Kua Bay

I think we may have found our favorite beach! All the locals have been suggesting this beach to us. We tried it out today. Wow, WOW, WOW! What an amazing beach! Fine white sand, that feels like powder, great waves, not too big but big enough, and the CLEAREST water! It looked like a swimming pool! We spent FOUR hours in the water, running out just to get more sunscreen on! It's called Kua Bay Beach. I give it 2 thumbs up, 4 stars, an A+!

These pictures are all taken in the ocean, not a pool!

Honaunau

We took a break from the beaches today and took a drive to Pu'uhonau o Honaunau! Otherwise known as Place of Refuge.

First of all the drive there was AMAZING! The further South you drive, the more green and lush it gets. Solid plants and flowers, cloudy and drizzly the whole way. We passed quaint little towns and several coffee farms. We stopped at the Kona Macadamia Nut and Candy Factory. It was a cute little place. The kids shelled some macadamia nuts, and we got to see the tons and tons of nuts there that they harvest. We had to buy some, and man are they good! :) We also just had to try the chocolate covered nuts, which are also YUMMY!

Place of Refuge was an ancient place were lawbreakers could go to redeem themselves. If you want to read all about it, click here.

For us it was a really cool place to walk around, see how the Hawaiians lived LONG ago, and see some really beautiful sights.

Our kids loved the tikis

Kaycee took this pictures and was so proud of the reflection she caught in the water.

An ancient Hawaiin game called Konane. It's a little like checkers.

Out on the lava that runs right into the sea.

Tiki's again!

The structures here that are the same as they would have been hundreds of years ago.

Pointing out the fish and crabs in the ponds.

It's amazing to walk on this cooled lava rock. It looks liquid, but it's rock solid.

Hapuna Beach

Hapuna Beach is half a mile long, and 200 feet wide. Fine golden sand slopes gradually into the ocean. We had a GREAT morning boogie boarding here!

Pololu Valley

We hiked Pololu Valley. It was so pretty! You descend 400 feet in less than 1/2 a mile! The switchbacks either have you facing the amazing sight of the coast, or the gorgeous valley. It wasn't too bad getting down. When we got to the bottom, we were surprised to find a playground, Hawaiian style! There were rope swings, tetter totters and a tire swing tied to enormous trees that were right on the shore. The beach is breathtaking, although not safe for swimming. The hike back up wasn't' too bad, but it does get your heart rate up!

Blogger apparently is having trouble uploading pictures today, so click here to see the pictures.

Snorkeling

We went to an amazing snorkeling place today! Kahalu'u Beach. Wow! Just hop in the super nice water (not too hot, not too cold, but just right) and take off. It's shallow and protected from the big waves. The water is crystal clear, so the second you put your face in the water you see all kinds of fish! And they are big and so colorful! There was even a turtle swimming there too. The kids loved it!

Friday

Today was Lauren's 8th grade promotion.

Congratulations! Your now on to high school!

Lauren being promoted

Lauren and Dad

Lauren and Mom

Lauren and Kaitlyn

Ok, I just have to say, how beautiful is she?

Enjoying Pat & Oscars after promotion

We ran up to the Elementary School this morning also to see Sydney get honor roll!

Thursday

Thursday was Sydney's 5th grade Promotion! She received the Presidential Award for Academics, which meant she was on honor roll each semester for 4th and 5th grade, and she received the Presidential Award for Citizenship, which meant she was chosen by her peers to receive that award. Way to go Sydney!

Sydney and her Promotion awards

Sydney's great teacher, Mrs. Papagolos

Sydney and Alexa

Julia, Sydney, Audrey and Abby. These girls were all in the same kindergarten class!

I couldn't find a picture of Julia in kindergarten, but here is Sydney, Abby and Audrey way back in kindergarten.

Sydney

Abby

Audrey

Sydney, Natalie and Lauren

Being promoted

Presidential Academic Award

Presidential Citizenship award

Also on Thursday was Kaycee's Chorus party at Mulligans. Sydney came too and got to be with some of her good friends from class. Kaycee said it was the best day ever, and now wants to do chorus every year (just so she can have this party at the end! :) )

Kaycee on the tea cups

Sydney and Kaycee on a ride

Mini golfing