Last week...

We got home from Kauai Monday evening and I will have to make that a separate blog entry when I have lots of time as there is SO much to tell. It was wonderful and the beaches were amazing. Here's one picture to ease the anticipation! Ke'e Beach

Tuesday, Lisa and Jeff had to go back to work and Ellie and I decided to just hang around the house and relax. We went to Jack in the Box for lunch which was fun as we don't have them around here. They have everything from burgers to tacos to egg rolls so a little something for
everyone! Ellie wanted to get something for her dad at Nanko Fishing Supply and ended up with a few gigantic squid fishing lures. I don't think there are any fish in Iowa that will bite on these big lures...but it's what she wanted to get him!


That evening when Lisa got home we went on a hike on a wonderful trail behind their house. It was uphill for the first half but very cool and jungley once we got going. There were some cute surprises along the way and a wonderful view at the top. We took pictures of several of the beautiful flowers along the way.







This one looks like a bumblebee!

The view from the top:

Bamboo forest:






















Wednesday, Ellie wanted to go to a beach where there were "some waves". She met a little girl on Kauai that shared her boogie board and they had a blast. We headed back to Kailua but to the middle of the bay this time. It was just what we were looking for. I took her out on the board to get her adjusted and to learn to balance and you can't believe what a little girl from Iowa learned in 4 hours in the Hawaii surf!

It's like she was a total natural. She was just getting pummeled by waves and didn't care, she'd head right back out. She came up to get sunscreened a few times but was in the water continuously. By the time we left, she was like a pro; standing with her board, head turned slightly to watch for the wave, hopping on the board and riding all the way in, up onto the sand.
Here's one she caught!

We had a blast and even old mom took the board out and was able to catch a few waves (my back is paying for it now!)

Got some great turkey sandwiches (pepper turkey, avocado, sprouts, etc) at the Kalapawai market at the beach and headed home. Lisa had to work all evening so Jeff and I had some beers in the gazebo and to bed early.