No trip to Hawaii would be complete without:

a cruise on the Na Hoku
a Sunday night at Dukes
a Kalakaua Parade
a trip to the North Shore
a visit to the Ala Moana Mall
a Fourth of July Celebration (my first!!)
a hike up Diamond Head
a lot of love and fun and sun
a little bit of street entertainment
a LOT of sunsets

1. Na Hoku

We planned this…I really wanted everyone to be able to enjoy a cruise out past Diamond Head with the music jamming, the wind blowing and the cocktails flowing (quite a few people had WAY too many…like the freshly cougared…yowza!…down girl!) We had corn on the cob and the big boy fell asleep in my lap!

2. Sunday Night at Dukes

The live music and the crowd just can’t be beat…add a beer and some sweet babies dancing…well, you got yourself the perfect day!

…we can’t forget the photo of the room we stayed at when we got married…yeah…that room on the first floor there…with the balcony off to the side…that BIG one with the white railing…yeah…that’s it!…

3. Kalakaua Parade

Our walk back home was even more joyous due to a 4th of July celebration parade on the 1st…it was even more meaningful to have been out of the country for so long and see these young men and woman who have enlisted to serve our country…and knowing that my own brother and many other close friends are doing their own part around the world. I got choked up many times and was not ashamed of letting my lip quiver and the tears well…it was beautiful to see all of these people…together…celebrating our country.

4. North Shore

We rented a car and hit the road…it’s worth every mile…the view…the colors…the food…holla!!!

5. Ala Moana

We bussed it to the mall to hit up Old Navy’s “$1 Flip Flop Saturday Sale”…which meant leaving the stroller at home…fine by these guys…each one got their own “car”…and each of us girls got a boy…

…and it was a must to ride a cab home…

6. July 4th

Of all my years I’ve been going to Hawaii…this is the first time I was able to celebrate an Independence Day there…it was beautiful and busy and crazy and perfect!!!

…give your little guy his own camera to take photos…he took about 100…and loved it!

7. Diamond Head

It’s a great little hike…especially for the view you get…(and stop at the little bakery on the way up on Monsarrat and get one of their peanuty home made energy bars…mmmmmmm…)

8. Love and Fun and Sun

9. Street Entertainment

A day is not complete without your little ones staring at some bizarre show or costume to photograph…for some money…

10. SUNSETS

Every sunset is beautiful…enjoy each one!

Every time I go to Hawaii…I have memories that will be in my heart forever…I love this place and loved sharing it with my boys…and I love that their daddy understands how special this place is to US…we missed you…but say THANK YOU…with all our hearts…

Aloha…