Fourth of July!

For the 4th, we were fortunate to have Shannon come and visit us. So we all decided to make it into Chicago and go to North Avenue Beach. The weather has been spectacular so we had to take advantage of it. Plus for awhile now, Kaila's been telling us that she wants to go to the beach. Now, she's talking more Hawaiian beaches, but the lake beach had to do for now.

Water was freezing, but Kaila didn't care.

Sissy with Mommy

Kaila wanted to go into the water with only her Aunty Shannon. She was fearless: running out into the water until it came up to her chin.....then she'd immediately run back out to the sand......then run back into the water......and repeat.

Awesome weather

Snack time. Kenna: "Ate, how come you get a nice cheese roll-up and I'm stuck with this rice rusk?"

Digging in the sand with her shovel and bucket.

The girls with Aunty Shannon...
Family pic...

After a few hours at the beach, we headed out to Rolling Meadows for a Hawaiian BBQ at the Ho'opi'i's. We met Kaika at Aunty Erme's get-together last weekend, and he was so nice enough to invite us to their 4th of July BBQ. We were finally able to meet Kaika's wife, Charnalle, and their close friends, who also work for United Airlines and who also are from Hawai'i (the wife, Joely, is from Waimanalo, the husband, Loren, from France, but his mom is from Hilo) . Oh man, we haven't eaten like that in a LONG time: Chinese chicken salad, mac salad, kal-bi beef, BBQ ribs, sausage, tres leche cake, pistachio cake, and apple pie. We were eating as if we hadn't eaten in weeks! Driving over to their house we were already exhausted just from being out in the sun at the beach. But the best energy-booster is spending quality time with good friends and good food. We had an awesome time with them.

As soon as Kaila saw Ka'imi, she yelled, "IMI!!" They played together pretty much the whole time. It's funny how Kaila likes playing with the boy, but not the girl (Kalehua). Kaui got a snapshot of Kalehua, Ka'imi, and Kaila sitting nicely in the lawn chair.

Playing with the carts with Ka'imi.

Kenna is very sensitive and picky about who holds her. But she was very comfortable with both Kaika and Charnalle. In fact she fell asleep both times they held her. Here she is with Uncle Kaika......

.........and Aunty Charnalle & Kalehua.

Kaila doing pop-it fireworks with Ka'imi and Kika.

What a long, exhausting day, but man, we had so much fun. Sun, beach, friends, and food.....can't beat that for the Fourth.