Kona!

Gav and I took an over-night trip to Kona to visit my cousin. It was great to play tourist and explore the Big Island in our trusty rental car. Hawaii is awesome.


Fun Fact: The Big Island of Hawaii is twice as large as all of the other islands put together?


A beach made of little black pebbles?


Gavin after swimming in beautiful Kealakekua Bay.


Saddle Road.

Kegs, Dry Ice and Tetherball!

For my father's birthday, he got himself a min-keg from Hilo's own Mehana Brewing Company. We set it up in the garage and enjoyed ice-cold beer for a few days. I'm looking forward to going back to Hilo and getting another mini-keg to enjoy with the family.




Kailee's dad went down to Gaspro and got her a few pounds of dry-ice, which gave Uncle Gavin a great opportunity to conduct a mini science lab for us.


A game of tetherball is a great way to work off all of that beer and turkey!

Thanksgiving in Hilo

Thanksgiving has got to be one of my favorite holidays of the year (I also love Halloween, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Arbor Day). Who doesn't love a day where you can eat yourself into a coma? Come on! What's not to love? In addition to the eating, I also love football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Oh the good times!

This year, Gav and I flew to Hilo to spend Thanksgiving with my family. My father cooked us a great meal and it was outstanding. The turkey was the star of the dinner, and it was outstanding. My father used a recipe that he read in the New York Times and brined the turkey for 4 hours before cooking it. It was moist and delicious.


Gav, Julia, Kailee, Mom, Dad & Ipo


Mom & Dad (and an unfinshed pineapple upsidedown cake)


Chaos at the dinner table.


Hilo ice-shave. Gotta love it.