Hawaii Day 3 & 4

On day 3 we decided to rent some surf boards and try out a new beach.

We tried to have fun, but it didn't last very long.  This beach was VERY WINDY!  The sand from the beach felt like pins & needles on our arms and legs.

So the next day we decided to head back to the beach where the kids learned to swim. Aaron and Kiana did some more snorkeling and Andrea tried to share some of her new surfing knowledge with Kiana.

Fun with the Family

 Thanks Seth, for helping us carry all of our things. 

Good Eats & New Friends!

Not only did we find some great pizza for Seth's birthday, we also found some other amazing food spots to try while in Kauai.  Here are some of a few . . . .

 Andrea ordered "Pups in the Mud" (aka sliced hot dogs & chili)

 Jo Jo's Shaved Ice

WOW!  Choose from 60 Flavors--YUM!

 BBQing homemade hamburgers

This food item was a cross between a corn dog and a hot dog with a yummy sweet filling.

Bubba's Burgers!

Awesome burgers plus a souvenir hat!

We all scream for ice cream!

We also made some new friends . . . . 

(Chickens roam freely in Hawaii and the birds LOVE to be fed!)

Hawaii Day 2

Our second day in Hawaii we spent time viewing some sites, doing a little souvenir shopping, and of course playing at the beach!

History:  Hawaiian legend states this coastal area was once protected by a giant lizard (“mo’o” in Hawaiian). A young man named Liko challenged the lizard since it threatened everyone who came to fish or swim nearby. Liko thrust a sharp stick into the lizard’s mouth and then jumped into the water to lure the mo’o to the ocean. Underwater, Liko swam through a small hole leading to the surface. When the lizard followed, it got stuck in the lava tube, or blowhole. Every time the Spouting Horn blasts into the air, you can hear her roar and see the lizard spray her breath from the blowhole.  

Running from the waves!

Snorkeling!

Happy 16th!

It's not everyday that you get to spend your birthday in Hawaii.  Seth turned 16 while we were on vacation, so we tried to make it extra special for him.  Of course we let him pick the restaurant for dinner.  He choose PIZZA! (Big Surprise!!!)

How old is Seth?

91?  61?  1?  9?  6?  19?

16!

A new tie, a gift card to the movies & Taco Bell, candles, pizza, soda, candy and family put a smile on this guy's face!

Watch out--Seth can now date & drive!

Surf Lessons

The one thing that Andrea & Seth chose to do in Hawaii was to take surfing lessons.  After 2 hours of instruction and practice they were able to ride a wave into shore.  It was so much fun watching them have fun and learn something new!

Watching the surfers . . . . 

Surfing wore Seth out!

Helicopter Ride

Safari Helicopters

The one thing I wanted to do in Hawaii was to go on a helicopter ride around the island.  Andrea decided she would go with me on my wild adventure.  (Aaron doesn't do well with heights, small spaces, or air vehicles.)

Here I am so excited about my upcoming ride.

That's our helicopter

Here we go . . . . 

And We're Off!

Great views from Above!

We saw so many great and wonderful views.
These pictures really don't capture the true beauty we saw.

It was amazing!

Na Pali Coast

Hanalei Bay

 Tropical Rainforest of Hanalei Valley

I could have stayed up there all afternoon!
Andrea was a trooper.
Halfway through the tour, she was not feeling too well,
but I had a BLAST!

Hawaii Day 1

Kauai

The Garden Island

We made it to Kauai!  Grandma Ruth & Grandpa Mike went with us on our vacation.  They have an awesome timeshare on Poipu that they generously shared with us.  

What a view!

What's the first thing you do when you go to Hawaii . . . .

you head to the beach.  

On our first walk, we came across some surfers.  After watching for a while we noticed that one of them was missing an arm.  Yes, the original girl from the movie Soul Surfer was surfing at the beach near our hotel.  She was attracting quite a crowd, 

so we stopped to watch her--amazing!

Of course the weather was perfect and we took many opportunities to enjoy being outdoors.

Swimming was one of the first things on Kiana's list.  She spent many hours in the pool!