Ashley Surfing in Hawaii

While we were in Hawaii, Ashley had the opportunity to go surfing.  We found an instructor, made an appointment, and away we went...

The water was very rough.  In fact, the instructor called the night before and suggested finding an alternate spot, but we decided to stay at the original site anyway.  Although the water was rough, there wasn't any rest time inbetween sets, Ashley stuck it out.  She looked worn out by the time her lesson was over.  Needless to say, she had a blast!  She loved the whole experience...well, except when some other people came for a group lesson...they kept surfing right over the top of her.  Guess they didn't teach surf etiquette!

I'll let the photos speak for themselves...by the way...she was up on her first wave!  I don't think these are in any order...they are just here!  Enjoy!

Before you look...

You HAVE to ask me about the first time we met the instructor...

You'll understand when you look...

It is a truly hilarious story!

 Surf School 101

Ashley and her surf instructor

First things first...

surf safety.

Lie face down, and paddle...

 up to your knees...face up watching...

 then pop up!  You need to be standing...

 Here is the pier she was surfing next too.  Look at the water ~ isn't it beautiful?

At one point, it rained, and the most amazing muted rainbow appeared. 

The mountains you see in the background are usually covered with clouds.  They say it is very seldom that you actually get to see the peaks.

Guess what?  We saw them the day before!

 Back to surf lessons...

heading out for the first wave!

She is not a tall person and so it was difficult for her to get out to the "surf start area"...

(I'm positive that is a technical term.)

Aiden...at least he has on his swim trunks today...

Last minute coaching while waiting for the "right" wave.

Here she comes!

OK - enough commentary...I'm sure you can determine what is going on...

 Look at that face!

The joy and excitement!

She loved surfing...

(Pepperdine is looking better every day!

Malibu baby! ~ and it's only an 8 hour drive!)

Dad took time from his reading to help build sandcastles...

always the professional ~ wearing his Mr. Rooter t-shirt even on the beach in Hawaii...

Maybe we can write the whole trip off?  OK - Nevermind.

Isaiah...

Surf in....

hustle  back out...

 Break time ... at last...

She said her throat was burning from the salt water....

The end.

I have no words...

he is just so stinkin cute!

and funny...

Here is Aiden at the beginning of the surf day...

jeans and a cowboy shirt...

I didn't know that he was so tricky ~ he actually got his swim trunks on under his jeans.

I'm still a little confused as to how he managed that!

The three boys!  Tyler soooo wanted to go surfing with sister.

Hanapepe Bridge

I think the sign pretty much says it all....

as we were driving one day, I saw this sign and told Tim to "Pull Over."

I'd read about the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge in a tour guide and thought, "Hey, Why not?"

Isaiah and Ashley were asleep in the car...Tyler said, "uh...no.  I'll stay here with sister."  So...

I drug Tim and Aiden out to the bridge with me.

Up they go...

Aiden checking to see if I'm still following them...

 Signs like this always make me wonder at the intelligence of our society.

Then I took a close look at the bridge...

and wondered about my intelligence.

About 1/3 to 1/2 of the way across I started to hyperventilate.

I could feel the bridge swinging.

Yes, I know it is a swinging bridge, but it was not doing going things to my stomache or my lungs!

I yelled to Tim, "Hey!  Stop!  I can't go all the way across ~ I'm full of FEAR!  I don't like the motion."

His comment, "Thank goodness.  I've been sick ever since I stepped on here.  I'm doing this for you!"

Awww....he does love me!

If only I had remembered this verse while I was on that bridge....


Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

(what can a swinging bridge do to me?)




While Daddy Goes Grocery Shopping...

The way we roll...

Since Mommy does the cooking while we are on vacation...

Daddy had to go to the grocery store!

Isaiah is walking with Daddy!  I love when he holds hands!

OK - so the entire brood was walking Daddy out..

because Mommy was going to take all the kids on a picture hunt walk.

(You know...when you are looking at the scenery, but you don't want a picture of the ocean so you add your kids?)

Of course I seldom get all 4 kids together...

Here is my group!

Love the water spraying up!  There were little tidal/spray pools of water on the lava rocks..very fun!

Ashley and Isaiah were inseparable on this excursion.

I found it interesting that there was plant life among all the lava.

My 4 kids exploring...

Sister got tired of waiting for Isaiah to hurry so she just carried him.

Directing the music in his mind...

Mommy...the model...

or...not...

OK - first ~ glance at the picture...

Now, go back and really look at the picture.

What do you see?

Do you see the face of my 17 year old daughter on the body of one of my 3 year old twins?

Kinda weird huh?

I'm tricky that way!

Here is Aiden...

... and Ashley...

...and Tyler and Isaiah...

Remember ~ you're suppose to be looking at the scenery...

not the kid trying to smile, but mad at his mom because he is tired of taking pictures and doesn't want to smile anymore.

More...

Rock Climber Roth

She made it!

The kiddos and I...

Do you see that little cave to the left of Isaiah?

It is TINY...between Tyler and Isaiah..

Do you see it?

Aiden kept trying to get in it.  We wouldn't let him because Ashley and I neither one would fit.

Boy was he mad!

I so appreciate the way God has blessed my life!

Nehemiah 9:5
..."Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. " "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.