Aloha!

HOLY MACK! Super way behind on posts. Bear with me as I drop 'em like they're hot!!






When our original plans to visit Hawaii in August were abruptly changed by Uncle Sam, we didn't really think much about planning a new trip. Then two weeks before leave began we kinda just said, "if not now, then when?" So in the beginning of October, we headed off to the beautiful island of Oahu! The kiddos and I had never been before. Jon's been a couple times, thanks to some deployments!




Hawaii is beautiful! We had a wonderful time!
Onslaught of photos!

Two excited littles for their big plane ride!

My plane riding buddy! ~6 hours. Not too shabby!

We made it!!

 

Candy leis from Uncle Tim!

 

Off to get the rental car!

 

E's first photo attempt. Almost, buddy! Almost!

Two super adorable little people ready for the beach!!

 

Off to find Duke's



And this was the only "good" photo from our table!

Getting our feet wet! So gorgeous!

We hit up the Double Tree pool and then some weather rolled in!
Super chilly!

My little sleeping buddy for the night...I think it was 7pm Hawaii time!

Wailana Coffee House
(another E attempt)

Family selfie time on our porch at the Double Tree

And we're off to climb Diamond Head

Part way up

These two did great!

Sweating!!
E decided he wanted to run most of it. Jon was on El duty...so that left me running after him.

A little warning next time, Jon!

Lighthouse view...from the top!

E-man...not too bad!

Family photo at the top.

Enjoying a little treat after our fun hike!

Mid-day snack at Rainbow Diner (featured on DDD).

Breakfast at Goofy Café & Dine
Super yummy! And so extremely friendly! We asked to have the kids split the french toast and I'm almost positive that they loaded each plate up with double the amount of fruit!

Found at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

View of the Aulani bay.
It was pretty "meh" compared to the rest of the island

However THIS was worth it!

So much cheer!

 

E finally got in on the hug-fest!

Oh my goodness, we're almost all looking

 

Goofy!

 

E trying to put up his "shaka"

MINNIE!! Finally!

It's luau night!!

Just too stinking cute!

I really like these 2

I was one of the lucky ones picked to model and get my luau on!

Such an awesome show! The kids loved it!!
El still talks about the luau girls

Our view from the Hale Koa!
Let me tell you - THE best deal on the island!

Pearl Harbor & the Arizona Memorial



So thankful we were able to share this with the children.
And now, all E talks about is battleships

 

 

Running into friends is always exciting!!
K-bay commissary

A rainbow for our arrival

Our morning alarm clock over at the K-bay cottage



Baby girl was stung by a Blue-bottle man-o-war.



Just gorgeous!

She was a little tuckered out from all the playing!

Checking out the crabs digging the holes.

Another friend! HOORAY!

Laie Point

Super pretty!

 

Enjoying our fresh coconut water with Uncle Tim

Shrimp truck....yumm-o!
Mine were ON FIRE!!

Bye-bye huggies

Thankful for wonderful friends!!
Thank you Brady family for being so awesome!!

OOooohhh....a good one!

At the Polynesian cultural center. Pretty awesome!

The beautiful falls that I forget the name of. Trail was closed because of a wedding. BOO!
SHAKA! (E looks like he's about to flip someone off)

They can be so adorable!!

Most fun thing to do for a photo!

Enjoying the Friday night fireworks!

Lappert's ice cream afterwards!

Muffin breakfast on the beach

One final dip in the ocean

This photo made me chuckle as this was the day of the Navy/Notre Dame football game.
Look who Jon was supporting that day!! (hehehe)

I think she had an awesome time!

Worth the 6 dollars!
And HOORAY for sitting in the same row on the way home!

So much fun!

Suitcase racing at San Diego.
A great way to end a fantastic vacation!