Adventures in Wandaland: September 2014

This summer Mark and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Kauai with our whole family. We had a glorious time and some of the kids instagrammed (#pappilyeverafter) the heck out of it. But here is MY version!

Most of us arrived on Friday, July 25, except Allison's family who were traveling from the east coast. She thought it best to arrive on Thursday and try to give them a chance to 1) recuperate from the ridiculously long journey with multiple flights, and 2) get a head start on jet lag. All of us were texting each other to keep tabs on everyone's progress through various airports. Besides the NC crew coming in on Thursday, we had people coming from Denver, Salt Lake City, New York City, San Francisco and San Jose (us). It was exciting as each new group arrived. The resort was beautiful, as always:

By dinner-time everyone was there (19 of us!) and on the beach enjoying the water. Mark and I went to the grocery store and Taco Bell and brought back 40 tacos, half dozen quesadillas, water, apples and carrots.

The gang!

David

Gemma

Jess, Laura, Rebecca, and Austin

On Saturday, part of the group went tubing in underground caves at a plantation. I got to spend quality time with the two youngest grandchildren who were too small for the tubes, feeding them lunch, reading stories, and putting them down for naps. The afternoon and evening were spent on the beach. After a run to Costco for hot dogs and bratz and other picnic foods, we made use of the barbecue facilities at the resort and cooked up a meal. We were able to snag one of the gazebos that overlooks the pool area to enjoy our food. Sarah had arranged in advance with a local bakery to make some pies for our anniversary and they were delicious!

From beach to dinner. Sorry, just a phone picture!

Upper left to right: Chocolate Chip Macadamia nut, Passion Fruit Cheesecake, Island Lime

Lower left to right: Blueberry Ginger, Belgian Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts

Allison, David K (Laura's boyfriend), Laura, David, Rebecca

Austin (cut off! Sorry!), Mark, Sarah, Annie, Allison. Joel, Dave W standing

The rest of the week there was plenty of time for beach activities, experimenting with a stand-up paddle board and boogie boarding....

David

Sarah and Becca boogie boarding as Dono, Gemma & Joel look on.

David & Dono

Rebecca

David boogie boarding, Ainsleigh, Dono, Joel, Sarah, Gemma & Jess in the water

Joel

There was also plenty of time spent at the pool:

Cousin love

Patrick

Ainsleigh, Gemma, Annie, Donovan, Emaline

One evening we went to a luau since we've never done that before. Everyone had a great time and the kids really enjoyed the show.

Ainsleigh, Gemma, Donovan, Annie, Emaline with hunky Hawaiians

Table for 19 please?

Mark, Jeff, Austin, and Dave golfed one morning and another morning we hiked on the Kalalau trail on the NaPali coast starting at Ke'e Beach. It was a tough hike made tougher for Allison since she carried 2 year old Patrick on her back! After the hike, many snorkeled and then we hit Chicken in a Barrel and the shave ice stand in Hanalei.

David likes to find the high places

Patrick, Allison, Dave W

After 2 1/4 miles we arrived at Hanakapai'ai Beach. The trail goes another 9 miles.

Hanakapai'ai Beach. We stopped here and then went back to Ke'e Beach.

Looking back to where we were on the beach

Ke'e Beach from the trail. We started down there.

Sarah & Dave W instruct Emaline on snorkeling. Or maybe just how hot the sand is going to be when she takes those fins off.

David K, Laura, Rebecca, Austin, David

Mmmmm.... shave ice!

We also stopped briefly to snap a picture of the lighthouse.

While Mark & Jeff golfed a second time, some of us drove to Poipu through the gorgeous tunnel of trees. At least that is what I call it!

At Poipu we snorkeled and saw a monk seal on the beach and a turtle in the water. The monk seal was sleeping on the beach with caution tape all around and an older couple sitting nearby in beach chairs. I chatted with them for a while about the seal. They were "babysitting" him until he returned to the water, making sure he wasn't disturbed. They volunteer all over the south side of the island and get a call when there is a seal on the beach to go and watch over it.

Annie & Dave W

Patrick

After spending time in Poipu, we drove up Waimea Canyon with those that hadn't seen it before.

Sarah & Joel with Ainsleigh, Donovan & Gemma

Allison with Annie & Emaline (Patrick was sleeping in the car with Dave W watching over him!)

Gemma, Annie, Ainsleigh, Emaline & Donovan

David K & Laura

One must do activity for Mark was to take Patrick on a train. Patrick loves trains and Allison had done some research and found a plantation train ride for them and us to go on. Patrick was so excited and as the train started to move, his face was priceless.