Hawaii Part 1

When I talked Bert into taking the family to Hawaii on vacation this year we couldn't decide if we were the world's best parents, or the world's craziest.

Like last year, Bert's vacation was in May. Airline pilots rarely have vacation from their companies when other people do. This means family vacations at weird times. It has its pros and cons to be sure. The pros are traveling during off seasons and less crowds, and the cons are taking our kids out of school (though the boys don't see it that way).

We had the privilege of flying out of Bellingham to Honolulu. It was beyond sweet. We left around 5:00 in the evening, which was nice because we didn't have to wake up too early Sunday morning. We arrived in Honolulu around 8:00 at night, picked up our rental van (we learned our lesson last year)and drove to the Pililaau Army Recreation Center.

We were pleased with the two-bedroom cottage, though Travis had to sleep on the vinyl sofa the first night because we forgot to make arraignments for an extra bed.

Monday, May 2nd

I was the first one up at about 6:00 am. The three hour time change wouldn't allow me to sleep in. Marcus was up soon after, and insisted on going to the beach. The cottages are yards from the beach and we enjoyed a nice walk on the beach. Marcus was soaked by the time we went back to our cottage.

We had decided to take it easy the first day in Hawaii and hang out where we were staying. It was great. We ate breakfast at McDonald's and then went swimming.

We blinded the locals with our Washington skin.

The boys loved the ocean.

And the sand.

The highlight of the day was surfing lessons for Nathan and Travis.

Warning! Many, many surfing photos.

"Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world."

Wipe out!!!!

A big surprise

The surfing lessons were a big hit!

After the lessons were done, we drove up the west coast of Oahu, to the end of the road. We saw some beautiful beaches, and many homeless camps. We bought some groceries, the prices were high of course, $7.00 for a gallon of milk! After we got back to "our beach" the boys went swimming again. Bert was lighting our grill for dinner when it started raining. We ended up frying the burgers and watching an awesome storm. It was a great day.

Tuesday, May 3rd

Our fire alarm went off during the middle of the night, and was too high up on the wall to turn off, so we had to turn the power off to part of our cottage for the night. I still was the first one up and enjoyed breakfast on our patio.

We drove up the middle of the island to the North Shore and east to the town of Laie it was a beautiful drive.

The Hawaiian LDS Temple

We enjoyed the visitor's center at the temple.

We went to Polynesian Cultural Center as soon as it opened. Visitors can visit 6 different islands and learn more about their unique cultures.

Marcus and Travis trying not to hurt themselves long poi twirling in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

In Hawaii, the boys learned about Poi.

The Canoe Pageant was awesome, and I enjoyed the shade. It was really hot that day!

We visited all the other islands: Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and Tonga.

We loved the lau that evening, and no, there is not alcohol in that pineapple!

The purple poi rolls were yummy, even Marcus liked them.

They asked all the couples celebrating their anniversaries in May to go to the stage for a dance.

After dinner, we watched the show, "Ha, Breath of Life". It was stunning.

This and That

What's been happening for the past month or so.

Marcus played a toothbrush-air-guitar for the "First Grade February Concert" on March 8th.

Have I mentioned before that he got glasses?

Marc and Daddy at "Math Night"

Travis received an award from the Kiwanis Club for being awesome.

Marcus and his classmate, Korban with a "K", were asked to lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Kiwanis' assembly.

My view of Marcus at piano lessons.

Total randomness- We just finished off a bottle of Bath and Body's Carmel Apple soap in our upstairs bathroom, and I am so relieved that I never gave into the temptation to taste it. It smelled so yummy!

Also posting in Html has become very painful and time consuming. Quit making changes to what I do! Why is it so hard to make the spaces between my photos now?

Bert's Change of Command

This event is so last month, but it was a very important occasion for the Wagner family. My only excuse for not blogging about it earlier is that every time I sit down at the computer lately, I find myself playing "Settlers of Catan".

I got the boys out of school to see their father's last flight. Of course they were excited!







The Last Flight Ceremony, It is a tradition to have the fire department make a water arch for the out-going Skipper's to taxi through.

Some of Bert's squadron waiting for him to disembark the plane so they could..........

.......dump water on him.

Bert is soaking-wet and freezing in these pictures.

Back in Bert's office, we waited while he made his rounds in the squadron.







Friday night was the change of command dinner at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. We watched a funny video that a bunch of the people in his squadron made. In the movie, Bert was "Darth Wagner" the shortest guy in the squadron, dressed up as "Darth Wagner" and stormed around the squadron, he even used the "Force" to move jets. It was hilarious, Bert is such a big "Star Wars" fan, so he loved it. In the end, Nathan was filmed waking Bert up from a dream so they could watch "Star Wars" together. Then we watched Bert's slide show of his childhood, Navy career, and family life. Of course, I loved it.

Bert received several gifts from the people in his squadron. One was a RC airplane kit.

Early Saturday afternoon, we gathered for a pre-change of command reception. Nathan wanted to wear his JROTC uniform to the event.

Bert's gifts

The Piping Aboard Ceremony

Bert issuing orders to the incoming executive officer.

There may have been some drama before this picture was taken. Someone in the family might of thrown a tantrum. I'm not naming names, but she is sorry that she did it, and wishes that she had been in her right mind so she would have thought of moving Travis and Marcus over just a little so her waist did not look so wide.

Bert and his mother, Margaret

After the Change of Command, we went to the Officer's Club for a reception. We were so happy that many of our family and friends were there to share this special day with us.

Bert is now the commanding officer of a small unit on base, don't ask me what he is doing, because I haven't figured that out yet. It is nice to have him home more.