A Live Valcano

This was the longest of all our days.  We decided to drive to the other side of the island to see the live volcano.  But of course there are beautiful places to stop along the way.

One such stop was the black sands beach.  And we were lucky enough to see a turtle on the shore warming in the sun.

The sand was very course but beautiful.

My boys exploring the coast.

We finally made it to the valcano national park.  This is a steam vent and boy was it warm

In the distance behind us is the crater of the volcano.  The lava is flowing but it was about a 7 hour hike across hot lava fields that we were not willing to take.  LOL

Getting a little bit closer.

What an amazing experience.

There were so many little hikes and different landscapes to explore in this one park.  This is an old lava tube in a very tropical part of the park that we walked through.

Tropical and lush.

To baren and desolate.  I couldn't believe the difference.  It was totally something out of Land  of the Apes.  LOL

A petrified tree stump.

Everyone except Stefan and I decided to go on a longer hike across the lava field. It was very hot.

Again they went through a very tropical part.

Poor Rylan forgot his had so his neck got a little bit red.

It ended up being quit the hike, so Stefan and I were glad we didn't go.  LOL

The landscape was amazing with how the lava just cooled in ripples like this.

Jamie and his mom.

On our way home we went through Hilo.  This was the tropical side of the island so we were happy to find some amazing waterfalls to look at.

We soon discovered why it was so tropical as it started to poor down.  LOL

Enjoying the view.

Ray rented a motor bike for his time on the island, so each of the boys too turns riding on the back.

Finally they had to leave Ray by himself as the road just got too bad and the visibility was not great.  But we managed to all make it home safely.  Another great day!!!

Hiking the Coast for Arches

We love to get out and go hiking and we were happy to find this hike that took us along the coast line in search of natural arches and blow holes and we were very happy with what we found.

Getting ready to head out.

The first of many arches that we found a long the way.

Again not sure that these pictures even do it justice but these arches were amazing.  It was a little nerve racking having the boys walking over the tops of them.

A blow hole.

This was a large one.  Rylan taking the steps.

Not sure if you can see the rock that these two brothers just threw in or not but it is there.  Boys never get tired of playing with rocks in the water.  LOL

All the men on top.

Our final arch.  This was a beautiful hike and the boys loved it.  It was long and the path wasn't very well marked but we managed to make out way out.  LOL  Got to love little adventures like this one.

Fun In the Sun

This is our first time going to the Big Island of Hawaii so we decided to do some exploring on our way to the beach.

This is our large group including Ray, Penni, Tyler, Michelle and their daughter Madison and her husband Levi.  This area was called cloud forest.  It was a long way up.  LOL

Then it was time to head to the beach for some boogie boarding and the start of catching some rays.

As usual I love my action shots.  Keagan catching some waves.

This smile is so awesome.  He was loving life.

Auntie Michelle.

Levi

Darien the pro.  LOL

How fun is that sand.

Loading up on the sunscreen and taking a break from the waves and of course having some snacks ;)

Madison.

Rylan.

So much fun and so many great memories made.

On our way back we had to stop at this amazing lava tube.  The boys went down to explore it a little closer.

I am not sure that these pictures even do it justice.  It was pretty spectacular.

And boy were they excited when they discovered that you could walk right through it to the other side and it kept going for quit a while.

Jamie standing on the top.

Hawaii Here We Come

It is that time again to head some where warm.  Yay!!!  Off to Kona Hawaii.  This is the boys at Jamie's favorite place for a lay over, the Seattle Airport.

This was the view from our house the first night that we arrived.  Beautiful.

The next day it was time to do some swimming with the fish and some snorkeling.

Thank goodness for pool noodles making it so easy for the younger boys.  Jamie and Keagan taking to the fish.   It was so beautiful.