Christmas in Greenville

We had our second Christmas in Greenville with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Genny and Uncle Anthony.  Another rare Christmas treat. 

Helping Grandma in the kitchen

 

A trip to the Carolinas Air Museum in Charlotte

Checking out a Phantom

Zach at the controls of a KC-97

Standing in front of the Miracle on the Hudson USAir A320

A great visit

21-26 Dec: Christmas in Chapin

 A very special meeting of the family in Chapin for Christmas this year.   First time all of us "kids" were together for Christmas since 2005, first time on Christmas day since who knows when, first time with all of us since Zach's come along and we also had Bill's girlfriend Jen (and her dogs which were a huge hit) down this year and it was the first time this side of the Stickneys has met her.

Kelly flew in from the Bahamas, but unfortunately her husband, "Uncle Captain Mike" to the boys, couldn't make it since you're not apt to leave your home when it is floating off foreign shores.  

First day in town was the annual Christmas party my parents host.  The boys stayed up and greeted everyone at the door and then did really well in conversing with the older guests.  They had a great time and we were impressed and proud of their manners.

The rest of the time was low-key.  Dinner out with just the kids (middle aged ones), lights at the park, Christmas service at St. Francis of Assisi, Scotch tasting every night, gingerbread houses, visits with the Holsteins, mini-golf and some golf lessons at the driving range, visit with boyhood friend, Todd Sharpley and his kids (which are now older than when we met!).  Cool and wet weather which we had sorely missed in Hawaii during the season.  

 

Andy Asleep

Someone's ready for Christmas

20 Dec - New Digs

After a steady week of working 8 am to midnight (we haven't quite shifted our time zones) we pretty much have the house wrapped up and feel like we can enjoy ourselves.  I've checked into my training squadron and got a little tour of the squadron I'm slated for.  All very nice.

We love the house and the neighborhood.  Real quiet (especially compared to Hawaii), and so much convenience - many stores and restaurants all within two miles.  Something we are not at all used to in the last five years.  

Boys are very excited about their new backyard and finally having all their stuff again - they were in a temporary situation for just about one month.  

Just some pictures - not great as it was getting dark but wanted to get them posted.    

 Here we are

 Our backyard with big screened in porch and a playset

 Kitchen and living room

Cool area above the kitchen cabinets for our collectibles

And a little rememberance of the old homestead in the Sandwich Isles now hangs in our front hall

12 Dec - Move In

After our farewells on the 9th and our last night in the Navy Lodge we ventured out Saturday morning to say farewell to our good friends the Wischmeiers who welcomed us to the island when we first arrived and are staying on for an additional tour. 

From there we gathered our 8 suitcases and our friends the Blacks, who we had welcomed to the island just three weeks prior, dropped us at the airport.  Our flight, with Pearl Harbor Survivors onboard who had been in town remembering the 70th anniversary, was smooth through Chicago and down to Jacksonville.

We jumped in a rental car and headed down to the house to get things opened up and buy some groceries.  Late afternoon we headed for a hotel to crash. 

Next morning we woke up in the pouring rain.  The trucking company was wondering if this was still on and the movers we hired told me it was.  Lifting pianos off a truck in the rain was going to be their issue so we pressed. 

Thanks to modern global logistics our container had arrived right on time.  Only issue was a hole in the roof which had let in a good bit of water, but fortunately doesn't look like there was any damage. 

We setup a little movie theater for the kids in the master bedroom closet and got to work....

.....sigh.  On the bright side we get to do this again in just 30 months!

 There's a sink back in there somewhere.  We should probably find it at some point.

 You always setup the kitchen first.  It's the quickest way to get on your feet and by this point you've been on a steady diet of Wendy's, Moe's and Subway.

Aloha

An incredible two and a half years.  Never wanted to move here, but fell in love with the Islands.  Stunning scenery, so many extraordinary things to do and see.  The warmest, happiest people you will ever meet. 

"In Hawaii, we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with Aloha, which means love.  Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world's center of understanding and fellowship.  Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha.  You'll be surprised by their reaction.  I believe it and it is my creed.  Aloha to you."

                                                - Duke Kahanamoku

                                                                   

09 Dec - Farewell to Makalapa

After we picked up Andy we ran by the neighborhood to get some farewell pictures.  We were very lucky to live on the Makalapa compound - home to US Pacific Fleet Headquarters (my job as well).  Besides the historic nature of the neighborhood and our 1941 plantation style home it was filled with huge old trees and immaculately landscaped.  A pretty and unique place to live.

 Pictures here and below around our yard

 This was our neighbor's yard across the street.  No matter how hard it rained I never saw the street underneath this tree get wet.

 My favorite tree in the neighborhood at our friend's the Barkers.  Absolutely huge.  Notice that is a two-story house right behind it.

My completely windowless office building