HAWAII

We finally have our underwater pictures back and I am ready to post. There are a LOT of pics, but these are just the chosen few of what we actually took.. If you can't get through it, that's fine with me! I wanted to document for journaling purposes.

Day 1-Aug 6th
We dropped the boys off in Salt Lake at my sister's home. Big props go to the Clawson clan for watching them!The kids were so busy playing with their cousins, they didn't even bother to say goodbye to us.Right before we left.. I was having anxiety about leaving them, but once we were gone, we didn't look back! Aaron and I kept saying during our trip, "I'm SO glad the boys aren't with us!" Mean, I know... but it was that kind of vacation.At the airport getting "lei'd" by Cody. She was the perfect Hawaiian hostess!Arriving at our place on the North Shore. We shared a small house with Aaron's parents and Brett and Kate. We slept on the floor on a mattress for a couple of nights, but we were so excited to be in Hawaii... it didn't really matter.
Aaron and I were up the first morning at 5am.. (when the roosters crowed.) We walked along the beach and watched the sunrise. We were only a few blocks from the temple, and it was so bright and beautiful in the morning. These pictures don't do it justice.
After we returned from our walk, we ate a quick breakfast and headed back to the beach. This time to "Pounders." The waves were big and we had the best time with almost everyone. (We really missed you B&K!) We just kept saying, "I can't believe we are in Hawaii!" This was one of my favorite things we did..(if you consider I have about 20 other favorite things.) The guys spent most of the time playing in the waves, while the ladies relaxed and chatted on the sand. It was absolutely heavenly.Can you see us in the big ocean?
Still the first day... we showered and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you've been to Oahu and not to the PCC, then you better go back. It was an action packed day...A cool Samoan climbing a tree
The Luau was DELICIOUS! The fresh pineapple was to die for.

Next Day-Aug 9th- Snorkeling at Shark's Cove.Brett and JadeI touched this turtle (before I knew it was against the law.. oops.)Aaron and some big fish.. believe it or not, we saw much bigger!Coco and meJaderbugsBrett and kateCodyliciousJade and Janetkt, aka: kinkyIf you dare moon me underwater, you better understand your butt is going on my blog.. (viewer discretion advised.)some pretty coral


Later that night, we went to Cody's place to help her pack, clean and get ready for her big day! Both she and Jake had a lot going on... a wedding to plan, family to entertain, moving, plans for Korea.. and they were total troopers. After moving Cody out, we ordered pizza and ate on Jake's deck. They both lived in huge homes on Laie Point, meaning their backyard was the ocean--so beautiful. Pizza, family, the ocean.. how can you NOT have a good time? Cody and Jake's love story was the highlight of the evening...well, that and the pizza getting flung off the deck.Aren't these ladies gorgeous? I love them!! I miss you already!We laughed a little too hard that night. "Walter, Walter!!"Thanks to Brett for taking pictures of everyone.Cody, you don't look very excited for your wedding...our "girl talk" must have freaked you out! jk

Aug 10th- The Wedding
The bride and groom were glowing. We're so happy for you two!
Mother of the bride lingering on her kiss to the groom! Stan's looking jealous!the little sqirrelsBronmin-- We missed you and Kirk so much!

After the wedding, we changed and went to the beach for a luau. We ate some of the best BBQ chicken and steak! This is the only picture I have of the event... Isn't Jade juicy?
After the Luau, Jade went with Aaron and me to the beach for her last bit of ocean. She flew out that night with the parents. Cody and Jake flew to Maui for a week of honeymoon bliss. We went out to dinner that night with Brett and kt and stayed up late talking and laughing. I almost peed my pants over "whatever, doesn't count, and UGLY."

Aug 11th- Saturday
We woke up early to go on the coolest hike ever! We were heading to Waikiki that evening, so we made the best of our time with Brett and Kate..4 hours later, we found some disgusting cascades. It was the dry season and the waterfalls were mossy rocks dripping into a germ infested waterhole. Brett and Aaron still jumped in (and somehow survived.)We gave Brett a hard time, but it's now a distant memory. We weren't laughing after being attacked by bugs in the rainforest, but it's funny now.We survived and packed up our things on the North Shore. Brett and Kate were kind enough to take us to our hotel in Waikiki. They stayed on the north shore at Turtle Bay..

Aug 12th--Waikiki
Our place in Waikiki was super nice. We stayed at the Royal Gardens and I think we may have been the only guests in the hotel... or at least the door man and bell hop made us feel like we were. We were in walking distance to everything.. shops, nice restaurants, and most importantly, the ocean.Inside our pad.. trying read a little Harry.The view from our balcony.. on the 18th floor.
Kayaking in WaikikiWe did a little snorkeling, but it wasn't good. This is right before I tipped the kayak.. sorry Aaron, again. oh-that's Diamond Head in the background.Hawaiian shaved ice with ice cream. yummy.


August 13th--
We waited until Monday to go parasailing.. and this was our only regret. By the time we got out to the boat, about to put on our gear, the captain told us "the Hurricane's acomin'!" It was too windy for us to go.. This was a crazy old man who loved talking Aaron's ear off about law stuff. He was very funny and made the bummer parasailing trip almost worth it.

HANAMA BAY
We snorkeled and relaxed on the beach. The fish in Hanama Bay were incredibly large.. I was a little scared of them.Overlooking the beautiful bay.


Waikiki's night life was a blast. Great food, good entertainment, fancy shops, tiki torches, loud music, and people from all around the world.Trying to be Vanna.. Roy's=the best Hawaiian food around..Out of all the places we ate, our favorite was a little mexican restaurant called Senior Frog's. It was a party there.. karaoke, loud music and free tequila jello. (no, I didn't try the jello. Aaron wouldn't let me.) We didn't need a buzz to have a good time.

August 14th-- Our last day.
We didn't fly out until evening, so we decided to rent a car and drive up to the North Shore for our last day of adventure. We saved the best for last.We met Brett and kt at the Hukilau Cafe for coconut pancakes. delish.

After breakfast we went to Three Tables for more snorkeling. It wasn't crowded and there were a lots of colorful fish. It was my favorite beach, too. The sand was funky, like warm bird seed.. (but in a good way.) We were there for a couple of hours before going to Haliewa for pizza, shaved ice and the surf shops.
And last, but definitely not least, we went to Waimea Bay to jump off the point.
Aaron and Janet Video of Brett and kt's jump. I love kt's legs kicking.. as if she had changed her mind after the jump. You were a brave, brave girl, kt!
Our last sunset on the island was a sad one. It was not easy leaving, but we were ready to see our boys. Until next time, Aloha.