O'ahu Trip

We took a vacation to O'ahu. The last plane Stella was on was in 2011 when we moved here and she cried the whole flight.

 She was much happier this flight!

 We stayed at a condo in Waikiki area that I stayed at with my family when I was around Reeve's age.
The lobby...

 Waikiki beach...Reeve in the water.

 Reeve and Stella in the water...

 Surf movies are always a family favorite and we just saw Chasing Mavericks. Stella had fun paddle, paddle, paddling to catch the mild waves.

 The kids and I had fun walking around Waikiki...Diamond Head is in the background.

 We took a trip to the North Shore...Ehukai Beach Park, aka Banzai Pipeline. Stella is running away from the huge surf. The boys are getting a closer look.

 It was a windy day.

 Kyle is getting washed on shore, Stella stayed on the beach, and Reeve is getting ready to join Kyle.

 Kyle and Reeve getting tossed about in the waves.

 We saw at least two rainbows each day in Honolulu. It was very windy there and always a nice passing rain shower. This is the view from our condo. They were painting, and that's what those wires are about.

 A Wyland Mural...on our way to the airport.

Beach Day

Tom had a code class in Kailua-Kona, so we decided to make a day of it.

We went over Friday after school and got a room at the Kona Reef.

 The kids loved the pool.

After check-out the kids and I hoped the brick wall to the beach to wait for Tom.

 Then we headed to Magic Sands Beach...at Reeve and Kyle's request. Stella playing in the sand.

 Cute guy sitting on the rocks at the beach :)

 The boys are in this picture (below) somewhere...Kyle is wearing a blue rash guard shirt and Reeve is wearing a tri-color (black, red, and white) rash guard shirt.

Kyle had fun boogie boarding and body surfing.

 Reeve is heading out. It looks calm in these pics, but some of the waves were huge!

 Kyle...getting out of the way.

 Reeve catching a way into shore.

 Me and Stella :) I had so much fun just watching her and then Tom watched her while I went swimming in the warm, crystal clear ocean.

We love the Sun

Every Sunday we set up a tent at a local Market that has everything. Stella is standing in front of our off-grid laundry demo.

 Tommy talking solar story

We've converted two used electric golf cars into solar powered golf cars.

I get an extra resistance work-out when Stella helps me do the laundry.

 Stella is the only one who dares to pick up a duck.

 She is holding Meg.

I bought some Hawaiian themed fabric for the golf car seats.

Tommy and Reeve building a battery box to house 4 renewable energy L-16 batteries.

 One of our pineapple patches.

 Meyer lemon tree

 Papaya tree

 Two papaya trees

Grapefruit tree

Soapberry tree. This tree will someday produce soap "nuts" or berries that we can dry and use for laundry soap, dishwashing soap, and shampoo.

 Going in a counter clockwise circle starting with the soapberry tree in front, then two edible hibiscus (aka Bele plant) along the log, a Mamaki tree (related to stinging nettle), and a soapberry tree behind it and another one off to the side.

Reeve taking care of the bananas. He weeded and mulched them.

 Two edible hibiscus plants...the leaves are great in salad and taste like spinach. Very nutritious. In the center is a lilikoi (passion fruit) vine.

 Up close of the edible hibiscus.

 Up close of the Mamaki tree.

New pineapple plant and papaya patch.

 New used truck and topper for the business :)

 Reeve has a job :) He takes the golf car 4 miles to do yard work for our good friends.

 Our one surviving duckling...Star! Stella named him :)