Aloha! Saturday - Day Seven

This morning we did tag-team to the gym. There is a really nice facility here and it felt so good to work out! I first checked out the jogging trail that goes 1.5 miles from lagoons 1-4. Absolutely spectacular!

In the afternoon, we played at the beach and rented a Flintstone-esque Sea Doo!
These things are a work-out, but loads of fun.

Here John is out in the water with the two littlest of the littles. Brooke came in for a momentary break.

At night, we went shopping for snorkel gear, got some pizza, and came back for pizza/movie night.

Aloha! Friday - Day Six

Today we did a little bit of shopping in the morning to restock sunscreen and diapers (the important things!). Then grabbed some lunch and got back at the same time as the husbands. Yeah! They're finally done with work and can now play!

We changed hotel rooms and moved to a bigger one. The kids are so excited to have their own room and bathroom. Then we went down to the pool so the dads can play and check it all out.

Ashlyn is a baby on a mission and can spent a really long time with bucket loads of water.
Brooke couldn't be happier swimming!
Now John gets to trade business lunch meetings for toddler feedings. His food is their food!

Our friends then left in the late afternoon. We are the only ones left and get to stay for four more days! Yipee! I don't know if we can ever tire of this place.

Aloha! Thursday - Day Five

This morning we kicked back a little in the room, then headed out to Pearl Harbor

It was a scorching hot day, but once we got in the cool theatre for the film about Dec. 7, 1941, it was all worth it.
We took the ferry ride out to the memorial. Here is the wall of names of those who are entombed on the USS Arizona. We are standing above the sunken ship.

It was a very emotionally moving experience. Madison was the most touched of the kids (being the oldest), and felt quite melancholy the rest of the trip. Here they are looking down at the ship under water.




The American Flag forever waves free above the memorial. The Japanese though they'd ruin America by bombing her in those early morning hours of December 7th, but instead America became even more united like she does whenever she faces tragedy. I'm glad some things haven't changed.

The younger kids fell asleep in the car on the way back, and stayed asleep even when they were transferred into the hotel room. Then Brooke fell asleep. At one point, three were asleep at the same time, until 6:00 p.m. when John returned. They were wiped out from the week of fun!

Then we all (with our friends) went to Roy's for an exquisite dinner.

Aloha! Wednesday - Day Four

We ended the day with a beautiful sunset dinner on the beach at Kolohe's with our friends.

I could live here!!!

After dinner, the kids played on the grass and danced to the local live musician.

Earlier today we got to kick back and enjoy the hotel. The pools and beach could satisfy for days on end. If you're ever looking for a place to stay on O'ahu, this is the place:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlko-marriotts-ko-olina-beach-club/

It takes a lot of effort to get the littles on down to the pool for the day. Luckily everything is close and the Shave Ice satisfies the afternoon sweet tooth!
One of the property's four lagoons is a beautiful and perfect place to play. The sand is so soft and clean, and the water warm and mild.

Aloha! Tuesday - Day Three

We finally had a chance to check out our hotel pools - and wow! are they spectacular! This pool had a beach entry - with sand. The kids had a total blast.

Then we took off for Waikiki beach and met our friends there and had way too much fun in the sun!
We played and played until the sun set. The husbands didn't get done with their meetings until later than expected, so the surfing didn't get started until nearly 6:00 p.m. The teenage boys had been waiting all day for John to come teach them how to surf.
Here's Ashlyn climbing on a rock with Diamond Head in the background as the set is beginning to set. Such a great time of day to shoot photos
We rented boogie boards for the girls and they had a blast - especially since the water is so nice!
A beautiful Hawaiian sunset.
Time for the boys to come in for surfing . . . it's dark out!

After that, we headed to "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" for some famous local cuisine. Good times! And another late night. The kids are exhausted!

Aloha! Monday - Day Two

On Monday, John had a meeting at BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center, so we headed out early in the morning to the North Shore. We met two other families at Turtle Bay, had breakfast, and the guys set out to their meetings while we with kids hung out at the pools at Turtle Bay. The kids had fun in the sun - then we headed over to:

The Polynesian Cultural Center for good entertainment, great food, and amazing shows.

Evan was so good to help Christian as he got so tired. Christian LOVED having "big brothers" around!!!

Another late night as we didn't get back to the hotel until 11pm again.

Aloha! Sunday: Day One

Exhausted from a weekend of wedding festivities, we packed our bags and hitched a ride to the airport ready to embark on our much anticipated (and much more needed) 10-day Hawaiian vacation. The kids were surprised when the car showed up . . . now that's the way to go! "Maurice" helped with our luggage (bags for six, plus two car seats and a stroller) and dropped us off curbside where the sky cab handled our luggage again! Smooth sailing! Easy breezy way to travel. We could get spoiled!


First timers Christian and Ashlyn did really well on the plane. Christian was so excited and couldn't wait for the plane to "blast off". We all survived, although I think the lady sitting in front of Ashlyn suffered the most considering Ashlyn kept kicking the seat!

We arrived safe and sound - just late at night and tired. It was nearly 11pm when we got into our room (2am our time). Looking forward to exciting adventures Hawaii has in store for us!