Hawaii Here we Come!!

After waiting for what seemed like forever, all of our married kids, the older Grand kids, and our very good friends, Brad and Janine, headed to Hawaii!  It was the first time our Grand kids had flown, so they were very excited.  Ahead of time, Dale and I ordered Lei's for everyone to receive at the airport.  They were so pretty (and they lasted the whole week).  We rented a house right on the beach in Kailua on Oahu, which was on the windward side.  It was a beautiful house and was perfect for us because it was away from the hustle and bustle of the city and provided plenty of space for everyone.  We had SO MUCH FUN throughout the week.  There was a little bit of rain at the beginning, but it didn't dampen our spirits, or our FUN!!!

 There are so many pictures that I am going to to do multiple posts to include my favorites!!!

 

 

 

Pearl Harbor!

On our first day, we hit the ground running.  We headed first to the Swap Meet, which is held at the football stadium.  Anything, and everything you might want, you will find there.  It was so nice to get our souvenir shopping done early.

After that we headed to Pearl Harbor.  What a sobering and special experience it is being there.  Due to some storms, unfortunately, we weren't able to take the ferry to the Arizona Memorial.  However, we saw all of the sites there and then headed over to the Missouri battle ship.  

On our way home, we headed into Honolulu to hit the Hard Rock for Dale to get his shirt and for dinner.    It was a great day!!

We headed to North Shore!

North Shore is one of my favorite places on Oahu.  Had it not been that January is a high tide/surfing season, we would have stayed there.    On this day, our first stop on the way to North Shore was the Dole Plantation for some Dole Whips and to look around.  The grand kids each got to pick a pearl from the clam (or mussel?) shell.  Each were really pretty and a different color, pink, black and gray.  After that we went to Motsomoto's on North Shore for shaved ice.  There is nothing quite like Hawaiian Shaved Ice!!!!  And they have the best.  After that we headed to the beach to watch the surfers and the huge waves.  It was so fun playing on the beach for a bit.  After that we went to Waimea Falls Park and hiked to the falls.  The water was pretty cold.  But, Ethan, Allie, and Kaleb were real troopers and got in and swam.

The Temple and Polynesian Cultural Center

On our way to the Polynesian Cultural Center on Monday, we stopped by the Temple.   We visited the cultural center for a few minutes, which is a beautiful representation of their culture.  Then we headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Ethan was chosen to come up on stage in one of the presentations, which is very special.  He did an awesome job!  We all had a great time, and ended the night at a luau dinner, drinking fruity drinks from a pineapple!!!  Great day!!!