9/11

10 years ago, I was pregnant with Kaycee, wondering what kind of a world I was bringing her into. A decade later, the kids and I started to watch the many many programs on TV about 9/11, but we all ended up turning it off because we were all getting too emotional. So, we tried to focus on good things that came from that day. We talked about how many people helped each other out--whether it was as simple as letting someone in your store, to get away from the smoke, or as huge as giving your life to help others out of a building, or to stop another plane from becoming a bomb. It's humbling to realize how many good good people there are when push comes to shove. For us, we try and take that message from 9/11, and try to be a little better friend and neighbor, and to help others a little more.

The elementary school had a huge assembly with the firefighters, police officers and others there to 10 years. Kaycee got to hold the American flag!

Visit from AZ!

We actually had TWO visits from family in August/September! First, Grandma, Uncle Dan and Aunt Corine came to celebrate Samuel's 12th b-day! It was a FUN weekend! Then, the Ferre's came out for Labor day, and it happened to be little Jordi's birthday! Sydney LOVES to bake, and she made him a Lego cake, shaped like a Lego brick! We had so much fun with them, sailing on a catamaran, seeing the U.S.S Midway, going to the beach, and having a fun BBQ! We love visits!

"Jump" starting the new school year

Our kids elementary has started off the past few school years with a BMX show. These guys are amazing! They are featured on many TV shows, do shows all around the country and are on the covers of magazines! It's always fun to watch. Their message? Do well in school, stay off drugs and wear a helmet! :)

Autumn Time

After 2 months of relaxing at the beach, waterfalls, volcano, and pool, we hit the ground running! Welcome back to reality! I've been trying to decide weather to do several posts, or one huge one with all our fall happenings! It's been busy, busy, busy over here. Here are the highlights:

School got off to a GREAT start with all the kids doing REALLY well, adjusting to new schools and new teachers.

Lauren made JV tennis and has REALLY done well and improved a lot. She is doing great so far in high school and is enjoying it.

Sydney has earned several awards at middle school, including the super science award, given for having the highest science grade for the quarter. She has a 102%.

Kaycee loves her new teacher and is getting all A's so far. She's also in her schools chorus, her schools helping hands club, and dance.

Matthew is doing very well in 2nd grade, and is already best friends with his whole class. He was finally old enough to move up to U-8 in soccer, and has had a really great season. He had a fun birthday in October.

Ok, well now for all the picture posts! Enjoy!

Lauren's 1st match

Lauren made the J.V. Tennis team this year! She had her first tennis match the other afternoon. She played doubles. Lauren has a great serve, and the other team wasn't able to score on her when she was serving! Yeah Lauren!

1st day of school

Matthew, 2nd grade

Kaycee 4th grade

Sydney 6th grade (middle school)

Lauren 9th grade (high school)

One last lava cave and beach trip

I promise, this will be the LAST post on Hawaii! Back to real life now!

Our last few days in Kona, we spent hiking Pololu one last time. That made 5 times for us that we did the hike! We also went to Kua Bay beach in the late afternoon, and stayed until dark. It was SO nice that way! We didn't get beat down by the sun, the crowds would clear out around dinner time, and it was SO fun to stay and swim! Along the main highway to the beach, we passed a lava tube cave over and over as we traveled that highway. Well we finally stopped on our way to the beach. It was a pretty cool cave, but very rough to walk through, especially in flip flops and suits! Lauren and Gary were able to explore it pretty well--even though they had to scale a very steep cliff side to get back up! We tried to have fun until the very last minute before we had to get on the plane!