December Doings

December is always such a busy month. This slideshow gives an idea of how busy our month was, and that was prior to Christmas Eve.

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Catching Up - November 2011

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2011-2012 Portraits

After Kristen's Senior Pictures turning out well, I decided to take a stab at doing Amelia's 2.5 year pics and James' school pictures too. Well, one of the last sunny weekends this year was a bit too sunny, but the pictures aren't all bad. It was surely a lot cheaper than professional ones and we had fun too.

Teri

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Here Comes Santa

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October

We really got to enjoy October this year. Amelia's a little young for sitting through band competitions (2 this month, 1 in November), but she really enjoyed the Apple Butter Fest-ivities, helping with pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating. Thank goodness she didn't get a lot of candy (short legs = fewer streets) and she's had some brotherly help polishing it off. Hope you enjoy the photos - we had fun taking them.

Teri

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Senior Pictures

So what happens when the senior wants pictures with her horse, her dog, five outfits, etc.?

What happens is you borrow a camera, grab a few friends, set aside three opportunities, wash a horse with only a toddler to hold it, and pray for no rain.

Well, I think it worked. You'll have to let me know what you think.

I had a photobook printed for Kristen without her knowledge. It's fun to watch an 18-year-old start crying when you hand them such a personal momento of their senior year.

The photos have the same captions here in the slideshow as in the book. If you'd like a copy of the photo (thinking Christmas here), please let me know your favorite one. I personally can't choose a single one I like best. They're each a different facet of Kristen.

Teri

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September 2011

September just flew by. Enjoy the ride.

Teri

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August 2011

Since I'm finally getting a minute to breath, I thought I'd catch up the pictures on the blog.

August means back to school, football games and band. We also stuck a weekend trip to Cleveland to pick up a carriage that's been in the family for about 60 years. So even though we got pictures of playing in the pool at Sheri and Brian's house (thanks for putting us up) and photos of our trip to the zoo, somehow I didn't get any "before" pictures of the carriage. I guess, in a year or two, we'll just have to make do with "after" pictures, as a practical restoration has already begun in Cindra and Rich's basement. (And yes, to get a carriage into a basement, you have to take it apart.)

Teri

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News Flash - Homecoming 2011

James' first, Kristen's last - enjoy!

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Happy Fourth of July!

We spent the long weekend in Tennessee, visiting the family, including Tracy and her girls, Emma and Erin, who only come into town once a year. Riley and Lucky came with us as we stayed with Sondra and Ethan. Thanks, Sondra!

Teri

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Playing Catch-Up

As you've probably observed, I just finished our trip to Hawaii in June. I haven't even begun our trip to Tennessee at the beginning of July.

This is a fun little compilation of photos from the remainder of June and July, outside the trips.

Teri

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Hawaii 13

Well, the 21st did arrive, the last day of our trip. Tim took the day off and we took the opportunity to eat lunch at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu and play in the bay's calm waters. The beach offers a great view of the skyline and a nice sandy approach to the water.

Last, Anna took us out in the yard and tried to get photos of the five of us in Hawaiian gear.

I want to thank Anna for putting up with us, feeding us, housing us and, yes, taking photos of us.

Aloha,

Teri

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Hawaii 12

On June 20th, Tim had to go to work to file his expenses. We decided to nab Sydney and take off to Ko'Olina Lagoons again. We got parking at Lagoon #4. It's not as nice of a place to snorkel as #1 had been, but we still had fun. There was another Japanese couple getting married. We were used to this by now.

After Tim got off work (early), we headed down to Hickam Beach to try our hand at paddleboarding and sea kayaking. James took the paddleboard out too far before he figured out that he couldn't turn around. Tim and Anna kayaked out to the rescue. The rest of the kids had fun. We closed our last full day with a rainbow.

Teri

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Hawaii 11

Sunday the 19th started with a photo shoot and then a trip to a Farmer's Market in search of any fruit out of the ordinary. We came home with a gorgeous bouquet, some lychees, apple-bananas and two mini-sweet pineapples.

After attending church with Tim and family, we went to their church Father's Day picnic. There we ate, played games and even decorated the dads.

Following a nap, we all went to Hickam Beach for some ocean time.

Teri

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Hawaii 10

The 18th of June had its ups and downs. Tim got home! This is the first time since Germany that I've actually visited when Tim was home, at least part of the time.

However, Amelia promptly took a header into the corner and cut her eyebrow. With a little social networking, we managed to get her Dermabonded and Steri-stripped back together.

Paul, Kristen and James went to Hickam Beach to get salty, so we didn't mess our vow.

Teri

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Hawaii 9

On the morning of the 17th, Anna kindly kept Amelia for us so that we could snorkel at Hanauma Bay Preserve. It pays to get there early - literally - because you don't pay an entrance fee. We got down there early enough to see several mongoose and no lifeguards. Paul took good pictures of the fish. This isn't as easy at it seems - you can't see the screen to know what you're photographing.

Afterward, we stopped at Leonard's Bakery for their famous Malasadas (donuts) and took back a box for all to try.

This was the last day of StarBase Space Day Camp for Sydney. We all attended graduation and then watched the rocket launching.

StarBase was held on Ford Island. Afterward, we drove over to the USS Utah Memorial. One of the lesser-known casualties of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Utah rolled with most of her crew still inside. Rescuers were only able to save one crewman. Later, the hull was turned to free the passage for boats, but the Utah pretty much remains where she perished.

We decided to do Friday night right down in Waikiki. This included an hour long drive to travel the few miles to Buca's Italian restaurant. The food was awesome and the atmosphere so boisterous, no one noticed Amelia having a meltdown. We then walked off the pasta by watching the fireworks and touring the main drag, watching the street performers. Mack really wanted to see the bird guy and we got lucky. All the kids enjoyed being around the huge macaws.

Teri

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Hawaii 8

The 16th was our day at the North Shore. Everyone but Sydney got to participate; she was at Space Day Camp. This was an off-kilter sort of day. Paul and I got on the wrong highway, so it took us twice as long to reach the North Shore. Some dude tried to get into Anna's van. Cole slipped on the coral and hurt his foot. Everything seemed to even out after that, but Anna had to cut her day short to tend the foot.

Still, we had a good time. Mack and I explored tidal pools until the tide started to come in. Anna got several great pictures of Amelia for her two-year-old portraits. The Bloomers enjoyed a COLD swim at Waimea Falls, saw tons of turtles at Turtle Beach and enjoyed again the world-famous shave ice at Matsumoto's. Although it got off to a rocky start, it was a great day in paradise.

Teri

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Hawaii 7

The major highlight of the 15th, being a Wednesday, was the Aloha Stadium Flea Market. We were able to get most of our gifts, as well as replace a suitcase that gave up on us on the way to Hawaii. We had a lot of fun, but of course, it got expensive.

After a nap, Kristen and I got our nails done, Hawaiian style with a flower and jewel. It was a special treat, as it's not something we do at home.

Finally, we captured some pretty sunset views at Hickam Beach as we fulfilled our vow to get salty each and every day.

Teri

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Hawaii 6

On the 14th, we visited the Buddhist Temple, took the Macadamia Nut Farm Tour and saw China Man's Hat Island. The big kids played at a windward beach. We spent the evening with Anna and the kids, picking up sea glass on Sandy Beach and eating pizza back at the base.

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Hawaii 5

Anna had training up at the hospital on the 13th, so Cole stayed with Nora. Sydney and Mack piled in the rental van and we headed out to the Ko'Olina Resort lagoons on the southwest corner of Oahu. We wound up at Lagoon #1 (of 4). Mack enjoyed playing in the rocks, hunting crabs. Amelia liked watching him. The older kids and Paul snorkeled. For man-made lagoons, the snorkeling was surprisingly good. Paul caught some angel fish, a green sea turtle and more on our ruggedized camera.

After lunch at Zippy's (yes, it's a local chain), including fresh hot malasadas (doughnuts), we went to the Dole plantation, something we didn't get to do last time.

We made it back to base in time for Cole to go to swimming lessons. Not bad for a busy day.

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Hawaii 4

The 12th of June was Sunday, so we took the opportunity to re-visit the Kawaiaha'o Church. On our last visit, we enjoyed the service so much we definitely wanted to go back. The Lord's Prayer is SOOO long in Hawaiian, it's almost comical. And it's nearly impossible to sing along in Hawaiian, even with the syllables in front of you. Like last time, the message was true to scripture and enjoyable.

The church is across the side street from the Kamehameha Statue that we spent so much time in front of the day before, during the parade. We walked over to get more pictures and also check out the banyan trees on the grounds.

We met Anna and the kids for lunch after church at Bellows Beach. Since this is part of a military installation, it's not as crowded as the public beaches on a weekend. The sea was way too rough for Nora and Amelia, but the older kids enjoyed boogie boarding.

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Sage

These photos are of Sage at 13 days and, on Sunday, at nearly 4 weeks old.

Teri

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Hawaii 3

We were fortunate enough with the timing of our trip to see the King Kamehameha Day parade for a second time. There are more horses in this parade than any I have seen on the mainland, barring the Rose Bowl parade. This is quite a feat for a tiny island to provide stable mounts for all the participants who require one.

You'll notice shots from the ocean daily. We tried hard to do something salty every day, even if it was just to wade in at sunset, or in this case, go to the beach right on base.

Teri

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Hawaii 2

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Hawaii 1

Here's the first installment of our Hawaiian vacation pictures. As the slideshow suggests, this is a reprisal, our second trip to the islands as a family. Of course, it's Amelia's first trip.

Our last trip seemed to center around seeing as much as possible, since we figured we'd never go back. This trip centered around family. We also tried to do the things we missed last time on Oahu and revisit some of the most memorable items.

To keep the slideshow sizes manageable, I'm breaking this into trip days. I may have to break them down even farther. We'll see how it goes.

Teri

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