Goodbye Grace

Our last Sunday at church was a sad day.  After 6 years with these people, they've become family and we're really going to miss them.  Also after watching the kids grow for the past 6 years it was super sad to leave them--some of these kids were just babies when we go there--a few of them hadn't even been born!  Here Mike and I with our 2 classes.  

early service

late service

 

After service, the church had a potluck for us, which was super nice and a great way to say goodbye to everyone.  At times there was a line of people waiting to talk to us and it was my first time really getting emotional about the move.  

Holden and one of his favorite uncles, Uncle Steve

my buddy, Rina

giving out balloons to the kids 

Daddy and Holden...on the playground for the last time

the food and our people

Nora getting her lei from Auntie Jayne

with Uncle Mike, Holden's favorite play buddy.  

 trying to shaka with Uncle Kyle (who Daddy is currently staying with until he moves to NC)

still trying

My Sarah.  She was 'my person' during deployment and one of my closest friends on island.  thankfully she and Chris will be moving to Georgia this summer...much closer!

Cowans and Burns

 

The Chans (Deborah and Uncle Steve)

Nursery Buddies.  Ava (in between N and H) will be truly missed--Nora and Holden looked forward to seeing her every Sunday. 

girl hugs---so sweet!

just like big girls!

and then Holden snuck in and kissed Ava...with no prompting!  He loves her!

look how proud he is!

with sweet Jayne.  i'll miss her so 

Auntie Erica (Uncle Mike's other half!) they are also moving to KY this summer

Pastor Ted.  We'll miss his sermons, humor and leadership so much.  

and Auntie Jan and Adrian.  Nursery Favorites...although we're missing a few!  The kids will surely miss these ladies the first time we drop them off to a new nursery.  They really did love them so much!  and Mike and i were so thankful for great people to help take care of our kids for so long each week. 

In a perfect world we would just have packed up our church and taken it with us to NC so we could have the best of both words.  sadly that isn't possible, but a part of us will always be there with them.  this church family is what really made us feel at home in HI.  Thanks so much Grace, for all you did for our family.  We can't wait to be back to see you again one day!

Goodbye FRG

I went to my last 225 Coffee a few days before we left.  It's been an interesting 6 years with this group that is forever changing.  I have been the longest standing member for some time and it was finally my turn to go.  We met at Bravo's and had a fun time eating, talking, meeting new babies, and playing games.  The ladies were also so nice to give #3 and i a sweet "shower gift" because i won't be around to have a shower.  The current group of ladies are pretty great, and i hate to be leaving now but the Army is a small place and i hope to see some of them again someday!

the ladies, and one little man!

my last belly shot with the preggo group

this is Ann-Marie--with little Macy D chilling out on her fabulously "ready" belly.  Ann-Marie has since delivered a sweet big boy, Theo, weighing in at 9 lbs, 13 oz. Whoa Mama!

Day of R&R

The last 2 weeks were busier than i would've liked--it would have been awesome to have a real 2 week vacation in HI before we left...but i guess we'll just have to come back to visit for that.  Still, Saturday we had a family rest and relaxation day--with a lot of "pool time" or as the kids call it "bath time".  They LOVED the kiddie pool and would've stayed all day.  

Holden especially loves his turtle, although i hate to say that all the rough play (and some biting...) caused the turtle to get a flat.  we promised him another one (which a parent really should never do) and then went to the PX to buy one and they were all out!  thank goodness Holden doesn't quite understand.  We felt terrible enough.  Really though, he wore it in and out of the pool for 4 hours straight. 

 

Nora on the other hand hated her duck.  She really has an aversion to any kind of intertube.  She preferred the safety of her steps and some buckets.   

 taking a break for some shave ice--birdie was COLD!

 it looks inappropriate but Holden is just eating a shave ice in a bar cup so he and nora could share!  Nora had the umbrella, so we gave Holden the pineapple garnish. 

  for our last dinner in Waikiki, we chose to go to the Hula Grill.  It has a beautiful view of the ocean (which we are facing in this picture) and pretty fabulous food.  We had the famous Hula Pie for dessert...mainly ice cream and chocolate fudge, with a oreo crust.  How could you go wrong there?

Ice Cream Addicts

They take after me.  It's not their fault...and worse since i'm pregnant and want it all the time, they automatically get it all the time too!  This would be their 4th day in a row right here...we went to Dave's Ice Cream (a hawaiian ice cream shop) and got the kids these cute creations.  The kids were so excited....

until Nora realized we wanted her to eat it.  She watched Holden bite into the top of that cone and screamed like we were getting ready to throw her off the top of a building.  it took a lot of convincing...and eventually the removal of the decorated clown before she would eat the ice cream.  She kept pointing at the cone and saying "eyes".  Really, this girl and her silly fears keep us on our toes.  We never know when she's gonna flip out!

Breakfast with Mickey

The kids LOVE watching Mickey Mouse in the mornings, so we thought we'd try the Character Breakfast at the Disney Resort and hope that they don't scream the whole time at the creepy huge characters running around.  And..............................................they did fabulous! 

We got a pretty decent picture from the photographer there...everybody was looking and smiling and hands were down....so we bought it, even if it did cost an arm and a leg!

 Holden was SO EXCITED about being at Mickey Mouse's House.  

 Mickey Waffles

 Meeting Minnie

 Nora was skeptical but calm...

 Holden ran right over to Goofy

 but Nora was terrified and clung to her Daddy for dear life.  

 we finally convinced her to give Goofy a high five

 the twins even participated in the parade--they were slower walking than the older kids and were a little behind, but enjoyed the shakers and running around anyway

 It was a super fun morning and the kiddos were beaming the whole time...i'm so glad Daddy planned this for us!  Now we can't wait to take them to the real Disney!