Bowling and Zoo

Drew had a few days off when he got back, followed by a week of half days, so we used this time to hang out and enjoy some good old fashioned family time.  First we did something that both of my boys really enjoy...BOWLING! (These "good 'ole boys" are wearing their matching shirts)

 Drew showing his mad skillz

 Andrew and Abigail (I have no idea what my child is doing)

 Ethan was a good cheerleader.

 When I tell Drew to smile at me...this is what I get!

 This one loves the camera!

 The next day, Andrew and I took Drew to the Honolulu Zoo.  He had never been.  It was the perfect day for a zoo trip.  The weather was beautiful and the trades were blowing so it wasn't too hot.  When we got there we actually saw two other "Ugly" families leaving.  (FYI...the families are not ugly.  That's what we call ourselves since our squadron name is "The Ugly Angels.")

I love the zoo!  And I took way too many pictures of cute little animals, so I'll spare you and only share a few; like this adorable spider monkey.  He wandered over to the edge to sit and stare at us for a while.

 We enjoyed watching the tiger play with this ball.  

 The cheetah was feeling very photogenic.

 I love giraffes!

 Feeding time!

 We probably had the most fun watching the hippos.  They were squished right up against the glass, which is the closest I've ever seen them.  We watched the one go under and then come up for air several times.  Andrew got a kick out of it!

 What a cutie! (Andrew...NOT the hippo)

 Here comes the smolder!  Such a ham!

 Cool Dudes!

 Gotta get a shot of Mommy and Daddy

 Did I mention that I love the meerkats?

 Poor Baboon! I'd be sad too if my bottom looked like his!

 The rainbow eucalyptus trees don't even look real...but they are!

Cabin at Kbay

The day Drew got home, we checked into one of the cabins on base.  There are a dozen or so cabins on the base, either on the beach or overlooking it.  We have always wanted to stay there but never had the chance until now.  Here's our cabin:

 We had a nice picnic area overlooking the bay.  

 wrap around lanai

 one of our views from the lanai

 living room with awesome views!

 kitchen

 Andrew's bedroom

 our bedroom

 We were close to the runway, so in the evenings we got to watch the 53s do some practice landings at Westfield.

 Excuse the spots on my lens...BOO!

 I enjoyed looking at this for 7 days...

 Big shoes to fill!

 Mohawk! 

Because the cabins are so popular, they limit your stay to 7 nights or else I would have never left!

Happy Homecoming!

Ok, I know I have been a slacker on posting the homecoming pictures, but frankly, I've had better things to do!  We've been enjoying our family time so much that blogging about it was the last thing on my mind.  So, without torturing you with any more wait time,  here is our homecoming:  (Special thanks to my friend Krista for taking pictures for me!)

The guys were supposed to arrive at the Hangar at 5:30 am, but after a couple of small delays, we were told they would arrive at 8.  I hate delays, but at least we got to sleep a little longer!  Of course I was up at 5:30, too excited to sleep anymore.  I was going for a 1940's look for the homecoming and even decided to hot roll my hair. (I should've know with the humidity and the wind that this wasn't the best idea, but hey...what can ya do?)  At least my dress didn't fly over my head!

The guys landed at the air force base and rode busses over to our base.  We were all standing around talking and didn't even see the buses pull up.  They parked on the back side of the hangar and walked around the building.  We knew they had arrived when we heard screaming from the front.  Andrew and I waited as patiently as we could for the guys to unload in a single file line.  

Andrew and his "Welcome home Daddy" sign

 Scanning the uniforms for my marine

 My red high heels (Erin picked them out)

I see Daddy!

 Here he comes!

 First kiss in 7 months!

 Best.Feeling.E.V.E.R!

 Showing Daddy his sign

 Big hug for Daddy

 Another hug for Mommy

 Cammo boots and red heels

 First family shot

 He just kept loving on Daddy!  He was so excited!

 Andrew in the middle

 Another group shot

 One happy little boy!

 We are so glad to have Drew home safe and sound!  Thank you all for your prayers while he was away. We're enjoying our last few weeks in Hawaii reunited as a family.  Stay tuned for more of our post-homecoming adventures.