Mele Kalikimaka

The Sunday after Christmas we said our goodbyes in San Diego and drove a rental car up to LAX to board our flight to Kona, HI. We weren't kidding when we said that we were busy over the last few weeks.



As excited as we were to go HI I had been dreading the drive up to LAX and the long flights over and back with Rori for a long time. Rori has often been lovingly called "the worst car rider ever" by members of our family. She's hated car seats since Day 1 of her life. In addition to that both kids fought a stomach bug the week before we left for San Diego so little miss had been a little extra fussy and clingy lately. But I guess Rori wants to encourage our family adventure trips because she did fabulous on all car rides and flights of this segment of our trip. To say we were pleasantly surprised would be a major understatement. Kai was also a trooper so when we actually arrived in HI we were ready to enjoy.

The rest of Lance's family made the trip over at Thanksgiving but that is a tough time for Lance to be away from work. So we missed being with all of them this time. Kai probably especially missed the cousins. But, it was really neat to just get to be our own little family on vacation for awhile though. We have been blessed to get to go on many amazing trips as a family but going to the condo where you are almost forced to just relax and take it easy was much needed and appreciated actual vacation.

Lance's Aunt and Mom did overlap with us for our last few days though so that was fun. Especially because Lance's Mom knows all the yummy places to eat and fun things to do. Plus she and Wendy volunteered to watch the kids one night so we could have a date night. That was wondeful. When we came back the kids looked like they were having a blast and Wendy had even taught them some sign language.

We flew back on the red eye Wed. night/ Th. morning and poor Lance went right in to work. The kids did great and seem to be right back in to their routine today. They both slept great on the flights. Lance and I may need a few more naps seeing as we aren't as great at sleeping on planes.

We had a wondeful time and are grateful for the wonderful memories. Many thanks to Lance's parents for letting us use the Condo which allowed us to go on this adventure!

Rori Ready For the Sun (she often isn't big on strollers either but snacks help):


We Love Riding on the Boat at the Hilton:




Fun on the Slides:




And Fun in the Condo Grass with Dad:




On Our Almost Daily Walk to the Local Shops:




Hitting the Beach:










Our 2X Day Pool Trips to Grandma and Grandpa's Pool:




And We Played in the Pugh's Pools Too One Day:






Watching the Sunset:










Our Day Trip Around the Island to the Volcano and Hilo:
(The air was too polluted at the Volcano to get out or cars so after seeing some steam coming from the ground we kept going. It was raining by Hilo which is the wettest city in the US and one the wettest cities in the world. The drive from Hilo back to the Condo was beautiful and green with occasional glimpses of waterfalls. The kids found it made them a little sleepy)








At Church Where They Sang to Us and Gave Us Each a Lei:




Going to Dinner at Tommy Bahamas:






Celebrating the New Year - no need to remove your goggles ever:


With Grandma and Wendy (Rori not wanting to take a picture):


And A Bunch That We Just Think Are Fun: