Camping at Bellows...

During the first week of spring break in March my family went camping at Bellows. It was our first attempt to camp with everyone and was so much fun that we decided to make it an annual occurrence. Although we might try for the summer before the kids go back to school so it might end up being a semi-annual Thiim Family Camp out. Well see how that goes and if it doesn't wear us out! So here's how the camp went....

At around 4p.m. the Deliz's, Kai's, G. Kai's and Thiims showed up to pitch our tents hurriedly before the sun went down. It did take us a few hours to get everyone settled and we did end up setting up a little in the dark but all was good. We had two generators to produce much needed light throughout the night and entertainment for the kids and kids at heart. Or those that just couldn't bear to be without t.v. for a week. Can you believe that my dad brought his t.v./dvd player to camp! We couldn't and everyone teased but everyone was watching movies every night. Twilight at camp was the best.....or so I heard. Gil and I couldn't actually start camping till Wednesday because of Dezi's arm and a funeral. So the Kai's and G. Kai's were there to watch our things. Everyone came the next day and set up their tents.

As you can see we were on the big grassy field next to the bathroom and tennis court.

Everyone pitching in to help each other.

We all had fun staying up late watching movies and for the adults playing boggle. And during the day had fun with so many activities. This is a picture of the kids playing a packing game that Aunty U'i brought...how appropriate for the camp. You try and pack as many items as you think you can into a small trunk before time runs out.

Dezi and Kai Boy playing with the saucer.






The boys having fun throwing baseballs, footballs, Frisbee's and what ever else they could find I guess.



Thanks to the Kai's we played bad mitten, volleyball and tennis. Everything was super fun and I found out that I'm not half bad at tennis. (Kanai the ball would've totally cleared the net!!)





So for the food everyone was to make there own breakfast and lunch but each family took turns cooking dinner for everyone. The Kai's had Sunday (BBQ pulled pork sandwiches), Naluai's and Deliz's-Monday (Portuguese bean soup), Thiims-Tuesday (beef stew), Kobayashi's-Wednesday (spaghetti), and both G. Kai families Thursday (Salmon and Steak). Oh the food was so good. Even though we planned for everyone to do their own meals during the day we all just ended up eating each others food and feeding each others children.

This is U'i and I making the Portuguese bean soup with help from mom and Uncle Gordon. It was our first attempt and it tasted pre-tty darn good!!!





Uncle Gordon and Aunty Janice brought tons of stuff for the kids to do during the day. They...

Made lauhala stars taught by Aunty Janice Kai,

Made shell necklaces taught by Uncle Gordon. They practiced the 4 string braid but it was to difficult for some of them so they just did the regular 3 strand braid.








I tried the four strand and I actually did it. Now I just have to keep it up so that I don't forget. There is up to an eight strand braid but that is so difficult that Uncle Gordon has a hard time too!

Here he is drilling holes in each shell for each little necklace.





These are the finished products. They were so beautiful!
(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

They also made fishing rods out of bamboo poles and caught some fish!

Dezi was having the time of his life just playing and running around with out mom and dad saying "no don't do that!" He had free range to go where he pleased and couldn't believe it. He kept testing sometimes to see if we would say anything but was happy that we didn't.

Me and Gil enjoying the camp

I couldn't resist. These two are peas in a pod. They are so cute together it kills me. They love each other so much but can run each other up the wall.

Bela.........Naysa







We had bonfires every night complete with a s'more station. Everyone enjoyed the nights and especially just sitting around the camp fire and enjoying the heat since the nights were so windy and freezing.....Literally!

Funny story about the fire wood:

The men decide that every night they're going to get wood from the forest so that we can have a bon fire and roast marshmallows. So my husband Gil, brother-in-law Ryan, and "Brother-in-law" Umi, decide to get more fire wood from the forest (which by the way is totally illegal and they have signs posted everywhere). They stumble upon a BIG log on the ground and think to themselves...."this is perfect, and it will last a long time." So what happens you might ask...Ryan rolls the BIG log I think to test how heavy it is and what comes out...? About 25 scorpions!

They all come running out and everyone of those MEN jumped back and screamed or shouted a little! Can you believe that! They counted too! And just like men what happens when all the scorpions run out....they take the log anyway thinking "they're all probably gone." OH MY GOODNESS!



That same night Uncle Umi took the kids on a hike (really just a 20 min. walk in to the forest via a dirt road) with no flash lights. I came up with a story (that is true, you little ones) and he told it while walking in the dark. Mr. Fernandez was the care taker of Bellows and disappeared. Now he frightens children by throwing rocks at their tents. Full story later. Anyway we "Happened" to stumble upon the frame of a house during our walk and the kids were terrified....some even crying!

But when they came back they were all smiles. Glad to be back at camp.






We had such a blast that this is going to take a couple of posts, but the next one will probably have no pics. I'll tell the details for those of you who actually read this thing. If you don't, it's a great journal entry anyway!