8th Military Police Brigade Ball

Last Friday night Michael and I attended the 8th Military Police Brigade Ball. The ball was downtown at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We made a reservation to spend the night down at the Hale Koa, the military resort next to the Hilton. We picked up the kids early from school and made our way downtown to the hotel so would could check in and start getting ready for our big night. Earlier in the week we checked Uncle Rick, Aunt Deb, Jason, Becca and Lucas into to the hotel. They were on the 8th floor in ocean view rooms. Michael was joking about our ocean view room with the front desk lady when we checked in. Our reservation wasn't actually for an ocean view room, but she upgraded us for free anyways! The boys headed up to the room while Abigail and I went to park the car. Michael sent this picture to me once they got up to the room. What a handsome boy and a nice view of the ocean, from the 12th floor.

Austin - 12th floor view from our balcony

Of course Abigail had to get her picture taken too. They were so amazed at the view.

We got ready for our night out and the kids changed into their swimming suits. While we were at the ball the kids went to the pool with Uncle Rick, Aunt Deb, Jason, Becca and Lucas. They were able to show off their swimming skills and watch fireworks from the pool.

Military balls are interesting events. This was our third time attending a ball, and I recycled my dress from our very first ball in Alaska. The formal portion of the night started later than planned and took quite a while to finish up. The dinner was pretty good, Michael and I both had the prime rib. It's nice to get dressed up once in a while. I like to say that it's my one day a year where I have to wear make up and heels. I forced Michael to get our picture taken, and of course he gave his best smile!

8th MP Brigade Ball - Hilton Hawaiian Village

He really likes it when I take selfie's of us too!

He really likes to smile!

We called it a night after the formal portion of the evening ended. We grabbed the kids and headed back to our room. We planned to go back over to our friends room for a little after party fun, but Austin fell asleep and we realized that we were ready for bed too. You know you're getting old when you would rather go to bed instead of continuing the party. We were up early at 6:30 the next morning just like we are every other day of the week. We enjoyed the view before we got our showers for the day.

After our showers we met up with the family and headed out to breakfast. We had to find a restaurant where the Michigan game was on. Once we move, we won't have to watch sporting events while we eat breakfast anymore. After the game, and a Michigan win, we headed back home to enjoy the rest of our weekend. It was so nice to stay down there after the ball and act like a tourist instead of coming home. We're so thankful that family was in town and willing to watch the kids while Michael and I attended the ball.

Two short months, and it all changes again

It's that time again. Time for another move. Two months from now a moving company will enter our home and start packing up our belongings. Our fifth move with the military will take us back to the continental United States and closer to those we love the most, our family. After living so far away for the past five years, we're really looking forward to seeing our family more than once or twice every couple of years. A six hour difference will allow for quick long weekend trips and the ability to meet up half way to exchange our children with their grandparents. Something I think the grandparents are really looking forward to.

There are so many different things that are changing along with this move. A school change for both of the kids, job responsibilities for Michael and the beginning of nursing school for myself. Our kids are very resilient and I have no doubt that they will adjust just fine with all of the upcoming changes. I am always amazed that how resilient they are. The number of schools that Austin has attended always astonishes me. He's in seventh grade and has attended six different schools. Abigail has only attended three different schools, but that doesn't mean that she's any less resilient than Austin. I'm sure the ability to spend more time with their grandparents will help with the transition also.

Nursing school. It's the goal that I've been working towards for the past two years. All of my hard work has paid off and I'll finally get to fulfill a dream. I already know that it's going to take some juggling. My time will be limited on extra curricular activities and will mainly focus on handling my family, housework, laundry and studying. Studying, studying and more studying. As I've prepared to apply to the nursing program here in Hawaii, it has set me up well for school in Kentucky. I have already taken a handful of classes that would otherwise be required to take during nursing school there. For that, I am grateful. I can focus on my current schedule and clinical rotations without having to worry too much about other outside classes. I'm welcome to the challenge, and I'm so glad my family will be close enough to help celebrate once I cross the finish line.

But for now, we'll continue to soak up the sunshine while our time is limited in paradise. Three months left until we leave for good, and we're hoping to make the most of it. Maybe I might even blog about it...

Our weekend retreat

We had the opportunity to go on a weekend retreat with Michael's unit. We left bright and early Friday morning and headed to Sea World in San Antonio. The weather was not the greatest, but we made the best out of it.

Our first stop once inside Sea World was to visit the dolphins. Austin & Michael fed the dolphins while Abigail was content just to look at them.





Look at the cute little grump!



More dolphin observing.





Heading inside to see the fish and dodging the rain!



Checking out some deadly frogs.



They were really cool looking.



Who's ready to see Shamu? Really we were just trying to get out of the rain, look at how wet Michael was!



The pictures I took didn't turn out the greatest because it was so overcast, but I got a couple good ones.







After giving up on Sea World, we headed back north to the Horseshoe Bay Resort where we would spend the rest of the weekend. The kids were fascinated with the sliding closet doors and the telephones. We only have our cell phones and not a house phone, so they thought the phones were the coolest thing ever! They kept pretending to call their grandparents each time they picked up the phones.



The view from our 6th floor window.



An outside view of the resort.



I took several pictures at the resort, here are some of my favorites. The grounds were amazing!





As you can tell, they weren't exactly cooperating for me. I was really trying to take advantage of all the photo opportunities I had. Showing my their booties!



That's a little better.





Abigail was slightly annoyed with her brother trying to put his arm around her all the time!



Checking out the "milky water" as Austin called it!





Another failed attempt to get them both to look at the camera at the same time!



They were more concerned with exploring than with me taking their pictures!





"Can I get at least one picture of you both looking at the camera?"



"I take that as a no."



They were really fascinated with this turtle.



Especially when it hopped in the water.





Of course we had to take the opportunity of a family picture! Don't they all look thrilled that I made them pose for a picture?



They had an amazing putt-putt course on the grounds.







Again, he was thrilled that I wanted to take his picture!





While at the resort Michael and I attended classes about enriching our marriage. They were great classes, especially with a deployment coming up. While we were attending the classes, the kids were taken care of in the child care room. (That's also why you've seen them with stickers on their backs...name tags.)

Saturday afternoon we took the kids to the pool to go swimming. Then that evening we had some free time while the kids were in the child care room. We had some drinks (really rare for me) and walked around the grounds with another couple enjoying ourselves and taking pictures. Well, I took the pictures.

After picking up the kids we did some more hanging out with the other couples before calling it a night. The kids and I headed back to the room because they were absolutely exhausted. Before I finished getting their jammies around they had both crashed...









Aren't they sweet?

We headed home Sunday morning after another session. We were all exhausted but we had a fabulous time. We'd go back again if we could afford the room rates at $600 a night. Good thing we didn't have to pay for it!

Pictures are coming...

We're going here on Friday during the day and then we're moving onto here until Sunday morning.

I have a feeling that I might be taking a lot of pictures over the weekend!

Stay tuned...

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

The kids have been preparing for Easter all week. On Wednesday we went to our FRG Easter Party. Austin had a blast hunting for eggs!







Abigail wasn't quite into it as much as Austin was. She did find a few though.





She didn't want to get far from her Daddy!



Once we came in from hunting eggs, Austin dyed some hard boiled eggs.





After we ate, Abigail enjoyed a cupcake!



Thursday Austin had an Easter Party at daycare. They enjoyed treats and an easter egg hunt.

Yum, cake!





Austin's name was picked in a drawing, so he got to pick out a prize.



So many choices! He picked the Curious George stamps.



Getting ready for the egg hunt. Can you spot him?



On your mark, get set, go!







Austin & Mrs. Cynthia



Austin and one of the girls at daycare! Don't you love the pose?



Austin and a couple of boys he hangs out with



This morning they woke up and checked out what the Easter Bunny had brought them.



Even Lexi got something from the Easter Bunny!









Hope everyone had a great day!