The Hanamaikai Ohana

 After a few days at Disneyland we headed NW,

to the central coast (Templeton), to see my brother Aaron

and his family.  They were such amazing hosts

and made our stay so much fun!!

We did some sight seeing, found a LIFE size

chess set (none of the kids really knew what they were

doing, but had fun anyway), and also hit the shell shop.

Ame loaded up on souveniers, and the boys each

got a SURFERS shell necklace, of which they have

been very proud to wear since we returned.

 

Once the weather warmed a bit, we headed to the beach.

I think the kids could LIVE in the sand.  There was no

hesitation, and they pretty much just dove right in.

And yes, Kaipo is the seaweed monster!

 

Lots of playing and sand castle building...

 

 

 

 

Ame has been very into the book/movie

Soul Surfer and was determined that she would

SURF...

she started out on the boogie board and took to that

without any hesitation. Quite the natural I would say!

 

After a battle with getting on the WET SUIT

(a must in the freezing ocean)

 

 

 

 I promised the kids I would give it a try too.

I had the best coach ever (Aaron is soo

patient).  He even gave up his wetsuit so I wouldn't

freeze and then when I wasn't getting up he

braved it and came out to help me, without one on.

Unfortunately, I had a lot of tumbles and this is

about as close to standing up on the board as I got?!

 

 



 

On the other hand, Kaipo had

 no problem standing right up on the board.

 

 

And the same for Ame.

These kids of mine really do need to

live near the ocean, or at least visit more often!

I love that they took to it so easily and

have such an interest in the ocean and surfing.

Being part Hawaiian they should, right?!

 And Ash, well he just had fun running around,

playing on the rocks and in the sand.

 After a fun couple of days in the sun,

we were able to celebrate sweet little

Kyle's 8th birthday.  We went out to eat

at this yummy and fun BBQ restaurant...

 

 

and then home for homemade yummy treats,

by his amazingly creative mom, Debbie.

 

 

We are soo appreciative to Aaron and Debbie

for accommodating our family soo graciously

and fulfilling Ame's dream to surf!

Thanks for giving up beds, shuffling

us around, and taking us to all the local sights.

We now have wonderful memories,

thanks to you and your special family!

We LOVE you guys!!

The next morning we headed North to Sacramento,

for a quick over night stop at Aunt Linda's.

Her and uncle Dennis were great hosts as well.

Then it was on the LONG road home.

Despite the length of this drive, the kids did

amazingly well and occupied themselves

with all sorts of movies, activities and snacks galore!

 

 

Although we would have loved to stop here...

 

 

It just did not fit into our schedule to stop.

Hopefully we will have a vacation there soon though?!

 

We made it home safe and sound, with wonderful memories

and grateful for all those who made this trip a success!!

Thank you most of all to Grandma and Grandpa for

traveling with us, spoiling us and helping to make this

such an AMAZING trip.

We couldn't have done it without YOU!