Fish Tank Fiasco 2010

Many of you know me as one who has a hard time controlling stress. I tend to worry about things a lot. Unnecessary things at times or things I have no control over. Eventually I move on and get over it. But not after talking about it for days. So a big thank you to all my friends who listen to me ramble on and on about things that may seem petty to them but are obviously bothering me. For a change I thought I would share a pretty funny story that happened last night. I got the wild hair to clean my fish tank. Mind you I have never really cleaned it before. I have sort of watched Eric do it from afar but never really helped. I would always ask him if he needed help but he always declined said that he could handle it. I have held onto the hose at times but that is about the extent of my fish tank cleaning knowledge. So I did my best to catch all the fish. Just FYI some of them swim pretty fast and they will swim from you. So after finally catching all of them I put them in a bowl with water of course on the counter. Then I got to work. I noticed my filter and all that stuff attached to it needed to be cleaned so I removed it and I removed the water air maker thing in the middle. Sorry I don't know its name. I just know it makes lots of bubbles. Upon expection it was full of algae and so I cleaned everything out and started taking water out of the tank. I was spilling it all over the floor but had towels so as I was spilling I was mopping up too. I scrubbed the sides down as best as I could and decided it was good enough. I couldn't get all the water out because 1. the fish tank is entirely too heavy for me to carry outside and 2. my pitcher could only get so much. I figured a little algae wouldn't hurt them. They have been swimming in it this long. So I did my best putting the fish tank back together. Note to self pay attention how you take things apart. Might make it a little easier to put back together. Just sayin. So I got the water hose. I'm thinking OK. I have no one to hold the hose but if I turn it on low maybe it won't get out of the tank. WRONG. I turned on the hose it flew out of the fish tank and water started squirting EVERYWHERE. I mean it was squirting behind the fish tank, the DVD tower and the TV. I am yelling swear words trying to get to the water hose to keep it from getting to electrical outlets and my TV and stuff. Get to the hose. There is water everywhere. I mean a lot of water. Get the hose in the tank. This whole time I'm telling Blake go get me towels. Of course him being 4 he is like Good Grief Mom. Get a grip. He isn't quite getting it that I need something to clean up the mess. After I feel I can leave the hose for the second it takes to run and get towels I grab all the towels in hall closet. I start the tedious task of mopping up the floor. Our housing has wood laminate floors. Water sitting on them for any amount of time will ruin them. And since Eric and I aren't going to be in this house long I know I need to get the water up. I am pushing furniture out of the way. I had to move the TV stand the fish tank and DVD tower plus coffee table to mop up water. Yeah it was THAT bad! So I get the water mopped up. Or at least I hope I got all of it. I mean I moved everything so I'm thinking if any got away that I didn't know about I will find it today when I move everything again to clean LOL. Anyway after all the water and drama I sat down. I couldn't believe that I had really let that happen. I knew better right? I mean most people know that when you turn a water hose on the pressure is going to make it go haywire. Oh well you live you learn right? This whole thing taught me one thing. Me and fish tanks are not meant to happen. And that's OK. I accept the fact that I'm not good at it. I don't have to be great at everything. After a major time out and a beer I feel better about what happened. I only lost 1 fish and he jumped out of the bowl. I tried to save him but it was too late. So this is the Great Fish Tank Fiasco 2010. I Hope you got a laugh or two. Now looking back I know I am.

Aloha,

Amber

HALLOWEEN 2010!!!

WOODY AND BUZZ! AKA LIAM AND BLAKE

CMON WOODY! NO TOY GETS LEFT BEHIND!

TO INFINITY.....AND BEYOND!

AUNTIE MELISSA WITH ALL THE TOY STORY GANG TRYING TO GET A PICTURE :)

Had a great night trick or treating. Seeing lots of friends and getting to walk the neighborhood. Blake and I came home and handed out all the candy we had and are getting ready for pjs and bedtime!

A REALLY COOL PIC!

ALERT THE MEDIA! I GOT A GOOD PIC!

PUMPKIN CARVING 2010

BLAKE'S COOL FACE SIGN HE MADE AT PRESCHOOL!!!

Me trying to carve the PERFECT Spookly.

My Spookly interpretation.

Spookly Lange and the Spookly McClellan

Had a great time carving pumpkins with the "cousins". Shared pizza and watched only the best Halloween movie EVER! HOCUS POCUS!

Christmas 2010

Christmas pictures 2010!!!!!!

4 YEAR PHOTO SHOOT

Pictures for Blake's 4th Bday!!!

THE NOTEBOOK

I guess the easiest way to say this is I have been a little emotional tonight. Missing Eric and wishing he was going to be here tomorrow for Blake's 4 year pictures. I know he has a job to do and I really am greatful for all the opportunities the Coast Guard has given us. Tonight I was googling to find the best quote to reply to a friend because sometimes you need a little help with that ya know? And came across some Nicholas Sparks quotes. If you know me you know I am a big fan. I started remembering "The Notebook". Especially as I was reading quotations and got to thinking "Wow I hope Eric and I are a Love that Lasts like theirs" So my goal is this. I am going to re-read the Notebook and I am going to make a point to say nice things and do nice things for my husband. I know I'm not perfect and I know he's not perfect but I think the little things mean the most. Even if its making him lasagna when I really don't feel like it. I have some time before he comes home. Maybe I will make a to do list and do each thing on the list for him. We'll see how it turns out. Afterall I am a busy mom too. Even if I only do a thing or two :)

So stay tuned....

Much Aloha,

Amber

Preschool Pumpkin Patch Excursion 2010

A fun trip came up with the preschool so some other moms and myself decided it would be a fun little excursion. It fell on a non-preschool day so we had to chaperone. We went to a little pumpkin patch that is family owned in Waimanalo. The family impressed me so much with their love for God and how no matter how many hardships God always provides. Made me seriously want to hug the guy! They had hand painting, games, animals, a tractor ride, maze and other things for the kiddos. It was a pretty good time! Blake was able to pick out his best "SPOOKLY" pumpkin. So all in all it was a good day for us.

Here are a few pictures from that day.

1. he is showing a fellow classmate his legos LOL

2. Riding on the tractor. Ms. Gina is sitting next to him :)

3. Spookly his pumpkin!

4.Blake, Kaidon and Harper. It was the best picture we could get of the three of them. Blake was not feeling very photogenic right then.

Aloha,

Amber and Blake

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR to the rescue!

Blake's Halloween Costume for 2010. As you can tell in picture one he is super thrilled LOL.

Missing the man

Its took me a while but I've come to the conclusion. I guess I just really miss my hubby today. I think reality is sinking in that yes he is really gone and that he won't be home till Thanksgiving. In honesty I am really blessed. I know multiple Army wives, Marine wives, Navy wives , Air Force Wives and Coast Guard Wives whose husbands have been gone longer. I mean last year my husband was only home like 100 days out of the year. It was crazy! I had my sad moments then too. But for some reason this time I'm just in a funk. I guess I hoped deep down the boat would break so bad they couldn't get underway. I know better then to hope that. I know they have a job to do and if they don't go someone else's husband has to go. I also realize that its inevitable. And really I am usually kind of ready for him to go. Not because I want him away but because I know its happening and I just want to get it over with. I think a lot of my problem is I know this should be one of our last patrols on this boat. After this boat we should be heading to land. For 4 years at that! I think this next week will be the real trial. I just hope I can stay super busy with things and not think about him being gone. So I guess my goal is to have something to do everyday. Even if its a project here at home. I do have a huge closet to go through and sort. I am also helping a friend get ready for their up coming move off the island. So this week I should be in better spirits. So heres to making sure I have a busy week and I don't remember missing my husband so much! Next week will be good!

Aloha,

Amber

First Day of Preschool

Aloha!

I am happy to report Blake had his first day of preschool today at St. George's Episcopilian Church here in Honolulu, Hawaii. We originally had him on the list for a baptist church right down the street from us. After being on a waiting list for over a year (no joke) a friend called me to tell me about this preschool and that they had openings now. I immediately began talking to Eric. I felt like maybe this was God's way of us getting him into something. If you know me I've been worrying about it and wondering if we were ever going to get in before we even left the island. Blake is a social kid. He loves other kids and loves to stay busy. I felt like pre-school was the way to go. I want him to be comfortable in a school setting LONG before he starts kindergarden. I figure lets get his ants out of his pants now. And maybe get him used to structure and doing what the teacher tells him. So that when he finally does start kindergarden it won't be such a shock for him.

I dropped him off this morning around 8:24. He knew where we were and got very excited. Of course he wanted to play outside but the kids in his room were all inside. I left thinking ok. We can do this.

I came home and the house was eerily quiet. I really don't think its been this quiet in a long time. I was sitting here thinking ok.... I need some noise like STAT. haha. I ended up making phone calls and watching Army Wives and playing on facebook. I literally just didn't know what to do with myself without my kid. That tells you how much time we've spent together over the last almost 4 years.

Anyway I left the house around noon to pick him up. I couldn't sit still anymore. I had to find out how it went. I get to the preschool and the first thing I noticed is a big red sign. It says something like kids who've soiled pants or something a long those lines. And there's Blake's name in big letters. I'm thinking oh great. I see him and I say did you have an accident? The teacher finds me at this point. Was she waiting on me.... Probably... Thats my luck Haha. She tells me he had an accident on the playground. And that they had a hard time keeping him in. She basically gave me a rundown of stuff. I guess when he got mad he told her so and started pointing at her. So I have to work on him not pointing at people when he was angry. She did tell me he had a kind/soft spirit about him that she loved. So bascially the first day of preschool was kinda poopy with a little kindness mixed in. I know its only the first day. And I know that I have to work with him about staying inside while he is in school. I just hope the teachers work with me in return. Its hard to work on stuff when you don't see it yourself. So my goal is to talk to him repeatedly about staying inside, telling people when he has to use the bathroom and to not to point at people when he is angry. I want him to keep being nice to people though.

So this is what happened in a nutshell. I'm sure this new adventure will bring more blogs so stay tuned. You never know what my crazy kid will be up to next week.

So until next time.......

Here are a few pictures I took from Orientation and the first day. The two on top are the ones from the first day and everything else below is orientation. This picture with the balloons has all the birthday's for October I just thought it was kind of neat they did that.

Below Blake is actually sitting still and reading a book! Oh my heck! Alert somebody!

BIG DECISIONS.

Hi!

Today I write a happy blog. We have discovered a preschool close to us that has openings for Blake's age group. We are happy to announce we have decided to do it. Pending the phone call monday morning that is LOL. We were called today by a friend and told they still had openings. I I figure I will call Monday and try to get him signed up. It starts August 4th so he could be starting as early as a week or so! I am very excited about this. He is ready. He tells me all the time how much he wants to go to school. Its time for him to get those social skills he needs to start kindergarden and to hopefully grow into a good student and adult as the years pass. So thats my good news :) Hope all is well with everyone.

Much Aloha,

Amber, Eric and Blake

Gearing up.

Aloha,

Well we are gearing up for the big deployment of the year. I will not post dates because of OPSEC but I will just say its soon. Am I ready? No. I am not ready to be mommy and daddy and I'm not ready to be responsible for everything. I realize I married the guy in the military and that its inevitable that he will leave. I know that. But gone is gone and I'm still going to miss him. At least I have lots of friends to keep me busy. My goal is to do something fun with Blake at least once a week. Whether its a beach day or going to an art class. Something to keep him occupied and to keep me sane. The blogs will probably be more frequent then too. Anyway its time for Blake's game he wants on his computer so I will bid you all aloha.

Best,

Amber

The Fertility Rock

Aloha Friends,

Most of you will find this silly and that's OK. But I wanted to share my story with you. A long time ago. Probably back in Feb/March. Around the time I was moving into my new house. I got to talking to some locals. They found out we would be visiting Kauai and told us this story about this fertility rock. And how all the women who sat on it got pregnant. They said that and of course I became interested. I am one who tends to believe that miracles can happen and that things like a fertility rock do exist. But only if it is the right time and place. I know that sounds totally quacked out but I think its good to believe that all things are possible. Anyway I told Eric at the beginning when I started planning our trip I wanted to find this rock and sit on it. Of course we brushed it aside and thought nothing else of it. We left for our trip and made it to Kauai. We loved it there so much! It was beautiful and really had this country feel to it. I mean the biggest area was Li hue and they just got a COSTCO! Chickens run wild and they are EVERYWHERE. Anyway probably our second day into our trip we were driving around the North Shore and made our way down east. We stopped at a lighthouse and found out about a lighthouse that not a lot of people knew about. It was kind of hard to get to but we were in a rental car so we were like lets just do it! Anyway we pull up and there is a group of locals just having a good time. We began to talk to them and they tell us they all met up to honor a classmate that had passed away. Sharing memories and just having fun together. I was like how awesome that in the light of something sad they are doing something so happy! We got to talking with them you know we were talking story! They asked us where we lived and where we were from. It was so cool! They had a ton of boys so Blake was in heaven because he had new "friends" to run around with. And they were all boys. Not a girl in sight. Because of these people we knew to go to the canyon on a clear day and not a cloudy. If we had gone on a cloudy day we wouldn't have seen the views we saw and things wouldn't have been as clear. We talked about different places and what places we were going to see and what we had already seen. Then I asked them about the fertility rock that the locals here had told me about. They didn't even hesitate they gave us directions and told us how to get there. The guys were super funny because they looked at me and said "Don't sit on that rock! You'll get pregnant!" The women were like hey now what if she wants to get pregnant ha ha! Anyway we bid them goodbye. They were super nice people. I hope we run into them again one day. It is such a small world. If its meant to happen it will. So Eric and I went off on an adventure. And of course Blake went a long for the ride! We drove around and at first thought oh great we aren't going to find this place. Well off to the left of us we see a BUNCH of rocks stacked up. So we stop. Come to find out we had pretty much run right into the birthing rock and fertility rock! WE FOUND IT! I was nervous approaching it. I mean what if I sat on this rock and I really did get pregnant. Not that it would be a bad thing because we do want at least 1 more kid. So I sat on the rock. And let me tell you it was a rush. I was like OMG I am sitting on the fertility rock! Staring across from me was the birthing rock. And the whole time I'm thinking yeah. So not having a baby on that thing! Gosh totally uncomfortable! Wow look at the bird poop on it. Ew gross. I got up thinking OK I did it. I accomplished this goal that I set out to do. I just found it so amazing that women from all over have probably sat on that rock and people from years back sat on that rock. How many now have babies? Or had a baby after sitting on that rock? Do they think the rock has magic powers or something that helped them? I think about how women from 100's of years ago would lay on the birthing rock and give birth. And how lucky we are now that we have hospitals and houses to give birth in. Anyway we drove away and I felt a new sense of astonishment and pride for the ancestors of the past. Will I get pregnant? Who knows. Only time and God know. But the experience I had was awesome and what an awesome story I could tell if I did get pregnant.
Much Aloha,
Amber

RANTS FROM TTC LAND.

Ok I haven't ranted in a good while. I figure I'm due one. I know of several people including myself who are hoping to expand their family. Several of us have been trying for years and months. Every month hoping that aunt flo doesn't rear her ugly head and that the test comes back positive. But month after month its the same ole same ole. Aunt flo rears her ugly head making us moody, sad and just depressed. I know we have been trying since December of 2008. Eric has been in and out A LOT so that doesn't help us. I try to remain positive and try to reassure myself that it will happen when its meant to and that I shouldn't beat myself up. But you know what. If I hear of one more person getting pregnant their first try or "we weren't trying it just happened" I think I might scream. Good for them and their awesome fertility. Sucks for us down here when they brag on EVERY facebook post at how happy and fantastic they are for getting pregnant. Some people just don't have it so lucky. So because our time in Hawaii is coming to an end. Eric and I will be stopping TTC for at least a few months so it doesn't interfere with PCSing. Wherever that may be. To my friends who have been pregnant recently or just had a baby I am not refering to you. Just some new events have really irked me and I need to get it off my chest. To those of you who have been trying for a long time and finally get pregnant CONGRATS! I know personally how long and hard the TTC journey can be. And for those of us still trying BABYDUST. I'm not a bitch really. And I do think that people who get pregnant have every right to be happy about it. There is just a time and place for everything. Don't call me bragging about it and telling me how excited you are AFTER I told you that we were still trying. And you can obviously tell it isn't fun for me to talk about. No I am not going for drugs right now. And I don't plan on it at this time. Maybe later on who knows.

And that is my rant. Have a fantabulous day.
Amber

Farewell

First thing this morning I was doing my morning search through facebook. I get on to check what is new with everyone as well as to check my farms and cafes. You know basic stuff. When the first thing I see is "Corey Haim found dead of an apparent drug overdose" I am taken aback! Did I read that right? The 80s heartthrob? So I clicked on Popeater (yes I'm a fan) and there it was. I was astonished. I couldn't believe it. I actually felt kind of numb. I remember watching movies like "Lucas" and "Lost Boys"and thinking wow he is a hottie! I was young though probably 8-9 New Kids on the Block were big as well as Kirk Cameron. Just name a couple. What are hollywood actors thinking these days? They think they can do drugs and are invincible! What about River Phoenix? I found out he had died YEARS after it had happened. I honestly think he died the year I was born and it still bothered me. Not because I knew him but because here is the public figure in a movie I adore and he's gone. Stand By Me was one of my favorite movies and I watched it over and over again. I actually own the DVD now. A couple of years ago we lost Brad Renfro who was big during my Jr. High years. He played along side Jonathon Taylor Thomas in Huckleberry Finn. He died of a drug overdose. And in the early 2000's we lost Jonathon Brandis to suicide. That crushed me. This was the boy I was going to marry darnit! Well as soon as he broke up with Tatiyana Ali! And discovered me. Jonathon Brandis played in a movie called Ladybugs with Rodney Dangerfield. I'm pretty sure I wore out that tape. He was also on Seaquest and was a success for a while. He killed himself I believe because nobody wanted a washed up child actor. I could be wrong though but I remember reading in a magazine he battled depression. Life is short. We can either embrace our hardships and trials and learn from them or we can escape into another world that includes drugs and alcohol. I grew up around drugs and alcohol. My mom and dad suffered from an addiction that could only be cured by getting a hit of Heroin. Most people will read my blog and will wonder why I am writing this. I am writing to say its not too late! Get help! Whether you are depressed or are an alcoholic or addicted to drugs there are treatments and programs to help you over come them! It won't be easy! The road will be long and difficult but I have faith! So here is my farewell to all the great and promising actors who have passed before their time. I hope wherever they end up they are at peace! And also my farewell to the uncle and two aunts I have lost to addictions.
Much Aloha,
Amber

ode to technology

Aloha!

We will consider this my silly blog of the month. I am so thankful for having the technology we have today. Can you imagine being a wife during WW2 and not being able to talk to your loved one but through letters which could take months to get to you? We are so extremely blessed as a society to have the advantages we do. For instance I have a facebook. (Who doesn't these days right?) Classmates I thought who I would never see again let alone talk to are getting their own facebook and I am able to catch up with them after years! Just yesterday I talked to like 3 classmates that I hadn't spoken to since before the year 2000! How wonderful that I can keep up with my old chums now as they live their lives and I find out what is going on and new with them. I am so thankful to be able to email my hubby back and forth especially with our upcoming move. He is in the middle of the ocean but I can email him and let him know whats going down on the home front. Now he feels included and kinda knows what to expect when he finally does get to come home. It is also nice to have email to send pictures and things to family members who live far away. Hawaii sometimes feels like another country or planet because we are so far. Anyway those are my thoughts for the day.
Much Aloha,
Amber

Negative Nellies

I have decided to change a lot about myself. I am letting things go that I don't really need as well as taking more things with stride and letting more roll off of my back. One more change I want to incorporate is reducing negative nellies in my life. I know you know whom I'm refering to. The people who always have something negative to say about EVERYTHING! I have recently had some very awesome things happening in my life and I have been in a good mood just about everyday. Many people know me as a chatterbox and when I'm in a good mood I am more so. I have had a lot of positives happening lately. I'm seriously tired of people always coming up with a negative to go along with my positive. Really People? Do you not have anything better to do? Instead of telling me I'm doing this wrong or reminding me of something not so great why can't the good moods just spread around and the world be happy with butterflies and rainbows coming out of peoples butts? I know thats not how the world really works but its a nice thought huh? So heres to everyone out there that follows my lowly blog. The next time someone says they are excited about this or that or seems really proud of themselves about something think before you speak. What you think might be a silly comment can indeed be a negative to their positive. Instead of reminding them of their faults remind them of their positives. Pat them on the back and tell them what a good job they are doing in whatever it is that they are doing. Sometimes people just need a little encouragment.
Much Aloha,
Amber

Good Days

Today has been a really good day. Tonight I have my relocation meeting for housing. In case you don't know I am so stoked about it! I have been waiting to move out of this house since we got here in June 2008. Now I have recieved my demolition notice and I am going to be moving to new housing. When I don't know but I know it will be in the next few months and that is good enough for me! I guess I just want to share my good mood with everyone. Maybe it will rub off on people and everyone will be in a good mood. I don't know its worth a shot right? Anyway one of the reasons I wanted to post this blog was because of something kinda funny that happened. As most of my family and friends know Blake has no interest in potty training. I don't want to push him because all the doctors say they do it when they are ready and not to worry. They won't be going to kindergarden wearing diapers LOL. So Blake had a nice poop this morning and I was teasing him and said Dang Blake you smell like a man! That must be a man poop! And he said "No mommy not a man poop a little man poop!" So cute. You just have to love it! Where does he come up with that stuff? hahaha Anyway off to do things I need to get done. Have a great Monday everyone :)

Much Aloha!
Amber and Blake :)

Thoughts

Tonight I sit here and my thoughts are ALL OVER THE PLACE. I keep thinking of random things and random people. I have had so much going on this past week with Eric leaving that I have forgotten a few things and have had to cancel or reschedule things. Not because I want to but because honestly I just forgot. I have this funny feeling that some of my "cancellations and reschedulings" are kind of the last straw and that things are going to change. Whether its someone not being my friend anymore or just dropping me from their group. I try hard to be a good friend. But I do have flaws like everybody else. I'm not perfect. There was only one perfect person and that was Jesus. I can't compare myself to Him nor do I want to! I NEED for people to accept ME for ME and not the person THEY think I should be. Yes I'm flakey at times and yes I'm wishy washy. But that is ME! And I can be indesicive and sporatic and crazy and fun and most of the time I'm silly. I love laughing and making jokes. I love game nights and movie nights and playing Beatles Rockband. I love hugging my little boy and reading him the potty book everyday. Most of all I love Jesus because he loves me in all my different flaws! I dislike people who judge me because maybe I have some character flaws. But really I think that makes me who I am. Yes I forget random things but most of the time I remember. Just don't ask me to remember something when I'm having a bad week. Because I will probably forget! And if you don't know it this has been a tough week. Anyway today at church Kerby Anderson preached and one of the versus he gave us has stuck with me all day. (Matthew 7:1) Judge not, that you not be judged. Something to think about right there huh?
Much Aloha,
Amber and Blake :)

Thicker Skinned

Today I had my eyes opened to the changes I am going through. Used to when not so fun situations took place I would leave embarrassed and apologetic. Now I find myself taking things head on. Comments don't affect me like they used to. Someone can say something And I will respond with a WHAT? or even respond with a comment that will generally stop people from talking. I think that most people live in a immaginary world where they think children should be perfect and never act out or even have a bad day or be overwhelmed. I am raising a child NOT a robot. My friend said that the other day and I totally agree. My son is a tiny person who has thoughts and feelings. Being 3 he can't quite express what he's feeling and thinking. He can try and I understand him most of the the time but when he's frustrated he acts out. And you know what when I'm frustrated I want to act out too sometimes! Today I realized that I am thicker skinned. And that even the most innocent of comments aren't directed at me or my parenting. I am doing the best that I can. And that is all anyone can ask for. I am really thankful for my friends who back me up and remind me that I AM doing a good job. Most people don't realize how hard it is to have your husband in and out ALL THE TIME. It really is hard for kiddos to grasp and there is an adjustment period. Anyway I am a wonderful mother and wife. And guess what I love my little boy so much I want more. Call me crazy! Call me insane! Admit me! But I love being a mommy and I love that Blake is MY son. He may be hard to deal with but guess what GOD DOESN'T GIVE YOU KIDS YOU CAN'T HANDLE!
Much Aloha,
Amber and Blake :)

Hale Koa Luau

Blake running around in pre-luau activities

Some of the dancers. Blake refers to them as "monsters" hahaha

Our little Ohana

Eric and a bunch of fellow shipmates and of course some HOT Hawaiian girls LOL


Went to our first Luau. The Jarvis reserved tables for Chief's and Officers. It was a very good show! We enjoyed ourselves and even Blake had a good time. He thought the fire and dancers were "AWESOME". The food was good. There were a few things I wasn't fond of and of course their desserts all had coconut so I didn't eat any of them. But oh well thats probably a good thing!
Until next time.
Love,
The Langes.

Waimea Falls

Some cool plants we liked.

Blake checking out a red tree

The falls!

Blake posing for a pic :)

While Eric was on leave we decided to do more touristy things. We figure we only have about another year here so we need to get in what we can. It was a neat place to go with lots of cool plants, rocks, trees and of course the falls! We didn't know you could swim there or Blake and Eric would've been in the water within the first 5 mins of being there! haha! We had a good time and even now Blake asks to go see the waterfalls. Hopefully we can make another trip so the boys will get to swim. I of course will probably stand on the shore taking pictures. But I'm ok with that. Anyway much love to all!
Love,
The Langes.