Day 5 - Relaxing and a luau!

Yes, I'm certainly getting used to this.

There's always time for my morning walk, and then I get to do this after I get back.  What's not to love about THAT?

We have been making fun of this guy every day.  Directly down from our balcony is the employee parking lot.  Dude covers his car every day.  Good for him because I'm sure the salty air does a number on the paint job, but we still make fun of him.  Hehe.

Today we rented a paddle board.  How fun!

We are gettin very good at beachin' it. 

Look at me!  I did so good, until it was time to get off and a wave came up behind me and knocked me right on my butt.  Good times.

Can't go wrong laying under a palm tree.

All dressed up and ready for our luau!  What happened to my babies?

Pig for dinner? Yes please.

My boys.

The chief welcomed us to his table and explained lots about the Polenesian culture.

Dinner music...

Love them so much!

A beautiful buffet for us, full of delicious food.

Rice, pork, BBQ chicken, Mahi Mahi, beef, fresh pineapple, potato salad, lohi lohi, and of course poi.

http://youtu.be/jQLrhj7Q9dU

I'm hoping the videos work for you! 

Lots of great entertainment!

https://youtu.be/bhEthK248K8

So much fun to watch.

Breathtaking, as the sun went down.

https://youtu.be/8Gvd8YZhYBg

Mahalo, chief.  The night was magical!

XOXOX

NH

Day 4 - Volcano Anyone?

Morgan got up with me for my early morning walk this morning.

There is a nice walkway that runs along the beach both directions in front of our resort, and round trip it's about 2.5 miles.  The weather in the morning is PERFECT for walking.  I couldn't ask for anything better.  Maybe a little less humidity, but my dry MN skin is really loving the moisture.  The frizz ball on top of my head though? Not so much.

We were up with the early birds!

Our room is on the top floor, the middle of the three corner peak thingies.  Amazing views. 

My morning workout partner!

This is what happens when you knit on the beach with a Misfit on your wrist and forget to put sunscreen on your hands. Ugh. 

We decided to head to Diamond Head today. 

I think we picked the right day for it.  It was very hot, but overcast, so it was manageable.

The way up was a little more than I was planning on.  The view was worth it though!  This is looking right into the crater!

Honolulu and Waikiki from the very top!

This sweet couple just got engaged moments ago! Congrats!

Yes, hot and sweaty, but we all made it! 

Ok, let's head back down.

MUCH EASIER on the way down!  

We stopped in Honolulu at a place called Yard House for lunch at the recommendation of a friend. (Hi Missy!)  it was so yummy!

I had the swordfish tacos with guac and mango salsa and a pineapple cider beer!  Yuuummmm!

Some serious shopping to be done on these streets.  Most stores were a bit out of my price range, so we headed back to find the car.  Maybe next time, Gucci and Louie.

We headed back to the resort for some down time.  When I can see sun rays peeking from the clouds, I always think mom is saying hi.  :)

Chillaxin' on the balcony watchin' the sunset...

I'm getting used to this.

We headed out for pizza for dinner and called it an early night.  My kind of vacation.

XOXOX

NH

Day 3 - Water Fun

Day 3's theme seemed to be the water for us.  We rented some snorkel gear and headed out to find Nemo. 

Grandma and Grandpa are the pros!

Quite a few birds keep us company on the beach, but there are NO seagulls, and these little guys aren't nearly as abnoxious.

This is kind of a requirement, isn't it?

I think he's still picking sand out of places...

After a few morning hours on our beach, we headed up the shore to see a few other beaches. The waves were spectacular!

I love the colors you find in the water! 

I wanted to get a picture of my toes in the sand with a little wave coming up to meet them.  This was much harder than I had anticipated.

Close...  But not exactly what I had in my mind.

Timing is everything.  Too late.

Good wave, but where are my toes?? Dangit.

Yesss!

Back to the resort for a little poolside lounging while the guys grilled our dinner...

Soooo good! Salmon, shrimp, potatoes and onions on the grill! Living the high life!

Another sunset walk with my girl...

So, sometimes I pretend to be a photographer.  I don't pretend that my pictures turn out as well as some photographers that I follow, but I still like taking pictures. 

I love, love, love that this has rubbed off on my daughter.  

No doubt her photos will be famous some day.  Maybe she'll even start a blog some day.  

I love how she's learning to look at things with a different perspective and snapping that moment of time to remember it. The one thing she wanted to buy befor our vacation was her new camera that she's been saving up for with her dance teaching money.  Keep on, baby girl. I can't wait to see your photos.

XOXOX

NH