The Big Island: Chain of Craters- Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs

-Chain Of Craters Map 
This road is 18.3 miles (one way) with numerous places to stop.

The Petroglyphs were probably my favorite stop on the Chain of Craters road.

It was a 1.4 mile hike to get to them, and worth every step.

The Big Island: Chain of Craters - Hilina Pali & Mauna Ulu Trail

Chain of Craters Map
--This road is 18.3 miles long (one way), with numerous places to stop.

 Hilina Pali is a 9 mile (one way) lookout off of the Chain of Craters road. 

Just a beautiful overlook of the coast.

Mauna Ulu Trail
1973-1974 Lava Flow

 Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder Cone

The Big Island: Chain of Craters- Lava Tube & Lua Manu

Chain of Craters Map
-This road is 18.3 miles long (one way), with numerous places to stop.

Next, we made a quick stop was the Thurston Lava Tubes.

A 500 year old cave discovered in 1913, obviously named after the man who discovered it.

*My camera sucks when its dark

 Another quick stop was the small crater, Lua Manu.

1974 was the last time this crater had lava flow. 

The Big Island: Chain of Craters- Kilauea Iki

 I'm back!!!

and our trip was great! 

We spent 6 days on The Big Island trying to see all that we could in those 144 hours.

Our first stop was the Kilauea Military Camp which is pretty much the heart of Volcano National Park, so our journey starts there.

 I apologize in advance....there are going to be a TON of posts/pictures!

Chain of Craters Map
-This road is 18.3 miles long (one way), with numerous places to stop.

The first stop is a lookout and the trail-head of a hike.

Kilauea Iki

Its a pit crater still steaming from the 1959 eruption.

 The active crater, Kilauea is in the distance.

 Starting the trail, its more like a rainforest.

 Descending 400 feet to the bottom.

 There are steam vents all thought the hike, but the steam is hard to capture in a picture. :(

Looking back from where we came. This 4 mile hike was pretty amazing.

27 Weeks

Third Trimester Time!!!

(taken during our Baby-moon)  

I'm still feeling great and can't believe how fast time is flying by. 

She is moving like crazy except when I put my hand, or anyone's to feel....

Then she is as still as can be.

 Its getting real! The pants are now staying unbuttoned!

Still a ton of energy though, which I am so thankful for.

We are still having trouble with her name. We have a bunch that we like, but none that we love. Its becoming a little frustrating because I feel like she should have one by now. 

Other then all that, stay tuned for the crazy amount of pictures from our vaca!

Latley.....

The holiday weekend started with a stroll through Koko Crater Botanical Gardens.

On this side of the island, it is extremely dry and very hot. Perfect for all the plants that live here.

The Pulmeria trees were lining the walkway, but because there not in season there were only a few bloomed.

Of course when I was there, the sprinklers were on. So that meant dodging them while trying to take a descent picture.

Hawaii is not really the place where I think there will be cacti.

Nice 2 mile walk through the gardens.

 Bolo and I went to our favorite spot.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with some friends. I made my favorite pumpkin rolls and a new recipe that turned out amazing.
Snickers Brownies 
After we ate and napped, then Black Friday craziness started.
We went a little overboard this year.
I had quite a few things that I wanted to get but had no idea if they were going to be on sale or not (stuff for our lil one), and...of course they weren't. We ended up getting (pretty much) everything we didn't need sooo the shopping is still not over.
Our most expensive purchase was a "grown up" bedroom set. We finally have stuff that matches each other and isn't hammy downs.

I now feel like my bedroom is complete....except for more wall/ lamps/decoration!
I swear its never done.

 We thought this rustic look would hold up better moving around. If there is a ding here or there it wont really be seen.

 Mikes last birthday in his 20's.

Next year he turns into a old man.

Waimano Trail

I was in the mood for a easy hike that wasn't too exciting...Waimano Hike was perfect.

There in a upper trail and a lower.

The upper one is about 5 miles and takes you to the Koolau Summit.

The lower takes you along a stream...and....that's pretty much it.

We took the upper trail at first.

The only really interesting part of this whole hike (that we saw) were the tunnels.

There were quite a few of them. Your able to walk all the way through each one.

But don't let me fool you by standing in front of them....I did not walk through. 

One word: Spiderwebs!

 About 3 miles in, we decided to turn around and head home. 

We took the lower trail on the way back. with all the mosquito's.

 With all the rain we have been having, I was surprised the water wasn't flowing.

Nice hike for just a little exercise.

This would be a good one (if I ever come back here) that Bolo would be able to join.

Surfing

Headed to the North Shore today to the famous town of Haleiwa. 

The Reef Surfing Competition is held there and it lasts for 12 days. 

Today was day 5.

 I was hoping to see some crazy waves today...but sad to say, it was kind of boring. 

There were very few waves to choose from.
This is just the start to surfing season, it will pick up a little later on. 

 The winner out of the 12 days takes home $40,000.
Nice prize if I do say so myself.

Also stopping by at Bonzi Beach...which had way better waves.

 I love seeing them start early. 

Fun little beach day.
It makes me want to get out there. 

Winter Has Arrived

23 Weeks

Our baby girl is in her 6th month of development.

 I took this picture before work because I wanted to not look like a scrub in every. single. picture of me showing the bump. But then I realized it wasn't a very good outfit to display it.
So after work I got all scrubbed out and made Mike take this one.

She has been really active as of lately. Mike has now been able to feel her moving around when he touches my belly.

I went to the Dr. last week to hear her heart beat again, still nice and strong. She has been measuring right on track, even tho I still feel very small compared to other pregnant women at my stage.

Can anyone say Babymoon? Its in the works! 

My next Dr. appointment is at the end of the month. I'm having my Glucose test so hopefully that will be normal also.

Other then all that, it been pretty rainy on the island so there hasn't been too much fun stuff going on with me. Military Ball season is in full force so I have been spending a lot of extra time at work.

Marine Corps Ball

The Marine Corps is celebrating their 238th birthday on the 10th of November, but we had our ball this past Saturday.

This is the first year I didn't order my dress online, so I thought for sure I was going to have a twin.

 Luckily I was wrong.

The photographer took about 4 different poses for us, so I'm hoping there will be more online so I could get the other ones I like too. 

The guest speaker was a Infantry Colonel that had some great story's to tell.
Dinner was definitely up to par this year. The other years that we have attended, the Marine and his guest usually have one chicken plate and one steak plate. The loving wife that I am, Mike always got the steak.
This year they served each person the same meal...chicken AND steak!
I was happy!  (pregnancy talking)
Another great year!