Prepare Yourself. Picture Overload.
Hawaii = the best!
Can you tell we love it?
Day 1:
Hukilau Beach and PCC
Good Morning!
Meeting my (niece) Sammie for the first time was just fantastic
We met for the first time, in Hawaii, on the beach, at sunrise. Dreamy.
That flight. . . Whew you can see it on our faces
1.5 hr to Detroit
4 hours from Detroit to Seattle
5 hours from Seattle to Honolulu
Time difference from Ohio to Hawaii: 5 hours
We arrived at 11 p.m. Hawaii time. 4 a.m. Ohio time
By the time we got to bed it was 5:30 a.m. Ohio time.
Didn't sleep much. But got to see the beautiful sunrise
(Small rant to remember: Thank you Delta for losing Boyd's carry-on. Then not dropping it off. Never called us. Wouldn't help us find his bag. So Boyd went to the airport himself, two days later. Found his bag sitting at Hawaiian air, randomly on the floor. We get a call the day Boyd LEFT Hawaii from Delta, saying they lost his bag. Good thing Boyd picked up Boyd's bag. BOO Delta!)
On a happier note:
We played on the beach all morning while Boyd washed his clothes.
I was a mermaid (an obese one apparently haha)
Megan gave me mermaid hair 
After playing in the waves for a few hours we went to the
PCC (Polynesian Culture Center)
Where we:
Learned How to Dance, in Tahiti
Megan and I got wicked awesome matching tattoos
Boyd made fire
See that smoke? Whew! Go Boyd!
Went on canoe rides
And ate yummy Kalua Pork and the best yellow pineapple dink I have ever had.
Too bad I forgot to take picture of the fire show.
Beautiful!
Day 2:
Sunday walk on the beach and Byodo-In Temple
Big Hole in the Rock in Laie
At the Hukilau house
Boyd and I took a short trip to Banzi Pipeline up on the north shore.
The waves were about 25-30 feet that day.
Day 3:
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, Makapuu Lighthouse, Waikiki, and Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
Snorkeling was seriously so much fun! One of my favorites by far.
Check out this view!
Gorgeous right? I just had to take this picture. (ok, seriously, the hike up the hill back to the cars is killer. I totally used taking this picture as an excuse to stop and rest. Didn't want to look like a wimp, especially compared to my 60yr old dad who just cruised up the hill like it was no biggie) Like I said, had to take this picture .
Smile! (Left to right: Christian's arm, Me, Boyd, Nathan, Megan, Mom)
The fish, really are super colorful and are quite breathtaking.
Next up: Our hike to the Makapuu Lighthouse
Some seriously good looking views!
Lunch in Waikiki at Marukame Udon
Delicious!
If you are ever in Waikiki you must go here.
They make the noodles right in front of you!
And they are yummy yummy yummy!
To top if off we got SPAM Musubi. Also delish
Then we spent the rest of the day walking around Waikiki
Hawaii Five-0
"Book 'em Danno"
Last stop Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
We came home that night and Boyd ran outside to catch a few waves at Hukilau
Such a good way to end the day.
Day 4:
Laie Temple, Ted's Bakery, and the Botanical Garden
We had such a good time as a family going to the temple.
Then we were off to Ted's Bakery
Best Food Ever: Crab, Bacon sandwiches and Chocolate Haupia Pie
We seriously adore Sammie
Quick stop at Waimea Bay
Botanical Garden:
Boyd kept saying "I can't believe these are real plants and they are growing in the ground"
The garden was really cool (minus the 20+ bug bites I got there)
Seriously, are these for real? Yes, they are!
Doesn't this just remind you of something from Dr. Seuss?
Lobster
A big thank you to Bruce for snapping a few pics for me.
Everybody loves Sammie!
Part 2 coming soon.
