Vacation to the Big Island

DP's manta ray dive

 D, Rae, and E in front of Kiluea Caldera and a manta ray from DP's dive

Kiluea Caldera at night time from Jagger Museum and Me, Rae, and E in front of Kiluea Iki   

The kids at Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa and sitting on top of lava rock on Chain of Crater Rd

                         
 The kids at sunset at Waikoloa and another dolphin quest pic

We decided to take the kids to the island of Hawaii (aka the Big Island) for a week during our transition time to California.  We spent three days up at Kiluea Military Camp and another three at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.  Sweet memories were made!  We hiked our cold legs off up in the Volcano National Park, the kids swam with the dolphins at Waikoloa, and DP enjoyed a night scuba trip with the manta rays.  I think I have decided the the Big Island is definitely my favorite of them all.

Time of lasts...

Rachel's preschool graduation at Navy Hale Keiki School and DP diving Oahu

Kids at Tanalus Point, DP doing his last triathalon on the island with John and Dave

Well everyone, our time finally came to move away from the beautiful island we have called home for the past (almost) 3 years.  We packed out of the house early in hope that our household goods would be waiting for us in California for our arrival.  So we spent the past  few weeks living out of hotels and temporary lodging on Hickam.  Here are a few pictures from our last little bit of time on the island.

Spring!

 This spring, Ethan and Rachel received 3 different Flat Stanley projects in the mail to complete. So we had lots of fun gallivanting around the island taking pictures.  Rachel got to be a flag bearer at her school's morning ceremony.  Deryck graduated from his 6 month school in DC.  His Dad and I made it for his graduation.  While in DC, the kids stayed in Hawaii with my  parents and we got to go see the sights which included Arlington.  It was a wonderful time away and DC was beautiful!

Christmas 2011

 We spent Christmas on the mainland.  The kids and I made a trip to Chicago to see my grandmother and Aunt.  We also spent good time in Arkansas with all of our family.  We were freezing to death, but we had a wonderful time.

Thanksgiving 2011

We spent Thanksgiving at Bellows (our favorite beach).  We rented a cabin for a few days and had wonderful time with our Daddy who had been in DC for over a month at school.  It is tradition for the kids to all take a sunrise swim in their jammies!  It might have been one of the BEST Thanksgivings ever.

Yikes! It's been forever!

 Well, where to start?  My last post was Rachel's birthday back in September!  So sorry!  Since then we have spent a wonderful Thanksgiving at Bellows, Christmas on the mainland, Ethan turned 8, and lots (LOTS) of visitors!  I will be posting a few new posts with pics.  For those of you who do not know, we are moving this summer to Travis AFB in northern California.  It will definitely be bittersweet because of our love for Hawaii.