Diamond Head

Diamond Head

10.8.12

This week for Columbus Day we had an awesome family day. 

We decided to hike Diamond Head to show the kids some of the beautiful things in their own back yard. I don't know what I was thinking taking Layla, but she slept the whole way ( I think she loved it) and to get my sweat on was so worth it. Not to mention the view was gorgeous.

FYI:

Diamond Head is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists of Waikiki alike. The volcanic tuff cone is a United States State Monument. While part of it serves as a platform for antennas used by the U.S. government and is closed to the public, the crater's proximity to Honolulu's resort hotels and beaches makes the rest of it a popular destination.

A 0.75-mile (1.1-km) hike leads to the edge of the crater's rim. Signs at the trailhead say that the hike takes 1.5–2 hours round-trip, and recommends that hikers bring water. Although not difficult, the signs also say that the hike is not a casual one: the mostly unpaved trail winds over uneven rock, ascends 74 steps, then through a tunnel and up another steep 99 steps. Next is a small lighted tunnel to a narrow spiral staircase (43 steps) inside a coastal artillery observation platform built in 1908. From the summit above the observation platform both Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean can be seen in detail.

The volcano is a symbol of the worldwide recognition of the Hawaiian Islands; because of this, Diamond Head is widely used for commercial purposes (see Diamond Head (film) and Diamond Head (band)). Many souvenirs from Hawaii and surf shop logos around the world bear the volcano's distinctive silhouette.

Kids Workshop- Fire Trucks

Kids Workshop-Home Depot

10.6.12

Every first Saturday of the month Home Depot hosts a FREE Kids Workshop, and every month it is something different. This month's theme was Fire Fighters. The boys got to meet  real firefighters, take a tour of a real fire truck, paint and build fire trucks and even play with a fire simulator. It's like a video game extinguisher that allows you put out a digital fire. 

Like always the boys got their certificate of completion and their pin. They even got a little treat for Halloween and cupcake.

50th State Fair- Re-Post

(You should be able to see all the pictures now.)

There's no place like home

As promised Mama Rosa, some pictures for you.
Don't forget, click on the photos to enlarge.




These are a few pictures of our new little place. It is a little messy because I took these on the moving day.
The kitchen, the nook looking out at the patio. the backyard/patio, the living/nook, the hallway, and Cameron in the living room.

We had a bunch of left over decorations from Marcus' birthday party last year, so I thought why not decorate their room. Marcus taped everything up himself, and Lohena pulled it all down again. Anyway, the boy's had a blast decorating their room.

"Jack-O-Lantern is Pumpkin in Spanish"

At least that's what my friend's kid told her.

Marcus and I decorated and carved our pumpkins today. I love doing stuff like this with him, and he loves it too. He wanted to help, but after a few minutes, his hand hurt and he didn't help clean out the pumpkin because he didn't like his hands getting so dirty. Although, I did most of the "hard" work, it was worth it!

Victoria BC

Here are some pics of our recent trip to Victoria, as promised.

Click on the picture to view album.

Enjoy!

Alana in Canada

This past Memorial weekend, will be without a doubt one of the many family trips we will remember; partially because it was our first official Heide Family Vacation, and because it was the first time I got to leave the country. Cameron surprised us all by taking us to Canada for the whole weekend, just us...and yes, we survived!

This was the first time, just us four vacationed; alone. It was so much fun and yet totally and completely exhausting! We took the Clipper up to Victoria B.C. Canada, and decided not to take a car...so just because I was on vacation didn't mean I vegged out.

I took so many pictures, too many for blogger probably, but I promise I will share some of the cool things we did. Like touring an old-style authentic castle, my hunt for a bakery, antique row, the cigar shop we just had to stop in, the beautiful waterfront and gorgeous Parliament building.

We stayed in a cute Chateau hotel in a 2 bedroom suite (good job Cameron!) not too far from the waterfront. But there was this street we continued to pass, and every time I thought of my little sister, Alana Yates.

This falls into the category of doing more and seeing more. I am truly thankful that we are able to make these memories. I would never have imagined being able to or being able to afford vacations like these a few months ago. However, after we were able to pay off our $13,000 car in 6 months, we are continuing to work on our mortgage, but we can seriously feel the financial freedom, allowing us to make trips like these possible. www.101financial.com/camkam

Thank you so much Cameron, we had so much fun!

Some serious memories were made, ones I will never forget!

Pretezel Tree Trail

Last weekend was just so nice, we decided to go on a family hike. One of my goals this year was to see more and do more in Washington. So, we took the kids to the Pretzel Tree Trail. It is a short loop (0.1 mi. to be exact with a 1 foot elevation) filled with storyboards that tell the story as you go. It was actually very cute and perfect distance for Marcus.