Last year, Steve and I had a convo about how we only have about 10 years until our kids are too cool for us, and won't travel with us anymore. So- we decided one of our highest priorities will be to take at least one big trip before Christmas break- and here we are on our second trip! YAY. Greatest tradition ever. After going back and forth between Mexico and Hawaii, we decided on Hawaii this year... whoohoo. We decided on Oahu since we haven't been there yet, and were excited to visit some sites we've heard so much about...
Five hours later....
After reading reviews, we decided to stay clear of Waikiki and Honolulu and decided to stay *next* to the Aulani, in the Ko Olina at the Marriott... greatest decision ever! We loved our room with a bedroom, kitchen, washing machine etc... perfect necessities when traveling with small children. The first morning we decided to go on a walk that takes you from our hotel all the way through all of the Marriott resorts and the Aulani. So beautiful... could run this every morning please.
The older Marriott has an awesome pools full of sharks, sting rays and random beautiful fish... super cool.
Would be fun to have this in your backyard?
Loved this face... especially because we had to beg them to leave our hotel every time we wanted to go anywhere! (paid off ::)
Just watchn the rays.
"I see two!"
Except this one.
The beautiful Aulani. Great hotel, especially for kids.
This looked like a lot of fun.
Prettiest koi fish we have ever seen.
Back at our hotel, we rode this, oh... 50 times?
Definitely could have this in our backyard.
I totally forgot that pineapples grow like this!? Crazy.
First time I've ever seen a pool with sand. It was perfect for the kids when they needed a break from the "real" beach.
And, of course, this little guy is about the cutest thing right now. Every time we would walk past the lawns, he would be in heaven... perfectly manicured lawns with no shoes, palm trees, overlooking the ocean? Yes, it was heaven.
View of our resort.
Funny, but he was scared of the ocean. Would scream and scream. Slowly, he sort of got used to it, but not really. Only when he was with one of us...
On the other hand, these guys couldn't get enough of the ocean, especially Maddie who basically was in the water 90% of the time.
Their giggles are contagious.
We had to get some land time, so we decided to "hike" diamond head, which wasn't even 1 mile up? A steep mile, but was super fast and not too bad.
We know who did most of the hard work...
Gorgeous view on the top of Waikiki... and a random and annoying guy pitching his "wild and natural" adventures in the "amazon" of Hawaii every 3 minutes. Ohhhh.
On the way back, we visited Pearl Harbor, and of course, Sebastian wouldn't have anything to do with the movie I wanted to see (not bitter, I promise), so he and I bonded outside while the movie played...
Ok, he's cute.
After the movie, they take you to the memorial built on top of the ship USS Arizona, which wasn't lifted out of the water like the others... incredible.
Beautiful memorial.
History doesn't seem real sometimes..
We also learned how to surf... lol.
Look, three on the board. Surprisingly simple!
Four!
Back to the beach...
So fun...
We also spent a day at the Polynesian cultural center- which we really enjoyed and would highly recommend- especially if you have slightly older kids (than 2).
We learned how to do soooo many things!
This show almost made me pee my pants! They invited 4 audience members up from Minnesota, Korea 1, Korea 2, and I can't remember where, but they were sooooo funny. They had to play the drums and copy the "professionals..." you just had to be there. The audience was rolling.
Next stop, we made these amazing fish out of grass... amazing.
Watched the parade on the lagoon.
Learned how to hula to "I don't wear shoes on my feet...I smile every chance I meet.... "
Learned the ukulele... not YOUKALALEEE... but UUUUKUUUULEEEE
Rode the rafts...
Learned how to climb coconut trees? Yeah right. This guy was amazing??? How do they do it?
Tried to make fire... I was sure Steve would do it, but no luck! I couldn't believe it. I should have hit him with a stick!
Tattoos...
Warrior style.
And, finally went to the show "Ha." It was probably one of the most amazing shows we've seen- the fire dancing at the end was pretty spectacular and unforgettable. We are so glad we didn't miss it.
We lucked out on these two ... and basically used them from morning to night.
Another great tradition? GLUTEN for the Holidays. Best idea ever. This pizza made me cry it was so good.
The beautiful Hawaiian coastline with some clouds rolling in.
Our last night that came way way too fast.
The gorgeous sunset with aerial and a merman in the distance :)
Hawaii was the best. Now, if we could mix Mexico + Hawaii + Caribbean to make = Mewabean???
