Christmas in Hawaii 2011 - Day 4

Day 4 in paradise started with sunny skies and 80 degrees so no change, in other words. Today was the day when our troop wanted to learn how to surf. We drove to Kona to a place that Craig had found in one of the travel books and they signed up for a group lesson.

This lady is giving Craig, Elle, Alex and Rod a lesson on how to pop up from the laying down position. Easy as pie.

Alex is practicing the pop up.

Rod looks like a pro already.

What they forgot to tell us at the shop that you have to carry your own boards (about 50 lbs.) through a jungle. What they said was:"It is a nice 5-10 minute walk through nature". What they didn't mention was that "nature" was a lava field. Our 4 surfers were not happy. The walk was about 15 minutes.

Rod and Alex are ready to carry their boards.

Rod is still smiling a fake smile.

Here they went. Through a lava jungle.

The beach was not sandy. All lava.

Alex is surfing.

Alex is surfing.

Elle is surfing. Do you notice the swells? Not really best surfing conditions.

Craig is standing on the board. Very successful surfing.

A lady crashed into Rod. Rod is the one falling on the left side.

Alex got nauseous so he just wanted to hang out on the board for a while.

Craig had a tremendous crash. His board flying through the air.

Elle kneeling on the board.

Successful pop up with Rod.

Rod is falling fast.

Elle is paddling back to the shore.

Almost there, Elle.

Rod's last run.

Christmas in Hawaii 2011 - Day 3

Another beautiful day in Hawaii. No rain, just sunny cloudless skies.

Craig and Whitney are on their way to watch another beautiful sunset on Monday night.

Our private beach and the Canoe House Restaurant.

Sun is setting over the golf course.

So gorgeous

I'm also enjoying the sunset.

Rod is looking at Elle who was doing something silly.

Daddy-Daughter, Craig and Elle.

Alex is exploring the rocks.

Elle is watching the sunset.

Alex

Cousins Elle and Alex

Alex is so cool.

Alex is peeking over the rocks.

Peek-a-boo.

I could watch these sunsets every night.

So peaceful after the sunset

Elle, Alex and Rod walking back to the beach after the sunset.

It was time for dinner. We drove to Kona and found Bubba Gump's. Craig being retarded and Elle putting up with it. So funny.

Life is like a box of chocolates.

The whole gang at dinner at Bubba Gump's.

Christmas in Hawaii 2011 - Christmas Day - Day 2

Merry Christmas! Christmas morning at the beautiful Mauna Lani Resort Golf Villas.

Elle and Alex in their room, ready for the day.

Beautiful view to the pool area from our upstairs balcony.

Loading the car with all the beach stuff. Ready for the beach on Christmas Day.

Elle on the blow-up canoe and Alex on the paddle board.

Hello hunk!

Elle and Alex going snorkeling.

Elle relaxing on the beach.

Alex getting a nice tan.

Rod trying paddle boarding. He only fell off 6 times.

Our first sunset on the Big Island. So gorgeous.

Elle, Whitney and Craig enjoying the sunset.

Whitney enjoying the sunset.

Beautiful end for a great Christmas Day.

Christmas in Hawaii 2011 - Christmas Eve- Day 1

We left Utah on Christmas Eve on our way to the Big Island of Hawaii for a 10 day vacation with Whitney, Craig and Elle.

Waiting in LAX for our flight to Kona, Hawaii.

Almost landing in Kona.

Mauna Lea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Kona airport

At Kona airport.

Alex at Kona Airport.

Whitney and Elle at Kona Airport ready to go to our condo

Me, Alex and Rod at Kona Airport.

Home away from home at Mauna Lani Golf Villas.

Express Christmas 2011

We decided to have an early Christmas on December 18 due to our Christmas vacation in Hawaii this year. Early Christmas meant that it would be a quick dinner and opening presents on Sunday night. When I asked Rod and Alex what they wanted for dinner, they both said "ham and mashed potatoes". This meant, no rutabaga, carrot or potato casseroles. Also, no rosolli or herring. How about a dessert, I asked? "We don't need a dessert", they both said. What kind of Christmas dinner is that? No traditional Finnish Christmas foods at all? Nope. None. Express Christmas here we come.