More Hawaii Pics

oh wait...the last one is back in Michigan!

Hawaiian Babe

Marie did well in Hawai'i. She loved the beach but we were very careful with her! Hats, suntan lotion, shade...For the first time, Mommy spent the day in the shade at the beach. Fortunately, Grampa Chuck's house is within walking distance to Waikiki beach so we made 3 or 4 quick trips there with Marie. She was, hands down, the hit of the retirement party! It was a great party on the 30th floor of the bank building - a quick ride up the glass elevators to a completely glass-walled room. The view was great, the food was great and it was a fun night.
The first photo is at a store with a walk-thru aquarium...Marie was enthralled with the fish. The beach shots are at Waikiki beach and the last is with the newly retired Grampa Chuck. Marie tried lots of new food: Teddy Grahams were the hit of the week, thanks to Auntie Debbie! She also finally met Electronic Warfare Specialist Steve Sucher, aka Jim's best buddy, who has since been deployed on the destroyer USS Paul Hamilton. The flight home was uneventful, thankfully. We had a layover in Chicago and had two great visits in the airport. First, we visited with a family that was obviously on their way home from China with their new baby! Second, we met with Juleen's good friend, Mary Jo Sleder who was also catching a flight back to TC. She met Marie for the first time and we got caught up.

The first week home was an adjustment: the time change is 5 hours which was rough on all of us. And Marie had to learn to eat a meal without 4 or 5 relatives cheering at her every bite. But we all did it and are so happy we made the trip! It was a great family time!