It was a super busy day around here today, so we decided to stick with the plan to go see the moonrise over the Mokulua islands as a way to unplug from it all for just an hour. It was a great time. Gramma brought ice cream sandwiches for the boys and we had our picnic on the beach.

We enjoyed a day on the water with Mom and Richard on Sunday – “makai” in our rotation from ocean to mountain (“mauka”). We think that’s the best way to enjoy all the outdoors has to offer here 🙂 Above is Dave stand-up paddling at Ala Moana Beach Park. Mom stood up and paddled, too!!!

Whatever your vote, it was an historic day yesterday. I don’t comment on politics here but the momentum generated yesterday, engaging a sweeping cross-section of voters in the political process, is good for our country. I am exhilarated and disappointed at the same time. Certainly Obama represents change on many levels, and the world is taking notice once again that nothing is impossible for Americans. I hope your promises prove substantive. We wish you well guiding us – you have our prayers already.

On the other hand I revere McCain – he is a modern-day hero with a love of country tested and tried in a way few can comprehend. Your story compels me to tell my sons about you - Sam already recognizes you and knows who you are. The Presidency would have been a fitting capstone for your lifelong service. Thank you for your enduring example.

    

Aren’t I lucky to have paparazzi following my boy? My friend Liisa took these great shots of Sam. It was mayhem there – he seems to be taking it all in. We had a really nice jog over and back, the three of us. We make up new cadence every time, and today Ben joined in with baby cadence :) It was a nice way to ease into and out of the frenetic pace of this holiday. Liisa – thanks again for the great photos 🙂

Getting in the spider frame of mind…tomorrow I hope to be a web, Sam a happy-face spider, and Ben a fly. Let’s hope I can pull that off! Happy costume day to you and your ohana!

Sam is a budding astronomer, and I really like a book we got from the library about the moon. At one point it shows a view of the earth from the moon, and that’s when Sam asked this question. Very insightful to realize that gibbous pertained to the shape, and that it was the earth far away, not the moon. Made me proud 🙂

Did you ever wonder how one is considered a “native Hawaiian”? or How the places were named? Want to know more about the pre-contact culture (which is actually very recent)? One of my friends is awesome at asking questions whenever we’re out, collecting information and filing it away. I have to use the Internet and absorb visually… So here are two sites that I have found to be fascinating. You might consider flipping through them before your visit. You will have a different appreciation of the lands, the people, and their culture in addition to the swaying palms, beautiful sunrises and mai tais that you’ll also enjoy!

History:http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&pageid=61 

Culture and legends:http://apdl.kcc.hawaii.edu/~oahu/index.htm

Last night I asked Sam what he’d like to do more of – were there any activities that he wished we’d do more. After thinking only briefly he said “mooore cleeeaa-nin and mooooore lovin'”! These boys are so cute we want a third! (Boy, that is.)

We had a fantastic day exploring southern O’ahu. We weren’t sure what we’d do but ended up coming home 11 hours later. Between hiking Koko Head and checking out Waialae Beach near the Kahala Resort, even I am tuckered out 🙂 My boys had a great time…thanks for the adventure, Dave! Click on the photo above for some interesting shots of Koko Crater and Hanauma Bay, as well as the Spitting Cave below Koko Head and a quiet little beach and wee island…

I cleaned out our garage (at least the side that doesn’t contain tools) and put a table out with items on it for sale. Posted an ad to Craigslist, and played ball with Sam out front to see if anyone stopped.

We had a wonderful adventure at Kapa’a Quarry today! I rented a 15 passenger van and took 5 parents and 8 kids on a field trip to Ameron Hawaii. The quarry has been in operation for 40 years. The berms (terraces) as you look up from the pit are each 25′ wide and 50-100 feet high! (See photo below.)

The peaks above the pit are 700-800 ft above sea level, and this photo was taken from about 200′ elevation. I’ve hiked above the pit and I remember how deep it really looks from above. The berms are to prevent rocks from falling down into the pit and damaging vehicles. The rock they drill is basalt, volcanic rock. Drillers drill a hole into which explosives are dropped (ANFO or ammonium nitrate/fuel oil). The big rocks are loaded onto 50-ton haulers and brought up to the crushers. The haulers are immense, and extremely advanced. Computerized electronics govern the speed based on what the driver has experienced during the course of the day. The crushers crunch up the rock into a variety of sizes, from gravel to fine sand. Then the sand is used to make concrete which is hauled away in the cement trucks we see all over the island.

The pit sometimes fills with water during the winter rains. When you look down at the water it is a briliant blue-green. The quarry reclaims the water for use in making cement. They pump it out of the pit and store the water in large tanks. Our tour guide, Linda, was so well-versed in all the quarry operations – we couldn’t stump her! The day concluded with a trip to McDonald’s for a romp in the playground and a cheeseburger, compliments of Ameron Hawaii. The day was a huge hit! You rock, moms and dads! (ha ha!)

While Dave thought this fire was a bit large for a 400sq ft backyard, we had a great time with our newest tradition – First Friday Fires 🙂 Dave was out there with the hose spraying down the roof just in case embers got too carried away, literally. My friend Ang was here to enjoy some wine and s’mores with us. Sam and Ben enjoyed watching and stoking, respectively 🙂

Dave got home yesterday, and my friend Angela (Ang) is visiting – her hubby will be back from a 7 month deployment this week! So – we rented a paddle board this morning. Had a fantastic time! Sam enjoyed riding in front for a bit and even standing up. Then he started stomping and going wild! Yikes! It’s a great workout. We all feel a bit sore 🙂