Other highlights from our week with Brashley

On the first beach day we saw Lefty again.  Our favorite sea turtle that is missing his left front fin. He had two friends with him. Three really big green sea turtles.

Evan took this picture- 2 turtles in one shot! Sweet.

George was trying to jump from a rock he shouldn't have been climbing, but the turtles were swimming right under him so he had to just hang out there til they moved.

Matty jumped from the rock for the first time today.  George took the waterproof camera up on the rock and videoed them.

He then videoed Evan and himself jumping from the top of the rock.  It doesn't look too far until Evan jumps, and just keeps falling!

Our Southern California relatives got very very sunburned the first beach day, so we stayed out of the sun the best we could for the next 4 days and then took them to 3 Tables. The kayak was a hit.  Brad and George took it out quite far and then we couldn't see them anymore...we were afraid they had capsized it by the rocks but then we realized that Brad was just leaning way over the edge trying to see the fish without actually getting in the water!

 At one with the land and the sea.

Uncle Brad is a good tripod.

We did not grow up being water lovers in our family.  Neither of my parents are great swimmers, nor did they desire to spend any time in water recreational activities. SO...this is how most of my siblings would prefer to snorkel (actually they would prefer to Not snorkel)...but I insisted Brad come out and see the fish.

I think Matty is trying to help him!  See how yucky the water is?  There was a giant earthquake in Alaska and even though they told us there was no tsunami warning for Hawaii, the water was much higher, the waves were stronger, the fish were different and the water was dirty.  It was not nearly as impressive and friendly as it usually is.  Brad didn't see very many fish, in these conditions and in this position....  When I took Ashley out we saw more fish and we saw 2 moray eels, and then she had had enough.  Me too actually, it was just weird water that day.  I felt bad that Brad couldn't have had a better experience "snorkeling"!

This guy was right under us, but Brad didn't see him.  He is called a Christmas Wrasse.  My favorite!

The tables are being swallowed by that wave out there. Compare this picture to the one of Spencer and the kids standing out on the tables...it is amazing how much the water changes.  The kids were in boogie boarding heaven.  I was a little nervous and Brad was a lot nervous.  A few days later the water was back to normal, clear and calm and beautiful.

Sunday after church and lunch we visited the Dole Plantation and went for a drive.  

I think Brad thought this was a candy tree..it isn't for licking Brad.

I got some really great pictures of the Stairway to Heaven this time.

 We stopped at the Kualoa Beach park.  Just a great place to soak in the views.  360 degree grandeur.  

 We were posing for a picture on the beach and Kyle said, "We have about 10 minutes til it starts raining." and then it started raining and he said' "I mean about 10 seconds".  Ashley started running to the car with Henry- I ran ahead to snap the picture.....we didn't realize nobody else cared. Kyle and Brad just kept talking and continued their leisurely stroll through the park.  It was the first time Henry had been in the rain, and Ashley panicked and you bet we teased her about it!

These are the best pictures of the week:

She forgave him later:

A visit would not be complete without a trip to the PCC!  When we got there Ashley needed to feed Henry and we were going to watch the Maori presentation so we asked one of the students if she could nurse in the building before it started.  He talked to some of the others and they took her to a separate building, air conditioned, shut the door, and stood guard until the show started.  They were great, just another reason to love Aotearoa. Even with all their loud chanting and scary faces, Henry was enchanted.

 Beautiful!

 Trying out another tree.

 The first time they tried the canoe! My 5tht kid is huge!

 The first time Evan caught a fish.

 The first time Kyle and George pet a duck!?!

 The first time we all got matching tribal tattoos.

Another successful day at the PCC.  We saw some shows and parades and islands as well!

Henry needed to eat again (that kid! ;)) So we stopped at the temple grounds after we ate at 7 Brothers.

 Brad was trying to get a picture of Henry, and I was trying to get Henry to look at me and Matty thought it looked like a fun ride. It was a little irreverent for the temple grounds, but they got some great pictures of Henry boy!

We loved visiting the temple. We were able to do sealings one of our first weeks there, and it was an amazing experience and we got to do an endowment session with Spencer and Shana and it was really great too. 
We had such a great time with the Shelton's it was amazing how quickly the week went, but I think Henry was happy to get back to his normal simple life.  This was on the way to the airport.

Aloha Oe!