We just returned from a wonderful vacation to the big Island of Hawaii. We spent 9 days exploring the whole island from the waterfalls, to the ocean, to the volcanoes. OUr first 3 days were spent in Hilo. This is considered the rainy side of the island. We rented a house (we traveled with another family so there were 8 of us) and used that as our base for exploring the waterfalls and volcanos of the island. I will do a whole post on the volcanoes, so here are some of the sights from Hilo...
The house we rented. We had a great view of the ocean and there was a lava flow right next to the house that the kids thought was really cool. The neighborhood also had it's own private champagne ponds...
These were small tide pools fed by the ocean that are actually quite warm
Dan really enjoyed snorkeling here and the kids loved seeing sea turtles that swam by
Hilo had many beautiful waterfalls that were just short walks, which was great for our crew. The first waterfall we visited was Akaka Falls
The walk to the waterfall was lush and beautiful
We were told the path was paved...we didn't know that it was all stairs, so no strollers on this walk
On the walk we saw these huge banyon trees
Inside the banyon tree
All four of the kids in the banyon tree
Ian stops to smell the flowers
Finally at the falls
They were beautiful!
Our family shot
We also visited Rainbow fall....It was a somewhat rainy day, so no rainbows, just a pretty waterfall
A short walk from the falls was an even bigger banyon tree
This one was really fun to explore
We also got some really yummy shaved ice in Hilo
Emma had a lot of admirers when she got the first shave ice
Ian thought it was really good!
Emma decided to play hide and seek
We saw some great waves on this side of the island, but no really good beaches because of all the volcanic rock.
Next up...our search for volcanos and Emma's elusive search for hot lava.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Our Hawaiian Vacation-Hilo
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Filoli Fall Festival
Our family is so excited for fall! We headed out to a nearby mansion that was holding a fall festival to enjoy the nice weather and have a "taste" of all things fall.
Why is it that I can't get both children to look at the same????
I got Emma to look, but Ian was all done smiling!
Tasting Apple cider
Emma thought it was too "spicy"
Then we went to taste all the varieties of apples in their orchard
There were a lot of apples to sample
Ian is a Daddy's boy right now!
There were some fun tractors for the kids to climb on
Emma was really excited about finding a pumpkin
While she decorated....
Ian sampled some fresh popcorn
After he had his fill of popcorn, he decided to check out the pumpkins, too!
This was a great way to spend a fall day!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Butterfly Birthday
We were invited to a really fun birthday party with a butterfly theme this weekend!
When we arrived, there a fun craft to make colorful butterflies
The swing was really popular with all the kids
The little trikes were fun too....For Emma.....
and
Ian
We enjoyed some yummy pizza
And then it was time for...
The pinata!
Emma tried the one-handed approach
and then when two handed
After the pinata was opened,
It was time for cake
Blowing out the candles
Beautiful Birthday Girl
Z enjoying some cake
Holding hands, waiting for a turn on the swing
When we got home, Emma opened her party favor....Ladybugs that we let go in the backyard!
Ian Cuteness
With Emma at school, Ian and I have had some fun times together, just the 2 of us. Here are a few fun pictures from around the house.
Ian's favorite place to sit right now is on the bottom step. 
Daddy did another donut run this weekend. Ian wonders why Daddy keeps taking pictures of him while eating donuts!
Ian really likes playing with the music cube....
He really likes it when Emma is not around, because this is still one of her favorites, too
Monday, September 6, 2010
There is more to Gilroy than just Garlic
Yesterday we headed to Gilroy (the Garlic capital of the world) for a day of fun. We first headed to Gilroy Gardens, a fun children's amusement park to ride a few rides. 
Ian enjoyed the strawberry ride (he enjoys any ride that he does not have to ride by himself)
Emma wanted a picture of her bunny, which accompanied her on each ride
Emma enjoyed a pony ride (which included cow girl dress up)
While Ian enjoyed his own "horsie"
Everyone had a little fun on the hay horses
Daddy and Ian
Emma poses
There was also a petting zoo, that we looked at through the fence
We met up with some friends- Ian and Zachary
Emma and Kaylie
We tried a few more rides, but the park got crowded really quickly, so we headed for a fun lunch at Sonic (the closest one to us for hundreds of miles). Oh Cherry Limeade, how we love you!
We then headed to the outlet mall, but left quickly because it was really crowded, also... Emma and Ian did enjoy one more ride there, though.
