North Shore

While heading to the North Shore we stopped at the Dole Plantation.  We completed the largest maze in the world.  Typically takes 45mins-1hour to finish.  The kids and i did it in less than 40 minutes.  The kids were so into it, i don’t think they even realized that they walked 3 miles.

On the Dole Train Ride

The North Shore- A view from our hotel room at Turtle Bay resort.  It was hands down my favorite place on the trip.  Snorkeling on one side of the hotel and surf break on the other

 

Jesse smiling in the hot tub.  Why, because there is a sweet little surf spot right behind him

the spot

I think Hailey had these indentations on her face the entire 10 days

A morning stroll along the North Shore to get some breakfast

  

Hailey picked this bouquet of flowers

The kids found this little swimming hole that entertained them for an hour

  

Wiamea Waterfalls was one of Jesse and Shane favorite little excursions.  It did rain on us, but we were never cold and it just added to the jungle feel

 

The random word on the trip for the kids was Banana.  Then we found a baby one, kids loved it

Best Valentines Day Ever!

Hailey really wanted to get a coconut to drink out of, like she sees in cartoons

       

Last hours at the resort

I hope to be back soon.  My new happy place

Waikiki

The Banyan trees in Waikiki were so huge and cool for the kids to play around

   

We took a dolphin/snorkeling boat tour where we got to jump into the ocean with the spinner dolphins.  As soon as the captain saw a pod we would all jump into the water as they swam around us.   Of course we didn’t get any pictures as we were too distracted from being in the moment.

 

We saw whale after whale breaching out of the water, just an everyday occurrence throughout the island.  We saw them while driving, sitting at the beach, at the hotel, while going for walks!

Shane out in the deep sea

My hot hubby

Hailey was fearless, jumping off the boat out in the ocean without hesitation. 

  

The boat also took us to a snorkeling spot

 

Our guides on the boat were so entertaining.  We started off with a Hawaiian prayer and threw flowers into the ocean.   We were served hot tea while drying off, applied tattoos to everyone on board and fed us lunch.  They performed a traditional Hawaiian dance and then taught everyone on board some hula moves.  Shane thought it was such a good deal, we were entertained while going to our next snorkeling spot!

Jesse with his freshly applied tattoo.  Swimming with the dolphins was one of my favorite things we did on the trip.

We found a hidden little place where the locals go called Spitting Caverns. 

 

downtown

 

Night swim at hotel

Hawaii

Cheap airfare to Hawaii, what are you going to do?  We booked our trip a few weeks before we left and had no idea where we were going to stay.  Turns out our lack of planning paid off.  We stayed at 3 different hotels each for 3 nights, on different parts of the island and it was the best plan.  The first few nights were in Waikiki.  As soon as we checked in, we headed to the beach, the kids couldn’t believe how warm the water was.

We hiked up Diamond Head early the first morning, according to Hailey this was one of her favorite things we did.  Hiking through a volcano, in tunnels and up stairs!

One of our very few family shots of the trip

Always found a time and place for our shave ice

We cooled off in the water and did a little snorkeling in Waikiki

 

Winner

We've got a winner!  Hailey won the football pool this year, well sort of.  She and another guy were in the running for first place going into the last game.  She made a deal with him to split the winnings regardless of the outcome!  $300 richer

New Years 2014

The hot spot in the South Bay, the Bull Pen.  Papa and Papu partied with Shane and Hailey there

   

Jesse and I got to bring in the New Year with a bunch of our friends!  I have many high hopes for 2014, bring it!

 

The morning after…….. looks like 2014 is going to bring on some major Tude!