Hawaii 2014

In October Brad had business at BYU- Hawaii on Oahu for a week, and we thought, how can we justify not going? 

We started in Honolulu where we did Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach.

 

 Then we headed up to BYU-Hawaii along the North Shore. It is every bit lovely. We loved it and we long to go back. In fact Broccoli asks on a daily basis, "Can we go to Ha-why?" 

(Yes, our children are well traveled for adults let alone toddlers - I didn't think we would have opportunities to travel once we had kids but I am so glad we do. It's one of my favorite things to do and I am glad I can share my love for it with them. I just fear they will take it for granted)

My favorite picture from the trip, and probably one of my favorites of all time.

We visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation and ate our heart out of Dole whip. 

This picture is for my mom.

At the resort we stayed, they had the original helicopter from Magnum P.I. but unfortunately no Tom Selleck, sorry Mom!

 

The beaches were our favorite, and so pristine. 

We enjoyed visiting all the surrounding beaches and bays. 

 

Because we were in paradise we thought some beautiful family photos were in order. 

The girls thought other wise. 

Our sad attempts at a picture.

 

we visited a military bunker. Yeah, there was a lot of military stuff. 

Brad's greatest highlight of the trip (and probably the year) was this hike:

Our little fish just swimming in the ocean.

 and then stopped to make some friends.

B gravitated toward 8 - 10 year old girls and they all happened to be from New Zealand. 

She would go up to them and say "tag your it" then swim away. The girls didn't know what to do so they would start playing along with her, then next thing you know they've been an hour of playing.

 But look at these views, seriously.

Some more photo moments.

 Swimming in the ocean.

Our attempt at a family photo. 

To say we loved it, is an understatement. 

The North Shore was beautiful. 

There are no chain restaurants, an abundance of fruit stands, beautiful beaches, plenty of sunshine, and a week with my people.

My soul was filled.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, 

"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air." 

I did Ralph, I did.