Mahalo

Thanks to Amber and Steve for such a wonderful vacation. We loved every minute of it and the kids are already asking when we can go back. Anyone have a money tree growing in their yard that they want to share? Here are the pics from the last few days. When I got home and uploaded all my pictures, I noticed quite a layer of sea spray on the lens of my camera, hence the slightly hazy pics. Bummer!
Spencer at the Swapmeet. He and Kennady were my best shoppers. Austin, Dave and Cydnee were done in about 5 minutes the first day, so Kennady, Spencer, Grandma and I went back another day when we could take as long as we wanted. We found some real treasures!
Havyn and Cydnee Hawaiian girls
Madi, Kennady and Taylor found this cool tree at one of the beaches and then wanted to go back to that exact spot every day after that and were so bummed when we couldn't.
Spencer, Austin and Cole getting buried.
Cydnee on our snorkeling trip.
Kennady at Waikiki Beach.

Waikiki Beach
This girl loves the beach!
Amber was in charge of their ward Primary Easter activity and had a great turnout and lots of fun for the kids. I think Kennady is the only Haole in this particular race.
All the kids at Kailua beach.
Kailua again. Madi, Austin and Taylor
Dave and Austin doing a little body surfing.
We took a beautiful, albeit muddy hike to Maunawili Falls (Amber- correct me on the spelling if I'm wrong.)
Kennady at the falls.
Dave took a little spill on the way back. It rained- like monsoon type rain- on the way back down and all of us got completely soaked and muddy.
More Beach Days. Kennady and Taylor
Cole and Austin caught a bunch of crabs and fish
Havyn and Cydnee getting sand all through their hair once again and loving every minute of it.
Looks like a Toyota commercial, huh?
Austin and Madi
Steve had to go to Korea while we were there and brought all the kids back these cool socks.
The Easter Bunny found the kids clear over in Hawaii!
Instead of wild deer and elk like we see in Utah, we saw wild pigs and lot of wild chickens and roosters.
Buddhist temple we visited on our Sunday afternoon drive.
Pali Lookout.
We were so sad to come home to a blizzard and splashed out to the van in our flip flops and shorts. We'll remember this trip forever. Mahalo Amber and Steve!

Swimming with ....

Saltwater Piranhas. Not really. Out captain was trying to freak us out. But, check out those teeth!
Sharks! Way freaky, but also cool as long as they stay this far away!
Turtles.
And one up close. Those fish are cleaning off their shells.
Rays.
Dolphins. Dave, Tif, Austin and Spencer got to swim right in the middle of them and it was amazing!
So beautiful.
Lots and lots of pretty fish.What a fabulous day!

Haoles in Hawaii

Monday in Hanauma Bay. The water was so beautiful and the kids had a blast learning how to snorkel for the first time. We saw lots of beautiful fish and Dave even saw a turtle!
Although Cydnee didn't snorkel, she loved goofing around on her cool body board with the see through hole. What a great idea, huh?
Dad helping Kennady gear up.
The traditional cheesy family pic at the beach.
This is what the kids run to as soon as we get home.
Turtle Beach on Tuesday at the North Shore. This huge one was the only one on the beach, but we saw lots in the water swimming around. So cool!
Cheesy family picture at the beach take 2.
Laie Temple. It's been closed for over a year for renovations so people around here have to fly to Kona to go to a temple.
Tuesday at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Posing with our tats. Dad threatened them all that if they ever got a real one, they'd be DEAD MEAT!
Cydnee in New Zealand with the poi balls.
Kennady's woven fish in Samoa.
Canoe Pageant. I love it here!
Whose child is this anyway? You couldn't have paid any of my other kids to let a complete stranger hold them at this age, much less one of this size, but Cydnee actually WANTED to have her picture taken with him.
Fishing in Tonga.
Dave and Austin won the spear throwing competition and were awarded these beautiful leis.
Spencer is already so sad each day asking me how many days we have left and not wanting to leave. Cydnee said she wants to live here forever. It is a little bit surreal- like living a dream.