^ The street name by our rental was very fitting! Kona was the side of the island we were staying on!
FIRST TIME EVER IN THE OCEAN!
They were giggling and stomping, having the time of their life in the water!
^ Paige would always want to let go of our hands and head straight into the water, no fear for this water babe.
^ Our view (through a screen) from the rental we were staying. Loved.
^ My view of Paige at 6 o'clock sharp almost every morning. She was either peaking over at me through the pack n' play or standing up, snickering and saying "Mom!"
The girls did so well napping and pretty well falling asleep at night, despite not having any curtains to block out the light and help muffle the sounds.
^ A playdough creation of a ballerina by Ellie.
^ Our date night consisted of eating at this tasty restaurant with some nice conversation, watching the waves crash along the wall across the street and a walk along the shops down the strip. We were quite grateful to have that time together!
Our drive to pretty much all the beaches took place on this road. It was an interesting view of all the lava rock on each side, but also the beautiful mountains to the side/ahead and the ocean on the other side. It's amazing what can come from something so impactful and huge, I had to marvel at it all.
^ The lovely ladies we went on the trip with; Amanda to the left and Shaina to the right.
^ Caught taking a big breath before hopping into our pool. She absolutely loved playing in the water and her confidence made us smile. Earlier this summer Ellie would get anxious in a pool and would want us to hold her hand all the time, despite having the floaty on. Right before our trip, Ellie had swim lessons and they made the world of a difference. We were so glad she could enjoy herself in the water; pool and the ocean!
^ The girls had to improvise fun sometimes on the sometimes longish drive(s) to the beach.
Picture to the left: "Look at my lions mane mom!" - Ellie
Ellie was up for a photo every time and I adored these two posing together!
^ Ellie wearing her triple floaty "dress"
^ "Mom, take our picture!" - Ellie
^ There were several attempts of a sandcastle (done by me), with some success of a couple little ones (done by our friends), but I never did snap a photo of them! There was fun in the sand none the less!
The photo above: the reality of Paige not wanting to hold my hand.
Photo below: finally giving in to it!
^ Those black bumps on the rock on the top right section were black crabs!
We took the long drive to the volcano and the weather was not ideal. There was rain, fog, and wind. Even though it didn't make for great viewing, it made for some laughs...
^ The others tried to keep the kids under the ponchos they bought at the visitor center because not everyone was prepared for the bad weather. The kids still got wet and a little muddy, along with the rest of us, but they didn't care one bit. We just had to laugh it all off and join in their joy of the adventure.
^ It was getting close to lunchtime anyway, so we ate at the restaurant inside the park and low and behold it cleared up and gave us this stunning view of the volcano.
^ Thanks to our friend Andrew for getting these adorable photos of the girls outside the restaurant.
Our attempts at getting a group photo of all the kids wearing their matching/coordinating shirts!
They are still cute! And it was our last time at the beach!
Besties!
