Our Hawaiian Adventure, Pt.10...THE END!

Well, my friends, we have made it to the FINAL chapter! I know you're probably just as relieved as I am, as this has taken much more time and thought than I had imagined. So, how 'bout we get things moving along?

I'm not going to lie. When I woke up on what was to be our last day in Hawaii, I was 100% BUMMED! For 9 glorious days, we had the privelege of spending lots of unforgettable time together as a FAMILY. For those of you who've been with me since I started blogging, you know that has always meant EVERYTHING to me. We were able to explore and experience a whole new place and see it all through each other's eyes. We weren't surrounded by the stresses and pressures of everyday life...we simply EXISTED. To say that it was a remarkable experience doesn't even do it justice. It really was over and beyond anything I've ever done up to this point in my life and I feel so grateful that I got to take it all in with the three people I love the most.

Now, our last day proved to be a LONG one because we had to check out of our hotel around 1 PM, but our flight didn't depart until 10:45 PM. Nothing quite like catching the red-eye home! So, had a lot of time to kill. Chris and Brittany decided to go out for a quick run, so Abby and I headed to the pool for a little while. We stopped on the way and took a couple of pictures of each other.

Chris and Brittany joined us by the pool a little while later. Before we left, I had the girls stand on this bridge for one last picture. Looking through the lens of my camera made me feel sad to think that this moment would never be the same, again. My girls are growing up so very fast!

We raced back to our room, got cleaned up, and went down to the front desk and checked out. As we were pulling away, I felt like I was leaving behind a long-lost friend.

We drove back to Kona and popped in and out of more shops and watched a Hawaiian canoe race. Sure wish I hadn't packed up my camera...it would have made for some great pictures! We left there, then found a Panda Express and had dinner. It really hit the spot! There was a band playing outside and we sat in our car and listened for awhile. The girls got out of the car and danced and twirled around. It's one of those moments I would love to have captured on video...PRICELESS! For a moment, it was as though time stood still.

We had to head over to the airport around 9 PM and it was a good thing because the check-in line was LONG! We sat around and people-watched for a good while as we were, also, fighting falling asleep. We boarded our plane...the girls and I sat in one row and Chris sat in the row in front of us. It was so eerie because when our plane took off and reached altitude, all the lights turned off inside the cabin and it was almost pitch black. You didn't know what you were flying above, for the most part...and it was a strange feeling. I tried to go to sleep, but I didn't have much success. We landed in Phoenix, AZ. about 6 hours later...and we were completely wiped out! We had a layover for several hours before we flew on home to Atlanta.

ALOHA, Hawaii! Thanks for the memories...you will never be forgotten!

P.S. Today is my 21st wedding anniversary! Unfortunately, Chris is away at a company golf tournament and won't be home until tomorrow. Oh, well... I still love him and wouldn't trade him for the world!

Our Hawaiian Adventure, Pt.9

The end is near...hip, hip hooray! Only one more small post to go about our trip, then we're done! I can't thank you all enough for hanging in there with me! Now...let's get started!

On our next to last full day on the Big Island, we got up fairly early and enjoyed this beautiful view from our balcony.

Then, we drove down to Kona and turned in all of our snorkeling equipment. Afterwards, we took a stroll through the downtown area and walked in several of the shops. We came upon the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant and I saw the spot for the perfect photo opportunity. So, one by one, Abby, Chris, and Brittany took their turns sitting on the bench and making like Forrest Gump. There were BIG tennis shoes cemented to the ground that they slipped their feet into. It was a real struggle for me to hold my camera still...I was laughing so hard! Just wish I'd taken a turn, as well!


Of course, Abby couldn't resist posing for one more silly shot...she really knows how to ham it up!We grabbed lunch there in Kona at the Big Island Grill and they served HUGE BLT's for $8...I was stuffed! Afterwards, we went to the local farmer's market for another look around. The girls ended up buying some jewelry and souvenirs for really low prices.

As we approached our hotel, we made a detour to take a brief walk through a lava field...it went on for what seemed like FOREVER!

I had to ask a passerby to snap a family picture of us with the majestic Pacific Ocean as our backdrop.

Here's a couple more of the pretty sights we saw on that day.


As our day began to wind down, we went out by Buddha Point at our hotel and just sat for awhile and rested.

Then, it was picture time, again! Boy, was it ever windy! Here's one of the many statues on Buddha Point.And a closer view...

Definitely a favorite of mine... Brittany decided to form her initials out of white rocks and live them on the lava rocks right beside the ocean, as many others had done.

This was the last Hawaiian sunset we were able to fully enjoy. AAHH!!!

My next post about our trip will be the grand finale..PROMISE! :)

Our Hawaiian Adventure, Pt. 8

Here we are, again! Sorry this has taken me so long to wrap up, but every picture tells a story and I always find that I have much more to share than I, originally, thought. Thanks for bearing with me!

On our 6th full day in Hawaii, we decided to have more of a laid-back kind of day since we'd been going, going, going! So, we went on a snorkeling trip to A'Bay (aka 'Anaeho'omalu Bay). See...it's much easier to refer to it as A'Bay. It's a beautiful, picturesque beach in Kohala. Wouldn't you agree?


Before we went snorkeling, I had a little photo session with the girls.

And with Chris...

The girls and I got suited up first and headed for the crystal blue water. There were so many colorful fish swimming by! It was hard to take it all in. Then, out of nowhere, the girls started calling for me to come over to where they were...FAST! I swam over and was completely blown away by what I saw! Look closely at this picture.

Yes....it's a SEA TURTLE swimming right alongside us! I was in complete and utter awe! What an amazing, graceful creature! I wanted so badly to reach out and touch it, but being that they're endangered, that's a big no-no. Still, what a privilege it was to be so incredibly close to one! That was, without a doubt, one of the biggest highs for me of our entire trip. All I can say is...WOW!

Here's the "snorkeling extraordinaire" herself, Abby, striking a pose as she's exiting the water.

While we were all taking a rest on the beach, several sea turtles swam up in the surf just a few feet in front of us. A good number of people rushed over to snap pictures of them. I will never forget it as long as I live!

After several hours, we decided to head back to our hotel for some R & R by the pool. Of course, the girls couldn't pass up the opportunity of playing a game of GIANT checkers.

Here's one wing of our hotel. It was a sprawling resort, but you definitely got your exercise walking around it!

And last, but not least...another gorgeous flower of Hawaii.

Next time, I'll be sharing some fun photos I took of my family! I'll give you a hint..."Life's like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get." Hope you'll be back, again!

Our Hawaiian Adventure, Pt.7

I'm sure this is all beginning to sound like "The Never-Ending Story", but rest assured, the end is drawing near!

Now, on June 9th (our 5th full day in Hawaii), we got up and drove south of Kona to visit the Place of Refuge (AKA Pu'uhonua o Honaunau).

You see, back in ancient times, men and women were not allowed to eat together. Likewise, commoners weren't allowed to get close to a chief, nor were their shadows allowed to fall across them, etc. Those who broke these (and other) laws were clubbed or speared to death, strangled, or burned. If the person who broke the law could manage to get away from his pursuer, the only way to escape his wrath was to reach the Place of Refuge. If the lawbreaker could make it there, he could perform certain rituals and all was forgiven.

There were many interesting statues scattered about the grounds.

The girls tried to figure out how to play some sort of ancient game, but to no avail.

Here's Brittany sitting beside the massive stone wall that separates the royal grounds from the Place of Refuge. It was constructed around 1550. The wall is up to 10' high and is 17 ' thick.

After we left the Place of Refuge, we decided to stop by the Kona Coffee Museum...even though I'm not a coffee drinker. Abby and I sampled some of their hot tea and Chris and Brittany, of course, sampled their coffee. I, without knowing what it was, sampled a Wassabi macadamia nut. I think I had steam coming out my ears! It was beyond HOT!

From there, we stopped to see the Painted Church, which dates back to the 1800's. There are beautifully painted frescos on the walls inside.

Outside of the church was a brightly colored gecko waiting for us.

We made an attempt to visit Captain Cook's Monument, but it was way across the bay and you could access it only by boat. Still, it was a picturesque stopping point.

Chris taking in the beautiful scenery.

This one speaks for itself.Now, no way was I going to end our day of adventure without sampling some Donkey Balls...yes, you heard me! My, oh, my...were they ever DE-LISH! They're various nuts that are covered by layer upon layer of milk or dark chocolate. They were definitely worth every calorie and fat gram!

When we made it back to our hotel, Chris and Brittany went for a run and Abby and I decided to get in a little pool time.

I could never get enough of those gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets...just icing on the cake!

Next time, I'll share with you my up close and personal encounter with a creature I adore! See ya soon!