Some friends invited us to go to Hawaii with them and we jumped at the amazing opportunity!!! We had such a wonderful time that we are trying to figure out some way to live there! We can dream, right?:) So, we left early on a Tuesday and got back Saturday...definitely not long enough!!!
Just long enough to keep us wanting more!
Here are the little stinkers playing while we waited for our plane. Yes, Dane is wearing a leash and unfortunately it didn't do much to contain him:)
On our way to connect in LA!
We were most worried about Dane being hard on the flight, but...
this little stinker won that contest! He was so busy the whole flight. I have no idea what we were thinking by not bringing his carrier on board, but we didn't make that mistake again on the way home. It was a night and day experience! He did great!
Logan was so excited to fly again! He kept telling the flight attendants that this wasn't his first time, he flew on a plane when he was 4 months:)
After connecting in LA and dashing straight (and barely making it) to our 6 hour flight...
we finally made it to Hawaii!!! We gained 3 hours, which was great until it came close to bedtime:)
This was the beautiful view from the deck of our suite at Turtle Bay in North Shore Oahu.
The beach behind the pool was private for guests only.
Our suite was on the second floor and we lived on the deck! It was so relaxing and serene to sit out there and watch the waves.
3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Big enough for 3 small families:)
This nice man at the airport gave me his lai because he felt like I deserved it for surviving the flight with my kids!
Time to try out the pool!
The water was like 85 degrees...so nice!
Beach time at Turtle Bay!
The suite came with a locker stocked with all sorts of beach gear: chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, umbrellas, snorkle gear...sooo awesome!
Logan adored boogie boarding! We couldn't get him off of it!
Beau felt weird about the sand at first, but then he embraced it:)
Crazy waves back behind the bay, but perfect little waves for the kids to play inside the bay.
Dane liked the beach, but not the waves!
Sand swimming:)
Dane's favorite thing to do at the beach.
Beau with his two most prized possessions: binkie and blankie!
Fresh Hawaiian fruit from a local fruit stand.
Logi begged for the fresh coconut drink, but didn't like it so much:)
Dane ate these "teeny, tiny bananas" as he would say it, by the bunches!
Dinner in Hale'iwa.
Matsumoto's was already closed so Aoki's it is!
Sooo yummy!
Shark's Cove
Great place for fish and whale watching!
Can you believe he is smiling with that much sand on his face!?! This kid is way too laid back!!
Our beach spread at Waimea.
The waves were so crazy big, that children weren't allowed in the ocean. The adults took turns boogie boarding and we all got worked, but it was sooo fun!
This was the furthest Logan got in the water at Waimea, but he had a blast! Ben ran around with him for what seemed like hours!
Dane's turn on the boogie board didn't go over so well:)
He ended up in the fetal position and passing out after his bad experience:(
Me and my babies:)
Dole Pineapple Plantation!
I don't think Dane can ever be serious. He is so silly!
Here Dane goes again:)
Next, we took a ride on the Pineapple express!
So fun!
The Dole Whips are heavenly!!! Thank goodness they can also be found at Disneyland:)
Silly Beau Bugs!
That night, our friends were nice enough to watch our kids so we could go out to dinner. We ate at the most delicious restaurant at Turtle Bay resort called Ola. It is a hut/restaurant on the beach with the most delicious fish and I am NOT a fish eater. We had New Zealand salmon, Kahlua pork and goat cheese nachos, and the most delicious virigin pina coladas! Best meal of the trip and it was fun to sneak away without the kiddos for a bit:)
The most beautiful temple!
We went on Feburary 3rd, which was the 16 year anniversary of my mom's passing. I could feel her spirit with me so strongly on the temple grounds. It was such serene, beautiful, and spiritual experience even though my kids were way past due for a nap!
Together for all time and eternity:) Such a comforting feeling.
This is what 3 napless little boys look like when they don't want their picture taken!
Breathtaking!
Best buddies:)
From the bottom
to the top!
I LOVE this temple! Next time we are going to do a session for sure!
Polynesian Cultural Center.
Tattoo time!
The boy with the dragon tattoo:)
Tough guys!
New Zealand Village
Canoe ride:)
Sooo scary!!!
They had a great time at PCC!
I didn't take pictures of everything that we did and I can't remember half of the names of restaurants that we ate at, but I do remember that we had a WONDERFUL time! We had such a great time with our kids and friends...thank you so much for inviting us! We can't wait to do it again!
