More pics from around the house and yard

Abby's chicken, Sunshine.


Our driveway.


Our chicken coop made from guava trees cut from our property. And Kahiki running down one our new trails.

Ella and St. John go the school

Here is the view as you walk out the front door


Yes, the kids started school today at a great public charter school in downtown Hilo. I stayed with SJ as they went on an excursion to Onekahakaha Beach and learned about ecosystems, watersheds, and much more. Here are a few pics from the excursion.

Coconut Island Picnic today

Today, we went to Coconut Island. It was so fun. We got to swim, and swimming was so much and I mean so much fun!! Mama didn't really swim that much, she just waded.
And we also had a picnic. the Food was super yummy, I had sushi. I think that Coconut Island is my favorite beach on the island.
-Ella

More fun in the yard

Ella and St. John are back in Hawaii and are having a great time exploring the new parts of the yard that Mark worked so hard clearing. We just wish Abby and Mason were here, too!

Atticus and Joey

Came across this pic and had to share. We love our new puppies, but we still miss these two guys...

More land to play on

Mark has been clearing more of our land lately. We can't wait to plant some grass and watch it grow.
Obviously, Lucy and the puppies love playing in the wide open spaces!

Around the house on Labor Day

Lucy loves playing with sticks and pulling up weeds. Unfortunately she doesn't know the difference between a weed and a squash seedling! I have had to keep a close watch while she is near our garden.


Ella's zinnias.



Our puppies are getting bigger and still have more growing to go.

Ella and SJ return to the South

Yesterday I put Ella and SJ on a jumbo jet to fly from Honolulu to Atlanta. We will miss them while they are with their Dad, but know that they will have a great time seeing all of their family and friends in Birmingham.
They are even going to go back to their school for a few days. The beauty of a small private school....your kids can return for a few days with no paperwork, no signatures, no fuss! Thank you!!
The school I am referring to is Red Mountain Community School (http://redmountaincommunityschool.com/). This school is one of the main things that we miss about Birmingham! It can be such a magical place(and I don't mean like Disneyland).


Ella and Sj about to board for a 9 hour flight.

We've started school.

School has started in the Carder household and therefore we have been especially busy! The kids are adjusting to our new schedule and seem to enjoy most of what we are learning so far.

Here is a picture of Ella and SJ completely a nature study of ferns in the yard beside our house.

We got chickens.

But first you must see these lovely flowers in our yard.


Okay, so we now have 6 chicks! Two of each, Rhode Island Red, Ameraucana, and Buff orpington.
Let the eggs begin!

watergun fight

Mason got 4 water guns for his birthday last week. The kids have had many battles and lots of fun!

Some pics from Ella's camera:

Ella and one of David's puppies.



These were taken at a beach park about 45 min. from our house.

One of the most beautiful state parks I've ever seen

Lava Tree State Park-- amazing!

More from Volcano National Park

The 4 kids in front of the smoking Kilauea Caldera.


The kids with Mauna Loa in the background.

I noticed that I haven't posted a pic of Mark....

because he is usually the one with the camera. So here is one with all of the kids on one of our hikes.

my bracelets

i am going to sell bracelets for everybody. the bracelets, will be made of: Yarn & thread.
by:ella

Southpoint

After traveling to the northern tip of the island, we wanted to see the southern tip of the island. So we drove to Southpoint, which is not only the southern most part of the island but the southern most part of the United States. It was very arid and windy, and there were really big, beautiful waves crashing the shores that we enjoyed watching.