Unpacking, unpacking!

Sorry folks, it's been a week or so since we've updated our blog. We are in our new house and without internet or cable TV until next week. Our friendly neighbors have all come by to introduce themselves and chat with us multiple times. After Andy helped the next door neighbors with their computer, they have given us access to their wireless until we get ours. Life here on Hickam is turning out to be fantastic! Here is a short list-type recap of our adventures thus far over the past week:

1. First weekend here we celebrated a birthday of our sponsor at their home on our loop where we live now!

2. Sarah went to a Spouse Ornament Social at the commander's home and got a terrific turtle (honu) handcarved Hawaii ornament.

3. A lot of repairs were done to the house shortly after move-in, including the removal of our giganto banana tree in our backyard. It was attracting streams of ants into both kitchens (our neighbors too!). It took all day for them to machete it all down and cut out the stumps. House photos to come soon.

4. Kitchen is finally done, up and running! Andy built fantastic cube shelves for our new pantry spot.

5. Met cousin Alicia's husband, Grant, this past weekend and had a fantastic time at dinner with the two of them.

6. Found our first Christmas tree after quite a search on the island last Saturday the 12th of December. Almost everywhere we searched was sold out and it was eventful getting it home in the 350Z. Sarah had to wait at Target while the tree got shotgun. We are glad to get our second car today, the Murano will give us more space for sure! As far as the tree shortage, Sarah heard through the grapevine that a shipment of real trees from the "mainland" came over badly. So everyone had to run out and get an artificial one like us, mere hours before we got out! We are learning, if you find something in Hawaii that you like, buy it now because it may or may not come on another ship in a timely manner.







7. Went to a base orientation Tuesday called "aloha ohana" (hello family) and Sarah went too! We got a 3-hr island bus tour and lunch at the club.

Photos from the Pali lookout to Kaneohe Bay:











8. We had our first dinner guest tonight, Jessica, over for poppyseed chicken! A Delta Gamma favorite menu item. She is a spouse in the C-17 squadron, and her husband is away flying for an 8-day mission.

9. Tomorrow our new bedroom furniture arrives! After almost 3 years of marriage, we treated ourselves to adding pieces to the bedroom where we have been surviving without any! We are excited.

10. We've had several questions about the kitties. They are doing great! Gretel loves to help us by catching flies that find their way into the house. Hans just loves leaping up and down our stairs, and of course they both are experts at napping. We think they are enjoying their new home.























11. Andy put up beautiful Christmas lights on our palm tree in the front and on the house. We added lights to the upstairs windows today, I'll be sure to add a photo of the completed display soon.











We are learning a lot about Hawaii ... about our household friends - geckos, roaches, and mosquitos. Lots of beautiful plant life too! Tomorrow night is the squadron holiday party. It's at the base beach and the dress is "aloha casual." I was informed that is sunday dress for the ladies and khakis are allowed for the men. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!

We promise to post more soon! ~Sarah