Where to Begin?

Between blogging atrophy, fatigue by 8:30 p.m., and a willfully noncompliant computer, the months have rolled by... Here are some highlights...in partial order and/or disarray. Eesh.

JULY: SOCCER, SOCCER, and more SOCCER!

This summer, all three kids played soccer with the league on base. Trevor has been looking forward to this for a couple of years now. Primarily for the after-game snacks. His enthusiasm translated into more scrap than skill as he played more like a boxer or linebacker. But by the end of the season, he actually cleaned up his act. Go Tiger Sharks!

Jamon returned to a team with his coach from last year and two good friends. Fullback.

Aedan's team went undefeated and they took 2nd place in the tournament.

Aedan and Jamon both wanted to play the Kailua league in the fall, which made for a bit of crazy scheduling overlap for about a month. Glad that's over and we're down to one league! But get a load of these views on their new soccer fields. Gorgeous way to spend a morning. How can you not want to stay here forever?

Jamon's field at Waimanalo District Park I LOVE the Ko'olau Mountains

Aedan's field: Maunawili Park Mount Olomana in background

MAY: Memorial Day Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Jex

We loved having the grandparents out for a visit, quick though it was. They took the kids so Jeff and I could attend a couples retreat at the Sheraton in Waikiki sponsored by the military chaplains office. There is something to be said for eating really good food, staying in a place that cleans itself, and having uninterrupted time together. We actually had full-length conversations! We were sure fortunate to have this opportunity.

JUNE:

Farewell to Friends

Aedan said an emotional goodbye to her BFF, who moved to Idaho. She bemoaned that going back to middle school without Sierra (zebra suit) would be too painful to bear, images of their past memorialized in every corridor. Finding it hard to concentrate towards the end of the school year, she even suggested the "H" word as an educational alternative! Fortunately, her attitude quickly changed once she saw the many fine back to school supplies offered at Office Max the week before school began. Whew! I'm so proud of how well she has adjusted to life without her favorite gal. It's hard to part with close friends. Good thing keeping in touch is a little easier these days.

Trevor graduated from Kailua Baptist Preschool.

By the skin of his teeth.

JULY:

Smith Family Reunion

We met my family at Newport Beach for our annual summer get-together. Another fun trip, complete with chilly boogie boarding (for us beach snobs), tandem bike riding, and good noshing in the "smoky den." Jeff wasn't able to make it this year. He was studying for his oral board exam coming up in July. (He passed! No more tests for 10 years) Wish we were better at keeping in touch throughout the year, but it's always good to get together when we can.

The Big 4-0!

It was a toss-up between piercing my ears or skydiving to ring in the new decade. Fortunately, after months of searching for someone to join me, my friend, Amber, agreed to take the chance. No worries about jumping out of the plane, it was the sudden realization that I'd have to sit on the instructor's lap on the way up that freaked me out! In the end, he didn't dare take his chances once he'd sized up This Big Girl, so my strategy of hovering over his lap in a vicious squat never came to fruition. Whew! It was great fun, although we spiraled quickly through a rain cloud to avoid any wind and rain obstacles to landing. That's where I got queasy. The ears were popping for a while after it was all over. Thanks, Amber for making it happen--not as much fun to do on your lonesome. :)

Birthday At Bellows

Jeff took two days off to celebrate my birthday. Our family stayed at a beach cabin at Bellows AFB Beach, one of our favorite spots. Jeff took the kids to school the next morning while I leisurely boogie boarded the morning. It is so gorgeous. I could live in this ocean forever! The two of us hiked Koko Crater (see post below) and discovered a great Greek restaurant in Hawaii Kai Marina. That was the best present ever--having a whole day to play with my honey. I think it'll have to be our new birthday tradition.

Smores

Games

Koko Crater Hike

Koko Crater is a 1,208 foot cinder cone, whose summit is reached by climbing 1,100 railroad ties, remnants of an abandoned WWII tram that transported supplies to military bunkers on the top.

Hanauma Bay No ground Great breezes at the top

under this portion

of track.

Black Pearl Sighting

Didn't see Johnny Depp, but we spotted the Black Pearl in action during filming of the fourth Pirates of the Carribean installment.

Spring Fling With Dad