December

our "princess"

Shalom,

Glad to all be around still. For those of you who thought the world was going to end on the 21st of December 2012, should have read something a wise being said 2000+ years ago: "No man knows the day or hour".

We had some special "visitors" to the island recently and had a wonderful time with them. Below are a few photos of some of our adventures.

My relative, Jeronimo, brought loads of kite surf gear and an abundance of patience from the mainland. He needed both of these as he attempted to get me up and on, rather than merely in, the water. By the way, did you know that one can drink some level of salt water and be just fine, regardless of how it may feel at the moment. If you ever try to learn to kite surf, you will know what I mean. I never really was able to actually get on the water, on the board. I did however have some experience getting launched over the water. As I was accelerated out of the foot straps of the board, and skipped across the water with the kite flying through the power zone, (there's an understatement) I felt like I was surely flying. Kind of like "to infinity and beyond". It can be very thrilling. I have a new definition of "kite flying" now. It is better when you fly the kite rather than the kite flying you.

Jeronimo & Abba in background, Gertie & LeeAnn foreground

We had a great time learning to surf in Haleiwa and near the research pier by makapuu.

after the session

Henny rockin on the short board

Only the sun going down gets these surfers off the water (Henny, Abe, LeeAnn)

 We had a good time in Haleiwa surfing and stand up paddle boarding (SUP). We also saw two turtles on the beach.

pupuloa beach

 This place was super cool. Pounders is the name of this beach for good reason. If you don't duck dive at the right time you will surely be pounded. Abba still has water in his ears weeks later. The waves were enjoyed by all. What was not enjoyed was that one of the group, ok it was me, stepped in cold human poo poo (not mine). can you say "truly revolting" ? I don't dare go into details for the pain of the memory. lets just say I hope it was a once in a lifetime event. We couldn't decide on renaming the beach pupu-ondafoota or pupuloa (poopoolowuh).

LeeAnn and Abe after Haleiwa session

paying tribute to Taylor Swift

Kailua babes

Antee Lucinda and cousin LeeAnn with shorter peoples

Charlotte

cuzs, cuzes?, LeeAnn & Abe

how many can fit in a one bedroom?

Week of Surprises

Hello friends and family!
 This is Ella, here to write about this past eventful week we enjoyed. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt "Annie", and our cousin "I" came in last saturday and stayed a mere ten minute walk from us at a popular timeshare place. We enjoyed the next day hanging out at the beach and having a nice dinner at their timeshare. The next morning, while I was busy doing my online school, Aunt Annie called us up and said that she had a note slipped under the door from our younger cousin in Chicago and was wondering if we had left it there the day before. Of coarse we hadn't, and we started wondering if they were possibly here and hadn't told us, or if it had fallen out of their luggage not knowing it was brought. Henny, Sara, Charlotte, and Gertie headed over to hang out and investigate. Soon enough we got news that another note had been passed under the door but this time from his younger sister. Sure enough, (Aunt and Uncle) Isabella and Raul had surprised us with a visit! It was a complete and wonderful surprise to everyone, and sadly they had to stay away another day so as to not expose Charlie to sickness. Henny, Charlotte, and I saw them at the presentation thingy when all the kids, including Charlotte, got up and "danced" by order of The Chief.

  We hung out at the beach (or pool) everyday after that around noon and got some great pics of us enjoying our cousins, aunts, grandparents, and uncle. :)

Isabella and Raul

Raul tossing "I"

Ella and her cuz making a sea turtle

Gertie and her Cousin singing and playing

Jumping from tree and being "dangerous"

Sisters Isabella, Eema, and Annie

Cousins :) 

Gertie and her "Best Friend"

Cuzzies in Treezies

The Choo Choo Train

We had a wonderful time with our equally wonderful family, and enjoyed every moment spent together. We were all sad to see them go, and I will admit that few of us had dry eyes. 

On a side note, I stepped on a rat. A live rat. On the golf coarse. In the dark. No joke. I was running barefoot with Henny and Sara at night when I tripped over what I thought was a plastic shoe. Wondering what a plastic shoe was doing in a golf coarse, I went back to see what it was. It ran. I'm surprised y'll in Washington didn't here my surprised scream. Henny went over and investigated to find a rat looking at her from the base of the tree. That was an interesting experience. So thankful to G-d that it didn't bite me! 

 I personally feel sorry for all you "back home" who have to experiance gray, cold, rainy days. It really is a blessing to be here! Hope you enjoy our blog :) 

Ella