Hawaii Part VI: Going to the Big Island/KMC

We flew to The Big Island Tuesday and stayed through Thursday afternoon. That was definitely a highlight of the trip. We stayed at the Kiluaea Military Camp right in Volcano National Park.

We stopped at Laupahoehoe Harbor on the way to KMC.






These tiny little shells were all over the jagged rocks.



Pretty Flower


KMC had a playground that both of the girls enjoyed.






Both nights we were there we toasted Marshamallows. Andy and Mike were the master roasters, but I tried my hand at a couple.


To celebrate Kathy's birthday (and mine too), Carolyn and I baked a cake. Carolyn, of course, had to sample it.


And who gets to say they have gone bowling on a volcano? I do!!!

Hawaii Part V: Ko Olina

One of our favorite spots, and the one where we spent the most time was the beach at Ko Olina. It was a perfect spot for the girls to play in the water because, while we could see and hear the surf not far away, there was a lagoon protecting us from the waves. Carolyn loved splashing in the water, and especially playing in the sand. Abbie wasn't too sure about it all the first day, but when we went back at the end of the week, she lit up when I dipped her in the water.

Incidentally, this was the same spot where we got to go snorkeling. I am a huge wimp about swimming in the ocean, and it took me several tries to acclimate, but we saw some amazing and beautiful fish when I finally got the hang of things. I mean--like Nemo fish! Also a really freaky kind of fish called the 'needle fish.' I did not like him. No not at all..... (And I must say, before I got the hang of things, I was pleased to note that yes all those swimming lessons did pay off because I am, in fact, capable of swimming like mad towards shore when I am panicked).

Ok, back to the photos.... can I just say, that the swimsuits that Grandma K. picked out are just incredibly, incredibly adorable. I couldn't get over them. I can't wait til they can wear them again.



Abbie modeling her bikini. (Her itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny pink Abigail bikini..... ok I get carried away).



Carolyn marching up the beach. As Grandma K. says, "EVERY girl needs to wear beads to the beach!"



Carolyn loved being buried in sand. Of course several baths later we were still finding more. ;)







Carolyn takes on the open water.





Then back to the sand to warm up.





A sea urchin washed in far enough that we could see him in the shallowest part of the lagoon. We (illegally, oops!) scooped him up to get a closer look in our bucket, and then put him back where we found him.






More fun in the sun.


Abbie had a habit of falling asleep on the beach. The first day we went she nursed to sleep and she and I snuggled, she napped, and I watched the waves and enjoyed watching everyone else playing in and near the water. It was the first time in a long time that I was able to just sit and watch the waves, so I loved that as much as playing.


Life IS good.


The girls and I in the water.

And last, but not least, undoubtedly my favorite picture from the whole vacation.

Hawaii Part IV: The North Shore

The one thing I was most excited about seeing before we left for Hawaii was BIG WAVES. The North Shore did not fail to disappoint. We saw some incredibly enormous waves--big enough that Mom and Mike were even impressed.



We were all pretty much in awe.





The waves kept crashing over these rocks, which I hope you can tell, were in no way small little pebbles. They would wash completely over them.

Mike and Andy both worked hard to get the perfect photo of water completely filling the hole in the rocks.

Mike in his hiding spot trying to capture just the right moment.





They did pretty well, I'd say.

The girls got chilly, but Mom and Mike graciously let Andy and I take our time watching the waves, which provided some good photo ops for the two of us.




This is one of my favorites.

We moved on to another vantage to watch the waves. This time we stopped at Sunset Beach. Because the waves were SO VERY BIG there was a yellow "Do Not Cross" line stretched around the beach to keep people from going out and doing dangerous stuff. That was a bummer from the standpoint that we couldn't go walk on the beach, but it made for some great photos that made it look like we were the only ones there.







The sunset was also pretty amazing (Hence the name of the beach, I guess).


Carolyn was especially cute that evening all spiffed up in an adorable outfit from Gramma K complete with fabulous accessories.

Hawaii Part III The Pali Overlook/Pearl Harbor

Saturday afternoon we visited Pearl Harbor. We didn't actually go out to the U.S.S. Arizona, but we could see it from shore. The museum was very interesting, but made me think that this particular tourist activity was not great for Navy wives. Our sleepy kids kept me from being too dreary with the gravity of the subject, though.






Abbie wasn't quite sure what to think of the prickly grass.

From there we went to the Pali Overlook, which is supposed to be one of the prettiest views in the area.





Papa Mike and Gramma K walk the girls to the Pali outlook.



The view was incredible.



Sometimes the way the sun would stream through the mountains was gorgeous



It was quite windy up there.

Hawaiian Signage.

One of my favorite little parts of the trip was the quirky signs we encountered:



A danger of theft and bees at this park. But please adopt it.



Watch out for those pesky coconuts!



Don't build rock towers!



And volcanic fumes are dangerous?? (And yes.... my toddler and infant got a whiff or two of sulphur. Go ahead and Court of Motherhood me)