This year's trip to Hawaii was amazing, and such a blessing to have Kealani along with us. The 6 hour flight was the only part we worried about, and Kea handled it like a pro. After a couple movies, snacks, and naps, we finally landed on oahu around 11:30 am. We got our car and drove to the Hilton right on the beach. We got to stay in the Ali'i tower with its own separate pool and evening appetizers (pupus). As soon as we got in, we went right to the beach and then pool.
The front of the Hilton
The view from our room overlooking the waterfalls. This is our favorite pool at the Hilton with waterslides and waterfalls.
Kea can be tough about some things, but she is definitely a girl! She was afraid of getting dirty and walking in the sand, but once she did she was all giggles!
Running from the waves right outside our hotel. It was so beautiful to see clear water again!
We got up early in the morning on Friday and drove to the North shore so that Tommy could surf. Here Kea is helping Daddy put the yummy smelling wax on the board.
We arrived at Makaha and the waves were small, but Tommy still managed to have fun. Kea and I had a great time gathering shells on the beach and playing with a puppy named wooky.
Polynesian Cultural Center. Rhianna was able to save us $250 at the PCC.!It poured on us, but we had a blast!! It was so much fun to be there with Rhianna and see all her experiences at school.
All of us on the canoe ride at the PCC. Later that night Rhianna watched Kea and we went to the buffet and Luau. It was such a great show. Our favorite are the fire knife dancers!! Thank you so much Anne for getting us in and for playing with Kea.
Playing at the pool in the Ali'i tower overlooking the beach.
Kea looking way too cute on the beach!
Kea and Daddy at the waterfalls outside our hotel. Kea also enjoyed the flamingos, big fishies, and penguins throughout the grounds. Everyday she would run out of the elevator excited to see the animals.
Saturday night we went over to Corinna and Scott's house for some good food and karaoke. It was so wonderful to be with the family again!! Corinna even set up some eggs for Kea's first egg coloring. Kea also had a great time making animal puppets.
Kea and Stephanie. Scott and Corinna.
The Honolulu tabernacle where we went to church for Easter Sunday. We are so grateful for Jesus Christ and for His sacrifices for us and the life that He lived!
Kealani sitting next to the waterfalls at our hotel. She loved all the ponds and rivers throughout the hotel because they had lots of tropical fishies!
Later that day we went to pick up Rhianna (Nani as Kea says) in Laie as she finished her semester at BYU Hawaii. We had such a great time with her and were glad that we got to be a part of her experience there.
This is the beach right behind Rhianna's apartment, Bikini beach...what a tough life!!! We are glad we went to school at BYU Utah because we wouldn't be done if we'd gone to Hawaii!
Playing in the water at Bikini Beach.
On our way back to Honolulu we stopped at the Byodo-in temple. It was a real beautiful and peaceful place to visit...besides the grouchy, but beautiful, peacock that was mad at the little birds that kept flocking around.
Visiting Mom...
We spent some time visiting our mom and tutu that we love so much at Diamondhead Cemetary. We are so thankful for her and the ways that she lives on in our family. We feel such a tie to her when we visit her hometown.
We love you mom, and we know that you are with us. Thank you for all of your love, we feel it in so many ways! We are so grateful that families can be together forever and that we will see you again. Aloha no wau ia oe!!!
Our heavenly baby girl!!
We had Easter dinner with awesome Hawaiian food at Charisse's house. Afterward, Rhianna put Kealani to bed and we went out for a walk. Well, it started out as a walk and ended in a midnight swim in the ocean!!!
Walking along the shoreline of Waikiki. In the background is Diamondhead where we hiked on our honeymoon. We were lucky to have our "nanny" there to take the pic! ha ha! All Rhianna wanted to do was play with Kea, so we joked that she was our nanny while we could walk hand in hand and enjoy. Thanks Anne, love you!!
After going on a few waterslides at the pool, we decided to swim in the little bay of the hotel. Then we decided we might as well just go swim out in the ocean. The waves are so much more fun!
Daddy and kea on our 'white sandy beach'. Mommy and kea sitting by the pool side.
On our way out to the International Market we stopped for a pic at the falls where Tom gave me my favorite necklace when we were dating.
Here we are again, but this is our hot date! We ordered pizza for Kea and Rhianna then headed out for the night. We loved being in the place where we first fell in love!!!!
We had to get our memorable favorites that were inspired by Grandpa... he and Grandma took us to Hawaii when we were first dating. He got me hooked on Lava flows...I had a ton of them while there! And he always ordered Oysters Rockefeller for Tom. Neither of us wanted to share!
On Tuesday we took Rhianna to the airport and then spent the day at the beach and pool. That evening we went with the family to get some great sushi!! Afterwards, Charisse and Dwight got us into the best show..SOS! What a hilarious talented group. Everytime Kea started to sleep on my shoulder, she would hear a new song and open her eyes wide and start bouncing.
Uncle Lott is so awesome and got us in to the Sheraton pool. We were soooo happy to see him again and are glad that he is doing well. The Sheraton pool was on the beach and had a waterslide and a perfect kiddy pool for Kea. Daddy and Kea had a great time running through the little fountains. The best picture is of Tom getting sprayed in the face, totally makes me laugh!
Kea with her little pua (flower) in her ear...what a cute little Hawaiian baby!!
Kealani was excited to see Daddy coming in from surfing.
Daddy giving Kealani her first real surfing lesson in Waikiki!
Kea gets hang 10 the first try...well, almost! Daddy's tactics to get Kea in the water...
Saying Aloha at the airport Corinna gaves us the most beautiful smelling leis. She also made the cutest hawaiian blanket for Kealani. Kea loves it so much and spreads it out on the floor to play on. Mahalo nui loa Corinna!! Mahalo to all our family. We are so grateful for you and that we were able to come play!! Love you!
