More Beach & Everyone Else Finally Arrives

On Saturday morning some of us got up and rode over to the farmer's markets with Tutu and Papa.  Lots of veg and fruit and good local eats.  We picked up some chocolate chip danishes from KTA and some bentos and then we were off to the beach.

We tried to go to Mauna Kea but didn't get an early enough start to get a beach pass, so we ended up at Hapuna.  Which is fine, because it's the best. The kids had all kinds of fun again.  Swimming, snorkeling, sand time, boogie boarding, etc.

That evening the Christian and Shandra's made it to the Big Island, after an ordeal on the crap local Go! airline.  They got picked up, we ate dinner, then Courtney and I headed down to the airport to pick up Rob and Dustin.  Hooray.  The next morning we woke up and headed to church.  We walked around the block to church.  Beautiful.  

 When we got home this guy was waiting for us:

We had a big nice lunch and then we headed out for a walk on Mana Road.  Always a favorite.  The kids had a great time running and burrowing in the grass:

 Betsy cracked me up with her flailing arm run.  The best:

After the walk the Rob's and Courtney's headed down to Puako to watch the sunset.  Courtney and I recall the tide pools teeming with sea life back in the day, but not so anymore.  Rob thinks we are on crack, but I think we are right.  We now refer to the lifelessness of Puoko and Puakolypse (thank you Rob).  Despite Puakolypse we had a lovely time and it was as beautiful as ever. 

 

Hawaii!!!

The day after school got out we were off for our first adventure of the summer.  Court and I headed out before Rob.  We were delayed in Reno and I was a bit nervous we would miss our connection in LA until I took my xanax, and then I was fine, fine, fine.  A note on xanax:  I have always hated flying, but for awhile I was ok, and then recently I wasn't ok at all.  AT ALL.  I would get off a flight and have a massive headache and would be drenched in sweat and I was a wreck.  So I talked to a doctor.  Now, when I fly, I sleep.  Great when you are flying alone, but with kids a bit more complicated.  But it makes it so I can fly, so....anyway.....

Well we made our connection in LA with just enough to time grab a bite to eat and use the toilets and then we were off.

 We got in at 7, HOORAY!

The next morning the kids explored under the house and in the garage they found a Jackson chameleon:

Then it was off to Hapanua which turned out to be one of our best beach days (it was windy and cloudy and choppy a lot).  We swam to the cove, snorkled, played in the blow hole, boogie boarded, and enjoyed every second: