Hi friends and family! Can it really be almost September?? Here are a few snippets of the summer that has gone by way too fast: We hauled our lawn chairs a couple of blocks to watch the Capitol Lakefair parade, which was quite the spectacle of music, dancing and beauty queens (??? - Melina called them fairies which was fine by me). We also went to Hawaii to celebrate my dad's 75th and 76th birthdays! We stayed very close to one of the most amazing reefs on the Big Island and Morgan and I got to take turns sneaking away to snorkel it, AND we got both kiddos into the water a lot! Melina was worried at first and needed to be bribed with ice cream to go in past her ankles, but by the end of the week, we couldn't get her out of the water. The beach near the house we rented had the most lovely little cove for playing in, which Melina named the Mermaid Lagoon. Our big adventure for the week was traveling to the Hilo side of the island to visit my old stomping grounds, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! I'm sad to report that we did not see any Nene, but I was tickled to see my old coworkers featured in an exhibit at the Visitors Center. Melina was thrilled to get a National Parks Passport and we can't wait to keep getting stamps as we visit more parks, near and far.
Summer baby.
Enjoying the parade with Auntie Hallie!
Waiting for the show to start.
So exciting!!
Snacks were had.
The Olympia Highlanders! It made us miss our family in Scotland.
So much fun!
Fairies abound!
Melina has also been playing soccer - which she has been loving!
Elliott likes picking up the cones.
Exploring our new Hood (Canal) with friends!
Checking out the Nisqually Delta with Auntie Melissa!
Hiking with Papa.
Getting a lift.
Mangoes from the tree in our yard in Hawaii!
It was a beautiful place.
Open air dining room!
This tree!
The kiddos loved it.
Our home for the week.
These little fellas were everywhere!
Beachy sandy fun!
Hello sea turtle!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!
Hale ma'u ma'u! When I lived there I used to hike across the crater that now is full of hot lava.
If I was more organized I could find this exact photo that I took in 2000!
Hiking the crater rim. When I lived in the park, I did this almost every day.
Walking through a lava tube! Melina was scared at first but Auntie Hallie helped turned her into a princess explorer and all was well.
Where lava meets the ocean.
Back at Hale ma'u ma'u at night! It was amazing.
On the sunny side of the island.
The park right next to our house.
Thank you Jay for letting us use your floatie toys! Elliott loved his "boat"
The birthday boy relaxing!
Swimming in the mermaid lagoon.
Putting the mask on to look for mermaids. And butterfly fish.
The whole group!
We were home for a few days, then had a wonderful weekend with Chad, Claire and Kendra at Dosewallips State Park! Here Kendra and Claire are setting up the hammock.
Elliott exploring our campsite.
Playing in the river.
Kendra and her puppy, Oliver!
PNW mermaid.
Smores!!
And, an amazing breakfast.
Happiness Chad with his coffee.
We went on a beautiful hike.
Melina having a well deserved water break.
Old friends!!
The group considers the map...
Luckily, Melina knew where to go!
Beautiful forest.
Getting a lift from Claire!
We took Chad and Claire's kayaks out for a spin. Once again, it took the promise of ice cream to convince Melina to come along... but she loved it!
No comments:
Post a Comment