Big waves

This past Wednesday there were record setting wave heights on the North Shore.   It is not that far of a drive up there from where we live, about 25-30 minutes.  But EVERYONE wanted to see them and the drive turned into 2 hours!!  We didn't make it before dark so I went the next morning.  They weren't quite as big but they were still impressive.

It amazes me that this summer the North Shore was lake like it was so calm and now it is violent.  Such a difference.


It was nice to have some entertainment while we were sitting in traffic.  This woman could have a coconut completed in less than 30 seconds!  The guy never did one.

Wednesday 11:39 am.  Those are some HUGE waves.  No surfing since the wind was messing it all up.  There are places that the waves washed across the road.

"God's fingers"  according to Will.  He wanted me to take a picture.

This is at Shark's Cove/Pupukea where we took Granddaddy and Uncle Paul snorkeling and Grandpa and Grandma.  No snorkeling now.

The crowd watching the surfers (they were allowed in on Thursday) and the waves and Waimea Bay.  It wasn't raining there's just a lot of sea spray with waves that big.

The big rock that we have jumped off of completely surrounded by water and waves crashing against it.

The little black dots way out there are the many surfers!  Craziness.  I saw a guy holding his broken surf board walking up the road.

Cool curls from the waves.

Fun at the pool

My kids love going to the pool.  Now they will choose a pool over the ocean.  Caroline is at the pool 3-4 times a week for practice.  Friday they have open swim during the winter months.  So we all went swimming (I didn't get in) last Friday.  The water is COLD so Caroline's coach has them doing land drills for half the time so they don't get so shiver-y.  Eric got in the baby pool for maybe 5 minutes before he was to cold to stay in any longer.  Justin swam laps and Will went down the big slide and jumped off the boards.  The big platform you have to be 10 to jump off it.  Here are some videos of Will jumping off the high dive.



He came up crying that his back hurt and rightfully so!  He had done some flips before the flop.  It didn't discourage him in the least and he got up there and flipped again.

Ka'ena Point

Grandma and Grandpa had a late night flight home Wednesday so that morning we went to do a little hike.  We got rained on and muddy but seeing the whales and being out side was great.

A plane pulling a glider

Will loves this place.

Whale!

Saw lots of blowing whales

It has greened up considerably since we went with Granddaddy and uncle Paul and even the Morris'.

Being silly in Uncle Jeff's lap.

Monday was golf day.  Justin, Jeff, and the parents all went golfing at Turtle Bay.  They had a great time.

Grandpa reading How I Became A Pirate.  A great story if you haven't read it with beautiful artwork.

See the rain clouds coming?

Bellows

Bellows beach is a most wonderful place.  Talk about beautiful.  It doesn't get much better than this!  We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday afternoon there last Sunday.  We played in the water, boogie boarded, walked along the beach, and enjoyed hanging out.

Eric contemplating getting in the cold water.

I hitched a ride with Will.

Jeff and Justin hanging out.  Eric is all wrapped up in Justin's arms.

Eric walked up and started chatting with this girl.  I have no idea what he is laughing about.

Eric played lots by himself since the bigs were in the water.  This is his "surfing on a surf board" pose.

"take a picture of me , mom."

Rolling towards the water.

Justin played the "air born" game with Will and Caroline.  Will was a bit better about holding his legs straight and so he went pretty high.

Caroline going sideways more than up.

Justin going through a wave.  Will is under there to his left.

I need some water mom.

Then he noticed the camera and smiled for me!

Now it's my turn to contemplate getting in the cold water.

Still thinking about it.

Wrestling in the sand.

Any day at Bellows is a good day!

Polynesian Cultural Center

One of the things we enjoyed while Grandma and Grandpa were here was our visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We visited the different island nations that make up Polynesia and did different activities at each one.  We also saw a boat parade that featured each island.

Got a temporary tattoo 

Playing a stick game

playing with "swinging ball things"  (I don't remember what they are called)

Watching a boat go by

Will, Grandpa, grandma, and Caroline is on canoe.  Justin, Jeff, Eric, and I are in another.

Playing with the ball thingys

The next few pictures are from the boat parade.

Throwing spears

Waiting in line for the tattoos.

We capped the evening off with seeing the amazing Ha! Breath of Life show.  It was awesome and the kids loved it.

Thanks for the great afternoon Grandpa and Grandma!!