fixed link

The link was broken..here is the link that should route you to the new blog.
http://adventuresfroma-z.blogspot.com/

We've Moved!

It is official! The house closed on Friday, June 3rd and we no longer own a home in Maili. It is only appropriate that our blog moves too. Our new blog site is http://adventuresfroma-z.blogspot.com/. Make sure to follow us at the new site to get updates or just enter your email to get them sent straight to your inbox.

It's That Time of Year Again

Being teachers, our years are ruled by the school year and not the typical calendar year.  This unfortunately means that at the end of each school year more people leave the island.  On Sunday, we had two aloha parties.
Kristen, who I started teaching with at Ilima 8 years ago is headed to Europe to travel and back to New Jersey where her family is at the end of the summer.  It is sad to see her go but it is for the best I know!

The kids loved running around in the park and found there own toys since we didn't bring any...oops!

They played a pick up football game

Boche Ball

And my favorite...beer can chew toys

 After an afternoon in the park we headed out to Ewa Beach for our second going away party of the day.  Cory also worked with us at Ilima.  Matt and Cory worked on the same team for a number of years and Cory has been a huge help with my dissertation since he just finished his PhD.  Cory got a job on the mainland as a professor! They are moving next week.  They had a huge bounce house at the party.  Abby went in and didn't come out until it was time to go.  Zack even gave it a try. 

 We were in the flight path and Zack got so excited every time a plane flew over.

It's Officially Summer!

I am not exactly sure why but I wasn't as excited about summer as I should have been.   Last "summer" we had a newborn and an 18 month old which didn't leave as much time for the typical summer outings so I think I forgot what summer was really like.  So far this summer is off to a great start and we are going to enjoy all the time we have together as a family before Matt starts his 12 month job in July.  Until then, though, we still have the next month off to play and that is exactly what we are going to do!

We kicked off summer with a beer in hand wiffle ball game.  Matt played and the kids and I cheered him. 

  

We have been keeping busy around the house...

Boxing alligators

finger painting

trying out the new ipad ( from school)

Being goofy! Gotta love the bed heads.

We visited the 50th State Fair on Memorial Day.  We went on all the kids rides and Abby was upset that she wasn't big enough...but was content to know that someday she could go on them.

 We got both kids on the helicopters, ferris wheel and carousel and Abby and I went on the car ride and the dizzy dragons.  Even the kiddie rides are a little tough when you get old!

 

Of course we had to finish the fair with cotton candy.  It wouldn't be the same if you didn't eat horrible food and I have always had a thing for cotton candy!  Turns out the munchkins liked it too.

I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of our summer!

My Little Helpers

Zack and Abby are very helpful these days. Who needs a housekeeper when I have these two?!

When I do the dishes, they help.

 And when I do laundry, they love to be right in on the action too!

Crackin' the Code

As most parents of toddlers do, Matt and I have become accustom to spelling everything.  The other morning Abby asked Matt in her whiny, pleading voice to go somewhere and we couldn't figure out what she was saying.  There isn't much that we can't figure out these day but she asked for it a few times and we were completely stumped.  Finally, many hours later she asked again and I realized she was spelling "P-O-L".  She wanted to go to the pool.  She was so happy when we figured it out and was so proud of herself for spelling!  I guess she earned a trip:).

Girlfriends

The USO has been doing Elmo shows for military families and Jenn offered to take Abby and I and Brooke.  Abby loves to play with her friends and was so excited for the days adventures.  As we were leaving she told Zack and daddy that she was going with her girlfriends.

I just love this picture!  They are so sweet together.

We met Jenn, Makaela, Mia and Brooke at the McDonald's close to base to play in the playground and switch the car seats.  We managed to get all 4 car seats in the Explorer after some creative maneavering and made our way over to the show.  I am sure it was quite a scene:).

All the girls!

The backseat: Makaela & Mia

 It was just like a real concert: hot, stinky and you had to stand on your tip toes to see!  The girls had fun seeing Elmo but I think they had more fun picking flowers after!