Hailey, Conrad and Dex visit us in Paradise!

We were so happy to have Hailey, Conrad and Dex come to visit us in Hawaii!  They arrived late Friday evening, December 1st,  we had a chance for a short visit before we all went to bed.  The next day,  they went to the beach and we worked at the temple until about 1:30 PM.  We then went to dinner at the Big Island Grill in Kona.  We enjoyed roast pork and the catch of the day and Dex loved his french fries!  Then we looked around downtown Kona  and made a stop at the ABC Store.  Dex is learning his abcs at preschool and sings the ABC Song so he was excited to see a store named after "his song".  He was so cute when grandpa showed him the sign.

We then made a stop at Walmart for some macadamia nut ice cream which we took home to enjoy!

On Sunday we attended our ward and then went home for Reuben sandwiches, orange cake and more macadamia nut ice cream  After lunch, we took a drive to see Captain Cook's Monument in Kealakekua Bay.

We viewed the monument from across the bay.

 We hiked around the area and took some photos.

 Conrad helped Dex build a stone pyramid on the rocky beach.

From there, we drove to the Place of Refuge. 

Dex and Conrad play Hawaiian checkers

 We walked around and explored until sunset and we were treated to some beautiful views.

  The next morning, we left at 6:30 AM for the east side of the island.  Monday is our "P" Day and the only full day we had to spend with our guests, so we made an early start and covered a lot of the highlights of the island!

 As we drove over "Saddle Road" (the highway that crosses the width of the island) we were amazed at the view as we began our descent into the Hilo area.  We were above the clouds which can be seen in the distance ahead.

Our first stop, just outside Hilo, was Rainbow Falls.

 Then we made the short hike up the path and the stairs for a closer look at the falls.

 After our 2 hour drive and stop to see the falls, we were hungry, so our next stop was Ken's House of Pancakes (dubbed KHOP).

The crab Eggs Benedict, hashbrowns and macadamia nut pancakes with tropical syrups were delicious!

After breakfast, we drove north to see Akaka Falls. 

 By the time we arrived at the falls, Dex had fallen asleep. So Grandma and Dex napped in the car while Hailey, Conrad and Grandpa took the hike to see the falls.  This beautiful waterfall on the Wailuku River plunges 442 feet over the cliffs to the river below.

Continuing north, we headed for the Waipio Valley Overlook.  Once know as the "Valley of the Kings", these beautiful views are some of my favorite sites on the island.

 "Valley of the Kings"

The coastline is gorgeous!

 

 Near where we had parked our car, Hal spotted this colorful Gecko.

Next, we headed we headed west to Waimea and drove through beautiful, scenic Parker Ranch country. Parker Ranch began with 5 cows - brought across the ocean by British Captain George Vancouver in 1788.  Vancouver presented the cows to King Kamehameha I. Over the next 20 years, the cows multiplied into thousands and eventually John Palmer Parker created a beef industry on the island. and the big ranch still carries his name.

Our next stop was in Waimea at a food truck for a  hot Malasada- a Portuguese donut.

The Malasadas were pretty good, but a little heavy and greasy - probably not worth the calories!

 Conrad teaching Dex to"Hang Loose"  

From Waimea we continued north to the Pololu Valley and the Northern Kohala Coast Overlook and more spectacular views.

 

We hiked down the trail for a closer look at the coastline and to take some pictures.

Continuing north, we made a quick stop in North Kohala (a small town just north of Hawi) with the original statue of King Kamehameha I.  He is famous for uniting the Hawaiian islands and as a great warrior, diplomat and leader.

 Conrad, Hailey and Dex with the King

Our next stop was in Kamuela, Hawaii to visit the Hamakua Nut Factory.

This nut factory has samples galore and is basically "all you dare eat buffet"!  This is one of Hal's favorite island stops!

We wandered around the store and enjoyed the samples and then made our purchases, took some pictures and were on our way.  

On our way back to our condo, we stopped to check out 3 beaches along the Kohala Coast, so that Hailey, Conrad and Dex would know which one was best!  Hapuna Beach won hands down.  We returned home after dark  and we were all worn out after our VERY long day, but we had seen many of the highlights of the island and had a great time!

Tuesday, they went to the beach while we served in the temple.
 Then Tuesday evening, Hal, Hailey and Conrad went to a temple session and Dex and I hung out together!

 
Wednesday was another beach day for Hailey, Conraad and Dex.  Of all the activities, Dex loved going to the beach the most!

Wednesday after Conrad, Hailey and Dex came home from the beach and after we served at the temple, we all went together for an early dinner at the Outback to celebrate my birthday and Conrad's birthday.  We began our feast with a complimentary(I had a coupon on my phone) appetizer of coconut shrimp followed by our dinner salads! 

Then, Conrad, Hal and I had the double lobster tail dinner and Hailey had a fillet and lobster dinner (she is allergic to seafood so Conrad graciously volunteered to eat her lobster - actually he told her to order that meal so he would have a third lobster tail).  The lobster was perfect and SO delicious and Hailey said her steak was awesome!!

 Hailey, Conrad and I had ordered mashed potatoes with our dinners, but they ran out of the ingredients to make them and so we had to substitute something else (I had a baked potato and Conrad and Hailey ordered the fresh vegetables) - poor us.  The manager was so apologetic that we didn't get what we ordered that he gave all four of us complimentary desserts!

 Hailey, Conrad and Hal had the carmel cookie skillet and I had the brownie sundae (which Dex happily helped me eat).  Both desserts were yummy.  It was a fun birthday celebration and evening together!

On Thursday while we worked at the temple, Hailey, Conrad and Dex went to see the volcano, the black sand beach and the southeast coastline of the island.

  On Friday while we were at the temple, they took Dex on a submarine ride on the Atlantis - he loved seeing the fish!  

That evening, Hailey and Conrad went to a Luau  at the Sheraton.

Grandpa and I hung out with Dex.  It was so fun to be with him , he is such a cute little boy!I do miss my grand kids!

Saturday is our busy and longer day at the temple, so while we served there, Hailey, Conrad and Dex packed up - getting ready to go home - and then spent some time at our condo pool swimming.  When we finished our temple day, we met them at the Fish Hopper for an early dinner.  Hailey, Conrad and Hal had the fresh catch of the day (black marlin - coated in sesame seeds and served with fresh veggies and rice) and I had fresh prawns stuffed with crab served with creamy risotto.  Our early bird dinners came with a salad or chowder and a slice of chocolate macadamia nut pie.  Everything was delicious!  

The pie was just as good as it looks!!

 This was our farewell dinner together and we were sad to see them go!  They left from downtown Kona to go to the airport to fly home!  It was wonderful to have them come and to see one of my precious grand kids but hard to say goodbye!

 Aloha!!!