Manoa Falls and Kesslyn's Tooth

Yesterday was another adventure here in beautiful Hawaii!

Kierra and I took the kids on a hike in the rain. It has rained almost everyday that we have been here, but that hasn't stopped us from looking for opportunities to make memories!

This hike was one of those opportunities for sure! We made some good ones. ;)

Raya was my sweet little hiking buddy! I had her on my back the entire time, and she would make me laugh as her random little noises with her soft little deep voice would come out from behind me...

Once again, I was taken back in my memory of when Clint and I hiked this very same trail during our 20th anniversary celebration...good good memories...

I was so impressed with Easton and Kesslyn too. They were such good little hikers!

They kept their eyes open for the mischievous works of the fabled Menahuna people that would sneak out at night building things in the forest...

They came across this little braided archway and wooden bench seat and concluded this MUST be the work of the Menahuna!  ;)

When we got to the end of the hike we saw the most beautiful waterfall,

Manoa Falls!

We stood there together for just a few minutes admiring the majesty of that waterfall...Kierra said she has never seen it so big and full. (Most likely from all of the rain they have been getting!)

Once we finished our time at the top, we turned around and headed back down the trail...

..seeing just as many beautiful sights on the way back down of course. 

It was an adventure in the rain, and I loved every minute of it.

When we got back to our car, we cleaned the mud off the little ones with wet wipes, and shared our goldfish crackers with the chickens that were surrounding our car. :)

Later that evening, little Kesslyn was determined to get her wiggly tooth out!!

That brave little girl asked Riley to tie dental floss around her tooth and pull it out with the door!!!

We did it!!!

After some tears and worry, and a good quick shut of the door, it was out!!!

Now Kesslyn can lay out her tooth and wait to see what the Hawaiian Tooth Fairy will bring!!!

Until tomorrow!

We will see what she brought, and get ready to head back home to Utah.

What an adventure we have had, and what adventure lies ahead of us at home!

 

The Dole Plantation

Raya is such a cuddle bug! Every time she wakes up in the morning or from a nap, she just wants to cuddle!!! Aunt Kesslyn has found how sweet it is, and how fun it is to cuddle that sweet baby. ;)

Yesterday we took a field trip out to the Dole Plantation!

It was a really fun day going there with Kierra, Kesslyn, and the kids.

I bought a few souvenirs for the family, and we sat down to eat a yummy lunch while we were there too. With Dole Whip of course, too!!

The kids loved watching the chicken walk around under the table pecking at the little crumbs on the ground..just like Heyhey!

We thought about taking the kids for a ride on the train, but the line was an hour long, and we weren't too excited about thinking of standing in a line for that long with the littles...

...but we did see some really cool pineapples growing! I didn't even know that red pineapples were a thing!

I had a pretty emotional moment while we were there. It came out of nowhere, but I just felt a surge of emotion, memories, and love, and then I started to cry. I was feeling the love of my family that I was with, and lots and lots of gratitude...and then I was thinking about my sweet husband and that we had been at that very same place 9 years ago for our 20th wedding anniversary! We had so many good memories together on that trip, and I was feeling so nostalgic! I miss my sweetie so much, but I'm going to miss these sweet people right here just as much when I go back home. I want to keep all of these moments close to my heart and never forget even the little details...

Look at this handsome dude right here! This was from July 2014 when we were in Hawaii for our 20th anniversary! He was 42 years old, and no gray hair! :)

I look like a baby myself! I was 37 years old...and no gray hair! ;)

Who would have thought that 9 years later, I would be there in Hawaii, at the Dole Plantation with 2 of my daughters, 2 of my grandbabies, and just 46 years young. ;)

This has been a very enjoyable couple of weeks here with Kierra and her family. I am going to miss them so much, but I am grateful for the time that we have had. Thank you for the fun memories Kierra!

 

Sun Up to Sun Down

The  mornings here in Hawaii have been some of my favorite quiet moments...

When I go out on my morning runs, I love to see the beautiful sunrise and all of the pretty things around me that there is to see!

Some of my other favorite moments have been seeing these little ones having fun and laughing together. (Although there are definitely moments when they need their space;) but I know these kids are going to grow up to be great friends. :)

The kids have had a great time together playing and exploring, looking for geckos, riding Easton's ATV, playing play-doh, and everything else that they have done together.

Little Miss Raya is so sweet and such a busy body!

I love watching her run and play and learn new things. Her little deep voice is raspy and so cute!

Last night Kierra really wanted to take us to the beach to watch the sunset, and I was so excited! More time to see these beautiful creations that our loving Father has put here for us to enjoy...

We made it to Ko Olina shortly before sunset.

We enjoyed the view and the feel of the cool breeze on our skin.

We saw lots of little tickle crabs in the little tide pools.

Riley was our fearless leader and showed the kids that the little crabs weren't scary at all.

They were very intrigued, and one by one they began to be brave and reach out their hands to hold the little crabs.

The kids were so fun to watch as they would have little squeals of laughter and uncertainty as the crabs would crawl across their hands and then fall back down into the water.

It was a perfect way to pass the time as we waited for the sun to reach down and touch the ocean.

Within a matter of minutes the sun began to set.

Before we knew it, the sun had been tucked away beneath the blanket of the sea...

But only until tomorrow when we will welcome the new morning again on my run.

I stand in awe of the beauties of this earth. It was a beautiful day from sun up, to sun down.

 

Beautiful Girls

Aren't my girls beautiful?? :)

Last night Kierra, Kesslyn, and I went on a girls date to get Shave Ice and have some baby-free time just talking and catching up. These times are precious because they are few and far between. Living far away from each other has definitely taught us to cherish the time we do have together, and never let an opportunity pass to show those that you love how much you really do!

I love my girls, and my whole family so much! Kierra, thank you for giving Kesslyn and I the opportunity to come and visit you and spend some quality time with you. You are a sweet, beautiful, strong girl, and such a good example to your little sisters, and siblings, and to me! I love you!

Kesslyn has also been trying to keep learning and doing her schoolwork everyday that we have been here. Last night she had a really rough night with a high fever, and wasn't sleeping too well, but we were sure happy and grateful that she was feeling better this morning. I love you Kesslyn!