Adventures with Bubba and Grandma

So- a little late, but we wanted to post about our incredible time with Bubba and Grandma (Chris' parents) a couple of weeks ago.  I think we crammed more stuff into 10 days than we've done since we've been here!  The kids put together a "luau" for Bubba's belated birthday complete with "fire dancing" and imu ceremony, where the pig is dug up from the ground.  In this case it was a plastic horse but close enough. Lallie made a volcano cake complete with remote controlled truck (Bubba's new hobby).  We of course took them to all the good snorkel spots including Kealekekau Bay where we all kayaked across the bay.  Unfortunately on this day we traded dolphins for people and didn't see a single dolphin.  We did however have the pleasure of cramming in with a couple of hundred other humans - which I have to say is not quite as incredible as swimming with wild dolphins.  My father doesn't believe in sunscreen, not sure if it's against his religion or maybe he picked sunscreen for Lent, but as a result he changed to a lovely shade of lobster in select areas.  Don't get me wrong, it was so worth the trip across the bay and was an experience with my parents that we will never forget.  It just was a bit disappointing. 
        While they were here we were able to get access to an incredible beach called Mauna Kea.  Only the early birds get to go here as there are only 40 parking spots and once they're full you're out of luck.  We had tried on 2 other occasions without success.  The ocean was incredibly calm here, to the point that you almost forget it's the ocean.  Snorkeling, we were able to see octopus for the first time which was amazing.  I also was able to witness an eel swimming through the bay- toward me with his mouth wide open- which was a little disconcerting but cool. I have read that it is somewhat rare to see them out of their holes- so that was a treat.  Bubba and Grandma started the kids on a mapping lesson which was really great.  They learned how to read maps and each got a compass to learn directions.  They also did several geocaches, which if you have never done it, I highly recommended.  Finding treasure has got to be on of the top of the list for "boy things" to do. 
         We took a 2 day trip around the island stopping in Volcanoes National Park for the first time.  It was really amazing even though we weren't able to see actual lava flowing.  We did however stay until dark and witnessed the incredible orange glow from Kileua's lava lake.  Just two days prior, the lava took out the last standing house in a development that was hit several years ago with a large flow.  Seeing actual lava flow is definitely on my list of must dos before we leave this place (whenever that may be).  We stayed in Hilo in an "econo" hotel.  We stayed in a hotel very similar to this one in Maui.  It is an interesting phenomenon in Hawaii with some of these places.  You think to yourself, "about 30-40 years ago this was a four-star establishment.  But at some point, it's like the staff just give up and watch the place fall apart before their eyes.  They continue to survive because of people like us who are looking for cheap accommodations and most people like us will have low expectations of the place.  So, the visicous cycle continues as bear minimum maintenance is performed and adequacy is their lofty goal. It is sad really.  Anyway, I don't mean to sound negative- it is more intriguing to me than anything else. 
      In Hilo, we went to our first FREE zoo.  Yes that's right we saw lions and tigers and bears oh my for not a penny.   Well, okay no lions and bears, but they do have a white Bengal tiger that was donated from a magic show in Las Vegas.  It was a really great zoo especially for the price and will definitely have to hit it again sometime.  It is maintained by the county- what a concept! All in all, we had a really nice time with them and miss them tremendously.  They were here for 10 days but it seemed like 5.  For those of you still planning to come visit, try to stay a couple of weeks at least - there's just so much to see and do and we love guests!!  Quick family update- Lallie is doing well overall and I think we are finally finding "a groove" with this new style of living.  The kids are great- loving the countless unique experiences before them.  Logan is really maturing and growing with home schooling.  Clay is a crazy man, fearless for adventure ( which I am just waiting for the first major laceration or fracture).  Oliver is a strong little boy who knows the perfect buttons to push on his brothers, but is also best friends with them.  Evie gets cuter every single stinkin' day.  She has taken it upon herself to be the "shoe police" these days and will make sure you take your shoes off in the house and put them on outside.  If you don't- she will let you and the whole neighborhood know about it.  She will also organize the shoes if needed.  She is definitely a girl. Below are a few pictures of our recent adventures.  Thanks for reading and please post a comment or two- would love to hear from all of you!
Love- The Russells


Geocaching! So much fun - thanks Bubba!

 

Happy Birthday Bubba!

 <>              Grandma and Bubba =)

Evie loved "Jellybean" the cow at the Hilo Zoo

 

Nope- not at the zoo....just on the side of the road. Huh?!



Checking out the South shore - close to the southern most point in the U.S.


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<>                            Picking them up at the airport!

Oliver is a monkey!