Our first beach trip was to laniakea, or "turtle beach". Up on the north shore, just northeast of Haleiwa (the surfing town), turtle beach is home to a large group of honu - the green sea turtle. There's always a volunteer watching the beach, since it is illegal to "harass" the turtles - they don't want anyone coming within six feet of the turtles. It was a overcast, wet day, so there was only one lone turtle at the beach. But despite that, the kids had a BLAST! It was so fun watching them play!
Garin and Joseph climbing on the rocks
Patricia pointing out the turtle to the kids
Liam chilling
The crew
Looking at the turtle
Garin and Joseph
You can see the turtle just under the water, behind the wave.
Me and my Lima-bean
Our next beach trip was to ko'olina. Ko'olina is a resort. I actually lived there in 2009 from March through June. I moved out of my sister's house in March after her husband redeployed from Iraq, but since there was still two months until my husband redeployed from Afghanistan, I needed a furnished place to stay, so Ko'olina it was. Located on the western side of the island, it's a beautiful area with grand resorts, including the new Disney resort. There are four man-made lagoons there. Perfect for the children because of the huge sandy beach and the sheltered, shallow lagoon - you can see the waves crashing, but the lagoon is peaceful. It was another fun-filled morning and the children had a great time.
Liam sacked out
Brianna hanging out on the beach
My beach boy
Happy kiddos
Friends enjoying the sun and sand
The next location on our beach tour was haunama bay. Haunama Bay is a nature preserve, because of the coral reef. Which makes it an EXCELLENT spot for snorkeling. Which I got to try out for the first time. What fun! Another great day at the beach! Liam obliged by dozing in the stroller while I snorkeled. The only down side - it's a STEEEP hike down to the bottom...and back up. Thank goodness I brought the B.O.B.! Brianna wasn't digging the sand that day, but she was really happy chilling out in the stroller and watching everyone play!
Garin and his friend, Colin, playing in the water
Beautiful Gina sporting some goggles
Action Garin
Fish in the reef
Garin and Colin playing in the sand
Laurianne, Colin, Garin, Brianna, Liam and I after a long morning at the beach!
Ready for the ride home (minus being buckled in, of course!)
Brianna is sacked out before we even started the car!
Our last beach trip was the largest. The ONC gang (Ohana Nui Circle - though just our small section of it) families gathered and convoyed down to Bellows Beach Park (a military-only beach). We had about 7 or 8 families, and it was a great time.
Our friend, Cleve and his son, Colin romping in the waves:
Brianna telling a story
Liam enjoying the sun
Cheeky grin from Brianna
Our friends' son, Jacob is tuckered out from a long morning in the sun
Jacob's sister, Jenni, boogie-boarding
Friend Helena and her beautiful children: Gina and Joseph
Garin and his buddy, Colin playing in the waves:
Helena testing the water with Gina and Joseph
Brianna's saying hello from the shade of the tent
Our spread
Jason playing with the kids in the sand
Garin and Colin playing in the water
Brianna and Liam hanging out in the shade
Jason and Lauren checking out the waves
Jason (a different one!) in the water with Sierra, Kyle, and Jenni
Tomo and Koko
Hello, Brianna!
Helping Brianna enjoy the beach
