Hilke + Family

Now, who is Hilke?

Hilke is my oldest friend.  We grew up together.  Our families did nearly everything together.  I can't ever remember not knowing Hilke.  We visited Hilke's Mom, Marie, while we were in Alaska.  We fought and played together- we were more like sisters than anything.  Our families went through good times and some very rough times together. We've got lots of stories- some I'd even forgotten about- about each other and each other's family.  Sadly, we've been out of touch for a few years.  

I knew that Hilke and her family- husband, Chuck, and four kids (Helena, Tristan, Tily and Pomai) lived on the Big Island.  I also knew I really wanted to see her.  We briefly got to see Hilke and meet Pomai while we were in Alaska but it had been ages since I'd seen Chuck and I hadn't even met Tristan and Tily.   So on Saturday afternoon (half-way during our two-week visit) I got my wish to see Hilke and finally meet the other family members I hadn't yet met.  

Hilke and I spent a long time chatting and remembering about the past....it's been such a long time since I thought about my childhood so my memory tends to be a little rusty.  It was wonderful catching up with Hilke.  I also learned that she's a stay-at-home mom and has a passion for making tasty and healthy meals for her family from scratch....kind of like me!  (except I'm not always so good at making healthy meals.  LOL!) Let me tell ya- she's one exceptional cook!

It was also interesting to hear what living life in Hawaii is really like.  It really made my eyes open wide and be grateful for what we have (even if it isn't on a gorgeous island!).  

Chuck preparing the gorgeous fish: ahi, mahi mahi and ono

 Lightly and carefully grilling the fish:

 And it's done!

Oh my!  Hilke and Chuck made us the most mouth-watering, fantastic, knock-your-socks off meal.  It was so good that we decided not to bother going to an expensive restaurant- because nothing else could come close to the meal they prepared!  Just too darn bad I didn't get a photo of the meal....to busy eating!  LOL!

Helena and Ava running and exploring this pretty park.  Helena is an amazing young lady...I can't believe she was a toddler at our wedding!  Weren't we married just a couple of years ago?  Oh, you say it's been almost sixteen years????!  My oh my - time sure flies!  Helena has the most amazing and beautiful singing voice.  She gave us a demonstration of her singing abilities on the platform behind her in this photo.  She certainly impressed me and Mark!!!  Helena, please share your gift with others!  

 The two littlest girls chasing after Helena (Pomai and Ava trying to catch her).

 Tumbling/rolling down the hill....great past-time to keep kids and adults happy!

 Let's see...who's in this photo....there's Pomai, Helena, Annika, Tily, Tristan, Ava and Chuck.

 Chuck had a funny idea he tried...he videoed himself while tumbling down the hill.  All the kids huddled around him to watch the playback of that video.  They were all laughing pretty hard at the video.

Thank you so much for a most wonderful evening!  It really doesn't get any better than this: fantastic food, catching up with dear old friends and play-time at the park.  

Beach 69

The following Saturday (one week later) we had made plans to meet up with Hilke + Chuck + the kids at Beach 69 (which is very close to Hapuna Beach).  Sadly, Hilke and her family had all gotten the flu over the previous week so weren't up to a full-blown beach outing....however they did come out (minus Helena, sniff, sniff) for a brief visit. 

Beach 69 was certainly different from the other beaches we'd visited in the Kohala/Kona area...first off, it had trees which offered little pockets of beach (and perhaps a little more privacy than the other beaches).  The tree closest to us had another unique feature- a rope swing.  Apparently this is also one of the few beaches that pets are allowed to be on.  The beach offered excellent swimming and apparently excellent snorkeling (I didn't go- shame on me!).  The water was calm enough so that Annika could even go out and snorkel.  Mark and Annika got a good look at the fish with the longest name.....Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (I may or may not have spelled that one correctly!  PS Annika can actually say its name....my tongue gets lost after the first couple of syllables.)

A lovely beach!

 Pomai....what a cutie!

 Oh girls!  What's up with your goofy grins?????

 Ah yes...now you finally get to see Hilke.  Let me tell ya....I'd almost kill for a physique like hers!  She's also run in several marathons (and I only managed to finish one HALF marathon.  LOL!) and has been in ballet/dance classes for as long as I can remember.

 Here's Mark and Chuck.

 Tily and Ava trying out the rope swing.

 Saying Good Bye to Friends, especially Dear Old Friends, is always hard....so we just said we'll see each other later.  And I'm sure we will.  Let's just be sure to keep in touch, okay?

I tried to write..."Astrid, Annika, Mark & Ava were here" but the tide washed it away before I could get a photo of it!

We stayed at the beach to watch the sunset.  We even got to see the Green Flash!

I just can't help but think this is an amazing photo of Annika...just seems like a classic photo.

 Ava had to try swinging on the rope swing as well.

As the afternoon wore on we also noticed there was a wedding ceremony happening further down on the beach.  What a nice place to start your marriage!

A lovely way to end our last day in Hawaii.  So sad to be thinking about leaving this gorgeous place.....