Cole's long-awaited Dolphin Quest/Spinnin' & Snorkelin' with Dolphins

Last time we were @ Waikoloa Village, Cole was 3 mos. shy of age requirement to have a dolphin encounter. He has been waiting ever since for his official chance & we booked it! Dane & Annie could've joined him but would've cost a mere $100 for whopping 10 min. with dolphins-no thanks! Cole's program entitled him to 1/2 hr. in the water but we didn't account for addit. hour that he'd be learning about 'em ...He became a quick expert about adaptations of marine life, mammals in particular & of course, dolphin's features. He even drew his own & grabbed the whistle for his instructor making him an instant favorite...














So that meant we camped out for quite a while as spectators-

We were too cheap to pay for their custom shots or $60 video, so just gotta take our word for it that he got to smooch one, feed it a fish,















give commands

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

& wrap his arms around one:)














How awesome is that?
So my dad decided the whole family should enjoy a similar experience & chartered a boat the very next am! The boys thought they were cool before they even went onboard but of course moreso after they bonded with the captain-



















We cruised to the bay that the dolphins liked @ that hour & just got to play with 'em! We had awesome guides who told us to glide into water quietly & become one with the ocean:) as opposed to the noisy boat beside us-ugh! Cole & Dane weren't so sure they wanted to participate, but I made 'em take a turn!















The dolphins were even swifter and more vocal than we realized; Chris thought his ears were ringing @ one point, but just the dolphins chatting amongst themselves! We saw moms with babies, romantic couples & literally hundreds cruising around the boat and across the horizon...














Luke looks sweet here but his choice to not take a nap the whole morning wasn't so cute:( No lulling to slumber by waves for him!
So needless to say, I didn't get to ride one as I envisioned but mostly 'cuz I hyperventilated with the dumb snorkeling gear on. I seriously had to act like I was in labor to get a consistent breathing pattern goin':) Of course, I started to get the hang of it right as the dolphins decided the party was over?! Chris was more of a natural-We climbed back on the boat for a tasty lunch before we called it a day!

Appreciating God's Hawaiian Creations on the Sabbath

We love going to the ward near Parker Ranch every time we are in HI-It's up in Waimea about half hour away & is located near a lot o' other bldgs that bear our revered name:)! Always have to take pic outside chapel even when my eyes can't stay open (you'll see-no pun intended-that annoying feature apparently cont. throughout the day 'cuz I guess that's how WA girls react to sun)?! Of course, my dad can't be that close to Tex's & not stop for malasadas...we highly recomm if your ox is in the mire while in paradise:) By then, he decided we should explore further on to Hilo. Stopped @ KoleKole park en route to check out surf despite rotting wild pig scent-yuck! Cole was feeling pretty famous by then:)
Also met a gnarly dude (in background)! Doesn't Dane look like he belongs on a Geico commercial?Love the photo shoot Chris took of my handsome boys...
Dane was also thrilled to see live splitting of coconut despite his earlier attempts via machete & we all sampled its milk & raw meat so we could feel like natives:) From there we realized we were only hour away from Volcanos National Park & kept on driving! Too bad the entrance that we used has specific viewing hours we pretty much ignored considering 2 hrs. shy of 'em. I guess it's like having a lifeguard on duty? Basically were so close to plume that had to get up close & personal, eh? Never mind the warning signs! Yes, we even brought both babies!



























So cool to be right there although brilliant red lava wasn't as visible obviously in the light of day-however can't imagine feeling that much safer gallavanting across theses cracks in the dark?Turned around & headed back when ranger yelled @ us over megaphone-oops! Definitely the way to go vs. route that Chris & I tried 4 yrs. ago from the other direction...Quite the road trip for our entourage but well worth it!!

Aloha! from the Big Island

Off to Kona!















We were excited for long-awaited trip even if it meant missing the also revered Husky Spring Football Game day after we flew across Pacific Ocean! We arrived late afternoon on Fri. & brought all of our stuff to 3, count 'em 3 condos that our family now occupies since there were, in fact, 14 of us total! Then we cruised back to Kailua for Bubba Gump delicacies & were grateful no cockroaches served us this time! The boys thought their boat bowl was pretty cool & Cole posed as Forrest even though he doesn't really have a clue who he is-














Dinner was followed by traditional stock-up @ Costco and then we jetted back to airport (yes, all of us 'cuz that's how we sentimental shaw girls & co roll:)) picked up Uffens who had been delayed until 9p-not so fun with 2 y.o. & 6 mo. old! So great to be reunited back @ Bay Club except for not sure this big guy was invited...Luke got to re-evaluate his cousin Paige (or maybe the other way around) after a few mos. hiatus-They're only 3 wks apart:)















Annie pretty much followed Cole & Dane wherever & whenever they let her be part of the action! Of course, they love her too:) & are grateful for amazing aunts & grandparents who cater to them in particular @ all costs...














Since our amoeba is getting bigger and going out for every meal can be an ordeal, mom decided that each married daughter would be responsible for one dinner during the week back @ condo...def got better end o' deal considering along for ride c/o parents for rest of generous amenities-Chris was proudly displaying our barbecued flank steak that resembled the shape of the big island:)
My boys joined the men for a couple holes of golf on the beach course nearby-
Luke loved his first exposure to the beach, incl sand & waves! He squealed as we got closer & kicked his legs in the surf:)



















The older boys definitely thought it was cool too-

Mahalo mom & dad!!