We went to the grocery store...

..and ended up taking some nice pictures. As we rounded the corner heading to the store, I spotted this beautiful tree that had dropped hundreds of brilliant orange flowers and just had to take a few pics.

Steam Vents and Botanicals in Volcano Nat. Park

Lucy and I went exploring today in the Volcano National Park. We found some steam vents, which Lucy wanted to dive in head first, and some beautiful botanicals.

Koa tree in bloom.




Familiar Honeysuckle!!

Coneheads

Our dogs all got fixed and are now sporting the "cone of shame"(from the movie UP). It is rather comical watching them wander about.

More flowers

It's amazing how I keep finding new plants and flowers on our 3 acres. Yesterday as I was walking around the yard with Lucy I spotted the white orchid pictured below. How could I have missed it before now? I guess it hasn't bloomed since we've lived here and was hidden behind some tall grass that was recently cleared. Isn't it beautiful?!
The pink hibiscus plant was one that was also hidden under the creeping ferns that grow so prolifically here. I have found about 6 different (very large) hibiscus plants that same way.

From Mark

For Valentine's Day Mark built me a table. It's not just any old table either. It's HUGE and quite handsome, too. I absolutely LOVE it and our family will use it on a daily, if not hourly basis. If you think about it, the table is a type of "meeting place" where you spend lots of time with your family and loved ones, so it should be durable, comfortable, yet beautiful. Mark made sure this one meets all of that criteria.
Thank you for the wonderful gift, dear!!

Hawaii makes us healthy

Since moving to Hawaii our family has been overall healthier, it seems. We are outside more, so no Vitamin D deficits, we eat more fruits and veggies thanks to the availability at the farmer's markets, our sleep patterns are more consistant-we get up at sunrise and go to bed close to sundown, and we are more active-hiking, swimming, gardening, playing outside. Mark has been getting lots of exercise by surfing and boogie boarding and has lost lots of weight.... doesn't he look great:


Now we understand why Hawaii is considered the healthiest State!

Floral/Hawaiian Fabric

I've been sewing a lot, lately. I've been inspired by all of the beautiful floral fabric available here, so sewing has been my creative outlet.

Happy Valentines Day!

Love, Ella

Chinese New Year celebration in Hilo

The fam went to the Chinese New Year parade and festival this morning in Hilo. We had a great time watching the dragons dance and listening to the thousands of fire crackers.

Ella and I went to Richardson's Beach

And we had FUN snorkeling, swimming, and seeing lots of beautiful fish!

Why?

Why do children think the weirdest things are also the most fun things?
I found Lucy playing under the house in the dirt with the dogs having the time of her life.

We have EGGS!!!

It may not seem like a big deal, but we are love having fresh eggs everyday!

Landscaping

Mark and I have been trying to do a little landscaping. We've been using the abundant lava rocks to form the perimeters of the beds and planting only those flowers and plants that we know likes our rainforest climate. Finally, Impatients that I don't have to water twice a day(like in Alabama!).