Aloha Hawaii 2012 Day 5

I'll take this one day at a time to make uploading the photos much easier.  

I mentioned that Hawaii is pretty crowded right about now.  I've been here a few times this time of year and have never seen such crowds.  Crazy.

On Monday we decided to take the kids snorkeling at Hanauma Bay where it would be so great for them.  We would avoid the crowds by leaving early . . . we arrived at the bay by 9:00 a.m. and the parking lot was full (no other parking for miles).  No way!  

So we continued on to the BlowHole.

 The BlowHole is a hole in the rock that water shoots up through like a geyser. 

Here it is just starting to blow

the water can really explode through if the tide is powerful enough.

The lookout is gorgeous and it's another beautiful day in paradise. 

We decided to get out of dodge and go back to the North Shore for a less crowded experience.

We met our friend Roy (who lives there), got to visit with him for a while, then went to lunch at the Kahuku Grill, which is in where else but Kahuku.   Our friends the Hannemanns own this grill.  They are from Newbury Park and moved back to Hawaii a few years ago.  They have 7 gorgeous sons so they opened this restaurant to give the boys a place to work so they can get through college and missions. 

 Just as we were walking up, we ran into Brother Hanneman and one of his sons (Seek).  What great timing.  He was surprised to see us, it's been a really long time. 

When we went up to order our food, the girl told us that she was told by the Prez to give us sundaes on the house.  Yum.  Huge burgers and chocolate chip coconut banana bread sundaes.  We were so full for a long time.

Then we found a quiet beach that the locals know about and is great for snorkeling.

It was a lovely walk through sugar cane fields and jungle-like trees, which opened up to this beautiful bay.

Christian and Ashlyn loved collecting coconuts.

It was a real gem.  We saw four huge (huge like as big as Brooke) turtles and enjoyed the afternoon soaking up the beauty.

 Then we headed over to Turtle Bay for more snorkeling fun.

For dinner, we stopped at Ted's bakery for plate lunch and chocolate macadamia nut cream pie, which came highly recommended.  It was great, especially with a rainbow overhead.

Hawaii 2012 ~ Days 3 & 4

We spent the day at "our beach"  - that being at the resort for a relaxing, fun-filled, easy day. 

Ashlyn put on all her snorkel gear, then had to be carried all the down to the beach.

We rented a SUP (stand up paddle board) and loved it.

It's like John should be serenading me or something!

We saw our Turtle friend many times while were were on the SUP and snorkeling.  He was so cute!  That's John snorkeling on the left, and Turtle on the right.

Go Ashlyn!

Go Christian!

Sunday we went to the Laie 7th ward for church, then next door to

The Temple! 

We tried to take a picture just like the one we did 5 years ago.

The temple grounds are so beautiful, especially since they head straight out to the ocean.

Shave Ice at the famous Matsumoto's Grocery.

Another gorgeous sunset at our hotel.

Brooke - vintage surfer.

Aloha ~ Hawaii 2012 Days 1 and 2

Our much-anticipated trip to Hawaii has finally arrived!  

We have planned to be gone for two whole weeks!

Can you believe it?  

Two whole weeks?

John has about four months of vacation saved up . . . 

because he never gets to take a real vacation!

I am hopeful that he'll actually discover how to decompress and really enjoy a much, much needed and deserved holiday.  

Our friends Mic, Stephanie, and Monroe (across the street and my 5th child) planned to go to London for the Olympics.  It just so happened that we were to be gone the exact same time, which couldn't have been planned any better for the kids to have their bestie's vacation coincide to perfectly.  

Not only are they gone the same two weeks, but their flight is the same airline and the same hour as us!

So we decided to join forces instead of paying the exorbitant daily airport parking rates and get a car service to the airport together.  The only thing large enough to hold 9 of us plus our luggage is a stretch Hummer limo.  The kids were ecstatic!  

Riding in style. 

Then we had so much time before our flights, the kids got to play together even longer and spent time playing UNO and Crazy 8s.

The time came for us to separate to our respective gates.  

We are excited to be off to paradise!

And look!  We've arrived!  And it IS paradise!!

On our way to the hotel from the airport, we stopped at Walmart for snorkel gear and groceries, then hit the beach after we checked in to our room.

This is the view from our room on our first night.  I can't get enough of these colors!  It turns out that this is the same view in the morning, just vibrant jewel tones.  I can get used to this.

On Friday morning, we all awoke early (it's a time zone thing) and headed out to hike Diamond Head.

walking up and up and up and up

lots and lots of stairs

 It was a great work out with awesome views.  

Sisters walking

Shave ice makes the perfect ending.

After the hike, we headed over to Waikiki to play on that {crowded} beach and rent surfboards.

 The water is so crystal blue and gorgeous, but I'm so glad we are not staying in Waikiki. 

Not my favorite area; it's way too crowded and touristy.

John and Madison hit the surf...

Ashlyn and Christian had fun body surfing.

 Brooke had fun taking pictures. 

Then a late lunch and shopping at the International Market Place, and back to the hotel

for more swimming in the awesome pools.  

It's good to be in paradise, especially together as a family.