If you think you know, you have NO idea.

Everything goes well on the Campbell home-front.   Looking forward to company tomorrow from Alaska for a few days [friends of Terry's] and the girls will be on fall break through October 14th, Yiiiippppeeee!!!  We going camping, we going camping!!!  :)  :) :)

I must mention, Terry has been working tirelessly this past month to give me a 29th birthday to remember:  a sweet note from a loved one every morning [so fun to anticipate who I will wake up to everyday], and this past weekend he pulled off the ultimate surprise [with the help of a couple of my besties] and had a beautiful dinner party arranged at the Marriott.  Ok, I normally don't like sneaky friends, but I forgive you all.  ;)  Thank you sweetie and friends - you really are so much more than I deserve.

The night in question:  I was completely oblivious, thought we were going on a date with Sarah and Brian - a dinner cruise that "she won".  :)

Have a beautiful week y'all.  Thinking of you, and love you!
XO,
Mrs. C

"I will NOT quit this race."

You know you're back in college [whilst raising a family and tending ALL other responsibilities of an adult] when:

Washing dishes and washing car = break time.  :)

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Calista's hui [class at school] trained (since the beginning of the school year) and completed (this past weekend) a 5K as one of their class-wide projects.  What a neat way to give back to the community, be physically active, and grow closer as a hui.

In true Campbell fashion, the rest of us decided we were gonna do the race with her, the night before.  It was Kawena's idea.  Seriously.  :)

Run For Hope was at Four Seasons Hualalai, the course weaved through the ridiculously gorgeous *and expensive* real-estate within that property, beside the golf course, and parallel to the ocean.  Calista took off running, as did Terry, while Kawena and I decided we would walk the course together, "I will NOT quit this race Mom, I will NEVER give up!"...and off we went.  3.2 miles & approximately 1 hour later, we crossed the finish line in perfect sprinting form, as if we'd ran the whole course.  :)  Calista finished about 15 minutes earlier, joined in smiles and celebration with her classmates. 

The 'light' breakfast afterwards consisted of all you can eat buffet style:

yogurt, fruits, pastries, sausage, eggs, & rice

Ummm...yeah, we're from Hawai'i.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Love & hugs,
Mrs. C 

They say love is like 1 soul inhabiting 2 bodies.

Girls are full swing in to the school year, both really excited and happy to be at Kanu.  In fact, one Sunday not too long ago, I heard MUCH to my surprise and happiness, someone (not mentioning any names Cali) say: "Yes!!  School tomorrow!!"  I don't think I've ever heard that sentiment coming from my girl before.  ;-D

2nd/3rd grade hui - Na Pulapula

Pu'ukapu hui - 6th, 7th, & 8th

Terry and I are beginning Fall semester, he at UH Hilo and myself at HCC.  I am learning the ropes, so to speak, and Terry is like a well oiled machine, navigating through courses like no big deal.  ;-)  School is like riding a bike for me - I didn't do it for a while, but now that I am, I feel like I never stopped.  :)

Finished another 10K last weekend at Volcano, met my goal time of under an hour *58:40* YIPEE!  The night before the race was a little, shall we say, exciting[?!].  The cottage we were staying in had a fireplace malfunction and backed all the smoke down the flute.  Looked like there was a fire in the living room, but luckily it was only smoke and we just waited until it all cleared out.  Since it was almost midnight when that happened, sleep escaped me most of the night, and found me very thankful for adrenaline to literally run off the next morning.  Other than that, the race was beautiful - weather was perfect, the roads were somewhat 'flat', and runners were doing their thing!

One of my 'crew'.

My not-so-happy-in-the-morning girl had big smiles to encourage me!

I'll add a couple more summer pics...

....and wish you well.  See you latah!  XOXO

Perpetuate & thrive.

Wondering what's going on with The Campbell's?

Well...[other than missing our WA 'ohana] we celebrated July 4th in Kona with our friends - fulfilled our patriotic duties of the day by going to a parade, bbq'ing, eating too much, and of course, fireworks.

Smile & wave girls, smile & wave.

4th cupcakes - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Yellow Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (regular cupcake with gooey chocolate chip cookie dough in the center).  ONO-LICIOUS!!!

 Calista ventured on for another week at Ho'olauna, this time, on the other side of the Island, in Puna.  We joined her for the Ho'ike on Friday afternoon - which included demonstrations on pounding taro, throwing net, cracking coconuts, & la'au lapa'au.  Concluded the afternoon with a potluck - what a beautiful day!

Cali introducing the next segment of their Ho'ike.

Pounding taro [kalo] for poi.

Happy to have our big girl back!

We enjoyed witnessing the marriage of our friends, Allison & Jared - now Mr. & Mrs. Spencer.  <3 

And had a blast from the past with a mini HS reunion at ka hale 'o na Campbell.

Haniel, Diane, Alyssa & Ethan, Sharnell & TKCK & Brian, Sarah

And on that note, we've been attending Hawaiian language and culture classes as an 'ohana this past week at Kanu o ka 'Āina, the girls' new school!   Kanu o ka 'Āina focuses on culturally based learning, with the purpose of perpetuating and conserving Hawaiian language and culture.  We are so excited!  *Must mention that Calista is now introducing herself as Makana.  :-D  How is a Mom supposed to deal with her child renaming herself?  Luckily, Cali has told me her family will still know her as such.  Phew!

Anyways, summer is basically over, don't know if it really began [certainly not temp wise, it's still cold!].  We will savor the next few days [tomorrow is Cali's 12th birthday, not even gonna go there right now], and get ready for back to school next week (?!).  Hope all is well in your corner!  <3 <3 <3 & hugs!

Catch-up, not ketchup.

Ta-da!  Back on the Island after beautiful travels to the Mainland, Canada, and Kaua'i: my souvenir?  It came in the form of a cold & cough, not my first choice, but somewhat expected.  :-)

Just a few highlights from Seattle:

The Space Needle - what I like to refer to as 'the heart of Seattle'.

The girls got to ride a camel at the Point Defiance Zoo.  How cool!

I LOVE the *vibe* of this city.

Honey and I on Mariners date night.

Love and Baseball.

My sweetie girl turned 7 while we were there!

Some of her gifts in the morning.  Then we did the Chuck E Cheese thing and ended the night with a luau celebration at Uncle Josh' new place.  A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Oh, and got upgraded to first class on the ride home for volunteering for a later flight!  :)

 Kaua'i:  Calista attended Ho'olauna Kaua'i with Kamehameha Schools, as a part of their summer explorations series.  The theme this year was [self-sustainability] & [doing/giving without expecting anything in return].  They visited a salt lo'i (a salt farm) cultivated and cared for by the Kanahele 'ohana (Helene Chu), learned to harvest and pound kalo into poi, hiked Waimea forest and picked maile to make lei, snorkeled, surfed, and learned the hula they performed at Ho'ike.  We went over to attend the Ho'ike, a celebration and showcase of what they learned.  What a wonderful experience for our keiki!

Sending our big girl off, just hours after getting back from WA.

'Nuff said.

Shrimp Station in Waimea.  Absolutely wish we had this on BI!

Kilaue'a Lighthouse.

Missing our Cali Girl.

Calista sharing some of her genealogy in 'olelo Hawai'i.

 In other exciting news, the girls have been accepted to Kanu o ka ‘Āina charter school here in Waimea [ http://www.kalo.org/ ] for the upcoming school year.  They are really, really looking forward to this new learning experience & being closer to home.  :)

We are adjusting to a quiet house - for those who don't know, Kale moved to WA & Dad will be there through November.  Although we are far away from most of our family, we count the blessings of living in Hawai'i with an attitude of gratitude.

Think of you often, hope all is well!  

Love,

Mrs. C 

Once in a blue moon...

I found it fitting - tonight being a blue moon.  ;)

Anyhow, getting ready for convention, and enjoying the turn from 'Summer' to 'Fall' even here on the Big Island.  I know most of you who experience MAJOR temp changes will call me a wimp on that one - sobeit.  :)  Lots of rain, thunder, lightening etc...SO happy the landscapes of old Waimea are returning; green, lush, and all that beauty.

Glad for the closure at Ioane's funeral.  What an amazing thing it was to witness the 'ohana bidding farewell to a member that was so obviously loved.  He leaves a legacy in his sweet keiki, Loea and Ioane Jr - how touching to witness the out pour of love and support from the community; these children will never lack.

Fall sports season is over and now we gear up for the Holidays and the wonderful experiences and memories in store.  Packing, prepping for convention - feeling needy and so thankful!

Here are some of my favorite recent pics:

Gonna turn in for the night - hugs, kisses, and lotsa misses - LOVE, Mrs. C.

Peek-a-boo!

Ok, so I've promised to NOT completely drop off the 'blogging hemisphere' but since tip-toeing my way back on Facebook I've not had time to get on here.  I will admit much of my reasoning has to do with laziness, it's just easier to upload to Facebook than it is here.  ;-D

Anyhow, the girls have gotten off to a roaring start here at school; Kawena in 1st grade and loving it, Calista started Middle School, and well, is making the best of it.  She had a tough go in the beginning but has settled in to a bit of routine which has really helped her.  The fact all of her buddies from last year have either moved or gone to Kamehameha Schools was really tough socially, and puts her basically at a 'loner' status which honestly doesn't seem to bother her.  Guess Mom just has to get over it, huh? 

Noah leaves for Washington on Sunday...so sad to see him go, happy to see him leave.  Know what I mean?  :)  It's going to be interesting - being just the four of us but I will say I am thoroughly looking forward to it.  Love you baby brother, and you're always welcome to come home (after giving it a for real try up there first though).  I know you're going to love it!

Soccer coach for Kawena's little team, and really enjoying all the girls!  Sweetie pies, lots of talent, and we are having a blast.

Calista is going out for V-ball this month - making her Uncle Kale really proud.  :)

Had the sisters since Sunday; what a priviledge for us all.  Esther is quite the character and we LOVE her!  So sweet to be with Aunty Maja again as well.

I better get back to work ;-P and finish up my uber-productive day. 

Love you lotsa,
Mrs. C

Fathers, be good to your daughters...daughters will love like you do.

Happy Fathers Day to my most amazing, spectacular husband (the love of my life and Father of my children) - as they say, any man can be a Father but not every man can be a Dad.

And to my Dad, who loved and supported me through times that would have made him less-than-proud.  He also happens to be the Worlds Greatest Papa, according to 5 very sweet, very smart little girls.

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And now on to a hodge-podge of other pictures that I have been meaning to post, but haven't had time to thus far:

The girls Spring school pictures.  :)

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The first of a few trips out to Ninole - 

Crawdad delights.

Paradise.  Seriously.

Favorite time of day - sunset, starts cooling down and the day begins to settle.

Courtesy of C.C. (Cali Campbell)

The girls and I took a trip to the Hilo Zoo, here they are with Namaste, the White Bengal Tiger.  You know he was hand raised by a magician in Las Vegas and then donated to the Hilo Zoo?  He's quite the mellow cat nowadays - doesn't seem like he'd hurt a fly, but wouldn't put his tiger nature to the test in that matter.  :)

The girls and a friendly Nene.  I think it would've stayed there all day to talk, but hey - we had places to go and things to see!  The Nene Goose is the Hawai'i State bird.

Another photo courtesy of C.C.

Daddy wrangling up the cows, modern day style.  ;-P

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On that note, I have two little girls hovering over my shoulder so I will stop here and pick up later.  Have a beautiful evening!

Cheers,

Mrs. C