Fun in Jan \ Feb 2010 in Hawaii

Aloha!

It's been a been a fun and busy January \ February!  Here goes!

Sarah attended a baby shower for her cousin, Alicia.  She was expecting soon, and so the ladies threw her a shower at a friend's house in Hawaii-Kai.  Sarah attended and all had a great time.

What an awesome cupcake cake!  The baby "Epic" is a joke.  Surfers and Grant Hoffman frequently use the term "Epic" to describe things of a very large magnitude and scope, usually of high quality (Think great, giant waves).  So, the baby's name isn't Epic. More on that below.

At the end of January, our friend Ricky came just for a weekend into Hawaii.  Ricky was Andy's classmate from C-17 school in Altus, OK.  He flies C-17s for the Guard.  His job brought him into Hawaii just for the weekend, so we showed him a great time in just the day we were allotted. 

One of of our first stops was the Yard House, a great brew-pub down in Waikiki.  Although a chain, they have great food and beer, and so they are continually packed.  From L to R, Ricky, Andy, and a serious looking Dan.

The next day we got an early start and hiked Diamond Head Crater, which overlooks Waikiki and Honolulu.  Even though its only 80 degrees, the crater is pretty dry and desert like, with virtually no wind to cool down hikers until you reach the top.  Hence, most folks look somewhat sweaty after the hike.

Sarah, Ricky, and Andy

Waikiki and Honolulu view from Diamond Head

Hikers!

Inside of Diamond Head Crater and view to Hawaii-Kai and Koko Head.

On the same afternoon we met up with our best buds the Vandagriffs and a mutual friend we had met at their church. Our friend Dave is retired Navy, and he decided to rent a house right on the beautiful North Shore of Oahu.  He also is a Kayak enthusiast, so Dave, Sarah, Jessica, myself, Kevin, and Ricky all Kayaked out to an island called Chinaman's Hat and climbed the rock!  What an awesome view, and a great time.

View towards Kaneohe Marine Corps Base

Dave's back patio.  Awesome!

Another pic of Dave's back patio

 

View of back patio and mountain ridges of Kahana Valley State Park overlooking the water.

Before we knew it, the Hoffmans were about to have a baby!  Soon, a beautiful baby boy!

Frederick James Hofmann

"Fritz"
07:11am on 01/31/2010
5lbs. 14.5 ounces
19"

 

 Baby Fritz! (many photo credits: Daddy Grant)

Pondering the imponderables?  Health Care?  Perhaps we'll never know....

Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu where baby Fritz was born, as well as Grant, Alicia, and Fritz at home!

View from Tripler AMC on the hill overlooking West Honolulu and Aiea

Dad (Grant) and baby Fritz!

Next up was the visit of our former Vance AFB next door neighbors, Ryan and Andrea.

Andrea is an Airline Pilot, and Ryan is currently an Air Force Instructor Pilot in the T-6 back at Vance (T-38 stud to T-6 FAIP for you Air Force folks).
 
Great folks, and we enjoyed their short stay with us!  We saw them off to a cruise of the Hawaiian islands, a well deserved break for the both of them.. 

Next up was a visit from Aunt Janet, Alicia's mom!  We were happy to host her for a week while she flew out and helped Alicia and Grant with their new addition to the family.

Aunt Janet and baby Fritz!

Aunt Janet "Mimi" and baby Fritz!

View from Baby Fritz's apartment.  Baller!

Baby Fritz continues to be a source of joy for all he allows in his presence. According to some, he might grow up to be a pilot or the President,or anything else that starts with "P" (Postmaster General?)

In totally unrelated news, the Putnams bought patio furniture!  Sweet!  And Tiki torches!  FIRE! (green umbrella not pictured)

So what has Andy been up to you ask?  Flying of course!  He just got into the groove at work and now is enjoying the fruit of his efforts, being a C-17 Pilot.

Taxiing past a flight of departing F-16s

   
Lining up on the runway for departure. 

Vipers (and their KC-10 support) wait for their turn for departure.

Honolulu International taken on departure, looking North

 

C-17 on the ramp at an island location.  Notice the person at ground level at the entrance door.  The C-17 is a huge jet.  I realize it every time I preflight!  Also note the Navy C-130 at left.

View from inside the cockpit looking at the "small" C-130.

View from altitude.

One of the numerous atolls in the Pacific.

Finally, Sarah got offered a new job here at Hickam AFB!  She'll be working part-time in the Information, Tickets, and Travel office!  Should be relaxed and more laid back then her previous 4 jobs since graduation!  (We've said that before, but we mean it this time.)

Well that's about it for now.  The only other thing to mention is that we escaped the Tsunami Warning that was declared for the Hawaiian islands, due to the large earthquake in Chile.  Luckily, by the time the waves and surges got here, they were reduced to normal size and looked simply like a strong tide.  Our prayers go out to those who were affected in Chile!

Much Aloha,

Andy and Sarah