December

4-H field trip to zoo lights

hb is a good homework helper

quick cousin visit after christmas

HB loves the squid too!

Hawaii Day 7, Christmas day, heading home

view from our balcony

breakfast!

 last swim before packing up

at the airport - super cute little airport!

not too tired to open presents!

Hawaii Day 6 Christmas Eve in Kona

The Royal Kona was quite nice, no beach, but a nice lagoon to swim in.  

Rented Boogie boards and made a shorter trip to Magice Sands Beach - which was nice, but a bit crowded with some big waves!

Fabulous noodle place for dinner!

christmas palm tree!

Hawaii Day 5 - Hilo to Kona

 Kaitlyn finally got some pool time in at out Hilo hotel before check out.  some pretty scenery from the pool.

we stopped at Laupahoehoe state park - i could have stayed for hours watching the waves crash on the rocks.  even the kids were a bit entranced.  there was a memorial there to those killed in a tsunami in thsunami in 1946.

 Found a kitty at the Waipi'o Valley lookout.

yummmm

 Beach time at Hapuna Beach State Park.  We got there too late to rent Boogie boards, but Matthew managed to smile sweetly and borrow them!

Matthew settling in with soldiears at our Kona hotel. 

Hawaii Day 4 - Hilo and parts north

In the morning I took a short run near our hotel where there was a nice park with lots of kitties! No pictures because it was pouring rain and i just had my phone and i didn't want to get it even wetter.  but i love to run in the rain and it was a nice warm rain.  We then headed north and went to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.  I am not much of a fan of looking at plants, but they had some neat ones and absolutely fabulous views of the ocean.    

We had lunch at a little place that made smoothies with fresh papaya - yumm

 Ventured around to a few more waterfalls and found an antique glass store.

we tried to go here but the line was long and the kids didn't want to wait.  macadamia nut pancakes for dinner!