We recently spent 10 days on the beautiful island of Kauai. Evan, Kelly and family and Tricia and James and family also went. With 8 children, the trip was always exciting - not a lot of time for just relaxing! We enjoyed being together, seeing beautiful scenery and eating delicious island food. Here are some of the highlights of our trip.
We spent the first three days on the south end of the island at Poipu.
This picture shows Violet and Aleeya enjoying the pool at the Sheraton. The beach was nearby as you can see and we loved the view and the proximity to the ocean.
Hal and I enjoyed one of many delicious fresh fish dinners at the "Gaylord's Plantation Restaurant".
We visited the Spouting Horn - a lava tube on the Poipu coast.
Evan and Kelly and Family at the Spouting Horn
James, Tricia and Family at the Spouting Horn with Treygan in the background!
We also visited the beautiful "grand canyon" of Kauai - Waimea Canyon. The view was gorgeous!
The Mickelsen Family
The Thomas Family
Kauai has chickens and roosters everywhere on the island! There are many differing accounts of why there are so many - one account says that they broke free of their chicken coops during the 1992 hurricane and now have free run of the island. We were never sure why there were so many chickens but we certainly saw them everywhere we went!
This photo shows Violet feeding a rooster at a scenic outlook. The native Hawaiian that "owned" the rooster was selling jewelry and hoping for a donation. He asked for a volunteer to feed his rooster and Violet stepped forward. She later asked the man why he was naked and he answered that he was "dressed" like that because it was hot! The innocence and candidness of a child is amazing!
We stopped at a beautiful overlook of the coast.
We then traveled to Princeville (the north end of the island) and spent the next week at condos there. We were blessed with great weather and we loved the beautiful surroundings and views of the "Garden Island".
We celebrated Tricia's birthday on September 1st. We enjoyed a lovely fish dinner that evening.
Our birthday girl!
Sunday we attended church at the Hanalei Branch. These pictures show the girls dressed up and all ready for church.
We enjoyed a delicious brunch at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville with a gorgeous view of Hanalei Bay. The setting couldn't have been more beautiful.
Treygan certainly got his money's worth at the brunch enjoying multiple plates of crab, beef, bacon, chicken, fresh fruit, pancakes, crepes, eggs Benedict, lemon tarts, chocolate cake ................................
We loved the food and the view. The fresh Hawaiian juices were so delicious!
Preston enjoying the food!
At 2 months, Ruby is smiling and responding to the people around her.
We went to a Luau and enjoyed the food and the entertainment - this photo shows the kalua pig ceremony before the feast.
Kyra and Treygan waiting for our turn to head to the buffet tables.
Dorothy and Sareya
After dinner, the music performers called for those who wanted to learn the hula to come up on stage. Our girls joined with others for the hula lesson.
Photos taken after the dinner before the luau entertainment.
Treygan and Hawaiian conch shell blower
We took a hike down a steep trail to see the "Queen's Bath"
Patty and Hal at the "Queen's Bath"
The Thomas Family at the "Queen's Bath"
It was a great trip with lots of activities and time to be together as a family.
