It took me less than two seconds to warm up to Miss Rachel, who visited all the way from Montana! I showed her how to play with all of my toys, read her all of my books, gave lots of hugs, and even took her on a walk around the neighborhood. We sure were glad she came! Mommy finally got to catch up with her dear friend AFTER I went to bed! Come back soon!

Camping

We went camping with Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. What a fun trip! The last time we went camping I couldn't walk yet!

I love throwing. Sticks, rocks, shells... it all goes in the water when I'm around!

Riding a big kid bike.

My "horse". Mom also has a picture of me feeding this rock to the horse.

Pointing the way for Grandpa.

Hanging out with Dad.

Oma's Visit

Oma came to visit this weekend! She took me to Northwest Trek, the zoo, and the playground! We also planted flowers!

I also did a lot of work in the garden! The next morning, instead of going to daycare, I said I wanted to play in the dirt!

Holly's Post

I hate TV, and multiple studies show that watching any television before age 2 is not good for brain development, but I still loved it when Evan picked up our remote this afternoon, pointed it at our tv, and said, "Baseball game." He was insistent enough that I found him a game to watch. He watched for about a minute (all that I would allow), jumping up in down with glee repeating, "Baseball game! Baseball game!" Secretly, I loved it, but don't tell Adam!

Elsa and I had lots of fun on Mother's Day weekend!

We played in the birdbath.

We went to the park with Puppy and Moose, who apparently also like to swing.

We went beach kayaking. (This shot taken shortly before Elsa got in the kayak with me.)

If Grandpa's boat had been out, we would have cranked it up the beach. I can't wait until the next time I get to play with Elsa!

ALOHA... Day 7

Our last day in Hawaii. Bummer! There was a nice morning view of Mauna Loa from our hotel room.

Dad took me to the pool, but it was too chilly to go swimming.

Lazy Day, Sort Of

What? Us stay at our hotel? Never! Off we went for a hike. Remember that scenic drive Mom and Dad took while I was sleeping on Day 2?

We walked down to the secluded beach at the bottom of the trail. We couldn't go further because you had to pay to use the trails in the botanical gardens and we didn't think the view would change from there.

My favorite hiking pasttime--picking up sticks! I'm going to be really good at trail maintenance when I get older.

Not a swimming beach (tough waves, big boulders), but still fun. Plus, there was a little stream flowing into the ocean, and Mom and Dad let me throw rocks into it instead of getting too close to the crashing waves.

I also threw rocks on the beach. What a nice last day in Hawaii. After dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant (had dinner there 3 of our 5 nights in Hilo), we headed to the airport, a little sadness in the air, but refreshed from a terrific trip. Mom and Dad are really proud of how well I travelled. They can't wait to take me on our next trip!

ALOHA... Day 6

We spent all day at Hapuna Beach, which is on Conde Nast Traveller's list of the world's best beaches. We agree!

I had my own hole.

I LOVE THE BEACH!

I wish this day could be longer!

ALOHA... Day 5

On our fifth full day in Hawaii, we drove across the island to the South Kohala Coast. On our way we stopped at Mauna Loa, the world's largest volcano. Here I am taking a break on a hike up a cinder cone. Mauna Kea is in the background.

After driving to the Visitor's Center part way up Mauna Loa (our car seriously worked overtime to get there), we continued across the island to Waimea for lunch, where by chance we came across the world's greatest playground. (Seriously, it was HUGE!)

By late afternoon we arrived at our intended destination--the beach!

I had my own hot tub.

Woo hoo!

ALOHA... Day 4

We went to the Rainforest Zoo. Before we even got inside, we had lunch with one of the locals!

There were lots of animals, to include a great collection of birds like parrots and mackaws, but
the free-roaming peacocks (tons of them) were the biggest hit with us. In fact, this picture takes place while a white tiger was eating his dinner right across the street. The tiger was devouring
raw chickens literally within 5 feet of us, but I was more interested in the peacocks and chickens
having their dinner nearby.


Courting

After the zoo, we enjoyed the views of Rainbow Falls, just north of Hilo.

ALOHA... Day 3

We spent the day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This area is called Sulphur Banks, and reminds mom of parts of Yellowstone.

Dad almost fell in one of these steam vents. These are nonsulphurous, and are really impressive.

This is the steaming Kilauea Caldera. For at least 100 years (until about 1924), this caldera was a seething lake of lava that tourists came to view. Now it is hardened lava with steam and sulphur vents, and is still a very active volcano. There is still a lava flow on the other side of the rim. In fact, part of the rim drive and hike was closed because of new activity.

Inside the Kilauea Caldera, is the Halema'uma'u Caldera, very active, indeed. The last time it erupted was 1982, but you can see, it's still blowing off a lot of steam!

Kilauea Iki Crater

We hiked down into the Kileuea Iki crater. When Kileuea Iki erupted in 1959, the whole crater floor was bubbling lava, and it's fountains reached record heights of 1900 feet!

There were cinder cones that we could climb (background), and it was a bit eerie to be in the crater looking up.

Still some activity here! Daddy said the steam was hot!

Being on the crater floor gives you a sense of being on mars or something. Although the hardened lava looks like broken concrete, it's surprisingly light and springy under your feet.

That's Mom and I on the crater floor, as viewed by Dad, who was standing on one of the cinder cones.

We spent the rest of our daylight hours exploring Chain of Craters Road, which traverses lava fields from multiple eruptions. (Signs indicate what year each field is from, but they all run together as far as you can see until you reach the sea.) Toward the end of the road, which ends at the ocean, we hiked to the Pu'u Loa Petroglyths. Most of it is actually depressions in the petroglyth field that served as receptacles for the umbilical stumps of their babies. Some people still practice this tradition here in order to bestow their children with longevity.

ALOHA... Day 2

Orange Boys--We didn't mean to, but Daddy and I dressed alike. Orange is my favorite color.

Mom and Dad enjoyed a scenic drive while I napped in the back seat.

Our drive ended at the scenic Waipi'o Valley.

It was so scenic that we hiked down to the bottom of the valley... on a road/trail that was >25% grade the whole way!

The Hike

We trekked down the road (this picture doesn't do the steep grade justice)...

... and the views were worth it.

We made two river crossings...

... and again, the views were worth it.

After exploring the valley interior, we hiked back down to the beach. I got a little silly.

And again... the views were worth it!