Happy Veterans Day...

For those past and present...

On another note...not sure what to think of this...

HALLOWEEN

 Long time no see? Although we've been busy the past few months with thinking about our upcoming move, actually moving down the street since where we were sold, going back to work full time and as always...enjoying Hawaii while we can.  At least for a few more months before we're Georgia bound!  We've been taking pictures, but haven't put anything up till now...

 It may be Hawaii and not entirely fall like most people experience, but there's still a pumpkin patch to visit!

 They were only open the last two weekends in Oct. so there were quite a few people visiting - luckily lines moved and people were in and out pretty quickly.

White pumpkins!

The fraggles made an appearance the friday night before Halloween!

As did the hot dog...though she moped and sulked until we took it off and ran around the house like the crazy dog she really is...

 

What a day!

After 10 months I can finally say....

He's back!

He was in the first group to leave Kuwait..after crossing 13 time zones and traveling for a little over 23 hours Scott (and a few others) arrived at Hickam Air Force Base around lunchtime.  The re-deployment ceremony was short and sweet (after it started 1/2 hour or so late) and then they were released...until PT on friday at least...

off to the left was a screen where we could see them check in and doing whatever it is they do

the band...

here they come...all 206 of them..

there he is...you know, the one in front on the right...

Happy 5th of July!

I hope that everyone had a fun-filled 4th! 

Here while other units are deploying we are getting ready for the 25th CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade) to redeploy (come home) soon.  Exciting stuff!  Hopefully Scott won't have to deploy again too soon, but who really knows.  The future is always up in the air with the Army; no matter how good of a plan you thought you have you're probably going to end up with plan c or d before all is said and done.  We do know that we're pcsing (permanent change of station) sometime in the near future, but nothing's for sure until we have orders in hand!  

Anywhoo, here's a video to celebrate nearing end of deployment #2!  I had to put it on youtube b/c it won't upload into blogger no matter how hard I try for some reason, ugh its been SUCH a pain.

2010 Vaca...to Chicago

When you live in Hawaii where do you go to get "off island?"  If you're local Las Vegas is a good bet, but if you're not its usually back to the mainland to visit family.  After Scott got on a plane to go back to the land of sand I got on a plane to Chicago where my sister lives.  She's not far from Navy Pier so there's lots to see and do...

Only a few pictures...really...

Nothin' like seeing yourself in a gigantic mirror!

the sister...the one in the sunglasses...

not the sister..,just getting stared down by a giraffe at the Lincoln Park Zoo

time to sail!

view from the Sears (a.k.a. the Willis) tower

  

the scary ferris wheel...

Down by the lake

Buckingham fountain...its H-U-G-E

Nothing like drinking mojitos and playing poker for pennies with the family! 

Head meet brickwall...

Oh Boy.

I've only been gone from work for a week.  ONE week.

How many referrals do we have for s/l testing?




FIVE.


"Only" 4/5 are pre-k.

You know, I've tested at LEAST 80 kids within the past 2 years (plus a few months).  Only one crawled under the table, but those pre-k...some have good knowledge of the word no.  Crossing my fingers that some of these 4 will be cooperative...I'm not betting so much on the twins.  Haven't had very good luck with twins since ...well since a year ago.

And, who thought it was a GOOD decision to pick up a child who scored 105 (average) or better?  My fill-in SLP that wasn't supposed to even be handling meetings this summer for me that's who...which is why I didn't want her there in the first place!  But, now we get to see him for 60 minutes a week when he's three, speaking in long sentences and rhyming!  She's not one to say no...

I'm thinking she needs a lesson (or two) from those pre-schoolers...

Thursday night fun...

Last night we went down to the usual sunset spot and took Meli with us.  We drove since it was getting late and we didn't want to miss it...but Mel hadn't been feeling very well...

Next thing I know Meli's gagging and showing all the signs she's going to throw up.  There's not really a spot to pull over and stop plus she was sitting in my lap...so, do you let her throw up over you or the car?

I chose the car and just stuck her head out the window...an interesting visual for anyone watching!  But, it was an easy clean up/hose down.

While we were at the beach we saw a sea turtle up close and personal.  Usually we can see them when we go snorkeling here, but this one was really close to the beach eating off the rocks.

Never know what's going to happen in paradise...

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day ... barbeques, baseball games, the end of school and beach picnics here in Hawaii as well as a day to remember those who have served in the Armed Forces and given everything.  Here in Hawaii they are honored and remembered with leis -- from Pearl Harbor to Punchbowl Cememtery.  Today is a day to remember ... honor ... and celebrate.

Almost there!

11 more days of school -- 9 with the kids!  The end can't come soon enough!  This week the kids are only here Mon.-Wed. and I have 8 meetings either before/after school those three days...gotta cram everything in these last few days.  We're still having incoming SSTs for testing as well, oh these pre-schoolers...

And then there's summer school (mandatory recall), but we're not thinking about that just yet...

Crossing another day off the calendar -- or well adding another day on the calendar at school.  Either way the end of May will come!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to Scott, my brother Tim and our favorite just-turned-3-year-old Madeline!! Hope you all have a wonderful day..eat some cake for me ;-)

A Look Down

Can't beat the scenery here!  We'll miss it for sure when we leave next fall!