We got back yesterday from Kauai.  It was a great week!  Not too jam packed but busy enough that there wasn't a lot of down time.  The condo we stayed at over looked the ocean.  I enjoyed every morning getting up and watching the sunrise on the balcony in my robe with my hot tea.  As soon as the sun comes up, it gets pretty warm.  We attended a luau and went on a kayak/hike tour.  We were able to travel the whole island.  They had some flash flooding several weeks prior (14 inches in 4 hours) so the trails were pretty muddy.  We stayed at Pono Kai resort in Kapaa - a great location. We ate out several times and through our friends, hung out with some locals and attended a Hawaiian church.  Did some shopping.  Ate some great shaved ice and went to a large farmer's market.  

Boys did well (and had no incidents that I am aware of) while we were gone.

Random facts about the trip......

There are only 13 letters in Hawaiian alphabet - that's why the words look so weird

I enjoyed the Mustang convertible as much as I expected, but boy, it is like a low rider and not very comfortable seats for longer distances

Chicken, chickens everywhere

Po'ipu Beach has amazing sand

Because of cost of living there, there are lots of homeless....vans filled to the top

The Hawaiian's are very hospitable giving people

Anini Beach has amazing shade and plenty of room to spread out

Gas was $5.25 a gallon, versus about 3.70 here

Lots of traffic on the island, way more than I expected

Turtles at Poipu Beach are something.  Every sunset, turtles come up on shore, anywhere from 2-122 to rest for the night.  When we were there only 10 were there.  Monk seals can be seen too

April isn't best time of year to surf but great because it is just after the rain but before all summer tourists

Salt Pond Beach is beautiful and lifeguards will get on their microphone if you get on the lava rocks (I know from personal experience)

Jose and I are not meant to be in a double kayak together

Next island trip, take reusable bags because there are no plastic grocery bags on the island

I like wearing sun hats

Snorkeling and I still don't mesh well - could never relax in the water

There is a missile facility on the south part of the island

Gooseberries, before they are ripe, are not very good

Lots of traffic with very few roads

Photo dump - 

Have been out walking Bree close to the airport and am just amazed how close we are to all the planes.  Loved watching some of the big cargo type military planes doing touch downs.

Jacob and 5 other friends went to prom over the weekend!  Great group of guys!  In the group photo, the two on the left are his hunting buddies.  The one second from the left always brings the biggest smile to my face because he reminds me so much of a young Kirk Cameron - (one of my heartthrobs growing up).

Football workouts continuing to go well for the boys.  I am gonna look at Joseph one of these days and his baby face/young boy look will be gone!!!  Today Jacob and two other friends, drove 1.5 hours away to visit a two year school.  Their football coach is getting them some interviews with college coaches.  I am not sure that Jacob wants to go that route, but great experience.  His football coach told him he needed to put a 'reel' together so coaches can see him on the field.  I have watched it about a dozen times...proud momma!  Here is the link, but be sure to watch it on a computer and not a phone screen - much better the bigger the screen.  The first play on the reel was his 1 and only TD as a junior.  It was so exciting and a game my mom was here for.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16381847/6619561d0d624e2056fe3799

JR and I leave on Friday for Kauai!!  

 We have hit the 70s...but snow coming next week!

JR and I leave in 2 weeks for Kauai!

JR has finally drawn a big horn sheep tag, although not in the region he had hoped for, but something new to hunt this fall. 

Benjamin has started working again with the dirt work/excavation.  

Joseph plugs along.  Continues with the football workouts and I think he is starting to imagine himself with the build of a football player.  Joseph is starting to get into video editing.  Hard to believe this kid will be entering high school soon and I have an appointment for him to take his written driving test!!!  He has a lot of work cut out for him as he studies for the test.

Jacob is all things work.  Installing lots of billboard vinyls.  He is learning about bidding jobs, building the actual signs, etc.  He was recently tasked with the job of calculating measurements and cutting metal.  I told him I knew the math would come in handy one day.  Him and his buddies are starting to spend more time and resources on things for their Youtube channel.  It is fun to watch their process.  They are being strategic in taking pictures, tagging potential sponsors as they use their gear and making sure their pictures don't reveal too much of their location.  He is working on designing a logo too.

Enjoy some pictures