Since August, we have been trying to take advantage every second of our time here in Hawaii. Falling in love more and more with each new adventure. In an attempt to catch you up on what we have been up to I will start with our time last September when Quaid started playing t-ball. His team was called the Angels. He played for a local league in town which proved to be interesting as most of the other kids on the a team were Hawaiian. He had a great time and was able to make a few new friends.
In addition to playing t-ball Quaid also started karate lessons. He enjoyed this activity and immediately wanted to start kicking and punching everything in sight. After completing the course he graduated to a yellow belt. It was very exciting and Daddy was home to give him the honors and tie the new belt on!
In early October, we welcomed our first visitors as Sugar, Papa, and Aunt Lisa arrived to the island. We had a wonderful visit with them and enjoyed several fun sightseeing adventures. One of which was a Luau at Paradise Cove. Quaid also went with us to the luau and was able to show off his hula dancing skills. Towards the end of the month Grandpa and Minnie also visited. We were so excited to have them here as we were able to continue our tradition of sharing Halloween together and got to go tricker treating. We all were overwhelmed by the amount of people in our neighborhood participating in the night. We literally had hundreds tricking our door and walking the streets. We had a fun time walking the streets also and showing off our own costumes as the Scooby Do gang. Quaid was Scooby, Finn was Scrappy, Mommy was Daphne, Daddy was Freddie, Minnie was Velma, and Grandpa had the best costume of all as Shaggy! We tricked everyone in sight and even were able to solve a few mysteries!! In additon, to sharing such a fun Halloween we also took a boat ride in Kaneohe Bay. It was a great time exploring the Bay and finding the site were the show "Gilligans Island" was filmed.
In November Paul left us for a deployment to Afganistan. He is currently serving with his unit 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in the area of Nawa. It has been an adjustment not having him home to say the least but we are all keeping busy which has helped the time pass more quickly. We are praying for his safe return sometime in June 2011.
December was a wonderful month as we celebrated our first Christmas in Hawaii! It was very interesting to see Mele Kalikimaka signs everywhere instead of our traditional Merry Christmas but we all adjusted pretty well. By the end of the month Quaid knew all the words to the Mele Kalikimaka song and had us all wanting to get out the ukulele. However, having 80 degree weather and still wearing our shorts and flip flops did make the season seem not so festive. But none the less we got in the spirit each night by walking our neighborhood checking out the plethora of decorations lining the streets. We also welcomed with a warm "Aloha," Grandma and Grandaddy right before Santa arrived. We enjoyed their company and were so excited to be able to share this wonderful place!
January brought a month of reflection and resolutions. As with every year I try to evaluate things in life and commit to what I will do differently the next year and make new goals of what to do better. One of my first goals was to create a bucket list of everything I want to do while living here. As I talked with so many new Hawaiian friends they all advised that our time here will pass very quickly so we need to use the time wisely to explore this amazing place! In keeping with my resolution, I started 2011 with a hike of the Lanikai Pill Boxes. It is a beautiful hike within minutes of our home overlooking the beautiful Mokulua Islands. The hike was not too challenging and the view at the top was breathtaking. I literally drive by these Twin Islands almost everyday and must say after the hike they are now more beautiful than ever. In addition, to this hike I also climbed up to Makapu'u Lighthouse. This view was also spectacular!! On the way up I was able to catch a few glimpses of whales jumping out of the water as this is currently the mating season and they travel from Alaska here to stay warm for the winter. I am consistently amazed at how such an enormous creature can propel itself so far out of the water. Lastly, I was able to climb with my Dad up Diamondhead crater. The one must do tourist site on the island is Diamondhead and I have to admit it was beautiful. From the top we were able to view all of the leeward side of O'ahu including all of Waikiki.
Check out some of the pictures of all our many adventures over the past few months.
