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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