Just a few details about Hawaii to go with the pictures. Emily invited me and we stayed with her brother and sister in law. I loved their kids! Day 1-Arrive, little downtime, walk with the kids down to the beach, dinner, bed. Day 2-Hike Diamond Head with baby and dog, tour the Dole Plantation, grocery shop on the army base, head home to make dinner and play with kids. Day 3-Head to North Shore, eat at shrimp truck, Laie Temple, and arrive at Waimae Falls just as it is closing. Headed to Killer Tacos for dinner with everyone. Day 4-Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium, 4 hours of shopping in the heat, but I got a fan star paper lantern. Slurpee's afterwards, which I haven't had in years, loved!!! Dinner and then took the kids swimming. I am absolutely in love with their kids, Samya 5, Tosh 4, and Teagan 2 mo. Tosh was my best buddy! Day5-Went to church in the morning with the two oldest kids (family is inactive). Friendliest ward I have ever been in! Read more about that on my other blog. Packed a picnic lunch to eat later in the day. Headed to the North shore. Stopped first at Motosumotos so we would not arrive after closing. Waimae Falls...which is a private nature reserve. About a mile walk through hundreds of Hawaiian plants. Arrive at a pond and waterfall for freezing swim, but so fun. Everyone was super tired afterwards so we ended up not going to the beach but home. On our way home we stopped at a Hawaiian favorite, Zippy's. They served American, Hawaiian, Asian, and have a bakery. The baked goods were my favorite, especially a Banana Whoopee Pie. Rest of the night relax at home. Day 6- Spent the day at a nearby water park, which we got into free. It was pretty stinkin fun. One the way home we ordered pizza and had a movie night with everyone. Day7-Pearl Harbor for a few hours. Amazing, even a second time. Tried to attempt to get to a tour trolley, got the run around, never found the trolley, and got our money back. When to the Ala Mona mall and ate at a really cool Japanese Restaurant. Headed home to relax. Day 8-Snorkeling at Haunama Bay. Saw so many fish, crabs, eel, and my favorite, turtles. Reapplied sunblock several times, but burnt the back to a crisp. Took the scenic way home through the mountains and say blow hole. Babysat the kids when we got home and went swimming with them. Tried to stay up late with all the adults to watch a movie, but was too tired so I showered and packed. Day 9-Got to sleep till I awoke, packed some more, breakfast, one last store, and then the plane. I didn't have to wait in the long security line either (don't know why). Flight was 6 hours between two guys. Super hot Mormon Boy and really loud, overflowing into my seat, in-active Mormon guy.
Day10-Spent in Mesa with cousins. Went hiking with Steph and kids up in the Superstitions and then we met Jamie (Greg's wife) and one of their kids at the park for a take-out lunch. Was able to have a nap when I got home, then babysat while Tyler and Steph went on a date. Loved staying with this family too.
Once again, this is a condensed version, I didn't add to many details, but if you want to ask me anything about my 3rd home go ahead:) (Home #1, where I live, #2-The temple, #3 Hawaii) This was my 3rd time going and I still want to move there. The best island though is the Big Island.
