Cousins in Kauai, Part 1

Cory and Kristen have booked tickets for Kauai not once, not twice, but three times.  They finally made it, COVID-free, and even scored a rental car for less than $3500/week (the real test right now).  We did not waste time and made it to Brenneckes in the am the next morning.

Our original plan to get up early in the morning and find dolphins on paddle boards at Polihale was nixed when we saw the wave forecast and a swell on the west side.  Thankfully, there was not a significant swell on the south side so the waves here were moderate and not summer-huge.  Everyone in the family successfully caught waves and pointe out turtles.

I still feel this thrill boogie boarding, too.

A quick run over to the playground.

Rachel's wish list included fresh Acai bowls so we took them to our favorite stomping grounds and indulged.

We spent much of the afternoon cheering on the Jazz win, watching Blake sleep, and braiding hair.

Kristen, Rachel and I made off like Goldilocks and the Three Bears on a coastal bike ride: one bike too big, one too small, and one juuuuussssstttt right.  We spotted more turtles and perspired a whole lot.

Plenty foosball:

Kate learned a back walkover.

An evening stroll and skateboard session before the adults went to Merrimans for the best food I've had all year.

One of my favorite images from the entire trip:

It was the first time in the history of date night that our kids were all asleep when we got home.

Sunday, we tried hard to make the day special with asparagus-stuffed chicken, games, naps, puppy costumes, and a Kekaha bonfire.  

Sadly, the entire island of Kauai also decided to bonfire there so it was less-than-idyllic with blaring music and made us laugh after the fiascos attempting to find firewood.  At least we ended up with these lovely beach photos to sweeten the hilarious experience:

We made it a true fireside, sharing religious experiences around the blaze.

The next morning, Memorial Day, we cruised up the canyon to hike Nua'lolo Trail.  The entire way up looked rainy and dismal and we thought we were in for another disappointing experience, but once we arrived the views of the canyon and waterfall were perfect.

We found so many ripe strawberry guavas and even some regular guava right after telling the group it was not in season.  Yum.

Kate and Walker could be twins.  Born 10 hours apart and apparently the same genetic makeup.

I have almost all photos of Owen because the older kids charged ahead.  Owen was a trooper and so excited to be with cousins and his infinity-plus-one Uncle Cory.   ("How much do you love me?"  Owen: "Infinity."  Next person: "How much do you love me?"  Owen: "Infinity PLUS ONE!"

Missing: Shireen, who gifted us these tanks.

What we lacked in flavor we made up for with view.  PB&J on the cliffs.

Shoes and Paws Shot:

We enjoyed the panoramic views in the sunshine and spent the next 3.5 miles in the rain.

Rachel entertained, encouraged, and assisted Owen for three miles.  Owen reciprocated by immediately telling Blake he was his favorite cousin when we were all back at the cars.

Owen and Rachel picking flowers for each other:

Brady found the biggest spider he's ever seen on Kauai, thankfully on the hike and not in the house:

Mud Puppy!

A trip to the beach that night after hiking sounded a bit exhausting but it was so nice.  We had the place mostly to ourselves in the early evening, playing and laughing and swimming.  Kate and Zachary wanted to show their surf skills but didn't last long because all they actually wanted to do was swim with their cousins.  

We finished it off with another Jazz game and some Owen snuggles.  

Owen knows how to charm his way through a room, so maybe Rachel's patience and love with him for several hours earlier in the day paid off.  Or maybe he is playing her.  Either way, he is pretty convincing.