It’s Friday night, 7:08 Hawaii time and all 10 of us are settled in our seats on Flight 239 from KOA to DFW.  We just took off and have already crossed the island, heading east over the beautiful but dark Pacific, the sun having set over an hour ago. We are all seated close together, Mike and Casey across the aisle, Shelby and Luke next to me, with more Strawns in the rows behind and in front of us, a fact I find both fitting and comforting.  I am going to miss all the action and spice that the Strawn 6 bring to our days Continue reading →

Mike caught this of the Milky Way last night out on the lava.  Seriously, the stars are insane out here!

Our last full day on the island.  I am not going to lie.  I don’t want to come home.  I am not ready.  The kids, however, (all but Dan) are ready to come home.  Especially Bodie.  That poor boy has had a tummy ache, been hit in the foot, and today he was stung by a bee on the way back from watching the surfing lesson.  Less than 24 hours from now Continue reading →

Once again, I got to enjoy the glory of the morning time here in Hawaii.  I woke about 6:30 and snuck outside to catch glimpses of the light coming up from the east on Mauna Kea and Hualalai.  Again, not a cloud in the sky except for the usual ones to the north of us over parts of Kohala.  Paige texted a few minutes later and was already hankering for the pancakes I had told her about at Hawaiian Style Cafe up in Waimea.  We woke the kids and got everybody over to the Strawns to head up the mountain once again, Continue reading →

Seriously, it was!  When I think of vacation, I think of beach, sun, warmth, rest, lunch by the ocean, relaxation, massage, fruity drinks and beautiful sunsets. We had all of that and more yesterday.

While I was up way too early yesterday morning wrapping up earlier blog posts, the crew all slept in and took their time rising for the day.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous from start to finish, probably the best day we have had since our arrival on the island.  No clouds above us or even on Mauna Kea; Continue reading →

Another crazy busy day for our big crew — all 10 of us got out on a boat to see some marine life.  Captain Kelsey and her all female crew (love it!) were great and accommodating to our needs and our foibles, like my incorrect assumption that we arrive by 8 am and not by 7:30 as stated on their website (oops!) Continue reading →