Hawaiian Halloween

It doesn't quite feel like Halloween when it's 85 degrees, but it did feel like Halloween today in kindergarten!! It was a scary one for Matt too...poor guy capped on his patient amount at 18...which made for a 12 hour work day, EEK!!

I sported a spider theme and Jersey debuted her new MuuMuu...not happily!

Matt and I have no clue whether y'all have "fallen back" time wise...but we think it's about that time. That means that you will only be 5 hours ahead of us (on the eastcoast), so now you can start calling us at about 1:00 pm (Grandmama!).

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

It's official...We're Kama Aina'!

Yes, we both finally have a Hawaii drivers license... after only one meltdown at the Hawaii DMV.

The first time we went (about a month ago) we waited in a 2 hour line. When I got up to the counter they wouldn't accept a copy of our wedding certificate(for name change purpoes), it had to be the original...which was just back at the house(nice!). So as Matt took the written drivers test and got his fun rainbow drivers license, I sat in the car crying...a little homesick, but mainly pissed at myself for not bringing the real marriage certificate. Matt felt pretty bad...and barely showed off his shiny new license...poor guy. So out of annoyance of the system and not wanting to wait in another ridiculous line, I boycotted the DMV for about 4 weeks. Everytime we got carded at a bar or restaurant I looked like the girl visiting from Georgia, which was fine with me, except... All my debit and credit cards have been changed to my new name and my Georgia license was still sporting "Kidd", so long story short, it was causing "shopping" issues. I finally broke down and went back to the DVM...the line wasn't so long and everything actually went smoothly. AND...I missed one less than Matt did on the test. We had a friendly competition going...and I make the most of every chance I get to feel smarter than him!!

So we are officially "Kama Aina"! That roughly translates to "of the land" or "from the land", but more importantly to us...it gets you lots of local discounts that all you tourists don't get to take advantage of! Hee Hee! It does not infact help out at the grocery store, where yesterday I racked up a $212.00 tab...A personal best (or worst).

PS - Drivers licenses are really hard to photograph... holograms and flashes don't work well together.

We haven't become shark bait...just real busy!

Aloha! We are still alive and well here in Hawaii. I know we've been slack about blogging (okay, ME...since Matt keeps reminding me that it's my turn). We have had an amazing 2 weeks! Thanks to our first couple of visitors!



We were lucky enough to host Matt's fraternity brother, Chris Strom and his new wife Linda, on the last leg of their Hawaiian Honeymoon! Chris and Linda stayed with us for two nights after living it up on Maui and Kauai! Since they were our very first guests, we worked hard to get our little house just perfect. Unfortunately Matt had to work the 2 days that they were here, but of course he rushed home each day and was ready to party at night. Chris, Linda and their favorite 3rd wheel (me!) had lots of fun though. We went to Pearl Harbor, shopped, climbed that damn Koko Crater...again (Matt wasn't upset about missing that) and cruised Waikiki. It was so fun having them even for a short time. We hated missing their wedding, but I think we ended up getting the better end of the deal!

We had one day to wash sheets and towels, then it was off to the airport to pick up Ansley and Michael!! They hadn't planned on coming so soon, but surprises happen everyday, right!! Turns out my sweet Matron of Honor shouldn't have been celebrating as "heavily" as she was at our wedding since she was about 2 weeks pregnant!! All is well though and bambino Clarkson is now 14 weeks old and very well traveled! Ansley knew she better hurry up and get here while she could still look awesome in a bikini...and of course she did!


Ans and Michael were here for a week and man did we live it up! Matt was off most of the time which was great. We did almost everything you can do on this island. We beached it a lot, hiked to the top of Diamond Head and Manoa Falls, went to a luau, shopped and ate in Chinatown, toured the North Shore, snorkeled in Haunauma Bay, cliff (okay, big rock) jumped, and most exciting for the boys...surfed!! Michael and Matt successfully surfed on long boards at Waikiki Beach! I think Ans and I had more fun watching them try to get up...but both actually were pretty good.


No Mai Tai's for Ans:(


I could go on and on about everything we did, but it would be like writing a novel! The best part was having Ans here and just sitting around talking about the BABY...but the beautiful beach is a great backdrop. We will be continuing to post amazing pictures from their stay because Michael, who is a very talented photographer, took at least 800 pictures! We appreciate it, Michael! A trip very well documented!!

We're calming down now...no more guests till Thanksgiving. Matt starts a long 14 day rotation tomorrow and I start my NEW JOB on Wednesday! Yes, I was offered a part-time position at Koko Head Elementary. I decided to take it for the sake of consistancy and so I could actually help kids and maybe meet some cool people. The subbing was driving me crazy! Now I will be working Monday through Thursday from 8-noon (nice, huh?). I will be pulling out struggling kindergarteners that are falling behind and working with them to get 'em back on track! I'm excited and will keep you posted. YEA...more school stories!


Lastly, Matt and I would like to report that we are NOT pregnant, BUT we do want to congratulate all of our crazy friends (hee hee)!!

• Congrats to new parents Mandy and Trey Prophater on the birth of sweet Catherine Frances (Cate)!


• Thoughts and prayers go out to Megan and Rhett Shirley...week 39 of pregnancy cannot be fun, but it is all worth it! Can't wait for baby Ford to arrive!


• We're sending all our love to Milmont Park to Megan and Matt...can't wait to hear whether baby Murray is a girl or boy!!


• And to all of you who had a "randy" summer...we are anticipating all the spring 2008 babies! Chris and Kathy Hogan due on St. Patty's day (Yea...a new niece or nephew!), Ans and Michael of course, due on April 1st! Wild child Csontos due on 4/20...appropriatly! And Rick and Danielle Flounders rounding out late April!

WHOA!!! Anyone we're missing?! I'm sure more news of baby bumps is headed our way!
Keep us posted...
love, E