Hawaii * Day 5

WAIMEA FALLS

We got up this morning and went to Church.  The Ward was very friendly and the kids did great in Primary (including Ryan).  After Church, we came home, changed clothes, ate lunch, and set off for Waimea Falls.  Paul wished he had worn "OFF" bug repellent after he got 8 mosquito bites.  The rest of us fared very well as long as we were standing next to him.  He is so "sweet", he was our "off" for us.  This is an amazing botanical park filled with plants from all over the world brought in to please the Royal Hawaiin Family hundreds of years ago.  At the end of the 1 mile walk, is a picturesque waterfall. 

It was breathtaking!

The Laie, Hawaii Temple

After visiting the Celestial Kingdom here on earth....we stopped by the real Celestial Kingdom so the kids could get a glimpse of eternity.  We went insude the visitors center and watched a short movie about the history of Laie and why it was chosen for the temple site.  It was cool to see how open and spacious it was before Oahu became such a tourist attraction.  The gift of prophecy was certainly given when they were guided to purchase these hundreds of acres in 1865 that would now be used for the Temple, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and BYU Hawaii.

Another tiring day....the kids fell asleep in 2 minutes.

Hawaii * Day 4

On Saturday we woke up, enjoyed a delicious breakfast of "Eggo" waffles and set off for the day's adventure.  First stop....Diamond Head Crater.

Ryan was super excited to be going inside a "real" crater, although he was actually expecting to see hot lava and spewing geysers.

 The trail to the summit includes switchbacks up the side of the crater, a 225 foot ascending, unlit tunnel, and 175 steps to the top.  Here are Ryan and Chloe on the last leg of the hike...the 99 steps of the spiral staircase.

 Inside the 225 foot tunnel.

 Paul carried Callista on his back the majority of the way.  Then she had the nerve on the way down to say, "I liked going up much better"!

 From the summit, you can see beautifully right down into the 760 foot crater.

The views were breathtaking, and every bit worth the exhausting hike.

Haunama Bay

What a beautiful beach.  Paul, Chloe, and Ryan had a fabulous time snorkeling around the bay.  They saw Threadfin butterfly fish, Forceps Fish, Achilles Tang, Convist Tang, Orangeband Surgeon Fish, Reef Triggerfish,  Redlip Parrot Fish, a spotted Boxfish, and some Hawaii Ten Pounders.

It was an absolutely exhausting day.  We tucked the kids into bed and they were asleep within 30 Seconds (no exaggerating at all)!!!

Hawaii * Day 3

WAIKIKI BEACH

We spent a beautiful morning floating around the calm waters.  There was a school of fish that just loved Callista.  Wherever she walked in the shallow waters, they would follow, much to her dismay.

 Ryan and Chloe practiced snorkeling and enjoyed watching the "Callista loving fish" under the water using their snorkels and masks.

THE USS ARIZONA

In front of the Memorial is this giant world map.  You can't appreciate what the kids are doing here, but the next few pictures will explain.....

 Callista is standing on San Diego, CA, USA.

 Ryan is standing on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USA.

 Chloe is standing on Tokyo, Japan.

I was completely taken by today's experience visiting the USS Arizona Memorial.  I had never put any thought as to how it affected my life.  Afterall, it happened 50 years ago, and I didn't know anyone who died there.  But as they began the presentation explaining how that was the turning point and was the day the US entered WWII, it hit me like lightning.  Because of this one single event, my whole life has been affected, as well as the life of my Father, and my Grandmother.  After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Kenneth George Patterson, my paternal Grandfather joined the Navy.  He served on the USS Indianapolis and was struck down by a Japanese sub on July 30, 1945 leaving behind a 24 year old wife, and a four year old son (my Dad).  I am not ashamed to say I shed a few tears today on this memorial as I realized just how much the  attack on Pearl Harbor has affected my life. 

Today I pray for those families whose husbnads, sons, and brothers died  to protect my freedom.  Thank you Grandpa Patterson for your sacrifice so that your great grandchildren could live in

"the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Hawaii * Day 2

We woke up this morning before 6:00 am trying to adjust to the time change.  We were outside playing and walking around the grounds by 8:00am and swimming by 9:00am.  After swimming, we showered and got ready for the day, and checked out.  We re-loaded up the truck and set off for Punaluu where the condo is.  This is the view from the condo....and no it is not zoomed!

Our view from the living room is GORGEOUS and when we open the screen door we just all relax listening to the ocean waves.  It truly is paradise!

Hawaii * Day 1

When I tell you we looked like the circus....I am not kidding at all!  Our luggage was insane.  We checked in 11 bags total, and carried on 9 pieces.  The logistics were crazy as we waited outside the terminal for Paul to bring the rental truck around.  The TSA guy said he hoped we had a U-Haul....I laughed and said "if you only knew".

However....the headache was worth it!  We arrived at the Makaha Valey Resort about 3:00 PM and this was our view!!!

 The resort is nestled right up against the mountains in the Makaha Valley.  It was absolutely stunning.

Tomorrow we check out to go to the condo we will be staying at for the next 5 nights.



Last Day of School

Ususally the last day of school is cause for celebration, but that was not the case this particular year.  This year it was cause for a few tears of sadness as the kids said good-bye to some very important people and friends that have been part of their lives during our San Diego Adventure.  

The Evensen's lived across the street from us and loved Elsa, Jax, and "Claire Bear".

Then to add a little lemon juice to our already aching papercuts, The Bitton's and The Evan's showed up to say farewell to the kids.  The kids handled it much better than the Mom's did...they said "have fun in Japan" as if it were up the street and they would talk about their trip tomorrow.  Us Mom's....we were crying like babies as we realized this was the last time they would run around outside, play tag, turn cartwheels, and tell "knock knock" jokes.

 Then the friends left, and shortly after our kids' left for Las Vegas with Grandpa and Grandma Shupe for Cousin Camp!