And a few more beaches...Mauna Kea and Hapuna (Take 2)

And now for Fabulouso Beach Number 3:

Mauna Kea!

 Oh yes, this was everything the guidebook said it'd be...a gorgeous sandy beach with awesome swimming.

 Digging pits and more pits....

There was some awesome snorkeling at this beach.  Amazing snorkeling!  Beautiful fish, coral and sea turtles...

 Mark, Aunt Beth and another family member (Uncle Ray's stepdad) all left the beach early to go on a night Manta Ray snorkeling trip.  Gives me goosebumps just thinking about them seeing those giant manta rays up close!

Meet Skye!  She's related to Uncle Ray.  She was visiting Hawaii with her Grandma and apparently really missing her little sister (I think that Ava reminded Skye of her sister).  Skye created a Mermaid Ava.  Skye was a fabulous story teller!  

Cool thing: Mark (aka Daddy) found a coconut still in its husk at the beach.  We figured it was okay since it had liquid in it (when he shook it).  So he went to town taking off its husk.

That was quite a job taking off the husk!

And guess what?  It really was a good coconut!  We drank the coconut milk and shredded the coconut over French toast with coconut syrup.  Oh my!  Tropical French Toast!

And back to Hapuna for another wonderful morning at the beach...

Annika lost a tooth at this beach (it was already loose)....

We learned that Annika is an awesome boogie boarder!  (thanks to Aunt Beth for these photos!)

Oh yeah!  Boogie boarding is a blast (especially if you can figure out how to actually ride the wave!)