Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Big Island
We traveled to the Big Island for another week of vacation with my parents. Since Ben was with us for a few days we took a day and kayaked to Captain Cooks Monument and snorkeled. It was so of the best snorkeling I have seen. Another day we went to the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Park for a picnic. We found some amazing tide pools that the kids really enjoyed playing in well until the crab came out....(long story). Then we walked the sacred Hawaiian grounds. My parents and I also took the kids whale watching. We saw several whales and some spinner dolphins. Emily fell asleep about 15 minutes into our boat ride and Levi was like wild man walking everywhere on the boat. We did a bunch of beach time with the kids and even took Emily out to see some fish. We rented a boogie board with a large hole in it so she could see the fish. 
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Manta Ray Night Dive!
Ben met us on the Big Island for a few days before having to return to work. We took advantage of having my parents help with the kids and did some scuba diving. I had been told by several people we had to do this dive at night with the manta rays...so we did it. It was the coolest thing ever! The way it works is you go down with a flash light and form a circle with the others in your group and sit on the bottom of the ocean. You then hold you light up on your shoulder which attracts plenkton which the manta rays eat. They then swoop down right about the light to eat which means they end up swimming right over your head. We were lucky to see 3 large females.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Kauai 2010
My parents and I flew with the kids over to Kauai for a week. Emily was so excited to be going on an airplane and Levi was in airplane heaven! We had a fun week of beach, site seeing, riding a train at the sugar plantation, big waves, playgrounds and waterfalls.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Emily's First Luau!
We took Emily to her very first Luau and we all had such a fun time. Emily cracked us up with her excitement about everything that was happening around her. We tried out a new Luau, Paradise Cove which was different since they have many activities to do prior to eating and the show. Emily enjoyed making a bracelet out of flowers, making a head band out of leaves and flower, riding in a outrigger, and dancing with daddy to Hawaiian music. The funniest part of the night is when the lady came out on the stage and said Aloha Em responed Alooooooha (the proper way to respond)as loud as she could like she had been doing it all her life. They gave anyone who wanted to learn the hula a chance to go up on stage and Emily was all about "I want to learn hula" and up she went with her daddy.
Makapuu Point
We took my parents for a hike up Makapuu point in search of humpback whales. We didn't see any whales that day but we did enjoy the wonderful views of the lighthouse and the surrounding area.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas Day 2009!
We had a really nice Christmas day with the kids and my parents. Emily was all about opening presents! Levi wasn't as excited about opening gifts but he really enjoyed the toys after they were opened which worked out perfectly for Emily. Merry Christmas From Fiji!!
Ben and I had a 24 layover in Fiji and it happened to be on Christmas. Our flight was delayed and didn't get in till after midnight but we still got up early to catch a boat to South Sea Island. On this island we spent a few hours snorkeling. This was the best snorkeling we have ever done. The water was super clear and we saw so many colors of coral and a great variety of fish. We had a wonderful Christmas day in Fiji and since we crossed the international date line on our way home we celebrated a wonderful Christmas day in Hawaii too.
New Zealand Part 6 (Aurthur's Pass)
Our last day of driving took us through a mountain pass called Aurthur's Pass. We took our time driving and enjoying our last day in New Zealand.
New Zealand Part 5 (Fox Glacier)
Our next stop was on the west coast. We arranged to do a full day hike on Fox Glacier with a guide company. Apparently it is to dangerous to do without a guide. It ended up being a 6 plus hour hike but it was one of the coolest things we did. We met some really fun couples from England, Spain and Australia. The guides had ice pics that they used to make steps out of the ice or make a path for us. I was really worried I would freeze but it ended up being the warmest day we had while in New Zealand. After this experience we will be looking for more glaciers to hike in the future. Check out all the amazing pictures!!!
New Zealand Part 4 (Wineries)
While Ben and I drove down to Milford Sound we kept passing wineries. We soon discovered that region makes a really good Pinot Noir so we decided to do a few wineries on our way back. One day turned into two days of wine tasting... we had that much fun. It was explained to us that people ususally buy a few bottles from each winery and then ship back a case....so that is what we did. In a few weeks we will have a case of our favorite wines from this region.
As we drove we passed a bridge where the first bungie jump took place and decided to stop. It took only one person jumping to get Ben to say "I'm in". So off he went screaming like a little girl. He decided he wanted to be dipped in the river at the end. He ended up going in almost up to his belly button. I give him a lot of credit....I don't think I could do it especially now that we have kids. I must say he was glowing once he was finished.
As we drove we passed a bridge where the first bungie jump took place and decided to stop. It took only one person jumping to get Ben to say "I'm in". So off he went screaming like a little girl. He decided he wanted to be dipped in the river at the end. He ended up going in almost up to his belly button. I give him a lot of credit....I don't think I could do it especially now that we have kids. I must say he was glowing once he was finished.
Ben's glowing moment!!!
This is the region that we saw the most people doing bicycle touring. We even saw an entire family with a tandem and all their gear. Below is a New Zealand Share the Road sign.
The road sides are lined with the wild lupine flower...just beautiful!!
The are also sheep farms everywhere. One morning we woke to the sound of sheep.
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CLICK FOR MORE PICTURES:
Saturday, December 26, 2009
New Zealand Part 3 (Milford Sound)
One of Ben's dreams was to visit Milford Sound so we put it into high gear and drove about 7 hours some in the rain to make it there for him to do a early morning dive in the sound. At first I was a little bummed to see the rain till about the time we got closer to Milford. It was the most wonderous thing I have seen....waterfalls in all directions we turned. We found out later that the best time to see the area is during a rainfall. When we arrived that night the Milford Lodge was full and with no other places to stay in the area we were sure happy to have our campervan. We found a little drive off the road to pull into and it was all fine till about 6am when we both popped up out of bed as we heard the air breaks of a big truck who wanted to pull in...good times!
The next morning we met up with our group to do the boat ride into the sound and some scuba diving. I decided that I would pass on doing this dive since the water was super cold and that really isn't my thing, instead I enjoyed the scenery and the company of another wife and her three kids from Holland who came along while their daddy was diving. Ben agreed that it was super cold but was happy he did the dive as he saw some black coral which normally only grows in depths of 200 ft. The sound was absolutely beautiful...we saw some seals who were sun bathing on seal rock as they call it and we again saw many waterfalls.
New Zealand Part 2 (Christchurch and Tekapo)
Ben and I really didn't have time to plan our trip... we had plane tickets and the first three days planned, nothing else. We ended up getting on the internet net at a general store and booked two tickets from Auckland to Christchurch (south island) and a campervan to travel and sleep in. Where we would end up on a day to day basis time would only tell. It really did end up being the best way for us to travel and see the country not to mention more relaxing.
We found that New Zealand is such a rural country that the best way to travel is to just drive and when you get tired pull over and sleep...everyone does it. It is also such a beautiful country that as soon as you think it can't get any more beautiful you turn your head and it does. New Zealand It is also such a safe country and the people there are so nice and respectful...we even picked up a hitch hiker from Australia one day.
We started out our journey on the south island in Christchurch which is such a neat old city. We walked the streets (it reminded me a lot of London) sampeling cafe's, shops and having our usual of fish and chips. That night we slept in our campervan at a RV park so we could shower and wake up early for our Hot Air Balloon adventure. This was an adventure we thought we would only do once in our lives and it was such a great way to see the Canterbury plains. We really enjoyed the scenery but I think we both enjoyed the process of getting the balloon in the air and the actual science behind flying it. We ended up landing in the same field we took off on which is extremely rare...Our pilot has flown over 500 flights and has only done this 2 times....pretty cool.
That same day we started our drive south to an area named Lake Tekapo. We were told to arrive during the late afternoon since the way the sun shines off the lake makes it look just stunning. I would say it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! That night we drove to a spot by the lake and set up "home". In the middle of the night I was awaken by Ben saying "look at the stars" (we had a sunroof just above our heads) WOW I think we were able to see just about every star out there!!! It was amazing and soooo beautiful!
We found that New Zealand is such a rural country that the best way to travel is to just drive and when you get tired pull over and sleep...everyone does it. It is also such a beautiful country that as soon as you think it can't get any more beautiful you turn your head and it does. New Zealand It is also such a safe country and the people there are so nice and respectful...we even picked up a hitch hiker from Australia one day.
We started out our journey on the south island in Christchurch which is such a neat old city. We walked the streets (it reminded me a lot of London) sampeling cafe's, shops and having our usual of fish and chips. That night we slept in our campervan at a RV park so we could shower and wake up early for our Hot Air Balloon adventure. This was an adventure we thought we would only do once in our lives and it was such a great way to see the Canterbury plains. We really enjoyed the scenery but I think we both enjoyed the process of getting the balloon in the air and the actual science behind flying it. We ended up landing in the same field we took off on which is extremely rare...Our pilot has flown over 500 flights and has only done this 2 times....pretty cool.
That same day we started our drive south to an area named Lake Tekapo. We were told to arrive during the late afternoon since the way the sun shines off the lake makes it look just stunning. I would say it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! That night we drove to a spot by the lake and set up "home". In the middle of the night I was awaken by Ben saying "look at the stars" (we had a sunroof just above our heads) WOW I think we were able to see just about every star out there!!! It was amazing and soooo beautiful!
New Zealand Part 1 (Poor Knights)
My parents said they would watch Em and Levi so Ben and I could get away for a couple of weeks so we decided to travel to New Zealand. After arriving at the Auckland airport we rented a car for the first three days of our trip and let me tell you that was a bit of an adjustment driving on the left side of the road!! We started our trip out on the north island in an area called Tutukaka. Ben selected a bed and breakfast for our first three days at an Alpaca farm. It was gorgeous there. The farm over looked the ocean and it was surrounded by rolling hills every where not to mention Alpacas every where.
Our first full day there we did a boat dive at an area called Poor Knights. They believe it was named that by Captain Cook since the islands when put together looks like a knight buried above ground which is where the poor knights would be buried. This dive was named one of the top dives by Jacques Cousteau....and let me tell you it was amazing! We saw some of the most beautiful colors under the water along with many rays, fish, kelp and coral. It was a totally different experience diving in cold water for us since our wet suits were thicker we had to learn to adjust.
The next day we did some driving stopping at some spots to do some tramping (hiking) as New Zealanders call it. We even walked the longest foot bridge in the southern hemisphere which wasn't nearly as long as we thought it would be but neat anyways.
This part of our vacation was just what we both needed.... Peace and quiet!!
Our first full day there we did a boat dive at an area called Poor Knights. They believe it was named that by Captain Cook since the islands when put together looks like a knight buried above ground which is where the poor knights would be buried. This dive was named one of the top dives by Jacques Cousteau....and let me tell you it was amazing! We saw some of the most beautiful colors under the water along with many rays, fish, kelp and coral. It was a totally different experience diving in cold water for us since our wet suits were thicker we had to learn to adjust.
The next day we did some driving stopping at some spots to do some tramping (hiking) as New Zealanders call it. We even walked the longest foot bridge in the southern hemisphere which wasn't nearly as long as we thought it would be but neat anyways.
This part of our vacation was just what we both needed.... Peace and quiet!!
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2009
Ben was in charge again this year for the planning and implementing of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Rich and I were able to be there this year to watch the ceremony. It was a pretty moving ceremony and even more special to see some of the survivors.
Going out for a stroll!
Getting ready to go for a stroll around the neighborhood with Em, Levi and baby Penny!
Thanksgiving Day 2009
Our neighborhood had a Thanksgiving gathering in our alley to celebrate the holiday. It was fun to be outside and have the room for the kids to run around and be crazy. Football was not part of the big day since the games come on so early here but we had a blast without it.
Big boy smiles!!
Apparently when Ben was a child he did the same thing Levi is doing on this same chair....I believe he had fallen over a few times and got hurt...he says it is an Abney tradition.
Speedy!!! Look at her go!
Apparently when Ben was a child he did the same thing Levi is doing on this same chair....I believe he had fallen over a few times and got hurt...he says it is an Abney tradition.
Speedy!!! Look at her go!House Painting!
Our neighbors were getting rid of a very large box so we took it and made it into a house for the kids. Emily had her friend Ali and her sister Emily over to help decorate it with paint. What a fun time!! I think the inside had more paint then the outside when it was all done. Both kids spend a lot of time hanging out in their house that we have set up in our garage (playroom).
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Navy vs. University of Hawaii Game
Our friends Stacy and Joel got us tickets to the Navy vs. U of Hawaii game that took place at the Aloha stadium just right outside of Ford Island. We had a really fun time at the game and I must say that having a Warrior as the mascot is a pretty cool mascot!
After Navy gets a touchdown the students go out on the field and do push ups.
Ford Island from the stadium...picture does not capture the beauty.
Stacy and Joel enjoying the game and their last weekend in Hawaii:(
Stacy and Joel enjoying the game and their last weekend in Hawaii:(
Our friends Stacy and Joel got us tickets to the Navy vs. U of Hawaii game that took place at the Aloha stadium just right outside of Ford Island. We had a really fun time at the game and I must say that having a Warrior as the mascot is a pretty cool mascot!
We are Proud of our Daddy!
A few weeks ago the Navy did a Recognition ceremony for the Sailors, Marines and Coast Guards who had received their degrees this year and Ben was able to be part of the ceremony. Dosn't he look so handsome in his uniform!
Pumpkin Patch 2009
I am a little late on posting this one... This year I took Emily to the pumpkin patch while Ben stayed home with a sick Levi. We had a really nice mommy and Emily day. We picked out a few pumpkins, picked a bucket of corn, did the petting zoo and Emily rode her first horse. By the end of the day we were both covered with dirt from head to toe and not to mention sweaty...Hawaii pumpkin patches tend to be super hot.
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