20 August: School Starts!

Summer went by fast.  Back in school already!

Andy starts second grade and Zach first.

 Zach got Andy's teacher from last year, Ms. Grimm

 Andy's new teacher is Ms. Baker

30 Jul - 03 Aug: Andy's Sail Camp

I made it home from Hawaii just in time to catch the last couple of days of Andy's sail camp at the St. Augustine Yacht Club.  He had never sailed before so this was a bit of stretch as to whether he would like it or not, but he took to it well and had a good time. 

Here he is on the last day in the #10 boat:

19 Jul - 02 Aug: Rim of the Pacific Exercise

I was sent to Hawaii to liaison between  an amphibious task group taking part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and participating P-3s.  RIMPAC is the largest naval exercise in the world and is hosted in Oahu every two years with many nations around the Pacific participating.  Time is split between in-port sporting and social events and underway exercises. 

I wasn't really ready to return to Hawaii, but nonetheless spent most of the time underway on the USS Essex working on the staff of a Canadian Admiral.  All the different nationalities and the amphibious operations made it at least a novelty.  I treated it like a Midshipmen and tried to have as much fun as possible.  Couple different helicopter rides - on a Mexican Mi-17 and a USMC H-53E and a trip on a LCAC to the beach and back.  Also nice to have cell phone coverage almost the entire time although it meant I was looking at beaches from the ship instead of being on the beach looking at some poor suckers out on a ship. 

My RIMPAC in one minute:



After finishing my duties I drove to Shark's Cove on the North Shore and swam for two hours.  Rinsed off in the public outdoor shower, drove straight to the airport and flew home.  Not a bad way to spend my birthday.  

My favorite one minute of RIMPAC:

28 May - 06 Jun: Last Week of School

Finishing up our school year.   Hard to believe the boys started the year at another school.  Hawaii and Navy Hale Keiki seem a world away. 

There seemed to be a never ending run of in-class parties during the week but we finally finished up on the second to last day with some class presentations and awards. 

 In Ms. Ragusa's class Zach and his buddies sing a few songs

 Zach is recognized as a "Shinning Star"

 Ms. Ragusa's students were the "Mighty Ducks"

And in Ms. Grimm's class, Andy is given the Math Award

Out the door on the last day.  Ready for summer!

26 May - Little Break

Crazy busy couple of months.  Just needed a relaxing weekend.  

25 May - Zach Character Counts

Zach was awarded for "Character Counts" by Principal Story.  Congrats Zach!

 

 

20 May - Baseball Banquet

 Andy finished his season as a New York Yankee.  He played 7 year old ball with a pitching machine.  This league was definitely another level above the MWR league he played in Hawaii, but he still had a great time.

Receiving game ball and trophy from Coach Tim