Hawaii Days 3 & 4

On our 3rd day in Hawaii, we drove up to Haleakala, which is a National Park and also an old volcano.  It took about 2 hours to drive to the top.  We had great views all around us.  We took a short hike.  We looked at the different wild flowers, and had a nice picnic lunch.  The boys also got their Junior Ranger Badges.

On our 4th day in Hawaii, we stayed at the hotel again.  We swam and played in the pools and ocean.  The boys took part in a water balloon toss.  It was a nice relaxing day.  That night we went to a Luau.  That was very interesting to see as well.

Hawaii Days 1 & 2

During the early part of July, we flew to Hawaii to spend a vacation with Jeff's parents and his sisters and husband.  We flew in Saturday afternoon.  When we got there, it took a while to get into our room, so we weren't able to do any swimming that first day.  We had dinner out at one of the local restaurants.

Flying in

Jeff and Daniel

Grandma with Sam and Simon

Jeff and I

Todd, Debbie and Cheryl

The next morning Jeff and I took a run along the beach.  Then we spent the day by the pool.  The boys enjoyed swimming in the ocean and then running back into the pool.  We rented boogie boards, and they tried that out too.  This day was also Daniel's birthday.  We went into town to eat at Kobe's.

Daniel

Simon

Us at Kobe's

More of Us

Daniel's Birthday

July 4th Celebration

This year for July 4th, we stayed here at home.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  Our community neighborhood does a small parade made up mostly of kids riding bikes.  It's very cute.  Then they have a bunch of activities, food, etc up in the greenway.  So we went and watched the parade.  The boys weren't sure they wanted to be in it this year, maybe next year.  Then we walked through the activity area.  They had a clown with balloons doing magic.  They had lots of bounce house.  They had a dunk bucket.  They had a fire engine.  Then we went home and spent the rest of the day at home.  That evening, our neighbors all came out and we did our own fireworks.  The boys love this, and it is fun to watch.

Simon in the Fire Engine

Sam in the Fire Engine

Simon down the slide

More Simon down the slide

Sam and Dunk Bucket

Lighting Fireworks

More Fireworks

Simon and a sparkler

Pacific Crest Weekend-Sunday

On Sunday morning, Sam ran in a Kid's 1/2 mile run and Simon ran in a Kid's 1 mile run.  So we got ourselves ready early and headed out.  They both did a great job.  Then Jeff and Daniel ran in the 10K race.  This was Daniel's first 10K.  He was a little tired at the beginning, but he made it through to the end.

After the races were over, we headed back to the house, packed up and headed out.  We left for Big Lake Youth Camp where we would be dropping Daniel off for a week of camp.  We made there, dropped him off and headed home.

And that was our Pacific Crest Weekend!  It was a lot of fun, and I hope we get to do it again!

Sam, before his race

Simon, before his race

Sam, finishing his race

Simon, finishing his race

Jeff and Daniel, before their race

Sam, with his medal

Simon, with his medal

Jeff and Daniel, finishing their race

After their race

Pacific Crest Weekend-Saturday

On Saturday, I did my 1/2 marathon.  It was warmer this year than last year.  I think the heat made a bit of a difference.  My time was slower than last year, which really bummed me out.  But at least I did it.

Later that day, Jeff took Sam and Simon to the Lava Beds and to some caves.  Daniel did a mountain biking ride with one of the other families we were staying with.  I walked into town and looked around a bit.  I took Sam and Simon miniature golfing later too.  Then all of the boys and Jeff went to the water slides that evening.

It was a fun day!