Maunawili Falls Trail

http://www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.php?TrailID=OA+15+092&island=Oahu

Today we went on a hike to the Maunawili Falls. It was a great hike! We crossed the stream 12 times and everyone had a foot slip in the water except for Madalyn. The waterfall was beautiful. There were a bunch of guys jumping off the cliff into the water. One jumping area had to be about 30 feet up! Most of them were jumping from a cliff about 15 feet up. Today was a little cool and windy so it made for a comfortable hike. We all got a little muddy and Amelia did her customary fall on the trek back to the car.

Here is Jeff and the girls. The guys in the background are

jumping from the "low" cliff. We couldn't even see the "high" spot!

Here they are crossing the stream again - I believe this was the 9th time crossing.

Be careful what you ask for...

I asked Amelia to make sure she scrubbed her neck while taking her bath. Boy did she ever! It is bright red! I'm hoping it looks better in the morning. Not like she can wear a turtle neck to cover it up!!

On a happy note, Jeff got home yesterday. I have only seen him for one hour since he got home, but it is nice knowing he is close by. Of course, it is 7pm now and he is still at work. Got to love the Navy!!

Destined to be a pack rat...

(Yes, those are tears in her eyes!)

Madalyn is destined to be a pack rat! This girl does not like to get rid of anything. One example - her crocs. She wears them everywhere (except to school). I noticed a rip in the toe and took her shopping to find a new pair. She couldn't find any she liked. She continued to wear the shoes and the rip got much larger! Finally went to Payless and of course, they didn't have the exact same color. She finally settled on the same style in a different color (ugly, but I've given up at this point). Jeff told her we would throw the old pair away and she could wear her new ones the next day. That night she came down crying and wanting to know if we threw her shoes away yet. No, we hadn't. She wanted to make sure that we took a picture of her with the old shoes before they were thrown out!! That was last week and since I have not taken a picture yet, she is still wearing those ripped old crocs. I will be taking a picture tomorrow and the shoes will go in the garbage - after she goes to bed. Throwing them away with her present will likely result in tears. How can she be so attached to a pair of shoes?!?!

PS - I'm missing my hubby!

Kids...

Today we had a house full of kids and only one was mine! Madalyn went to play with Grace & Stuart while Amelia stayed at the house with a bunch of friends. The littlest boy came up to me and wanted to play "cracker monster" again. We did this game over a month ago but he always asks for it. Basically, I just chase them all around the house and tickle whoever I capture. Lots of yelling, screaming, laughing...fun!

Here is the gang! I had to bribe them with getting to

play "cracker monster" in order to get a picture of them all together :)

Here is Amelia and the girls posing :)

Night Out with the Girls...

Tonight I went out with a bunch of ladies (and one token husband). We went to Roy's in Hawaii Kai. Probably the fanciest dinner I have had in a long time! It was good, but getting out and having a real conversation was even better!!

Field Trip

Today Madalyn had her class field trip to Bishop Museum. It was actually a fun trip (with the precautionary tylenol taken before)! Madalyn's favorite part was the planetarium. I thought the animation section was the most entertaining. It's always fun watching kids "performing" for the camera.

When we were done, we went to the grassy area to have lunch. I noticed over half of the class had Spam Musubi (I didn't know what it was called till today - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi). I had to ask Jayce what he was eating - he looked at me like I was crazy and he probably wondered why I took his picture with the musubi! Kind of like the Hawaiian version of PB&J! Madalyn had no interest in trying one, but I think I will pick one up someday just to try it.

Here is Madalyn with her friends waiting for the fun to begin!

Here they are posing for the camera!

The whole gang!

Jayce with his Spam Musubi!

Good Day...

With the exception of Jeff leaving, today was a good day. I did the 4 mile hike to get Jeff's car today eventhough it had not gone out to sea yet, but I was pretty sure they would be leaving and it was more convenient for me to go get it this morning. So after I picked up his car, I went the the Pearl Harbor Submarine Officer Wives Club (PHSOWC) meeting. Got to chat with some great ladies and then headed back home. Tonight we went to dinner with the Perry clan. So glad they got a shore tour here!! I stole Gigi and got in some baby time. Such a sweet baby!! Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip with Madalyn's class to Bishop Museum. I better take some tylenol now :)

Working...

Today I took pictures of the cutest little boy. Normally he is super smiley. Today, not so much but I think I got some great pictures.

Tonight was our FRG meeting to start planning for the upcoming deployment. It was at a covered picnic area - but tonight was chilly and raining. I've been cold ever since! It was a very productive meeting and I think we have some great things lined up for the guys!

Helpful Hint...

Never go pick up your husband's car until the boat has actually gone to sea! The past two times he has left, I have picked up his car early in the day and both times the boat has been delayed. Oh well, the 4 mile hike was a good workout.

Change of Command and parties...

I'll have pictures and details later. Spending some quality time with hubby and the kids :)

Editted to add pictures!!

Change of Command Ceremony

Topside on the USS Pasadena

Here is Jeff doing his XO duties

CMDR Doug Perry Departing the USS Pasadena

Tears...

Lord help me when they are teenagers!!! Amelia came inside this afternoon crying. Thomas had called her a "meanie". Then she proceeded to write his name on a box of Valentines candy and delivered it to him. Then she came back crying again because Maggie said Amelia had a "crush" on Thomas. I don't think she even knows what a crush is but she cried anyways. I need some tylenol.

Tuesday, Wednesday...

Tuesday was a busy day around the house. I had a meeting with the FRG Board to start planning for the boat's next deployment. If anyone has some great ideas, please let me know. Whatever we can do to make the deployment a little more enjoyable for the guys is great!

Wednesday I went in for some blood tests - checking my cholesterol etc. My veins don't cooperate but the nurse found one on his second try. He was awesome - normally it takes more than two tries and some "searching" with the needle. Yuck. Thankfully I have gotten better about fainting...LOL! This afternoon we lost power for about an hour. The weather was perfect so who knows why. A couple hours later we got some very heavy rain. Of course, Madalyn was outside and got soaked!

Here are a couple pictures - This one is Madalyn's creation (also photographed by Madalyn!!). She used the leftovers from the roasted veggies to make this. Cute huh!

Here is Amelia and Thomas. She calls him her "twin". Thomas is about 2 weeks older :) Amelia loves to play with him. Here they are with their pipe cleaner light sabers.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday...

Been busy! Saturday night we hosted the Hail & Farewell for our current and future CO's. It was a lot of work but so much fun. Plus I got some beautiful flowers!! We had a great time and the babysitter did great at keeping them out of the house till bedtime!! Amazingly, the kids stayed in bed and didn't come down once! Sunday morning was tough. I really didn't want to get out of bed! While the girls were at CCD, we went to check out the Port Royal that ran aground near the airport. Hopefully they are able to pull it out soon. Lots of fun for those guys! The rest of the day was spent recovering and cleaning.

Today was uneventful. Back to the regular routine.

Busy, busy...

Today was busy. Started with Jeff's car not starting and a clogged toilet. Then I got a call that my dad was in the hospital. He had an angiogram today and his heart looks fine. More tests tomorrow. Hopefully they figure out what is causing his chest pains!

The rest of the day was spent cleaning and cooking :)

Hubby's home...

nuff said :)

To Do Lists...

I have a ton on my "to do list" right now! We are hosting a Hail & Farewell party for the current CO and prospective CO on Saturday. I use "we" loosely, since Jeff is still out to sea. I have a "to do" list for him when he gets back too! I'm cooking for 27 people! Hopefully I have enough food for everyone. Right now, I'm busy cleaning!

I did get to go to lunch today with JoAnne, her mom and baby Gigi. It was great to get out and have a real conversation. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen. I've never been there before. I had the Thai chicken pizza. It was so good!! Plus I got my baby fix :)

Sleepy time...

Yesterday was emotionally exhausting. Then I stayed up too late editting pictures. Today I was so tired! I'm still exhausted and I can't wait to go to bed! This week is going to be crazy busy. Time to make some lists and get organized so I can get it all done!

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

I'm a volunteer photographer with the organization "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep". http://www.nilmdts.com/ It is an amazing organization. Yesterday I spent 6 hours in the NICU with a baby boy and his family as they prepared to take him off life support. It was an overwhelming experience.

Super Sunday...

We had a really good Sunday. After church, I got a call from Jeff! They had a swim call off the coast. I hate knowing that he is so close and we can't see him, but I know he needed a break from all the stress and a chance to relax in the sun. He called again later and got to chat a little more. They have the TRE (Tactical Readiness Exam) coming up. Hopefully that goes well. The girls and I started our afternoon watching the Super Bowl. The girls had 3D glasses for the Sobe commercial and they were excited to see it. They went to Yuno's birthday party at 3pm. I stayed home to watch the game which turned out to be very good! I didn't have a favorite team but I like close games and rooting for the underdog. I went to check on the girls at 5pm and they were having a great time. I had to tear them away at 6pm so they could have a little something to eat before bed (that wasn't sugar...LOL).