No Umpa Lumpas in Hawaii

We took a tour of the Original Chocolate Factory in Hawaii and Josslyn was insistent upon finding out if there were any Umpa Lumpas working there.  

After a long car ride to get to the tour, Autumn was off and running.  Therefore we could only get Joss to sit by the token sign to get a touristy picture.

We were all given samples of their chocolate at the beginning of the tour which was 9 am.  Kids were so happy to have chocolate for breakfast this morning. 

Joss hanging out in the forest of Cocoa trees.  This was when she also decided to ASK the question about the Umpa Lumpas, and found out there were none at this chocolate factory.  Bummer.

Joss making art out of a moth ridden leaf

This might be some of the only fall colors you will see in Hawaii...Cocoa pods...pretty

Cocoa beans roasting/fermenting in the sun

Geckos came running when the tour guide opened a cocoa pod to show everyone the beans in side

Usually geckos run quick when people approach, but these geckos didn't care who was near them, all they wanted was the "chocolate."  Can you blame em?

Exploring the BIG Island (of Hawaii)

Even though Hawaii is an island, exploring so far has been endless.  From farmer's markets to beaches to quaint little towns to fun restaurants...this island has it all.

This is one of our favorite roads to travel, scenic wise.  It is the road from Kapa 'au to Waimea.  We never get sick of the open fields with the contrasting colors of the green grass and black cows with the blue ocean in the background.  

After going to the farmer's market, we stumbled upon this little mobile chicken cart.  It smelled sooo good!  We ordered a chicken and the kids went to town and ate the whole thing!  Lil animals!

This is a beach we found by turning down an unmarked road.  Another couple had mentioned it on trip advisor (love that website).  It had so many sea treasures and fun places to explore.

Here is a swim hole made from an ancient lava flow.  

It was so crystal clear and filled with little fish.  The temperature was perfect.  It extended underground for a about 40ft.  We were told there were also petroglyphs carved into the walls from ancient Hawaiians.

Later we stumbled upon one of many huge sea turtles.  So tranquil and beautiful.

Auty stared in amazement.

Joss was a bit scared.  The next day one swam right next to her at the beach.  She basically walked on water and jumped into the arms of the nearest stranger.  Too funny.

A beautiful Taiwanese home, built right near the shore.  Wasn't sure if it was a hotel or someone's house at first.  

Hula Lessons

Ever since we went to the Luau, Josslyn has been begging to learn how to hula dance.  While at reading time at the local library, we met a woman who teaches hula dancing.  Josslyn went to the next class and had a blast!!

It was so beautiful!!  The little girls in their Hawaiian skirts dancing outside, with the ocean in the background, while listening to the entrancing beat of the ipu (gourd).  So magical.  

Josslyn is a natural born hula dancer.  She did fantastic.  

After they danced, they made little anklet leis.  Each of them had to make it for someone other than themselves.  Joss gave it the hula teacher's daughter and she gave hers to Joss.  Instant friends.  :)

They also played an old school Hawaiian game, rolling a ball through two sticks.  So simple, just a round rock and some sticks.  So so simple, yet it kept them busy and having fun for a while.  

Here is Joss trying her hand at it.  

Everyone posing with their anklet leis on.  Loving the simplicity of the Big Island.  Such a special place.

Harvest Time

While staying in Hawaii, we knew we wanted to go to a luau to see some of the local customs and try some of the local food.  We also knew the kids would have a blast!  And what better way to celebrate Mabon, harvest time (autumn equinox), then at a luau under the Harvest Full Moon.  

The girls were so excited to walk up to luau and get a seashell lei.  Here is Joss getting her Lei.

And Autumn getting her Lei.

First order of business.. drinks!  Parents got free Mai Tais and kids got all the juice they could drink.  Here they are getting their "sugar" on.

Here is Autumn sneaking another cup of juice, after being cut off!  LOL!  She must have drank about 10 cups of juice!  Notice her stained lips.

Josslyn joining right in with the Hula Girls.  Joss was in her glory!

And there is Auty following big sis.

Dinner time!!!

Dinner cooking in the ground. (pork)

Locals taking dinner out of the oven!!

And here he is!!  Joss and Auty were practically drooling.  While getting dinner at the buffet table, Josslyn said out loud, "I am a carnivore!"  People died laughing, especially after seeing her plate piled high with steak and pork.  lol

During dinner, the dancing began.  It was a phenomenal show!  From the hula dancers, moving with such elegance to the thrilling fire dance.  What a fun night!  

Joss danced right along with them the whole night!  She was entranced by them!

Joss was soo excited to meet the hula girl.... the highlight of her night!

And the perfect end to our first luau.

Update on Finding a New Place to Live

On our plane ride out to Hawaii, Jess and I put pen to paper and prioritized what it is we hope to find in a new place to live and raise our family.  We ranked them in order of importance and hope to stick to our guns.

1.  People - we want warm and welcoming people
2. Weather - want sun!!, but still want some changing seasons, not wild about a lot of snow or cold
3.  Outdoor Oriented - want lots of beautiful nature to enjoy, biking, jogging, rafting, etc.
4.  Strong Walk Score - want kids to bike or walk to school, walk to local coffee shop or grocery
5.  Affordable - don't want to need a killer job just to be able to afford a nice, simple place
6.  A place where the people "Work to Live", not "live to work" (laid back but not too much)
7.  In the Action - we want to feel like where we are is a destination, and not dead in the summer or winter
8.  Green/Progressive - want a focus on environment, also the people are open minded and accepting of others
9.  University Nearby - good for cultural options, plays, and keg parties!! ha ha
10.  Near a Major Airport - so we can travel easily and have friends and family visit often
11.  Water Water Somewhere -lakes or rivers are good, (decided we don't have to be near the ocean, like we originally thought)
12.  Job Opportunities - last but not least, we do need some money to live, ha ha

Our top choices at this point in the journey are:

Bend, Oregon,
Boulder/Louisville, Colorado,
Austin, Texas
Asheville, North Carlina

We have already lived in:

Bend, OR
Portland, OR
Pacific City, OR
Seattle, WA
Pacific Beach, WA

Had brief stays in Charleston, Chapel Hill, Carey, Oklahoma City, Flagstaff, Albuquerque , Salt Lake City, and Boise.

Such a difficult decision that at times it feels overwhelming but most of the time we just feel very fortunate to be able to visit and choose for ourselves.

A Thought

While watching some surfers do their thing, I realized surfing has some strong parallels to life.  Sitting in the water going up and down watching/waiting for the right wave can be fun.  Very fun!  But you do need to take a chance and pick a wave to really enjoy (life).  You may have more fun riding a number of smaller waves, rather than waiting for that one really big wave to come in.  I plan to catch as many waves as I can and take my family with.

Life is a Beach

Almost everyday that we have been on the Big Island of Hawaii, we have found ourselves at the beach.      After homeschooling Joss, we pack lunches, let Autumn take her nap on the way, then unload and carry a crap load of stuff to the "perfect" spot on the beach, and spend about 3 to 4 hours a day there body surfing, jumping the waves and building sand castles.  Then head back home to make cocktails and some dinnner.  We can definitely get used to this.  :)

Autumn showing off her stylish sunglasses at Kua Bay.

Erik looking good!! Catching a great wave!

Wipeout...

Kids watching Daddy relax for a second in the sand to catch his breath.

Kids loved watching us body surf.  They loved telling us which waves to catch.  Very cute.

Felt like such a kid again!!  I am hoping to try my hand at surfing while out here.  Scares me a little knowing how big these waves can get.  And when you get crushed once you don't forget.  My back is still sore!

I love watching them play together.  They have grown so close with each other on this trip. 

The sun is an amazing thing.  It really brings out the best in people.  We are all so much happier when it is a sunny day and we are outside enjoying it.

Love this picture.  

Joss and Auty, who have changed their names to Poet/Twilight and Joss to Willow/Bell, depending on the day, are here enjoying the end of the day at the beach.

And here they are beat and ready to go home.  :)