Hawaii: Kaena Point Hike

Yesterday Jakob, Levi and I hiked to Kaena Point. It's the corner of Oahu where the west shore and the north shore meet. It was a long hike with a few challenging areas. The boys did great even though it was really hot (there was hardly any shade along the trail) and it was over 2 hours of hiking. 

You can see the end of the trail, way at the end of the island ...

There were lots of interesting cliffs and paths to take:

Steep and narrow areas:

Whales in the water along the way:

We were very happy to make it to the end and take a little break:

A monk seal hanging out in a little pool:

Albatross flying and nesting near by:

Great view of the west and north shores meeting:

Time to head back:

It was a great hike! HOT as can be, but fun and lots to see.

Hawaii: Week 11

This past week we said good bye to the last of our vacation buddies, as Josh, Amanda and the girls left on Wednesday.

Sunday we went into Waikiki and spent the day with Josh, Amanda, Stella and Lucy. We hung out at their pool and on the beach and lagoon by their hotel. We rented a stand up paddle board and spent most of the day trying it out.

It was really fun. I loved the paddle board! The kids enjoyed it too.

After a great day in the sun, we went out for dinner and then for a walk along the beach.

We took a lot of pictures of the kids and each of our families as the sun was setting:

The rest of the week was spent on the beach! We can't get enough of the beach - everyone loves the sand and waves:

One day it's really calm:

The next day the waves are huge:

Then back to calm - I love how the ocean changes each day!

Hawaii: Pearl Harbor

Saturday we went to Pearl Harbor. We visited the USS Bowfin Submarine and museum & the USS Missouri Battleship. It was a great learning experience for the boys. They all really liked both the submarine and the battleship. There are 3 or 4 other ships and memorials that you can also go to at Pearl Harbor, but we decided to just do those 2.

The USS Bowfin submarine:

Lots of fun gadgets to play with:

Michael took this picture through the scope on the submarine:

The USS Missouri Battleship:

It was huge!

Captain Zack:

After Pearl Harbor we met Josh, Amanda, Stella and Lucy for supper at 

the Cheesecake Factory.

Yum!

Hawaii:Week 10

This past week was all about swimming! Swimming at the beach, swimming at the pool, swimming in the tide pools & more swimming at the beach! The weather this past week was amazing. Beautiful, sunny, hot days - all week long. Perfect for hanging out at the beach. 

Jakob is getting so good at gliding in on his boogie board and then catching the wave back. The bigger wave, the better for Jake!

Jake and Uncle Jerry in the waves:

The pool at Oma and Opas was a highlight this week. Lots of fun afternoons in the pool:

The boys showed Oma, Opa and Uncle Jerry the tide pool by our house. 

We all took turns jumping in:

Jake:

Amy:

Levi:

Zack:

Uncle Jerry:

Jake again:

Opa:

More boogie boarding!

Levi is the master at riding a wave in on his boogie board!

Levi teaching Zack how it's done:

Opa and Levi swimming with a sea turtle. The turtle was less than 6 feet away from them. Very cool experience for Levi!

Just a little example of how the boys spend their time at the beach: