chain of craters...

driving down the chain of craters road...

we got to stop off at some amazing lookouts.

where the devastation was (still) overwhelming.  

an old crater that was still steaming.

and the trees were still dead...

looking out to mauna loa.

from hiilina pali lookout.

i sent david on ahead to scout it out.

this was one of the older sections of devastation.

you can see the lava all the way out to the sea.

another crater we stopped at.

more lava fields.

this just went on for MILES.

more lava and regrowth.

the sea arch at the bottom of chain of craters road.

the other view.

looking back from the lava to the road.

random palm trees that either survived or regrew!

the lava just took over the road!

so crazy.

and yet, the sign still stood!

good thing- we would have been confused otherwise!

looking past where the road had been covered with lava.

nenes with the lava rocks.

driving back up to the volcano.

in the rain forest...

the thurston lava tube behind david...

to think it was once filled with lava…  

mauna kea in the background… mauna loa sloping down on the left.

driving back up the chain of craters road.

it's been fun readjusting to real life.  my mom was still here and david was still off until friday.  so i got an extra 4 days of break!  it was so nice to ease back into real life.

christopher is at such a fun age.  and obsessed (like nora) with "frozen".  although, he loves olaf.  it's so cute to watch.  he's a little ham!  and his vocabulary grows daily!  he is getting very particular about his bedtime routine…  and he's the third child, so i go with it!  he needs his stuff to be arranged "just so".  while i watch, because i can't cover him up until he's done.  but it's too cute!  and, he LOVES his bed.   he routinely asks for "bed".  and will walk to the stairs to lead you there!  

nora has recently discovered a love for doing dishes.  so, after breakfast, james unloaded the dishwasher, and nora reloaded it.  it was heaven!  loving their willingness to help.  chris is even starting to pick up on it.  he will usually answer, "yes mommy, obey".  it's too cute!

on the flip side, i am working on rolling eyes, foot stomping and general teenage attitude from a certain 6 year old, and gentleness towards his brother from a certain 4 year old.  lest you think we were perfect!  (come spend 5 minutes, you will see how ALL of us fail!!!)  

d is gearing up for deployment.  unfortunately, their schedule is hellacious until they leave.  he and i both agree that, given the choice, it would be easier for him to leave now!  but i am trying to store him up for all the time i have left!  and i am torn between wanting the baby to come NOW, and knowing how much added stress it would add before he leaves!  

we have had some really fun family time recently, and for that i am so thankful!!!