Red Scarf Ceremony

"*-** Golden Dragons and Battalion Scouts will be hosting the FOX FORCE *-** IN Scarf Exchange Ceremony. This ceremony is to honor past veterans of the 1-14 Scout Platoon from the years 1969-1970. During Vietnam War the *-** Scout Platoon (FOX FORCE) were awarded red scarves from foreign allies for their valor during combat operations. Throughout their combat tour FOX FORCE wore the red scarves as a sign of unity as well as a way to identify each other during combat operations. FOX FORCE 69-70 will be passing their scarves along with their Tradition on to the current Scout Platoon and the *-** Infantry Battalion to symbolize their 40 year affiliation and commitment to the ****************."

These guys wore these scarves 24/7 while they served. Literally, they never took them off (even during missions, out in the field, ect). It was an immense honor to have them pass them along to our guys.

Here they are passing the scarves to a select few. I'm not quite sure why that guy is dressed like that (I'm betting Ryan knows--and that dude also received a scarf).

This is a wife presenting a scarf on behalf of her husband who was in this group, but who had passed away.

All the guys who received the red scarves today. There was never more than 20-25 guys in the unit back in '69-'70.

All the companies marched past the honored retired soldiers--here's Ryan's. If you look closely, he's in the front on the far left.

Can you find him? I almost tackled Marcus down to make sure that he didn't run out there and grab his Daddy's legs. :) The CO's wife practically did the same thing--so I didn't feel too bad. :)

There was a receiving line at the end of the ceremony where we were able to meet these wonderful men. Marcus and I went through and thanked each of them. Marcus bumped fists with them. :-0!

I believe this was the Lt. Colonel for the group. He was an amazing person to talk to.

Through the eyes of Julia

Julia was given a camera for Christmas. Can you tell what she's obsessed with? She's already begging me to take her to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 as soon as it comes out.

Playing with her camera--it's supposed to turn out blue, but it's purple. We still like it. She chose blue cause that's the color of what her light saber would be.

Evelyn would be purple.

Little Marcus's light saber would be red. I think Julia was having lots of fun with the color feature button.
Caught doing laundry in the laundry room.

Julia with her favorite dog, Shasha. Sasha belongs to the XO (Executive Officer) who lives in the next neighborhood over. He brings her over to get her accustomed to children.


Julia's best buds, Bethany and Hailey. These girls are inseparable. Each one is connected to one of Julia's hips.

Conversation with Marcus

I just had the most hilarious conversation with Marcus. He was sitting on the toilet going potty while eating some popcorn (he wouldn't let go of his snack).

"Uh oh. Popcorn fell." He's looking at the fallen piece in the unflushed toilet.

"Ew, Marcus."

"Mommy, can you get my popcorn?"

"Uh, no. We'll just leave that one alone."

Flush.

"MOMMY! Where's my popcorn?!"


Nevermind the rest of the bag that he's holding in his hand. He's so upset that some of his popcorn fell into the toilet and was flushed away. At this exact moment, he's in the bathroom asking his dad to please go in and get his popcorn back out.

Helping Hands Clean Up

Today was our ward Helping Hands project. We cleaned up the grounds at the Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park.

We planned on swimming afterwards and Evelyn was quite ready to go. But then she noticed something:

"Mommy! I got a little sunburn right here on my elbow! We forgot to put the sunscream on."

Gloves-check. Bags-check. Vests-check. Let's go!

That's one cute little helper, huh?

Evelyn helping Ry make the beach beautiful and clean again.

Julia was so excited when picking up trash and she came across THIS:

Jacob was helping our neighbors in their group.

Hmmmm, I think Julia forgot that we were just cleaning up the GROUNDS.

A game of kickball afterwards was lots of fun for the kiddos. See the flipflop to the far left? That's Julia's and it's also the third base.

Evelyn running to base.

Ry giving Evelyn some tips on how to kick the ball.

Bishop having a fun game of tag with some of the primary kids.

Julia and some of her friends from Activity Day Girls.