Tropical Island Christmas

For Christmas Eve this year, we traded in our sleighs for sand toys and invited a bunch of families to the beach for a Christmas Eve Beach Bonfire Bash...

Fire - Fire

NOTE TO SELF: One very large container of starter fluid + six wooden pallets = Temperatures approaching those at the surface of the sun AND an unplanned grass fire next to the pit. Fortunately, the Fire Department didn't drive by and no small children were consumed in this fireball.

Christmas Eve Hobo Dinners

McCall Having a Reflective Moment

Nativity Program

The highlight of the evening was definitely the children's rendition of the nativity. The performance featured Denver as Joseph and McCall as one of the three Wise Princesses.



Christmas Eve PJs
Grandma Susan has a tradition of giving the grandkids PJs on Christmas Eve. Denver and McCall loved wearing them on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.





Christmas Morning

We Love Presents!

Christmas Morning Omelettes: The Most Sacred of all Christmas Traditions

After years of apprenticeship under Master Omelette Maker Grandpa Allan, Jason was self-promoted to a Journeyman Omelette Maker when we moved to Okinawa. Since then Jason has continued his training and has strived hard to maintain the high standards of quality and customer satisfaction set by Grandpa Allan.

Hawaii

Returned this week from a trip to the island of Oahu, Hawaii...

Plane ride over on a C-17

Beach Time at Bellows Air Force Station

Polynesian Cultural Center

Koko Head Crater Hike

Waves and One Hot Mama at the North Shore

A Self Proclaimed 'Princess Butterfly'

We Can't Remember Where This Picture Was Taken

Waimea Valley

WWII-Era Ford Island Control Tower

USS Utah Memorial

Return Flight on a KC-135

The pilots were really nice and allowed Denver and McCall hangout in the cockpit and ask questions. The flight attendants weren't very cute, but you can't beat the leg room and we definitely loved flying on military aircraft.

This Thanksgiving Weekend...

Feasting at the Simmons

The Simmons were kind enough to invite us and a few other families over for Thanksgiving Dinner. There was quite a spread and the food was super delicious. We don't have any pictures after the meal because everyone experienced severe Post-Thanksgiving-Meal Comas and lost all consciousness.

Mt Yonaha Hike
At a towering 1,494 feet above sea level, Mt Yonaha is the EVEREST of Okinawa. Due to the extreme high-altitude and unpredictable weather conditions at the top, few individuals undertake the long trek to the summit. The trail-hardened Hershfeldt family agreed to join us for this daunting expedition. Those who made it to the summit were rewarded with a breathtaking 360 degree panorama of bamboo and other thick vegetation.

Salamander on Steroids?

On the way back to the trailhead, we encountered this brightly colored salamander during his afternoon push-up exercise routine.

Happy to be in Her "Car Seat"

After hiking all the way to the top and most of the way back, McCall finally decided that it was time to ride on my shoulders in her "car seat"

Denver Working on His Tarzan Skills

McCall Working on Her Napping Skills
This is the position that McCall fell asleep in about ten seconds after sitting down. She was really tired after the extreme hiking and must have been suffering from altitude sickness.

Go-Karting

Who would have ever thought that the Dalpias Family would look soooooo good in safety glasses?

Holly Really Likes This Picture

She says that it is because it is framed so nicely and the colors are so beautiful, but we all know the real reason is because the picture highlights Jason's handsome smile and chiseled physique.

Cute Couple

People continuously mistake us for teenagers. The other day we went to lunch and the Security Forces personnel stopped us and asked to see some ID. They thought we were sluffing school.

Denver Snacking on some Pufferfish Jerky