Hawaii

HAWAII 2017

Very early morning departure, tired kiddos with a big travel day ahead.

Made it through security with no issues!

burned off pre-flight energy in the airport play area ... such a great space!

Running to down the jet way!

settled in with a whole row to ourselves.

(glad we are a family of 4! one more and we'd need a larger plane!)

new lego travel kits to occupy the time

after nearly 6 hours the little dude fell sound asleep just as the plan started it's decent. figures.

Honolulu airport ... I believe the fans are historical preservation items now ... 

pretty sure they were there when I was a kid. 

a must-do ... Hawaiian guava juice

Huck liked it, Della not so much. 

Hilo airport!  

The same orange benches mama scooted around on as a kid

Fulfilled promise of popsicles in the hotel pool. 

After 2 weeks of monsoon weather we had sunshine but the un-heated pool was frigid!

First visit to Rainbow Falls ... it was packed with cruise ship tourists!

Classic family portrait ... can you spot the kiddos?

Huck LOVED the banyan trees and promptly disappeared deep within

video clip

First visit to grandpa's Hawaii house

Running wild through the orchard

Playing in the cinder pile

lizard hunting!

first visit to the recent Puna lava flow

pretty neat to see such a defined river carved by the lava

first introduction to 'sleepy' plant

viewing the local waste transfer station which held 

off the lava flow with simple chain link fencing

one day in and already exhausted

MacKenzie State Park

wave watching!

rock hopping ... a joy from mama's youth!

never facing the same direction together ... 

typical night in our rental house

exhausted kiddos

morning snuggles

morning coffee on the lanai

Kapoho tide pools -- first time snorkeling!!!

Della was such a brave and adventurous snorkeler. 

we saw lots of fish and even swam with a turtle!

Huck ... not so much. 

he wasn't impressed with the wind and demanded to return to the house

first visit to Bird Park

not as pristine as mama remember but the loop trail was still fun

we saw birds ...

tried to get a kiddo picture but Huck ... well he was Huck. 

Punalu'u black sand beach on a very rare sunny, warm, and calm day!

Daddy snorkeled with the turtles while we played

Grandpa was able to watch the fun!

there were lots of turtles ... daddy had to swim hard to NOT run into them!

Thurston Lava Tube

mama's childhood favorite!!

a short walk along the rim ... someone was pretty tired and grumpy

a beautiful sunset of the crater

video clip

evening volcano viewing!

Huck was pretty impressed by the volcano but not the wind, 

so into the Jaggar museum we went.

I don't recommend sharing a bed with this one ... 

Mauna Kea recreation area

he braved the wind for just a minute then back into the car he went

Waikoloa Village friends! 

Waikoloa Bay Beach

beautiful beach but windy and chilly

Huck wanted nothing to do with the water

Della wanted to spend all day swimming

Hiding from the wind in Daddy's creative fort

first beach shower ... she enjoyed it!

Pool Time at the vacation condo

Huck really enjoyed the pool but the water was cooooold and his lips turned blue.

More ice cream and movies with friends. 

A peaceful evening at Spencer Beach

mama's childhood stomping grounds

Tired & Cold

Bed time

day 2 at the beach, this time with grandpa

still hiding from the wind

but this time Huck had a helper to haul sand castle building water

Playing with grandpa ... roll the rice ball ... into Hucky's mouth!

Lego's provided welcome entertainment during the down times

Saying goodbye to grandpa

Last stop ... Kona airport

Della wasn't happy to be leaving.