Kauai Day 1....

We arrived in Kauai on Sat evening. It was raining and dark. This was the only rain we got all week though. We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation & Resort in Poipu. We were a short 5 minute walk from the beach. The grounds were beautiful and the bungalow very nice. On Sunday we did some shopping for breakfast foods and snacks, got familiar with Walmart & Costco in Lihue and then went on a sunset cruise along the Na Pali coastline.

We were on a large catamaran with only 12 passengers so it felt semi-private. The first couple of hours were great, but then the seasickness started. If you know me well, you know that this a problem for me. I use all the remedies and still usually end up sick. It was Dalton, however that started us off, followed by me, then Darian. So my experience of the cruise was leaning over the railing watching the ocean fly by as I fought the urge to vomit. Eventually I did, so did Dalton and an elderly man. I was grateful for the lack of people and the privacy. The crew acted like it was no big deal. They cheerfully hosed the boat down, offered us ice, ginger chews , etc. (In my defense, there were very large swells that day. The North and West coast had 40 foot waves the next day.)

Somehow we managed to smile for this family photo.

Kauai Day 2...

We drove to the north shore to watch the 40 foot waves crash. It was an awesome sight! We weren't allowed anywhere near the water. We disregarded all the posted warning signs and climbed down to this beach for some closer shots. I know...we're such the risk takers. The waves don't look that big in the photos but it was impressive. The ocean has such power!

Since we couldn't swim, we decided to hike part of the Kalalau Trail. We did the first half mile which Darin had heard was the easiest part of the 11 mile hike. Bull crap! It was a 1/2 mile straight up the mountain, climbing over wet lava rock and roots of trees. If that is the easy part, then I am in awe of those that hike all 11 miles!

We did have some amazing views once we got to the half mile point. We could see Ke'e Beach and down the Na Pali coast.

We spent the rest of the day touring various beaches along the north side of the island seeing Princeville.

Kauai Day 3/ Kipu Falls

Kipu Falls... We took turns jumping off the waterfall, swimming to the side, climbing the slippery, moss covered ladder, and then swinging on the rope swing into the pool of water. This place is amazing! Darian on the swing...

Darin jumping off the falls...

The trail thru the sugar cane to find Kipu Falls...

Kauai Day 3...

We hiked along the Lithified cliffs. Darin scared me doing this on a ledge hanging out over the ocean.

Darin and Dalton snorkeling at Poipu Beach.

Kauai Day 4

We kayaked two miles up the Wailua River. The scenery was beautiful! We then hiked one mile through the jungle where we learned about the plants and Hawaiian culture from our tour guide.

We then arrived at the "Secret Falls". It was a beautiful 120 foot waterfall. We took some pictures and swam in the pool of water. It was very cold and there was a strong wind from the force of the waterfall. We managed to swim up behind the falls, but didn't stay very long.

We ate a picnic lunch after swimming and then hiked back to our kayaks. We paddled the two miles back down the river and got a good workout from the wind coming off the ocean.

Kauai Day 5 continued...

That afternoon we drove to the Waimea Canyon and enjoyed the views. This is the view from the Kalalau overlook of the Na Pali coast.

We then headed to Polihale Beach. It is the closest beach to the Na Pali coast on the west side of the island.

Kauai Day 5

We woke up very early and drove to the airport at Port Allen. It was Dalton's birthday and we were getting ready to fly powered hang gliders! There was a pilot in the front seat and then the passenger in back. Dalton & Darin went first for an hour ride followed by me & Darian. Both Darin & I did a lot of the flying/steering ourselves so that our pilot could take pictures from the air. The views from the air were amazing!

This is Dalton just after take off... Dalton getting ready to fly...

Kauai Day 6

The day began with surf lessons for the kids. They both caught on really fast and it was fun to watch them catch the waves.

In the afternoon we went on a helicopter tour of the island. It was amazing!!! We saw the whole island and even went up inside the crater of Mount Wai'ale'ale. It is the rainiest spot on earth receiving an average of 428 inches per year. We happened to be there on one of the few sunny days per year. Dalton and I got to sit in the front and had the best views. They weighed everyone and then assigned you a seat based on your weight.

Darin and Darian got stuck in back but still enjoyed the ride.

A view of the Na Pali coast from the helicopter.

Kauai Day 7

We spent our last morning hanging out at our beach.

Dalton climbed the tree in front of our bungalow that he had been admiring all week.

We did some shopping in Old Koloa Town and got a shaved ice.

We drove to Kalapaki Beach and ate at Duke's and then relaxed on the beach one last time and watched the sunset.

There was a couple getting married on the beach. Darian enjoyed watching the wedding.

Thanksgiving 2009

Darin was on call this year for Thanskgiving so we had to stay home. I offered our families to come down and eat with us, but we had no takers. It was a quiet holiday with just the four of us

I still made the big traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all of our favorites.I found a recipe online that got really good reviews for roasting a turkey. The trick was to roast it breast side down, that way all the juices drip into the breast meat keeping it tender and juicy. It worked and was delicious!The best part of the whole day...everyone but me doing the dishes :)Our traditional pumpkin cream cheese roll. We went over to our friend's, the Hurdsmans, for dessert later that day. They're like our family here in Price.