Hawai'i

Gabe and Becky recently spent some relaxing time on the windward side of Ohau before the 'big move'. We had a really great time and will remember our time together with fondness. Mom T and Carla volunteered to watch the kids for us. Lucy did remarkably well for her first multi-hour and multi-day separation from her mom. Mom, on the other hand, started to miss all of her kids by the end of the vacation so we headed for home and the rat race that awaited us. We are in the middle of shipping our things and are preparing for the big drive to the east coast via Utah and points beyond. We have absolutely enjoyed our time here and look forward to hopefully one day returning to live in the beautiful northwest once again.

Punchbowl National Cemetery

Our Hawaiian Sunrise

Goodbye Whidbey Island

Penn Cove on the beach in front of our property

Ashlin's Spring Piano recital

She played a duet and a solo this year and absolutely shined. Her diligent practice sure payed off.

Mariners vs. Red Sox

Jonah vowed he would root for the Sox (his friend is a Red Sox fan) but was cheering for the underdog Mariners in the first inning. He wouldn't wear his home team hat, however, and is wearing Uncle Andrew's cap.

SPRING BREAK
This spring break we took the long 15 hour car trip down to Utah to hang out with family. We went skiing, went on a bus ride, went to B.Y.U., took a trip to the Olympic museum and got a tour of a lord of the rings house.

Lucy, Mom and Nat on the bus headed to Old Town Park City

Ash, Jonah and cousins Ayden and Jack

Jonah and his BOY cousins

Lucy hanging out at Grandma's house

Dad, Jonah, and Ash went skiing at Brighton. Natalie would have come but woke up that morning with pink eye,

and, yes, Jonah is wearing purple goggles.

At the end of the last run Jonah collapsed, lost his skis, and walked all the way back to the lodge.

This time Ash decided to take the hill slowly taking very BIG turns, but Jonah took it like a professional skier straight down until he reached the bottom. He ran into the powder, fell down, and lost both skis again.

Lucy learns how to wave.

Navy Dining Out

Gabe's squadron wardroom held a formal banquet earlier this month which gave occasion for both Becky and Gabe to get decked out. Roman military commanders frequently held great banquets to honor individuals and units. The Navy Dining Out builds on that tradition and is replete with toasts, dining, and revelry. We had an enjoyable evening and were glad we were able to dress up which is fun to do every once in a while.

It's February and time for the Blue and Gold!!

If you grew up a Cub Scout or were sibling to a Cub Scout you know all about the annual Blue and Gold banquet. Becky is the new Cub Scout Committee Chairperson and was in charge of the banquet this year for Jonah's pack. The theme was Chinese New Year. Jonah earned his Wolf badge and a few arrow points. He worked on the badge requirements right up until the day before the banquet (picking up trash and checking the house for fire dangers).

His pack also put on a couple of great skits.

Basketball Champ

Jonah finished his basketball season today, February 23rd, by playing four games in a season ending tournament. He made a written goal earlier in the season of making a basket during one of his games. He came so very close during one of the games today on a fast break opportunity, but the ball literally bounced out of the rim after his shot. His team made it to the championship game of the tournament but lost by just four points. He returned home spent of energy after the tournament. The last game was played on a full court with regulation baskets. Natalie had her fill of the tournament by the end of the third game but stuck it out with the promise that the next game "was almost over."

Europe- here we come!

It's official, we are moving to Italy this summer. Gabe spent a few weeks there this month on assignment and had the opportunity to spend a number of days in Naples to check things out as it were... it is going to be an adventure to say the least. Gabe has been to Naples a few times in the past, but he came away from this extended stay with an overwhelming feeling of 'what are we getting into?' because Naples is literally a world apart from anything he's ever seen or experienced. It could be that he is now just more sensitive to certain aspects of the city and culture since he knows he'll be taking his young family there to live for a few years. To sum up Naples in just a few bullets:

• the drivers in Naples are much more assertive than the most aggressive drivers in the U.S. (think New York cabbies on steroids)
• the Naples way of doing things will be much different than we're used to (read 'my way or the highway' and 'you will have to wait until my schedule dictates' when dealing with Neopolitans)
• there will be some things we'll never understand or be able to change such as the garbage situation

Although there are a dozen things not to like about moving to Naples one cannot discount the fact that we will be living a stone's throw from some of the best sites in Italy and Europe. We will be experiencing something new every single day. There will never be a dull moment. Thus, it will literally be an adventure.

Roman Holiday

On my way to Naples I had the opportunity to spend seven hours in Rome due to a missed flight connection. While waiting for my connecting flight I decided to catch a train into Rome and see some of the sights instead of lounging around the airport. Here's just a sample of what Rome has to offer...

the Roman Coliseum and Arch of Constantine

St. Peter's Square- to prove I was there

View down the street from the Coliseum with Capitol Square in the background

January is for Birthdays and Parties

Of course, three of our girls celebrate their birthdays during the month of January. Ashlin had a few friends over for a slumber party to celebrate her 11th birthday. Natalie had an 'art party' for her 5th birthday. Becky celebrated the big "35" in Utah with a surprise party that she claimed totally caught her off guard. Thank you to all who helped pull that one off. We don't have pictures of that event, so if any of you have one to include please send them our way. Thanks!

New Year's Party and Snowfest

For New Year's Eve this year we stayed in a cabin in the mountains and enjoyed the fresh snow and company of some good friends. It was relaxing to come in from the cold and warm up next to a wood burning stove while savoring great food and the friendship of great people.