High Point of Oahu

Jake and I have been meaning to hike to the highest point on Oahu for a while.  It actually has a road up to the top., but the road is closed to the public.  It goes up to the FAA tracking station on top.  But despite the station on top, it is a spectacular hike.  It is a challenge, very steep, with few switchbacks, and some rope sections.  The views are with you once you reach the top of the first ridge.  We had open views until we reached the top...just our luck.  But it was still cool to see the clouds rolling in, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Here are some highlights

One of the amazing views

The hike starts on a road.  There was a wild land fire there recently.

About to start the hike

Reaching the first ridge

View down the ridge

To the west

To the east

Climbing the ladder

Jake  at the top of the ladder section

Love these views

Part of the bog on top of the mountain

We walked along the perimeter of the tracking station, but the clouds were really rolling in

 

Climbing down was scary than going up, but totally fun.

Otherwise, I started Grant in Joy School this year and it has been perfect I have really loved having him in it.  It gives me a break and it is fun to teach it now and again (I like that it's not every time).  It definitely stretches me a bit.  These are some of the crafts from my first two weeks of teaching.

E is for Eagle

F is for fish

G is for garbage

H is for hamburger

 Another highlight this month  was a date night Jake and I created.  We made our own appetizer board.  Yum!  And played blindfolded pictionary.

Jake also went to the Georgia to see his brother and family, just for a couple days) as his brother commissioned in the army.  He got to see family and meet our beautiful niece (which I am totally jealous of).  However, he missed this beautiful sunrise in our backyard.

But he did get to go on a helicopter ride to the Big Island with the doors open..for work.  Spoiled!  He acted as tour guide for the army training facility over there.

Still over Oahu

Oahu, Hanauma Bay

The helecopter

  Then of course there are the beautiful moments of my family life that I want to remember forever.  These are the moments I look forward to.  These are the moments that make all the challenges of being a mom worth it.

Dad set up the train tracks for the boys

Louis tried his hand at bike riding

 Louis loves all God's creatures.  Too bad Mommy freaks out with these little guys.  Daddy made this video...I would have put an end to it.  But it is pretty cute.

Grant decided to wear one of his shoes and one of Pace's to church...unfortunately they were for the same foot.  But he put them on himself which is a major  win.

Giving big brother a stroller ride

And we love our chocolate around here

Louis decided he wasn't too big for this toy anymore and climbed in on his own

Puppy snuggles

Brother snuggles

What a cute cat

Fruit cat pancakes