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 Nice way to end an epic hike - watersliding! This was super fun, and super slick! I got launched into the pool - catching myself with my hands and going up to my waist! We’d just hiked with Mom and Richard from the Ko’olau Golf Course (and the First Pres Church) all the way up to the Pali Lookout and back! What fun to explore the ancient (circa 1850s) carriage road, then the Old Pali Road, and finally see the “new” Pali Hwy just below us as we gazed across Kaneohe all the way to Chinaman’s Hat (with Ben saying “take kayaks out” when he saw it). (For a great pictorial history of the route over the Pali, see http://www.pacificworlds.com/nuuanu/memories/memory5.cfm) We didn’t exactly set out to go that far - when I’m hiking with folks new to me on the trail, I never plan on how far we are going to go. We just play it by ear. With all Richard’s joking about already being tired only .25 miles into it, I was thinking we’d be lucky to make it to the carriage road. Turns out, he later tells us after charging right up the trail, that only about 20% of what he says is true. Good to know! Mom is a real trooper hiking in slippery Crocs (without even having the back strap behind her heel, but she gets so much unsolicited advice on the trail about which stick to use and what root to grab I decided not to mention that little nugget as I’m not sure it’d help anyway). Sam led almost the entire hike, and really set a good pace for all of us. Ben actually hiked the entire way from Pali Lookout down to the parking lot (3 miles). I really couldn’t believe it but he was fine, hiking at just our pace, and did NOT want to be picked up (”Ben down!” “Ben walk!”). It was just shy of 1000′ elevation gain over 6 miles roundtrip. Everyone earned their lunches! Ben was so excited he skipped nap afterwards (huh???) and Sam ate more than I did. What a great day full of views, dense jungle, history, and good exercise. I had a blast doing that waterslide!
 New big guy boogie board! Thanks Gramma and Richard! Saturday late afternoon we went to boogie board in the surf at Kailua Beach - it was cold and rough but the boys loved it. Ben was shivering and blue but he wanted back in. Before bed I chatted with him about his time in the waves, just beginning to learn how to paddle and body surf in the gentle bubbly froth as the waves lapped the shore. Here’s what he said:
“kinda rough”
“climbed da woller”
“climbed up da woller!” (roller)
“fell back in da water”
“head under”
“it’s ok”
 Ben playing in the "big rollers!"
 Among the Cook pines on the Judd trail. Such incredible trees, and a nice shot, Dave. This morning started with a Skype “date” with Nana and PopPop on Long Island - see the picture below of the “cross-country concert” with PopPop (Sam on uke and PopPop on guitar). Dave’s dad, Bill, has such a beautiful voice. Ben loved seeing Nana, exclaiming “Nana! Dat’s Nana!” Then we went out for a hike on the Judd trail today - you start with a stream crossing (always potentially interesting, especially in winter) but it wasn’t very high and I was able to cross with Ben in my arms no problem. Feet stayed dry :) Everyone got wet and muddy…and loved it. Ben is pretty funny with his hands, though. He doesn’t like messy hands, so when he puts them down on the ground to break a fall, he uses fists, or the backs of his hands! Mom and Richard met up with us at the Jackass Ginger Pool - it was fun to see them there! They’re at the laundromat now - Richard finished off his last pair of shorts on the trail 
 Sam and Ben listening to PopPop sing Puff the Magic Dragon (and play on his guitar).
 Having a little fire while waiting for dinner...click for larger size. Sam just cracks me up! He was carrying a little lizard around, showing it the fire (”now don’t climb up there, it’s hot”), and it eventually fell asleep in his hand. I was in a funk this afternoon and finally decided to start a fire - give me something other than the kids to obsess about (Ben was being a bit of a bear), and something for the kids to focus on other than harrassing each other or me! I love these funny guys Thanks to mom and Richard for arriving with a yummy pot roast for a famished family, and Dave walked in just as we were serving.
 Here we are going on another hike with mom - she is getting in good shape! But take a look at what made the boys get whip-lash. Can you see it? She went up and down several times like this! So the lady in the background had a coffee thermos balanced on her head and two balls, one in each hand, as she worked her way up and down the trail and stairs, going backwards for some of it. Unbelievable! She does this every day. She says you just “stay in the core” to keep your balance like this. Amazing. On so many levels ;0
I am also posting video of the boys playing - Ben playing Sam’s uke and Sam playing both sets of drums Our neighbors have kindly donated drums when they’re done with them, and when one side gets punctured we flip it over and use the other side. Sam doesn’t care. He lines up all the mismatched drums around him in a huge array and goes at it. He’s even got a bongo out there that we found at Salvation Army. He is tooooo funny - he asks if he can play drums because we have quiet hours around here - it is, after all, a bit like camping. Don’t want to make the neighbors totally crazy. When Ben plays the uke, his tongue flicks in and out like a lizard - hope you can see it. We think maybe he’s trying to sing? We don’t know. The end of this movie is HILARIOUS. I was laughing out loud when i came outside and found Sam playing like this! VIDEO: Krug brothers band!
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