Aloha ~ Hawaii ~ Day 11 ~ North Shore

How nice is it to be awoken on a Sunday morning, and take your cute little bed-head self and sit out on the balcony for a few minutes while trying to wake up, have a little breakfast, and have a chicken fly up to try and partake of your bread crumbs.  

We went to the Lihue Ward which meets in the Kauai Stake Center. It was a fabulous Sacrament meeting with the Spirit so strong.  Afterwards, the bishop asked all the visitors to stand as the rest of the congregation went up to the front at sang "Aloha 'Oe" (until we meet again . . . ) while someone passed out beautiful handmade leis to everyone.  The sister doing so was so kind and thoughtful, trying to match the particular lei with the recipient, and she hit it right on the nail by giving Ashlyn a pink one.

Definitely feeling the Aloha today.  John is really liking the dress-casual island church attire.  Putting on a suit next week will be painful!

We took a nice, easy day and relaxed on the beach in Hanalei and did some snorkeling, which was awesome!

This was at Tunnels (where Bethany Hamilton was attacked by the shark).

Ashlyn went out on the boogie board and was able to go very far out with John and me.

Meanwhile, the other kids were being super hilarious showing off their personalities...

A giant waterfall on the mountain behind us.

Then we headed over to Hanalei Bay

 The North Shore of Kauai is so beautiful! 

Aloha ~ Hawaii Day 10 ~ Poipu

We rented surfboards for the rest of the week in Poipu and then set out to find the surf. 

The minivan all loaded up and ready to roll

The ultimate relaxation: watching the kids play while lounging on a beach chair (yes. those are my toes).

Getting gelato

The Spouting Horn . . . another blowhole.

Now at "our" beach in Lihue, near our hotel.  The kids loved it here because there was small river than emptied into the ocean in which they could play as well.

John

Madison

John on the wave, Madison paddling.  I love that they're both in this shot.

Ashlyn wanted to learn, too.

Then they all joined in the fun.

Back at our place, we took a walk across the golf green and found a hidden path to a secret (to us) cove.  It was quite beautiful.

 Meanwhile, the kids were taking their nightly swim at the pool.  And there's a gorgeous sunset.

Aloha ~ Hawaii Day 9

On Friday we went to the Wailua River and rented Kayaks.  We didn't take the wimpy tour, oh no. 

We opted for the 2-mile. Oh yeah.

Lunch before the hike.

Crossing the raging stream.

The hike was beautiful, especially along the river

and through the forest

And then they slip in the mud.

We made it to the falls.  Awesome!

Then we had to kayak back.  By now, I had three really nice blisters on my hand.

 We made a pit stop by a rope swing and had some fun.

It was a long way back. I thought it would be easier, going downstream and all, but no, there was a nice headwind to make things more challenging.  But, it was fun, well worth it, and we had a great shoulder workout.

There are chickens and roosters everywhere.  And I mean everywhere.  The Walmart parking lot has a bazillion.  They are all over the resort.  

This girl was below our balcony.  Ashlyn like throwing bread crumbs down.  In no time we had a bunch.  If chickens are ubiquitous, then why are eggs so expensive here?  Crazy!

Each night, after dinner, we watch the Olympics.  Awesome.

Aloha ~ Hawaii Day 8 ~ Kauai!!

And we're off to Kauai!! 

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but our hotel room at Ko'Olina was super tiny...made for 2 people.  It was nice and brand new, only a month old, but it had one king bed, one couch (bed), one bathroom and a small, tiny, mini kitchen (two plates, two forks, etc.).  We squeezed all 6 of us in there and loved the family togetherness.  

However, arriving at The Marriott Lagoons is nothing short of palatial in comparison.

This place is huge!!!

Three large bedrooms, Three large bathrooms - not 6 people sharing one small bathroom sink.

We can spread out! 

We can breathe! 

We can live!

The whole wall opens up to a huge balcony

There's a dining room - seats 8!

Large living room

Ashlyn and Christian's bedroom

Master bedroom - the glass doors open fully to the balcony also.  Walk in closet too!

Master bath

Long hallway to the laundry room and the girls' room

There's a whole room for this - plus an antechamber/utility room.

Girls' bathroom

Girls' bedroom

View from balcony

Looking in from balcony

And an amazing kitchen with Sub Zero and Wolf appliances.  Fully stocked with all one would need (except food)!

 As soon as we were settled, moved in really, we went to Costco to load up, then enjoyed the beautiful pool.

I think we are going to like it here.