HaPpy Birthday Brayden

My amazingly adorable nephew is ONE year old today....I can't believe it. Not so long ago we heard the blessed news and now the pregnancy, birth and first year have flown by. We love you little man. You are the luckiest boy in the world. You have the best mom and dad on the planet.

Day Four....Kua Bay

This beach was totally pristine and perfect as far as water and sand go. It had the same beautiful powdery sand that Hapuna beach, our usual favorite has but the water was even more perfect. This beach had more lava rock than Hapuna but a much shorter walk. I missed the green trees but the perfect water won out in the end.





This looked fun. Just a short swim out and you could climb up and jump from these rocks.








How CUTE is she? My mother-in-law amazes me.


Ahhhhhh (heavy sigh) I adore this man. Kevin, only you could look
hot in a straw hat like that one.


Lunch time.








We'll be back on day 6 with more pics and more family members.

Day Four...Kukio Beach (Honu beach)

This beach was so amazing. It wasn’t a swimming beach but still quite an adventure. The whole beach has natural tide pools made from lava rock and is the perfect place for the Honu (green sea turtles) to come in and feed. There were so many feeding and basking that morning that we almost didn’t want to leave for our next stop.

Day Three.....Final Stop

The beautiful Waikoloa Hilton.





This was the final stop on the third day. We “heart” this place. Not only do they allow access to their beautiful pool but there is swimming and snorkeling in the gorgeous lagoon too.







Those little bumps in the water (below) are Kevin and Gavin snorkeling.







This is another view of the lagoon. It’s opposite the waterfall.





There is an inlet from the ocean cove that allows sea life to come and go as it pleases. Here are some of the turtles we saw near the waterfall. Gavin took some underwater pics but we haven’t had them developed yet. Hopefully, he caught this guy in action.







This resort is full of amazing artwork, historical pieces and beautiful sculptures.

Here are just a couple.

Day three.....Honokoau Harbor

There are plenty more pictures from day three but we'll start with our first stop. This beautiful little hidden harbor is mostly used by the locals...Like many of our great adventures, we found this one by accident.














Pu’ukoholoa Heiau Temple





Spencer beach right below the temple is almost exclusively a local beach. Those that live up in the hills drive down and pitch a tent for the day.

More Day Three.....

Another gorgeous botanical garden on the Big Island. Before starting down the trail, we were invited to hold these adorable little box turtles.





Down the first part of the path we found these beautifully painted bells and a few mallets. We all took turns making beautiful music….or trying to anyway.



There were many of these giant iron bug sculptures all through the gardens.



Eeeekkkkkk











The beautiful visitor’s center.



Here’s a view of the outdoor wedding chapel from the visitor’s center.



Another view from up near the center.







Sweet little peacock family.





Shower tree.