Hawaii - Big Island (Part 1)

On November 20th we hopped on the plane in Juneau and headed north to Anchorage! We were on our way to Hawaii :)

We were greeted by a few polar bears~

Andrew was a little more cautious. . .

We had a 5 hour lay over in Anchorage before our flight headed south to sunny Honolulu. During this layover we headed to the Anchorage Museum. They have an incredible kids section! Complete with making giant bubbles!

And interactive toys for the kids - Andrew loved the water table and train station.

Even us adults were getting in on the fun! Surround yourself with a giant bubble - why not?!?

Experimenting with air!

More giant bubbles!

After a long flight we made it to Honolulu! Of course we had to head down the street from our hotel and check out the ocean!

Total excitement!

Day 1

Early then next morning we flew over to the Big Island of Hawaii - we were met by Granny (Viki), Auntie Randi and Uncle Todd! We were staying at Granny's house on the Hilo side of the island. We headed to the Farmers Market for some fresh goodies - bread, fruit, veggies and thai food! After lunch we headed down to Coconut Island to let the kids burn some energy.

Mark and Uncle Todd catching up

Andrew and Granny checking out the water

Warm water!!

Getting right in the sand and water!

Very independent little man right here!

LOL!!

It was also Auntie Randi's Birthday! We had a birthday Mexican dinner and a party complete with rainbow cake!

We were celebrating all of the November Birthdays - Caitlin, Andrew, Randi and Todd!

Day 2

Turkey Day!! We all spent a day in the kitchen prepping for a delicious dinner :)

Uncle Todd found Caitlin and Andrew a little friend!

The delicious turkey turned out pretty incredible!

And while food cooked in the kitchen - Granny and Mark kept the little ones busy making turkey treats!

We are so blessed to be able to travel to spend Thanksgiving with family- it was a treat that all of us were able to be there at the same time :)

Day 3

We drove up to the Volcanoes National Park. The steam was flowing out of the crater :)

Hey aren't we missing someone??

Oh there she is! Sticking with her Auntie Randi!!

Pretty impressive!

The whole gang!

We took a little drive down the Crater Rim Drive to the Thurston Lava Tub~

A dark tunnel and a happy boy!

Here we go!

Next stop - Punalu'u Black Sand Beach! We were so impressed by Miss Caitlin - she rocked the snorkeling and jumped right in!

Beach time with Granny!

Quite possibly my favorite picture of the whole trip - snorkel dude!

Auntie Randi, Caitlin and Mark - headed out to snorkel

There were turtles on land and in the water!

Andrew and Uncle Todd building sand castles!

After the beach we headed to our favorite Punalu'u Bake Shop for an ice-cream treat and Auntie Randi got lei'd!

On our drive home we stopped to see the volcano at night - you can see the glow of lava! While we were there the lava was still below the crest.

Day 4

We took the drive up to Akaka Falls~

Ahhhh - I love this guy!

Uncle Todd, Auntie Randi, Granny, Andrew and me!

Me and my favorite boy~

Me and my favorite girl!!

We made it!

Caitlin hitching a ride with her Daddy on the way back! Of course we had to stop and get ice-cream on the way back to the beaches~Traditions!!

A little sister and brother love!

We found a beautiful local beach on our drive back~ Honoli'í Beach~

Pretty cool to watch the surfers!

We headed back to Coconut Island to spend some time in the water - this area is a little more kid friendly in the water! There was time for sand structures with Auntie Randi!

And boats for Andrew!

Lots of swimming!

This was hilarious! Uncle Todd and Auntie Randi were playing tag/tackle/keep away with Andrew! He loved every single minute of it! Not only did it wear him out but it entertained him for a loooong time~

And Caitlin and her Daddy just kept swimming away the whole time!

This is a very HAPPY boy right here!

Can you see us???

Now you can! We all made it up in the tree~

 Day 5

We drove the Saddle Road from Hilo over to Kona and spent the day at Hapuna Beach. Paradise right here! Caitlin loved the surf and spent 90% of her day in the water! Andrew took a little longer to warm up to the bigger waves but loved the sand. And by the end of the day he was right there with Caitlin in the water.

Andrew's silly side :)

A BIG hold can be very entertaining!

Surfer girl today!

We stayed at the beach until sunset and the kids played in the water until we left - tired kidos!

Running from the surf~

To his hole!

Spending every last moment in the water.

Later that night at the hotel Uncle Todd found a little gecko!

Gentle!

  Day 6

We went to the Puúhonua o Honaunau culture center. This is a self tour of traditional Royal Ground and Place of Refuge. When we arrived it was super hot and we made it to #1 on the marker. . .

When snorkelers and scuba divers caught our sights!

And TURTLES!!

So we decided to finish the tour (but honestly it went a little quicker after seeing the water!) Cutie!

Time for a game!

Our little Hawaiian princess!

She found a crab~(Oh if you're wondering where Andrew is, he was asleep in the car with Granny for all of this!)

A temple on the ocean with guardians protecting the grounds~

 Heleipalala - spring water and salt water ponds that held fish for the royalty

And then it was time for the water - as it turns out this was one of the best snorkeling places! There was an abundance of fish along the reef, turtles and the best - DOLPHINS!!! It is called "Two Step"for the two steps that you use to get into the water easily. I would highly recommend this place if you are visiting Hawaii!

Beach time=Sand time!

Happy with his boat!

Break time from snorkeling!

The dolphins were out a little ways - Randi and Mark went out first, second Mark and I  and then Mark and Viki. First the dolphins were feeding their babies so they stayed down under water for a bit. But after a bit they were jumping and spinning in the water.

Andrew found a pool just his size!

 

ON our drive home we were on a mission to find Kona coffee - we found more than just coffee! We found Sudy's! Not only did she have her own roasted coffee but she had a wildlife sanctuary! Complete with buffalo, zebra, long horn cattle, wild boar, tons of wild pigs, cats, chickens, roosters and more!

 Day 7

Family photo op!

LOVE!!

Kaumana Caves - Lava Tubes! These are right behind Granny's house. 

Heading down into the caves~

I had no idea how far we would make it with the kids. Andrew was more cautious about the darkness and Granny, Andrew and I headed back to the car after a bit. Caitlin marched onward with Daddy, Auntie Randi and Uncle Todd.

Spelunking!

Beautiful flowers everywhere!

Last but not least we headed to the Hilo Zoo.

We had a blast in Hilo and spending time with family. Thank you Granny for opening up your home to six extra people! What a blessed Thanksgiving we had!

Up next. . .  More Hilo Pictures by Randi (Part 2) check back soon!