tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49987607858446620982012-02-16T03:57:01.775-08:00Laughing every moment of the way!(at least most of the time)Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.comBlogger2121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-11125809855088141782011-02-21T23:00:00.001-08:002011-02-21T23:02:55.226-08:00

Full Photos Available at http://milliemichelle.smugmug.com

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-6814922520230150612011-01-30T11:30:00.000-08:002011-01-30T11:33:20.035-08:00

Dear readers,I'm excited to post that I have officially moved my blog to my own website.http://www.pocketfulofparadise.comThere you will find my blog for everyday fun, a blog of recipes, a blog of crafting, and photo galleries galore. Soon I will redirect this blog there.Thanks for following and I hope to see you on my personal domain!

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-66683505961260522152010-05-29T21:05:00.000-07:002010-05-29T21:10:24.993-07:00

I haven't forgotten to post anything... I just haven't had any time!During our trip to Bali and Wakatobi I took over 7000 photos and I'm currently working on all of that to add here and on my new smugmug account that I recently began. Here is a short snippet of me getting my camera gear ready for one of our many dives in Wakatobi.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-31103297913098186052010-04-26T14:13:00.000-07:002010-04-26T14:15:47.437-07:00

Still working on my own videos and photos from our trip, but my good friend just shared this amazing footage of a renegade video camera snatching octopus and I had to post it here too!

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-22830181941660357452010-01-06T19:36:00.000-08:002010-01-06T19:41:47.498-08:00

Not only is Darby losing teeth this year, her eyesight has gone too! She got her brand new glasses today and was very excited to try them out. She continually raised and lowered them to inspect the difference between vision with the corrective lenses and without. She didn't realize how much they would help until she put them on! If she didn't already seem so grown up and in second grade to me

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-90565644758978511292010-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:002010-01-01T23:24:57.152-08:00

After reading a few of my dear friends blogs today, I began to feel nostalgic about this past decade. So many things our family has seen and done have blessed and enriched our lives beyond measure. I decided to take a trip down memory lane and post a few of my favorite moments captured on film of our family's adventures since the beginning of 2000. Some of these images speak for themselves and I

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-48157012228959301112009-12-25T21:20:00.000-08:002009-12-26T11:31:09.867-08:00

The last two Christmases our family has called the Kona coast of Hawaii our home. This year was the first that we spent with family here in California and we found ourselves at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve where, to the kid's shock and awe, Santa Claus arrived with a bag of toys for the kids to unwrap."A right jolly old elf..."It was fun to have our special guest that evening where we

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-48845230035961760472009-12-25T20:54:00.000-08:002009-12-25T23:55:23.949-08:00

We made gingerbread houses this year! We had a frosting fight! And the kids helped to decorate them! It was fantastic!

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-76376852661122036902009-12-25T18:22:00.000-08:002009-12-25T19:20:00.973-08:00

It is almost impossible to take a bad picture of this amazing structure. Whenever we are in the city I try to get a few shots if we are in a good place to do so. After our minor incident while climbing I asked Dennis to drive me over to a great location where I knew I'd be sure to capture the bridge in all it's splendor and he'd just wait in the car with the kids. I had to run quickly past a few

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-51993832802469614692009-12-24T16:34:00.001-08:002009-12-25T17:24:23.578-08:00

One of the kid's biggest gifts this year was a weekend trip to San Francisco. We can travel there and back in one day easily from where we live currently, but we had many plans that weekend so we decided to indulge a bit and stay at the Ritz Carlton on Stockton Street. The kids were extremely excited to be spending a few nights there. We had plans to go to the California Academy of Sciences in

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-19760397606073740022009-12-23T23:40:00.000-08:002009-12-24T00:30:06.868-08:00

Austin found a home at the rock climbing gym. He is keenly aware of his age, that he will be in junior high next year, and, um... girls. So he has been interested in going to work out at the gym here in town which holds a boys strengthening and coordination class three times a week. This was his first introduction to rock climbing with our great friends, who are semi-professionals. Kyle, who

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-32062092854341299392009-12-23T23:23:00.000-08:002009-12-24T00:29:34.574-08:00

While in San Francisco a couple of weekends ago, our dear friends took us to an amazing rock climbing facility. Planet Granite, is located in the Presidio park under the Golden Gate Bridge. We were all excited to try climbing for the first time as a family. After getting into all of our gear Kyle went over a few safety considerations and language used by climbers to help us start our adventure.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-91897936994094488722009-12-23T22:36:00.000-08:002009-12-23T23:20:40.758-08:00

I know I haven't written anything that our family has been doing for the past few months and despite the lack of posts we have had a whirlwind end to the year! I thought I'd start to back track by posting the beautiful tree that will be laden with gifts tomorrow evening, many from friends and family that we have been able to visit these past few months. Right after Thanksgiving, and I do mean,

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-74934497932155382942009-12-08T19:31:00.000-08:002009-12-08T19:35:52.538-08:00

California Winter Wonderland from Dennis Schmidt on Vimeo.What a wonderful way to start December. The kids woke up yesterday morning with a chill in the air and snow falling in clumps from the sky. It was too warm on the ground for it to "stick" but they were excited non-the-less. Dennis added my gingerbread house that I made a couple of years ago to the video, I'm hoping to make more this year,

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-19936772807712013122009-11-11T20:09:00.000-08:002009-11-11T20:39:09.325-08:00

Root Beer Heaven from Dennis Schmidt on Vimeo.My brother fell head over heels for his new precious little baby. We all did, she is just so adorable! According to Gerald there is just nothing better in life than drinking Henry Weinhard's Root Beer, holding your new little bundle of joy and enjoying a LSU football game.We introduced him to the brand of Henry's when he and Paige visited us the first

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-42545949457175044862009-11-10T23:54:00.000-08:002009-11-11T00:02:28.617-08:00

Darby had a wonderful week in school. Everyday she came home with something new about fire safety and awareness. I was very proud of her while she was very determined to develop a family fire plan, write it out on paper, and display it in her room. She put it up on the back of her bedroom door, it is her escape route we discussed and she excitedly decided to put it into action. We've been to

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-91930222383463864962009-10-26T18:03:00.003-07:002009-11-05T21:22:44.197-08:00

While visiting my grandmother, who was a model in her younger years, I discovered two pairs of Hyer Olathe boots that she would wear. I had seen these boots a number of times in various pictures of her though her youth and simply fell in love with them as she modeled them in some of her photos. I was dumbfounded to uncover the same boots tucked in two grocery bags at the bottom of an old metal

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-39430379397176445042009-10-26T18:03:00.001-07:002009-11-05T21:22:36.459-08:00

After making it to the pumpkin blasting (you know, first things first) we headed over to the pumpkin patch where everyone picked out their own pumpkin to eventually gut and carve into spooky jack-0-lanterns.The bridge behind of the pumpkins is for the hay ride that will take you around the property and through the twelve foot tall stalks of corn that surround a very well thought out maze that can

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-80497502284087711302009-10-26T18:02:00.000-07:002009-11-05T20:58:09.271-08:00

As annually as possible, our family travels to Dell'Osso Family Farms pumpkin patch to pick out our Halloween jack-o-lanterns for that year. Last year we were unable to make the voyage to Lathrop, California which is about a forty-five minute drive from our home in Oakdale. This year, however, we were determined to go. So amid gymnastics meets, traveling to see family in Louisiana, and various

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-83991715643000401482009-10-22T21:30:00.000-07:002009-10-22T21:49:57.612-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-76536916209042966482009-10-21T09:59:00.000-07:002009-10-21T10:06:29.647-07:00

All I can say is... it didn't take long for us all to fall in love with her! I think my kids want a new baby in the house :)

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-76025504053377446542009-10-17T21:04:00.001-07:002009-10-19T09:47:37.637-07:00

Sometimes it's all described in the pictures! Kids having fun on the Mississippi River levee while watching the ferry load it's passengers. Oh, and then there is the bullet-hole laden signage. Fun times!

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-5661677187106134912009-10-17T21:00:00.001-07:002009-10-18T19:52:54.343-07:00

Deere John,Wherefore art thou dearest John?Lost in the swamp...While making our way off the levee we stumbled upon this "John Deere" in the middle of the swampy basin. It was calling for it's photograph to be taken so I was happy to oblige the poor tractor sitting solemnly in the thicket of over brush.I tried to play around with some of my camera settings and coloring with aperture when I loaded

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-7755824979530574002009-10-17T20:26:00.000-07:002009-10-18T09:58:11.964-07:00

Another of my attempts at landscape photography from the car window driving down the road going a proper 45 mph. There were so many good sites to see and take photos. Here are a few of my favorites during our brief drive to the levee on our way to let the kids see the ferry that takes cars across the Mississippi river.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-4703038250923349882009-10-17T20:18:00.001-07:002009-10-17T22:27:21.117-07:00

Going home to my Southern roots means, for me, Southern cooking. Jambalaya, etoufee, shrimp creole, crawfish pie, fried alligator, and hushpuppies just to name a few, are some of the delicious eats that Baton Rouge has to offer. Before we even thought about coming back to California I made sure that we visited a local restaurant endeared by the locals for good Creole cooking. Roberto's River Road

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-31984434887696526432009-10-17T19:37:00.000-07:002009-10-17T22:26:52.036-07:00

Darby and Brooklyn found each other to be wonderful cousins. Although it had been Christmas nearly three and a half years ago since they were together, and Brooklyn was just a baby, it seemed as if they had known one another forever. They spent the nights together while we were staying in Baton Rouge and found themselves in more than one precarious position. Quite ingeniously however, they

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-68084087795820059692009-09-30T20:25:00.000-07:002009-09-30T20:31:53.248-07:00

September has flown by! I have been out of touch with my inner-blogger so to catch up for the remainder of this month I put together Darby's first Gymnastics meet which was towards the beginning of the month. There have been a multitude of other events that have occurred this month that have hindered my progress with blogging. Hopefully next month I will get back on the blogging brigade and get

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-11732765542699006492009-09-23T16:24:00.000-07:002009-09-23T18:32:47.854-07:00

Talented Kids from Dennis Schmidt on Vimeo.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-13822950277311155812009-08-20T14:48:00.001-07:002009-08-20T14:50:55.706-07:00

Austin helped to compile this video about his recent scuba diving achievement. He is an awesome kid who loves the ocean and everything in it! I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up becoming a marine biologist or something like that! Here is his video! I hope you all enjoy (and hopefully the sound works... we've been having technical difficulties).

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-1773027072462002962009-07-30T20:56:00.000-07:002009-07-30T21:04:29.729-07:00

My favorite fish to see are the wrasse family of fish. This is because they aren't shy and can be quite inquisitive especially when you find them near beds of rock, rubble and dead coral. When this happens you can pick up a rock and turn it over then tap it against other rocks to capture their attention. It becomes feeding time at that point and you can lure these very brightly colored fish in

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-44230694670123174212009-07-27T19:03:00.000-07:002009-07-28T21:23:25.229-07:00

Ever since we lived in San Francisco, Dennis and I have been able to enjoy more high quality food experiences. With many restaurants in San Francisco known for their splendid atmosphere and exquisite food preparation and presentation, we have come to anticipate and enjoy everything that properly executed cuisine can offer. As we travel we always look to find fantastic establishments that offer

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-63717448604678121482009-07-25T22:32:00.000-07:002009-07-27T21:43:08.945-07:00

The most typical eel to see and one can usually be found on each and every single dive is the white mouthed moray eel. Once in a while you will come across a few different varieties and this trip to Kona we encountered at least five. The eels we were delighted to see during many different dives included dwarf, snowflake, dragon, zebra, white mouthed, and a tiger snake eel. I put together a great

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-16875160669275562009-07-25T20:46:00.001-07:002009-07-26T17:46:41.594-07:00

I already mentioned this photo in an earlier post where Luke literally laser pointed out a flame angel fish to me and the photo above is that exact moment. The following are photos of flame angel fish found during later dives but got better and better as the diving commenced. So without further ado... photos of flames!They are very small and in order to photograph them the best we really had to

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-29583599526924719532009-07-25T20:42:00.000-07:002009-07-26T17:46:21.160-07:00

Reading and experience has taught Austin that the Trident's Trumpet Snail eats crown of thorn sea stars, but also pin cushion stars. Knowing that crown of thorn sea stars are extremely poisonous Austin smartly opted for a pin cushion star he spotted and wanted to try and see if he could get the snail to digest. Did it work...YEP!!! You can see just a little bit left of the pin cushion star under

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-79915359628030731022009-07-25T20:12:00.000-07:002009-07-26T10:27:02.329-07:00

Our second dive with Austin that day was to Lone Tree Arch and around Scull Caves. We stumbled across, yet again, more fish that we had yet to observe during any of our previous dives to the Kona coast. Above you see a photo of a devil scorpion fish with the brilliant colors of it's pectoral fins flashing as it moves to another location to sit in wait of prey.Here it is still swimming but without

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-10546322468799892422009-07-25T19:56:00.001-07:002009-07-26T10:31:28.975-07:00

Since last December when Austin became certified to scuba dive, he has been itching to get back into the ocean. We took him with us on a couple of dives without Darby so that we could all enjoy diving and not have to worry about someone having to snorkel and be left out of the scuba fun! One of our first stops was to the Pawai Bay area. This fish sanctuary is full of life and sometimes, on

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-47611502123233871502009-07-25T00:05:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:36:22.060-07:00

When Austin was about two years old his favorite song was I'm in Love with a Big Blue Frog. We would listen to it over and over again in the car as we drove from San Francisco to grandparents house, or to the store, or the zoo. Simply put for about two or three months of my life in the car was spent listening to this song. Since there is such a creature as a frogfish and they are such odd looking

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-10300292553142935302009-07-24T22:46:00.001-07:002009-07-25T02:00:34.180-07:00

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. It was a beautiful Sunday to go to Waimea. The colors of the hillsides are striking and brilliant. I love to take pictures of this area and the cute shops and interesting landmarks that surround the area. I also tend to take pictures from the car window while driving up and down the highway, another photography at 50 mph episode. At least we weren't

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-20790762779364135412009-07-24T22:33:00.000-07:002009-07-25T01:54:17.619-07:00

Darby and Austin decided unexpectedly one afternoon to create code names for each other. This occured right before we left on vacation. Her code name was Clark, for Austin's they picked out Bob, Dad became Moose, and during the drive to the airport, Cara was given her code name of Boomer. They were having a hard time picking out a good code name for me. So, innocently and because it was a

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-69927441453114244782009-07-21T14:23:00.000-07:002009-07-21T14:51:05.544-07:00

I never thought I'd like to be near a shark in open water. There are so many stories that have been glamorized by the press about shark attacks and quite frankly those stories made me a bit paranoid. My intent to become a scuba diver, despite my reservations about these animals, however was stronger and I willingly and curiously began my training to Scuba dive. Being a scuba diver, at some point

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-77918753565351001932009-07-18T20:27:00.000-07:002009-07-19T00:18:42.586-07:00

During our drift dive along what Captain Russ called Thurston's wall I was behind the rest of our small group of about five divers when I noticed something in the coral about eight feet away from me. I knew it was an eel that I had never seen before so I took a closer look as most eels are not extremely frightened by the presence of divers. I couldn't believe my luck. I had spied and found all on

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-16250237621823160592009-07-18T19:04:00.000-07:002009-07-18T21:09:21.936-07:00

After mooring near the Sheraton in Keauhou (also where the southern manta ray night dive takes place) Dennis and I followed Mike, our dive master around this new site. We had never dove here during the day. On the fourth of July we dove the manta dive with Austin, who being recently certified was overcome with enthusiasm at the thought of his first night dive. Unfortunately we didn't take the

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-48278575888148804802009-07-18T00:28:00.000-07:002009-07-18T00:49:35.809-07:00

When we first started scuba diving in Kona I found particular interest in the octopus. They are very shy creatures and very difficult to find unless you know where to look for them. Our first few trips to various dive sites we would hope to see one with the help of our very talented dive masters who knew what to look for. When they spied one they then would signal to all the divers with a hand

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-81945298110855861812009-07-16T10:01:00.000-07:002009-07-16T10:28:28.879-07:00

It took most of yesterday to use iMovie and put together some of the video we took while diving with the manta rays. I've only used this program one other time so I'm still learning how to make the most of the many options it has to offer. Dennis and I have already decided to purchase a new HD camera because our little Cannon Power Shot really doesn't show the great dive as well as it could. I

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-48953226106912066792009-07-13T21:18:00.000-07:002009-07-15T14:29:17.592-07:00

Hanging out at the Mauna Lani!FIRE POWER!!!!The Canoe House is located to the left of Austin in the photo below. A fantastic restaurant with a killer view of the ocean. While we were waiting for them to open around six in the evening we took a walk along the ocean front. I don't know why but tide pools always seem to pull you into them. The kids are always curious about what might have gotten

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-69386334084023921372009-07-12T21:07:00.000-07:002009-07-15T13:56:17.311-07:00

Our second dive during our stay was at one of the local favorite dive sites, Golden Arches. Interesting factoid... it seems as if there are quite a few moorings the crew has named after restaurants; Golden Arches, Tako Bell, Here is Austin and Dean hanging out while the rest of us make our way down to the bottom.Dennis, he looks so professional wearing that nitrox tank and all his new gear! We

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-29737304803149338142009-07-06T19:06:00.000-07:002009-07-13T16:07:34.394-07:00

First time back in the big blue pool! Austin just made his giant stride into the water behind me and we are going to make our way to the bottom, about forty feet below to wait for Cara. She is trying her first Discovery Scuba Dive today with Dean from Big Island Divers. She was such a trooper!Dennis hanging loose near the surface to snorkel with Darby.Cara with Dean learning to inflate and

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-19244695719858894262009-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:002009-07-13T13:58:33.501-07:00

Our first evening we went to one of my favorite (and child friendly) restaurants in town, Roy's in the Kings Marketplace in Waikaloa. Always with some kind of camera at hand, and usually in use, here is more proof of this :)Cara is excited to start trying new cuisine... aka fish... aka sashimi... and yes she likes it! The funnier thing to mention here is the fact that by the time we had arrived

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-61903881635774885602009-07-06T18:29:00.001-07:002009-07-13T13:22:20.902-07:00

We arrived at the Kona, Hawaii Airport on July first around eleven in the morning despite our departure from Sacramento, California at 9:30 am this was due to the three hour time difference. I was happy to be there so early we immediately made our way to the dive shop at Big Island Divers we had so much to do before our first dive of the trip which was the next day at 8:30 in the morning. We

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-23486827246353452552009-07-04T19:45:00.001-07:002009-07-04T20:29:10.305-07:00

Although we've made our way to Kona, Hawaii and have already enjoyed a few dinners, dives, walks along the beach and amazing sunsets, the internet connection here is lacking and I will have to postpone most of my blogs and experiences until I return home. In the meantime, I will try to take notes and lists of the fun times that we've already experienced and those to come in order to make some

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-90179705080667278802009-06-26T18:50:00.000-07:002009-06-26T18:59:47.719-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-6834734528961165132009-06-25T22:08:00.001-07:002009-06-25T22:37:18.391-07:00

I've started to take more consideration while doing my photography, and in part I have found more inspiration in things that average people would tend to overlook. One can happen upon things that can become extraordinary if they look at it with a more keen eye and the motivation to increase their abilities by trying new things. This trip I tried to look for the odd knot in dead wood, or here, a

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-46910624039482159532009-06-25T21:47:00.001-07:002009-06-25T22:37:12.772-07:00

While Dennis was waiting to get a parking stall for our car, I hopped out with my camera and got these from the entrance to the lot. Although it is a beautiful waterfall tourists who know can drive past this entrance to the park's marked lot for the hike and drive past on the main road to a hiking trail with parallel parking along both sides that sees less traffic than the first, mainly because

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-84979265843323921332009-06-25T20:54:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:37:07.744-07:00

There is a large fallen tree that marks the entrance to Cathedral Campground where we had lunch in Yosemite. It is a beautiful setting at the base of El Capitan just on the other side of the river. We enjoyed our picnic in the woods where there were mosquitos the size of Texas, note to travelers... bring bug repellent of some kind! But, after our picnic we made our way to the river edge. The

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-5047320612181252452009-06-25T20:37:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:37:02.507-07:00

While relaxing after our afternoon lunch at the Cathedral campsite, we set up our camp chairs along the river's rocky beach just across the face of El Capitan.  This colossal mountain didn't seem so enormous until as we were admiring it's majesty we spotted a few mountain climbers. Now, I couldn't even spot them without my camera lens and my dad, who took the majority of these photos, enjoyed the

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-78705466486360477012009-06-25T20:30:00.001-07:002009-06-25T22:36:56.744-07:00

View downriver from Yosemite falls behind.Yosemite FallsView toward Yosemite falls from bridge.View away from falls again sans bridge in foreground.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-32980756577957593562009-06-25T19:42:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:51.139-07:00

During our trip to Yosemite and with two hoodlum children of mine in tow, it becomes rather tiring to stop at every site I'd like to stop to capture pictures of scenery, people, mountains, rivers, falls, and wildlife. So, for a lot of the trip I simply had to point and shoot my camera out the window of the car and see what turned up! It was a bit exciting this way, unplanned, unprepared, and

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-33596289752269502472009-06-25T19:35:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:43.079-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-61212435710765758832009-06-25T19:15:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:37.116-07:00

The week grandpa and grandma came to visit couldn't have been any more beautiful. My dad, who's favorite channel is The Weather Channel, welcomed the reprieve of hot and humid Mississippi to a cool and delightful week in Oakdale, California. I believe on the warmest day it was a staggering 85 degrees or so with no humidity present. The mornings were brisk and sunny with temperatures dipping into

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-76960162490297774802009-06-25T18:45:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:31.061-07:00

"I am man!  I make fire!"We had a bonfire one night. Not the kind grandpa and grandma are used to, they have three acres in Mississippi where, when a tree falls due to wind and weather, they cut it down and with the help of my four younger brothers create a massive bonfire where one might consider calling the fire department...This one only called for the garden hose... just in case! We made

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-51139933762331768522009-06-25T18:13:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:25.786-07:00

It has been four months since I last went scuba diving in the ocean. So, while my dad was here visiting, and, as he was curious about my passion of diving, I donned my gear found some for him and took him on a tour of my pool. It was really exciting to show my dad the technology behind diving and some of the rudimentary skills needed to dive safely. I hope he was impressed by my knowledge and

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-53914698688371101462009-06-25T17:42:00.001-07:002009-06-25T22:36:20.822-07:00

The end of May and the beginning of June here in the Central Valley marks the beginning of strawberry season. On every country corner there seems to pop up wooden shacks (a six-year old's ultimate lemonade stand) to shade farmers peddling the tasty plump berries that were picked and still warm from the sunshine that day. For a few dollars you can purchase an entire flat of strawberries at their

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-23296552048207561272009-06-25T17:27:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:15.542-07:00

My typical, now seven year old, has a seventeen year old attitude to match her blossoming personality. Brimming with sarcasm at times my sweet little Darby-doll sometimes transforms into the Darbinator! At other times her sense for performance and appeal lends her to become Dramatic Jane. These are my silly bug's endearing nicknames around our house on any given day you will find one of the three

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-76493529684221505422009-06-25T17:08:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:10.061-07:00

When Grandpa came, Austin introduced him to the game known now as Go. Austin has been actively involved in an after school Go club that teaches the game as well as strategies and scoring involved. Knowing that my father likes board games, including and especially strategic games like chess, I thought this would be a great opportunity for them to get better acquainted with each other and for

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-17585368008930483682009-06-25T16:05:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:36:04.515-07:00

Even though my children are getting older, they still appreciate the characters that make Disneyland so special. By far the best way to see and greet them is during the character breakfasts and/or lunches and dinners because you get to spend a little more "quality" time with them as they come around each table. We rarely wait in lines that pop up out of the blue as characters walk out to their

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-26588140044220310782009-06-25T15:58:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:35:57.661-07:00

I took this photo in Downtown Disney in front of The House of Blues. It's one of those "just because" photos. I'm learning to take more of these because sometimes it is the only way to capture fleeting moments of fun and the sometime randomness of life screaming by us all!

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-90346553625397948732009-06-25T15:48:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:35:51.178-07:00

What happens when you take Darby on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland which she is finally tall enough to enjoy but not in the mood to participate...Get in line quickly and quietly...Keep her moving...Make sure big brother doesn't harass her.... but when he finally does...tell her it's going to be more fun than she thinks! Despite her reservations she was a pretty good sport considering her

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-19134078368328851922009-06-25T15:32:00.001-07:002009-06-25T22:35:44.427-07:00

While on blogging hiatus the following events occurred...Austin had his birthday which we celebrated by traveling to Disneyland.May... we had a fly by... of some cool planes!Darby had a birthday which we celebrated by having grandpa and grandma come and visit!June came and so did Grandpa and Grandma. I'll catch up with all the celebrating in posts to come!.. each of which deservedly require their

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-34943162360498142872009-06-20T10:50:00.000-07:002009-06-25T23:08:55.421-07:00

May and June has flown by! And a few weeks ago we literally had a fly by of these two smaller planes accompanying this Mitchell B25

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-35407844204795484102009-05-18T16:02:00.000-07:002009-06-25T22:35:25.297-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-44907735383739279892009-05-16T00:30:00.001-07:002009-05-19T11:49:56.079-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-58223802283007209172009-05-16T00:27:00.000-07:002009-05-19T11:49:12.653-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-36556773217249812682009-05-16T00:25:00.000-07:002009-05-18T11:54:20.288-07:00

This last trip to Hawaii we were able to dive and explore more caves. In the beginning stages of diving this was a non-interest to me, however, after skimming the entrances to a few and beginning to learn what you might be able to see inside, the idea of cave diving had more potential. These are pictures from a cave site along Henry's dive site south of Kona. It has a very wide cave base but the

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-19921540010065231312009-05-16T00:17:00.000-07:002009-05-17T22:22:56.391-07:00

These are some random photos that I put together in this post because I thought some were great pictures but they didn't necessarily go with any other particular entry. Cool pic of a spiny sea urchin that had some kind of rock, sand or debris on top...This is a shrimp in a cave...This is another photo of another red "scrunci" an egg sack for something I cant recall the name of... found during our

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-30262849976198404062009-05-13T11:05:00.001-07:002009-05-15T08:10:26.617-07:00

Disneyland does a great job with costuming their characters. It is one of my favorite things about the place. I didn't expect the costumes for the Star Wars characters to be so well done for some reason, but they proved me wrong! They looked fantastic! I think I got some fun pictures using the monotone feature on my camera. Jedi Master trained by Yoda!Padiwan learners...is Darby considering the

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-38983406544227546562009-05-13T10:32:00.001-07:002009-05-15T08:10:16.372-07:00

Austin was ecstatic by the idea of Jedi training school offered over Mother's Day weekend when we took off for Disneyland. This was his idea of entertainment, not to mention the fact that we had to be there almost a half an hour before commencement so he would be sure that he'd have a better chance at being chosen!So we sat, waiting for the show to begin... Darby didn't think she wanted to get

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-39804653158508490322009-05-13T10:00:00.000-07:002009-05-14T10:23:28.795-07:00

Finding just the perfect place to rest, relax, and enjoy great food is always the best part after diving all day. The Keei Cafe at Hokukano was just one of those sublime locations. We spent most of our dives with Captain Jim who recommended this establishment as one of his most favorite places to dine on the island. We drove quite a distance south of Kona to find it on the second floor of a

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-1968169553210442732009-05-12T15:32:00.000-07:002009-05-13T13:50:11.005-07:00

What happens when you dive and find two pseudoceros dimidiatus flatworms on the same coral head? You get the attention of your dive master, in my case, Vinny, who then tries to play matchmaker between the two worms! I wonder now if it worked out for two... Vinny said (all underwater and through his regulator) "I've never seen two together...ever!" I don't' know how he can talk so well through his

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-53437961282076977192009-05-12T15:08:00.000-07:002009-05-13T07:51:46.675-07:00

On our flight to Hawaii there was an article called, "The Voyage of the 'Junk'" on the in-flight magazine provided by the airline. It was an intriguing read and above is a picture of the sea worthy 'Junk' which made it's voyage from California to Hawaii in an effort to raise awareness of the vast sea of plastic and its resting place in the doldrums of the Pacific ocean. The amount of trash is

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-41763555466023348392009-05-11T19:43:00.001-07:002009-05-12T20:55:53.791-07:00

Until I started diving, the only way to see fish was in an aquarium, on television, old videos of Cousteau (my favorite), in books or in photographs. This is the same for all kinds of other specimen and species that inhabit the ocean. While viewing these various media you are immediately introduced to the subject by photo or video, told what it is and entertained by the videographer or

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-78139906268950607342009-05-11T18:59:00.000-07:002009-05-12T13:05:52.175-07:00

At Crescent Beach we had some of the greatest sightings of underwater creatures. Amongst them was this beautiful green sea turtle that leisurely swam by me and came to rest later on the ocean floor. He was beautiful and these pictures couldn't have turned out better in my opinion. I love that honu are so mellow and don't mind the presence of divers. You can get close enough to touch them (

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-28854222802413527352009-05-11T08:19:00.000-07:002009-05-11T10:35:46.706-07:00

While diving or snorkeling Hawaii, this is the book of reference for any one who finds interest in the aquatic life beneath waves. In fact, while I dive there is a copy of this book on the boat and when I return to post all of my pictures, or if I've taken a photo of fish that I'd never seen before or weren't at all familiar with, I go off to research it beginning here. Some of the following

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-62087995552503599672009-05-10T18:10:00.001-07:002009-05-10T18:34:15.743-07:00

Cousins, Austin, Anthony and Darby. Playing while waiting it's the best way to pass the time.High Five!Noooossssseeee.Of course, Austin, has to make silly faces in the background...What's for dinner???Downtown Disney is a fun place to hang out, people watch, and during the evening hours, listen to musicians bring their music and play for the passers-by. While we were waiting for dinner at the

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-65723536038177369212009-05-10T17:03:00.000-07:002009-05-10T18:09:24.640-07:00

Currently my life consists of shuttling children to and from various activities. Most of which I would like to participate in myself. Swimming is one of those in particular. Austin participated on the Oakdale Gators swim team last year and really enjoyed learning the strokes and showed high promise in the sport. He takes after his father that way, who, as a youth was always the first to the wall.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-36332275600379175072009-05-07T07:39:00.000-07:002009-05-07T07:53:48.998-07:00

Wash your feet in the water! Although the pumice rocks made walking a bit difficult. They were smooth and time worn from years of being tossed up and down shore like a rock polishing machine. It is a black sand beach in the making. We had hiked all that way but didn't have time to stay and I insisted that I had to "at least put my feet in." To which Dennis shot these pictures.

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-44736690927225094672009-05-06T21:06:00.000-07:002009-05-06T21:43:14.810-07:00

Once we hiked through the wilderness of lava, brush, trees, fallen coconuts and dirt pathways we found ourselves hiking along the oceanfront. It is a patchy beach front with some black sanded areas, some hard lava rock steps and on one part the water has worn some of the lava rocks into smooth black stones and that makes up another area of beach. There was much to see here and the site is unique

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-80909393983116482092009-05-06T09:53:00.000-07:002009-05-06T13:52:29.103-07:00

The only woe here is the fact that it took me all morning to find, arrange, edit and post all of the content in the video. My kids wanted to participate in a talent show but we will be traveling that day so I suggested we make a video to represent some of their latest accomplishments. They loved the idea, who doesn't want to be the star of their very own show? Because it is happening this Friday

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-2970253768098606602009-05-05T08:22:00.000-07:002009-05-05T11:39:50.124-07:00

With no kids to question "...are we there yet," I decided it was the perfect opportunity to hike to Kiholo bay. We left our four wheel drive at the 82 mile marker on highway nineteen, Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, and grabbed our backpack with a couple of water bottles and towels then set off into the brush. In 1801 this entire area was destroyed from the Hualalai lava flow that erupted and spread

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-49600519254057457452009-05-04T10:50:00.000-07:002009-05-04T11:55:45.094-07:00

This Indonesian island cafe is tucked in behind a small tourist filled shopping mall right off of Alii Drive. It's closed except for dinner and it's "hole in the wall" appearance may make some tourists think twice and opt for a more trendy or tourist popular restaurant. We found it by way of locals and in my opinion that is the best way to pin down the best food in town. The restaurant's interior

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-62349483173978766122009-05-02T21:26:00.000-07:002009-05-02T22:13:53.413-07:00

Seen above, these garden eels are endemic to the Hawaiian islands. You can find them almost anywhere off the Kona coastline and typically they are found in the thousands swaying in the current, like grass in the breeze, at around 60 feet and deeper. They are very thin and feed on plankton and can grow to two feet in length.You never know when you might come across an eel when diving. They are

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-71386757275025246222009-05-02T01:46:00.000-07:002009-05-02T02:10:21.067-07:00

Big Island Divers are who we dive with, period. I recommend them over any other dive shop on the Kona side of the Big Island. If you are like me and don't particularly enjoy cattle drives of people and diving with more divers than you can remember, (and always wondering if that dive master remembers you..) Big Island Divers is for you! They run two boats with a great staff in store and fantastic

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-53503157588883152662009-05-02T00:30:00.001-07:002009-05-02T01:37:45.299-07:00

I've mentioned in many recent posts that the large creatures of the deep don't often explore the reefs. At a depth of about sixty to seventy feet the coral stops and the drop off begins. Once in a while we will dive to these areas just to see if anything happens by. During this dive, the last of our three tank long range dive, we saw Koie. She is a female manta ray with a wingspan when last

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-45373629573688511442009-05-01T18:44:00.000-07:002009-05-01T18:49:33.116-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-26846295558740061252009-05-01T17:36:00.000-07:002009-05-01T18:30:16.262-07:00

During our three tank long range dive in which we traveled south along the coastline to get to a dive site called Au Au Canyon, we met along the way spinner dolphins, the humpback whales seen in the post below, a pod of pilot whales and a white tip oceanic shark. Dennis even popped out our underwater snapshot camera to take a few pictures of me taking pictures of the wildlife! While we were along

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-26266902875509323462009-04-30T14:54:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:55:21.148-07:00

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-62613487868622937452009-04-30T13:38:00.000-07:002009-04-30T20:12:59.120-07:00

Humpback whales are commonly seen along the Kona, Hawaii coastline from December through late March and early April. This is where they come to have their calves in the warmer climate during the winter months. Typically many whale watching charters are bustling during this time while tourists flock to see these extraordinary mammals breach and spout hoping to capture an image to keep, share, and

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-40698246551666667362009-04-24T17:32:00.000-07:002009-04-24T17:43:31.711-07:00

Hawaii is the place, well compared to Oakdale, for surreal sunsets. Although this was not taken this particular trip, it was taken north of Kona. I think this was taken from a scenic overlook while driving to Waimea... Actually, I might have just made Dennis pull over where ever we happened to be along the highway because I couldn't miss this setting... As I'm sitting here typing  actually we

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-29249870185006732312009-04-24T16:42:00.001-07:002009-04-24T17:32:04.032-07:00

This is me taking in the breathtaking scene...Historic markers are sometimes hard to find and usually poorly marked in Hawaii. However this scenic point off of Queen Kamehameha III highway is a simple stop with mind numbing views of Kailua-Kona to the north, the ocean and bay it overlooks and Ohi'a Cave the birthplace of the first King and most well known of Hawaii.This historical marker tells a

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-4460371868759938722009-04-23T20:47:00.000-07:002009-04-23T20:50:34.716-07:00

I have to thank Scuba Diver Girls for this entire blog post I didn't write any of it (including the title) but found it to be so entertaining I couldn't resist posting it here. Scuba Diver Girls Margo and Stephanie would like to thank Scuba Diver GirlOcchi for emailing this funny story to us.If you don’t laugh out loud after you read this you are in a coma!This is even funnier when you realize it

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998760785844662098.post-54180157979633573752009-04-21T14:59:00.000-07:002009-04-22T15:59:34.296-07:00

Coral forms in such spectacular ways. Swimming through eel cove looking for eels I spotted this mushroom shaped coral in the distance and just thought it was gorgeous! I'm glad I snapped a picture of it. I mean it's always interesting to see the fish of course and how they interact with you and their own surroundings but sometimes we forget to observe the reef itself as it, too, is a living thing

Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734453551017261574noreply@blogger.com0