Surviving The Chaos

January 8, 2018 - Goodbye Hawaii

For some reason all good things must come to an end. After fourteen days in Hawaii paradise we were headed back for our mainland reality. The boys actually missed the first day back at school because tickets were so much cheaper to fly home on Monday. I had to get back to work and the commitments we had at home. I would have preferred to stay and finish out the month of January in Hawaii with Tutus but that wasn't in the cards for us.

We were so blessed to spend the holidays, making memories, in Hawaii. I couldn't have imagined that I would spend the entire two weeks being sick (later found out it was bronchitis that lasted almost six weeks so I had to get heavily medicated to get over it). Even being sick, it was an incredible time of new adventures filled with learning, bravery, laughs and love! We'll be back Hawaii. Aloha and Mahalo!

View of Diamond Head Crater from the plane.

January 7, 2018 - Oahu - Waikiki

After several very long, jam-packed days, we decided that it would be good to have a day to just relax and enjoy the beach. Since we were staying in Waikiki it was easiest to just cross the street and plant ourselves in the sand there. The water was still more cold than the boys preferred so they were reluctant to jump right in. Papa Tutu told they he'd give them $100 if they caught a fish. While neither one of them could do it, it sure kept them busy in the water for about an hour. We walked through a little shopping center and went to the movies that afternoon. We ended up eating dinner at local burger joint right on the main drag on Waikiki next to our hotel. It was a perfect way to relax and enjoy our last full day in Hawaii.

It rained in the morning so by the time we got out there was a faint rainbow still showing.

The famous tree in Waikiki.

The boys and Tutu trying to catch a fish.

Girl Tutu, Rick, Natalee and I just relaxed on the beach while Toby went out surfing.

Still chasing fish.

It was a bit overcast so the temperature felt nice but I always prefer fully sunny sky when I'm at the beach.

Lincoln buried Logan in the sand. That kept them entertained for while.

I found this store when I was in Oahu previously and they had moved their location. I wasn't planning to go there but since it was in the same shopping center that we ate lunch in it worked out nicely for me to take a quick detour through the store.

Dinner at the very popular, and quite delicious, burger place.

January 6, 2018 - Oahu - Temple & Polynesian Cultural Center

It was a little surreal that we were all in Hawaii as a family. I don't think my boys really know how lucky or blessed they are to have the opportunities to travel the way we do. I love to travel. I believe that there is so much that they can learn and gain from traveling. They learn other cultures, try new foods and activities, learn to be adaptable and flex from their normal schedule, and much more. I believe it helps them realize that the world is a big place with a lot of opportunity. There is more happening in life then their little bubble of work, school and activities in our home town.

None of us had ever been to the Polynesian Cultural Center (which is like Disney's Epcot but of just he Polynesian Islands) so we went to the North Short of Oahu to spend the day. That was a great way to learn a lot quickly about the Polynesian culture!

On our drive to the Temple we saw a sea lion resting on the beach so we stopped to take a look and get some pictures.

Apparently these trees are famous so we stopped to take pictures to remember that we had been there.

Oahu Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Polynesian Cultural Center was so fun but we didn't have enough time to get through everything. We booked a tour guide so that we could maximize our time and see and do as much as we could. We visited several countries, saw some shows, saw traditional dances, played games and ate some yummy treats along the way. We all learned a lot!

I was so proud of Logan for trying Poi. His smile quickly turned to a face of disgust and he left wanting water and something to get that taste out of his mouth.