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Projects

Today we worked on some projects. Both the boys went to school today so we had some time.

It started with my Dad doing the front brakes on our minivan. But just as soon as he got started her realized that he did not have the right size socket. To quote my Dad "I think it is time for Darrick to get a big boy tool set!" Darrick has slowly been growing his tool collection, as he needs a tool, he buys it.

So my parents and I headed to Home Depot because we needed so other items for our other project. My Dad found the tool and we also got some paint, brushes, sandpaper and drawer knobs.

A few months ago I bought a buffet on Craig's list for $50.00. It is a dark forest green color and I have been wanting to paint it for months. So this afternoon we spent some time sanding it.

Wednesday and our next year

First things first-our future. We found out that Darrick did not make it into the Officer Program this year and we got extended for another year on the Lake Erie which means we will be in Hawaii until August 2009 for sure.

We had kind of a do nothing morning. I did laundry and then my Mom and I sorted and folded a huge pile of clothes to give to our nephew Elijah.

On Wednesday afternoons I help for a bit in Micah's classroom so I went and did that.

In the afternoon we went to Micah's weekly piano lesson.

Then we were invited to dinner at Pat and Carlos' house. Pat is Navajo and so for dinner she wanted to make us Navajo Tacos. We all agreed that they were very yummy. You fry the bread and then put a meat and bean mixture on top and then lettuce, tomato and cheese. I even got to make one!

Rest of Tuesday

We had the most amazing weather today-so warm and beautiful! Jacob stayed home from school today because he has a bad cold so he got to hang out with us.

After getting Micah off to school and having breakfast and getting ready for the day we went for a walk. We walked down to the beach with is about 10 minutes from our house.

Jake swam in the water and we put our feet in. Luke stuck pretty close to my Dad. Then we walked over to the Beach Cafe and Papa treated us all to an ice cream!

This evening we attended Micah's Blue and Gold Ceremony for scouts. It was on the beach, which was beautiful. They started off with a moment of silence for all the people in cold weather since we had such great weather. They all of the boys got awards and Micah earned his Tiger Badge. Then we had a great potluck.

Monday

Yesterday we had a busy day. We all got up early and took each of the boys to school. They enjoyed showing Nana and Papa around their classrooms and having them meet their teachers.

Then my parents and I drove to Palolo Valley to pick up a table and 4 chairs that I bought on Craig's List for $50.00. I plan on using it for scrapbooking. It is solid wood and in great condition. My plan is to set up my scrapbooking place in our laundry room because it is extra big. I'll post a picture when I have it all set up.


Then last night our friend Sonya, her son Braiden, and her friend Shaun came over for dinner. Sonya got out of the Navy and has moved back to West Virgina. But they are out visiting Hawaii for about a week and so we wanted to have them over for dinner. The last time my parents saw Sonya she was pregnant so it was nice for them to she her little guy. Braiden has grown so much! I was Sonya's labor coach and even cut the cord!

We made yummy tacos and then had brownie sundaes for dessert. It was an awesome visit!

Sunday

Our original plans for today didn't work out because of rain but it was still a nice day. We went to church in the morning and then we were planning on riding the train in Ewa Beach.

We had lunch at McDonalds and then went home and showed Nana and Papa the video of the boys Christmas programs at school. Then they watched "Racing Stripes" with the boys while Darrick and I did our lesson for our Marriage study.

This evening we had our study and Nana and Papa watched the kids upstairs while the couples met downstairs.

After everyone left we gave the boys a quick bath while Nana and Papa fed the girls-our guinea pigs! Nana took to it right away and was a natural. Papa had a little difficulty. He didn't know whether to hold the food or the guinea pig and then it kept trying to wiggle away from him. I think he was glad to hand Twinkle back!

4th time visitors!

Yesterday afternoon we picked up Nana and Papa from the airport (Jenn's mom and dad). This is their 4th time visiting us since we moved here 3 1/2 years ago.

They had a great flight even though it was long. It took a full 6 hours because of the wind. They were about 40 minutes late and the boys could hardly wait any longer. We greeted them with leis and lots of hugs and kisses.

We took it easy last night because everyone was so tired. We went to dinner at Zippy's and then watched "Over the Hedge".

Our Day at the Beach

Today since it was a holiday we were able to get together with our friends Beth and Oscar. They came out to look for housing in December and have now moved here with their two kids, Hezekiah and Genesis.

We know each other because Beth's sister-in-law, Susan, is one of my good friends from childhood, who married Beth's brother. Also in high school my brother Sam dated Beth for a little while. Plus we all rode the same school bus and went to Ontario Christian.

It was amazing weather and we stayed over 5 hours! Oscar brought a mini BBQ and we grilled hotdogs and played in the ocean all day. Micah decided to try surfing and did so awesome!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Day at the beach with Friends

Introducing Sarah

This afternoon Micah picked out his guinea pig. Miss Teri thought she had another girl that was tan but it turns out that she doesn't. So Micah could choose a white one with red eyes or wait for the next letter. He tried holding and feeding one and feel in love with her, so we took her home.

She is an albino and had lots of rosettes in her fur which makes her fur stand up funny but Micah loves her! He also got her eating apples and carrots from his hand already.

Time to Update!!!

Boy do I have a lot to catch everyone up on! On Februray 8 we celebrated Micah's 7th birthday. We made chocolate cupcakes for hime to give to his class and they were a hit! He also got a birthday hat at school but he didn't really like it too much.

Right around Christmas we met a new family that moved from San Diego and is now stationed on the Lake Erie too. Their names are Carlos, Pat and Abbie. Well Pat's birthday is also February 8 and some of her neighbors invited us over to celebrate her birthday. We had an awesome dinner and dessert.

Also on Friday we picked up a guinea pig to babysit for the weekend. One of the teachers at Jacob's preschool has guinea pigs and right now she has a lot of babies that need homes. Jacob wanted one so I agreed to watch "Skittles" over the weekend to see what it was like having one as a pet.

The boys LOVED Skittles but I think Luke thought it was a toy becaise everytime he would poke it, it would squeak. I did a lot of research on the internet and we went to the library and checked out a bunch of books on guinea pigs.

Saturday I turned into "Super Soccer Mom". I woke up at 5:30 am to cut endless oranges and assemble bags of lunches for after the games. Yes, it was my weekend to bring halftime oranges and after game lunch. In Hawaii instead of just a snack after the game you provide a lunch to each player. And of course I was scheduled to bring snacks for Micah and Jacob's teams on the same day. Micah had a game at 8 am and Jacob at 10 plus I had to ref a game at 9:15. It was truly a day I wished Darrick was home.

Sunday after church Pat, Abbie and me and the boys ate lunch at the Beach Cafe and then hung out at the beach. It was such a beautiful day and the kids swam in the water. We were also surprised to find out the Lake Erie was pulling back in to get gas and the guys were coming home Sunday night!!! While we were at the beach we watched the ship pull into Pearl Harbor!

Monday and Tuesday I subbed in a 3rd grade class.

Darrick had duty on Monday and since the ship was still here we brought dinner to him on the ship so we could spend more time together.

Tuesday night Darrick also got to come home and the boys would not leave him alone. There was a lot of wrestling going on. The sailors did not have to report back to the ship until today (Wednesday at 3:00) so Darrick and I had the morning together.

It was nice for Darrick to help bring the boys to school. When we got to school the teacher told us that the guinea pig mom died last night so if we want to adopt a baby we can now. So Darrick and I shopped this morning for the supplies we need. In our research we learned that guinea pigs like to have company so we agreed to get two females, one for Micah and one for Jacob. So after school they picked out their babies. Jacob picked his right away and named her "Twinkle" because he likes the song "Twinkle twinkle little star". The only other girl was white with red eyes and Micah did not like her. So they teacher said she has others she can bring on Friday and Micah can pick.

We decided to keep the guinea pigs upstairs in the playroom since Luke is only allowed downstairs. Jacob spent a lot of time tonight cuddling with Twinkle and singing her song to her. So sweet!