mmmm....Hawaii!!!

So I am finally getting around to posting our trip to Hawaii. There are a lot of pictures, I couldn't help it, there were too many good ones. So, Josh had a work trip to Hawaii and we decided to tag along. We were able to spend a great week there and felt like we barely got a taste of it. We hope to go back again to see more of the beautiful islands. Josh was gone every other day flying, but I did what I could with the kids. It was great to just feel the heat of the sun and see the ocean, something I really miss.

We had to catch our hop (a space-available military flight for those of you who aren't military) at 5:15 am, so needless to say we were exhausted while waiting to board.

Josh's flight wasn't open for passengers but we SOOOOOO lucked out and caught a hop on a C-37. These are basically first class private jets that fly generals around. They were headed back to Hawaii and opened up seats since there were no dignitaries on board. We were the only passengers other than the crew. We definately got spoiled riding in style.

mmmm....leather recling seats, wood paneling, big windows, plenty of leg room and a flat panel TV in the wall, did I mention we go sooo lucky?!

The crew on board so kindly put on Madagascar 2 for Bella, so she settled in right away.


Carson had a ball just being able to crawl around to check it all out.


Later, Carson got fussy so I set them up together on a chair watching baby einstien, thank goodness for technology, it makes traveling so much easier.


Just a few shots of the island of Oahu as we were approaching.


Honolulu

Josh wasn't gettitng in until the next day, so the first night we stayed at the Marriott in Waikiki.

Bella's first glimpse of a small little lagoon across from the hotel. Compared to the other beaches we saw, it actually wasn't as pretty, but she was still so excited.


My feet in the Hawaiin waters, jealous yet :) J/k


Carson just wanted to keep eating the sand, eyeing the water carefully.

Gagging on the sand, but did that stop him? NO!


Decided to crawl towards the water to check it out.

Getting a feel of the water!

As he grimaces, he still eats the sand. I wonder how much of that will come back out in his diaper?







She has to touch or hold all the flowers to smell them.

There was a path through this park behind our hotel that lead to the beach, it was such a beautiful place.

Getting Cason's toes in the waves. He would just watch it hit his feet, curling his toes into the sand.

Probably getting ready to shove another mouthful in. He would get so mad and scream when we tried to stop him, it was hilarious.

Check out all that sand stuck in his hair. I found out that the sand it more course in Hawaii than in Florida and it really sticks to you. We had it everywhere the whole trip.

This is after I convinced her she couldn't dump it on Carson's head, she settled for her chest.

Just like Daddy!

So beautiful, the picture doesn't even do it justice.

Another pilot's wife came on the trip too, so we got together while the guys were flying to let the kids play and tag team. I quickly found out it isn't easy going to the beach with small kids by yourself.

Hula girl!

We bought her this flower for her hair and she insisted on wearing it everyday calling herself a Hawaiin princess. One look at that picture and it is so true! That's our little Bella, the princess.

The Polynesian Cultural Center. Most of the people who work there are students from BYU Idaho. The Center helps fund scholarships for the polynesian students. It is very nice, authentic and a must see if you ever go to Oahu. This guy was our tour guide. They take you around the Center to areas that represent all of the Polynesiann Islands, with shows and demonstrations at each Island showing you a part of their culture.

Every afternoon they have a show where these boats carrying dancers from each island come through and dance for you.

These great Samoan guys who climb trees with nothing but a strap around their ankles.

Later in the day we got to go to an authentic Luau with traditional Hawaiin food.

The whole roasted pig.

Yummy pina colada smoothie

My favorite picture of Bella. She put the lei on her head and was dancing around for us. It was so cute!

Josh has some friends from his mission that now live in Hawaii and they volunteer at the PCC. They go to church with this girl and some of the other dancers. She was amazing, you should see how fast they can move their hips! Bella thought she was pretty.

Smelling the flowers

They temple in Laie. It is currently being restored, but the grounds are so beautiful. I walked around with the kids and checked out the visiters center. Bella wanted to swim in the fountain so bad. She LOVES water fountains!

She was trying to climb up to see Jesus, so sweet!Inside the visiters center they have this cute little beach scene set up with educational videos you could watch.

Josh's feet at the famous Waimea Beach on the Northshore. It was a beautiful beach, but has a pretty steep drop off so not very kid friendly. We still enjoyed it though.

Cliff divers, oooo fun!

I wasn't brave enough to take Isabella out, but Josh finally convinced her to go with him. She was very wary of the waves. It didn't last very long, but at least she is still smiling.

These older ladies vacationing there were so kind to let the kids play with their beach stuff and hang out under their umbrella.

The Dole pineapple plantation. They have a huge store with all kinds of pineapple related things and a train that goes through the plantation, the worlds largest pineapple maze and this YUMMY pineapple ice cream. Bella wanted to ride the train so we took her to try it out.

So yummy and sweet!

Bella pointing out all the different pineapple plants to Daddy.

There is a beach where the sea turtles come up in the late afternoons to warm up in the sun and rest before heading back out into the water. We lucked out and were able to see one. They put a rope around and volunteers are there to make sure no one bothers them, but you can still get very close. It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

On the way home we got to ride on Daddy's plane. It was so great to be in Hawaii as a family and we are greatful to the military for enabling us this wonderful experience.