Nature in the New Year

We have missed our family time together out in nature.  Although nature is seemingly all around us here in Hawaii, it is much less easily accessible than what we were used to back in Virginia where numerous nature spots were at our fingertips.  It takes more effort here to get out, and we have our work cut out to seek out these natural experiences for our family.  But alas, the effort and search is always worth it.  Our time here today was just what we needed to rejuvenate after the hectic holiday season and reconnect as a family again.

Lunch time when we first got to the park.

Evan showing off his new skill: making the "shaka" sign.

Kurt loves the Evergreens here and says it reminds him of the 

Pacific Northwest.

The Girls.  Skyler kept remarking at how much it felt

like "we are in Virginia again!"

The Boys.  Chase is slowly, very slowly, warming up to 

his little brother.  Evan adores Chase and loves to irritate Chase, too.

He copies everything his big brother does.

Walking up the mountain trail. 

We found walking sticks that really helped with

the trek downhill.

We didn't go all the way to the top since the path 

started to look too dangerous for the kids.

The kids were disappointed to turn around, but 

it was a great first hike in Hawaii for our family!

Whew!  We made it back down!