can tell using her month.

Today marks the offical saying farewell to her baby bottles. She has refused to drink from them since introducing the very cool princess sippy cups. I gradually transitioned her at 1 year and by 13 months she was drinking from only the sippy. So, at 14 1/2 months after having the gathering dust bottles fall on me yet again when reaching in for a sippy, I decided to retire the bottles. All that remains now is the memory of her as a baby enjoying her formula from them. She is officially a walkin' sippy drinkin' princess!

Revolutionary Celebration

You've heard all about HS joining the cub scouts this year. He adores it. I'm tickled that he enjoys it so. It has certainly given us back moments of working together on completing projects. I had really begun to crave craft time, cooking, and just being with my little guy (who comes up to my breasts now as he likes to say!). We had such a great time from 0-5 and then school came along and with that came homework and other things. So, scouting has given all of us an excellent opportunity: quality family time. We've returned back to doing mommy/HS things and this week led us to working on a place mat and cake for the upcoming Blue & Gold dinner.

The theme this year is "Patriotism" so we dug deep into our creative juices and came up with centering on the making of America (ahhhh....NEW ENGLAND returns!!!). Loaded with "I could do this, mommy." and "ohhhh...I went there!!!" We began to piece together our plan for his place mat and the blueprints for the father/son cake decorating project.



I came up with the idea to weave the paper and then do the design of the original American Flag with silver stars. I had forgotten how much of a challenge that can be...luckily HS decided to stick with it and sighed with relief once we wove the last piece. HH and I helped him come up with famous pictures that spotlighted significant patriots and moments during the road to countryhood (hope that's a word!). Boston Tea Party (HS: "That boat was tiny!"), Paul Revere's Ride (HS: "I ran that trail and played like a patriot!"), Signing of the Declaration of Independence (HS: "All those men were pretty brave!"), George Washington crossing the Deleware (HS: "No wonder they made him our 1st president."), and the Surrender at Yorktown (HS: "Ba bye red coats!").



The cake started out as a simple idea. Bake a chocolate cake in a bundt pan and then make a redoubt with cinnamon sticks. Place two soldiers (Red Coat & Patriot) on either side with the patriot holding the American flag. Use green frosting and piping to create the grass effect. Problem. I must have put the bundt pan into storage because when I tried to bake this mornin' so the cake would be ready for the guys to frost tonight, a bundt pan was no where to be found. So, I brainstormed and baked a sheet cake and a 1 quart bowl of batter. They assembled the cake with the little round part as the "hill" (suffice to say I tried to make it as little as I could because I realize they don't have big huge mountains in Yorktown, VA. With a cake ready to be frosted, the guys went all out.

We had a blast...the projects are complete and we're ready to celebrate the birthday of the Boy Scouts, revolutionary style.

Cluttered by Thoughts

I should be in the shower. My menu for the next week should be written out and list complete so that I can go to the commissary today. The dishes that have been sitting in my sink need to go into the dishwasher. There is a slight problem with that task...the dishes in the dishwasher are clean and need to be unloaded. HS's cub scout project is complete...all but the gluing on of his pictures showing significant events of the Revolutionary War. The project is still sitting on the counter. Where it was yesterday and the day before. Laundry was started on Monday and it is Wednesday and I am still in the process of folding and cleaning. Good gracious. I'm a mess. I'm cluttered by thoughts of what needs to be done, but I just don't feel like doing anything. I'm wanting to clean the house, but it is so nice just to sit sometimes during LD's nap instead of work. I've got all kinds of ideas of crafts to do with HS, but with him gone now most of the day and activities and homework keeping him busy for a 6 1/2 year old, all I want him to do is get done with what he has to and then get outside and enjoy his friends and his childhood. HH works long hours. I feel sorry for him. Until I realize that we haven't had a good heart to heart in a long time. Yep. Cluttered by my thoughts. No wonder I can't get anything done. There is too much to do! Time to motivate and get it done. Ja matane for now.

"Putt"in' Us in A Good Mood

This weekend we've been a little mopey. After a three week visit, vacation to the big island, and always having something going on in the house, I have to say it feels odd to be here. So, when I was tyring to come up for things to do this weekend, a game of putt-putt seemed like just the way to get us all out of our purple funk.

The marine corps base has an adorable putt-putt range. With two different courses, both 18 holes each, it brought about almost two hours of enjoyment our way. We have a raincheck to play the other course...the kids were certainly worn out after just one round. DF's kiddos came with us and with swings, misses, pars, and fores (whatever that is!) we had a great time. Showers fell at various times during our game, but that still didn't dampen the mood.

Dinner at DF's house after the outing certainly "putt" us into a better mood.

PS: I still stink at the game in case you were wondering! I don't think I've played Putt-putt since the days of Fort Collins with Grandpa! At least this time I wasn't the one pouting that things weren't going the right way! HS did the honors there! ;)

Happy Valentine's Day

You are my Valentine
sung to: You are my Sunshine

You are my Valentine, My special Valentine,
And I love you, yes I do.
You are my Valentine, My Special Valentine,
Please say you love me, too!

Here Come the Tears

I don't like to say goodbye. In fact, over the years, I've come to hate those words. I've never been good at saying them. Ever. So, as my last day of my visit with my parents came, I was already dreading the end of the day. How do I make myself feel better? A trip to the Bellows is always nice. With a picnic lunch, two excited kids, two reminiscing parents, and me, it was a day that turned out to be relaxed, fun, and a perfect end to a fantastic visit.

I have never been to Bellows when the wind wasn't blowing. The waves are perfect for boogie boarding. Papa taught HS how to boogie board and they had such a great time that eventually, wave worn and cold, they came out of the water to the beach. Mom became the boogie boarding gal and was out in waves that would have terrified me, but out she was bobbing and riding with a giggle and a grin. She was so brave that Papa asked her to come where there was more of a shoal and less of a drop-off then were she was. LD squealed, thrashed her legs to a throw and until a wave clobbered us (and we were only sitting along the shore), was happy to be wave jumping with me. After she was clobbered (I don't mean that literally...she just took in a little icky salt water) she enjoyed trying to walk the beach on her chunky legs.

What better wave to finish off a good Bellows day then a stop at Dave's Ice-cream. Yummy!!! Dave's Ice-cream melts in your mouth...it is creamy, homemade, and fantastic. Papa is my ice-cream nut and after sampling the icecream a while ago, I knew that this would be a perfect end to the day. I think it was a success.

Relaxing on the lanai, taking silly pictures, and reflecting on our visit led us up to the last few hours of their time on island. I think we became so relaxed that the hour leading up to getting them onto the plane snuck up on us. A very fast stop at one of my favorite viewing spots of the Arizona for a picture and then the drive to the airport reminding me of what I hate most about visits. Goodbye.

I feel sorry for HH. The drive home from the airport was akin to a bad romance film. LD was screaming. HS was shnuffling and crying. I was sobbing. Yep. Goodbyes. I hate them. I despise them. I'm pathetic at them. Especially when it is with my parents. I know. I'm 34. But thank God for visits from them. They've come to every place we've ever been stationed. Gladly. Frequently. The kids have memories with them that will last long after their childhood has ended. I have memories of my childhood with them that easily transitioned into adulthood.

Thank you for coming to stay with us in paradise. You made it even more special.

*snorkeling beside you without your glasses!
*LD unpacking Popop's luggage as he was trying to pack
*Pack meeting and Den meeting for HS
*Hiking a mile to the Jaggar museum
*Kendo the Gigalo
*Boogie Boarding
*Listening to HS sneak downstairs to snuggle with you in the morning
*Granma reading bedtime stories
*Squeals of delight from LD as you got her up in the morning
*Bingo at KMC
*Waiting for the special Hula night...only we had to do our own
*Stories of your R&R from Vietnam
*Coffee on the lanai...with the ugly, brutal flies!
*Hanging up the starlights with Papa
*Caught in the rainshowers under the eaves of the Byodo-in
*Giggling at all the signage at KMC...
*Traveling through the Islands...in an hour...thanks to HS's Catholic Schools' Week
*Self-portraits by camera
*Sharing ice-cream and shaved ice...using only a spoon or two (for most people this would gross them out...with you, not so much...thank you!!!)

Two Peas

As a young girl, it was my dad who inspired me in my endeavors to be a good photographer. Everywhere we went, his camera was sure to go. We took pictures at every momentous occasion, painstakingly sat, stood, or grouped together for a picture that would capture the moment. Those are pictures that I now treasure. It's a good thing he was so detail oriented. It is from him that I learned to be patient with my photo subjects and yearn for that perfect shot. So, it is no wonder that now, HH finds himself living my childhood days with taking on my papa's part as I try to capture our clan moments on film:

"hold on...I've got to get a picture..."
"Oh...this is great...wait a sec...ok...turn now...smile!"
"I've got to get us all together to remember this...everyone look at the flashing light...wait...HS...shimmy to the side a little...yep...there!"
"Say, Moneeeeey!"
"Wait a minute everyone...don't move...let me check that picture before we move on"

Yep. I'm a photobug. I love pictures and I bug everyone for them. However, on this visit with my parents, I've discovered something. I'm not the only one. Mom does it to. Thanks papa for inspiring two dingles to take photos!

Masks and Fish

It was destiny...take a beautiful Hawaiian day and mix it with two parents who needed that moment to go snorkel in the clear blue Hawaiian waters and you get Hanauma Bay moments. I adore visiting Hanauma Bay. Yes. It is a tourist destination, and if you go to late in the morning the crowds overtake the beach and clutter the waters scaring the fish away with all their splashin' and tatoo riddled bodies, but it is still one of the calmest places to view some very spectacular reef dwellers. Chompers need not try to get into this bay...the coral is a massive tangle of beautiful white and brown. Perfect. Shallow water, mask, snorkel, colorful fish, and no chompers. Heaven for an anti-deep water gal such as myself.

Mom and I snorkeled first while Papa stayed on the shore with LD. Give her sand and dig a little sand pool for her to sit in and she'll be happy for hours. Mom was a snorkeling champ. She may not be able to see without her glasses, but give her a snorkel and mask and she'll see some great fish! She adored the views of the Hawaiian state fish and just about came nose to nose with a very noisy parrot fish. We glided over the coral together for a while before heading back to encourage papa to have a turn. Her hardest moment...getting out gracefully...we giggled our way out!

Papa and I headed out in a different direction than mom and I. We got to see some puffers who weren't yet alarmed by the wierd masked fish with no gills (i.e. humans)and like mom, even though glasses are a must for seeing the world, the goggles still allowed him to view the colors and shapes of the sea. We also staye out for a while, but then our tummies began to growl signifing that it was time to head back to shore. Mom enjoyed playing with LD as she floated energically (little legs a kickin' arms a flappin') in her little innertube ensuring that her tummy was just as ready as ours for lunch.

A picnic on the beach always sounds like a great idea when I'm getting ready for a voyage to the beach. However, I forget about the sand. Luckily, Hanauma Bay has an excellent shoal of grass that is shaded by waving palm trees. So, with sandwiches and chips to enjoy, the occassional gritty crunch didn't seem as bad with the incredible view of the bay.

The fish aren't the only ones that made the day special...a feral chicken (remember...chickens roam free here....everywhere...) clucked merrily over to where we were picnicing. She scanned out the best palm tree, happily pecked at the grassy edge, turned about, fluffed up, and then...laid an egg. Yes. An egg. We have chalked that up to something we never thought we'd see before at the beach!

Constant Motion

HS is always in motion. He makes me envious of his energy, his quest for adventure, and his love of life. The playground at the KMC cottage area inspired him to practice hanging upside down from the monkey bars. He has been able to do the monkey bars for sometime now, but he was unable to swing his feet up onto the bars to hang as a cookie monkey. Well, his perserverance paid off. He is now hanging from the bars and lovin' his the new perspective of the world.

Serenity

Temple bell. Waterfall gently sloping into a pool of koi. Crimson columns of a temple. Swans floating gracefully on a clear water. Rain. Serenity. There are few churches that can take my breath away and make me feel God's presence.

I can think of only one that comes to mind as I struggle to find a church here. St. Joseph's in Newport always made me feel He was alive in the walls of the church and within the souls who came every Sunday and sat in the same pews as if there name were secretly embedded there. In the coolness of the air, in the warmth of the flowers on the alter, in the robes of a fantastic priest who every Sunday deliverd a homily that seemed to have been meant just for me...for HH...for the man who sat behind our pew in the same spot every Sunday, God was certainly there.

It is usually in nature that I feel most spiritual. I know that sounds terrible. It really isn't meant to...it's just that I relish in His handiwork. The sounds of rainfall, the flutter of the birds wing, the smiles of my daughter as she watches the sand slowly make it's way from her hand to her toes, the shouts of laughter as HS reads a sign or book to us, the warmth of HH's embrace. The gong of the bell signifying a prayer or a thought. Yes. I felt God's prescence today. I felt a quiet and peacefully state of serenity today. In the shadow of Byodo-in.

Walkin' Princess

LD has officially entered the walkin' and not crawlin' phase. She has been working hard since her 13 month milestone to turn into a walkin' princess. It is obvious, however, that she still prefers her knees to her feet.

She adores walking holding your hand and happily chats as she walks. It is hard to get a video of her walking solo because as any good princess learns, when your adoring paparazzi are trying to take pictures it is better to be on the royal tush.

It is a bitter sweet moment me. She is growing so quickly and with each new achievement the pride and love continues to build. What a treasure she is!

Sands of Waikiki

Ahhh...I feel like a big sack of playdough. I'm so relaxed that I don't even want to get up a brew a pot of coffee. That's relaxed for you. I took my parents down to Wakiki over the weekend where we were able to play tourist for two nights at the Hale Koa. Laden with small suitcases full of fun Hawaiian print dresses and shirts, swimsuits and cover-ups, we were able to fully enjoy being papmpered for the weekend.

Our first evening we were greeted with Hawaiian music dancing in the breeze while palm trees swayed and fireworks soared into the sky over the beach. We enjoyed our sipping on mai tais and listening to the beating of the luau drums from our balcony as the kiddos snored away in anticipation and preparation for their beach morning.

Waking up to a beautiful Hawaiian morning on Saturday got the kiddos excited for sand castle building and frolicking in the ocean waters of Waikiki. HS enjoys boogie boarding and creating endless arrays of tunnels for his castle fortress. He loves splashing and swimming as he explores and looks for as many fish as he can find. Leaving the beach with him is never easy. Shouts of "Just one more minute" can lead up to 30 minutes more.



LD is turning into quite the beach babe. Unlike my aversion to sand, LD delights in running her chubby fingers threw the sand and squishing her toes making little divots in the sand around her. She throws her arms into the air and watches the sand fall like little droplets of rain until she spots the waves crashing along the shore. Heading into the water with her she kicks her chubby legs with sand filled wrinkles and squeals with delight as she floats along with the gently moving water.




By the afternoon, LD had taken a nap and exploring around the area we found charming little shopping areas and an endless array of paths meandering through gardens full of ginger, palms, and Hawaiian music. In the evening, HH and I strolled along the beach, enjoyed listening to music drifting on the evening's breeze and even caught glimpses of pro-bowl football players at the Hilton Hawaiian village.



We are all certainly pleased at our weekend get-away. I am relaxed. My parents are reminiscing of their time here on R&R from Vietnam. All is right with the world.

Time Stands Still

Today after dropping off HS and leaving LD with a DF, we headed out for a voyage around Pearl Harbor in the Admiral's Barge. Ok, So it wasn't exactly the Admiral's barge, but it was a great little boat with fantastic sailors giving us quite a personal tour around one of the most historic and significant ports that the Navy has the honor of using.

I don't think that going to the Arizona Memorial will ever lose that feeling of pride in the bravery of my grandfather's generation. I don't ever see myself being able to wander around the memorial without a tear in my eye. It is indeed one of my favorite spots to reflect upon. I enjoyed seeing HH in uniform and felt proud that I can say I come from a long ling of devoted Americans. May it always be so.

Watching mom and papa enjoy the sights and sounds of the boat while retelling memories of their time spent on island during his R&R from Vietnam, it made me happy that they could enjoy the time in the islands once again.

We cruised around the harbor and took a step back into time. For a moment, time stood still.

Hawaiian Ice-Cream

One of the tastiest treats on the island is Hawaiian Shaved Ice. While exploring the North Shore we stopped at Matsumoto's Famous Shaved Ice store in historic Halaiwa. When HH brough our coconut shaved ice with evaporated milk poured on top (if you come to visit and we're not here, this is called a 'Snow Cap'), boy howdy, did LD's eyes light up. She adores the stuff. I'm not sure, but I think she is going to be addicted to sweets.



Our shaved ice was devoured within seconds. We would have saved you some, but that's just not possible when it is so delicious!

Images of Pele's Land

Po 'aono...Hilo in a Nutshell

In a "macadamia" nutshell, I thoroughly enjoyed the place. It was a great cross between the charm of Fort Bragg, CA and Eureka, CA. (My apologies and sympathies if you've never been to either...you must go!).

The people here take a lot of pride in their city. It shows. Schools were in tip top shape, city streets fairly clean, and the day we visited, the market was going on full swing. We had a blast navigating the tight spaces while trying foreign fruit and marveling at the cut flowers. The tsunami may have devastated this town in May of 1960, but you would never think that when you watch the people enjoy the shade underneath old banyan trees (some planted on the avenue of banyan trees by Amelia Earhart, Babe Ruth, and many others), play soccer games on the open field where part of the town once stood, or watch humpback whales jump outside of the entrance to the harbor.

The pace here is not fast. Hilo, in a nutshell, is a place to find a little rest.