Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Aloha to Hawaii! Our Crazy Summer: Part 1

What a summer... where to start? 
I guess I could start with: we're having a girl! Due on or around November 7th - only 10 1/2 short weeks away now! Still can't believe this! I didn't really realize how much a wanted a girl until I received my first pink gift. I gushed.

Also, We've moved from Hawaii to VA: 5 days before we supposed to leave for our annual mainland trip to OK, Scott was offered a new job with the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington D.C. So, we decided to postpone our trip to OK, so that we could pack up our entire home and say goodbye to last 4 years of our life in three short weeks. Not an easy task - even for a person with normal energy and balanced hormone levels (unlike me). By the way, after this summer, I'm swearing off moving over oceans mid-pregnancy. Twice is enough. 

Here's a few photos of us soaking up our last few weeks in Hawaii Nei.

One last trip to the beautiful Byodo-in Temple in Temple Valley

 
Shark watching  at our favorite "evening beach" - Pyramid Rock. (water was closed due to hammerhead sightings!)

Crazy daddy!
Mark's first snorkeling lesson - he did great!
My first and only trip to Sharks Cove.
 
One last shave ice in Haleiwa
Chris took us out to the sandbar with our good friends, the Pitts.
Mark and his buddy, Will
The sun was high, the tide was low - it was a perfect day.
Paddle-boarding at Kailua beach on our last Saturday in Hawaii.

Baby sister starting to make an appearance.


Mark and Edward at the Aloha Tower harbor. Dinner out with the Heaths on our final weekend!

Farewell breakfast at the Kahala with great friends!


Breakfast at Duke's on our last morning!
Maddie, Will, and Barbara came to see us off at the airport. We will sure miss these sweet friends - and SO MANY OTHERS!
Giving our farewell leis to the Duke statue! I'm still blown away by the blue-ness of the water and sky in Hawaii!

We are so thankful to God for the four incredible years we had in Hawaii. What an unexpected and amazing adventure it was! It is so strange to think that it's over and we are opening  a new chapter in the life of our family.  New blessings and adventures ahead - stay tuned!