We met my parents in Hawaii on their way home from their mission in Australia. It was a perfect opportunity for a little family reunion and we had an amazing time.
Our first eight days in Hawaii we stayed on the North Shore in a beach house. The first day we got there we went for a walk on the beach. Everyone was in their clothes, so we told the kids to stay out of the water. You can see from the pictures that they listened really well. But can you blame them? Just look at that beautiful ocean.
We spent a ton of time at the beach right in front of our house. It was like having our own private beach. Shawn apparently loves digging holes and kept trying to get the kids to join in, but he pretty much ended up playing in the sand by himself. Poor Shawn!
This is the result of one of Shawn's digging expeditions.
Sand Angel
We chose to go to the island of Oahu because my mom's brother and his family live there. They moved to Oahu over 15 years ago and we have only seen them once in those fifteen years. And for some of my family (including my mom) this was the first time they've seen them since they moved. It was so nice to be able to see all of them again and spend time with them. I wish I would have taken pictures with everyone. What was I thinking? Love you all and miss you.
The water right in front of our house was perfect for snorkeling. Gavin even joined in. He was like a little fish out there. It was so much fun to watch. 
The view from our house was beautiful! Theirs nothing better than sleeping to the sound of the ocean and waking up to this amazing view.
Everyone except for Steve and I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Steve and I had been there before, so we just sent Gavin with his Grandma and Grandpa. He loved it! Thanks for taking him mom and dad.
My sweet great aunt Betty sent a cute card with some money it with my Grandma. She wanted us all to use the money to do something fun while we were in Hawaii. We all decided to got to Matsumoto's for shaved ice. Matsumoto's shaved ice is a must have if you're ever on Oahu. It has the best shaved ice ever! And you have to get it with ice cream and condensed milk. Yummy!
On the way home from Matsumoto's we stopped at Pipeline Beach to check out the surfers.
On the way home from Matsumoto's we stopped at Pipeline Beach to check out the surfers.
We spent an afternoon visiting Pearl Harbor. Before you take the boat out to the USS Arizona they show a clip about the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. When we were walking out Gavin said, "Mom, that was sad." I said, "It was, wasn't it?" He said, "Ya, tons of sad!" I think he summed it up pretty well.
One night all the adults went to Ola's Restaurant at Turtle bay. It was so good! I had the best braised beef short ribs ever! And it was so great to get out without the the little munchkins.
One of our favorite activities was kayaking. Steve and I loved it! If we lived next to the ocean we'd kayak all the time.
The last four days of our trip we spent in Waikiki. It was just the Quinn's and us who stayed longer. It was nice to experience both sides of the Island, but I'm definitely a North Shore girl. We went from basically having our own private beach to having to share a beach with thousands of people. Our hotel was right by the International Market Place and a couple blocks from the beach. So we spent a lot of time just walking around and taking in all the craziness.
Steve and Shawn's attempt at Surfing. My battery died on my camera just a few minutes after they started. I was so bummed. They actually got up quite a bit.
Sea Life Park
Waikiki Aquarium
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Favorite quote from the trip:
We were walking to dinner and Keely wouldn't hold Gavin's hand, so he asked, "How can someone sooo beautiful be sooo mean?"
Get use to it buddy. The younger you learn the better.
I had to put this picture in just cause it's so stinking cute. Aren't my boys sweet?
We flew home on the red eye. Gavin feel asleep at take off and woke up when we landed. But that was still only about 6 hours. So here he is recovering from his jet lag in the middle of a BBQ with our friends. On the left is his little buddy Lincoln, sooo cute!
It was an amazing vacation and I hope it's one that Gavin will always remember. Thanks to my family for an amazing trip!
10 comments:
What hotel did you stay in when you were at Wakiki. We stayed at the Halekulani a couple of years ago and it was so beautiful. Doesnt it kill you that they have an ABC store on every corner in the marketplace.
That is so awesome! I LOVE this post and I am so excited that your family had such a great time! I bet Jim and Lynda were so happy to see you all.
When I was at Matsumoto's I got my shaved ice with ice cream and BLACK BEANS. It was a strange combo, but worth the adventure.
Speaking of adventures, did Grandma Gibby skydive into the airport to meet your parents?
Will you all be coming to B-town for your parents' report or have you had enough time with extended family for a while? If you do, let me know, okay?
Looks and sounds amazing!! I am so jealous! Was Lisa the designated picture taker? She wasn't in very many pictures. Glad you had a great trip.
I'm so jealous, looks like you guys had a great time!
I am so glad to see a post from you and know Lisa was with you. Just yesterday I was thinking..."Man I hope they are all doing okay. Neither of them have blogged in awhile".
Looks like it was so so much fun. I am very jealous. I love hawaii. You are one hot mama in all your pics! Glad you guys had so much fun.
I need to get some of those pictures. That was a great trip. We will always remember it.
All I can say is I'm glad someone documented the trip. I have checked Lisa's blog every day certain she would write about the trip to Hawaii, but alas, we are still at the complaint about Easter. Sounds like such a great time. I'm sure your parents were so excited to have the time with you. We miss them here.
I LOVED your post!! Great pictures! It sounds like you guys had an amazing trip! I bet you're glad to have your mom and dad back! The last picture is so adorable....
What a wonderful vacation with all of your family. I really enjoyed looking at all of your pictures.
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