To Love: Hawaii 2022

Hawaii was our fall break destination this year! We spent 10 days on the island of Oahu. We spent more than ten hours each day in the sand and surf.

Our flight to Honolulu was early. We set our alarms for 3:30 am.

Airport vibes.

It's so easy traveling with big kids.

Once we landed, we still had to rent a car and stop for our fresh groceries. We actaully loaded our bags that flew free with groceries.

We stayed in a lovely home along the north shore and were very comfortable.

First sunset.

6:45pm and he was out. I suppose that was 9:45pm in Arizona, and it had been a very long day.

Friday we were up early to run and take off for a beach day. It's so easy to get moving when 6am feels like 9am.

Nick caught a bird -- he covered himself with a towel and put crumbs on it. He's tickled.

Lots of waves.

Oh! The million dollar car rental turned out to be a van with a bad battery. Austin jumped us, dropped us off at the beach and then drove back into Honolulu to trade cars.

Eddie helped Ryan put sunblock on.

Saturday we tried out four different beaches. First we snorkeled and Sharks' Cove.

At Waimea we lunched.

Surf lessons were next, so Molly and I went to the nut farm.

We drank a pineapple smoothie that was the best drink I've ever had.

Then we crossed the street and watched our surfers.

These two boys came in a bit early; they got tired.

Off to the fourth and final beach for sunset play.

Maddie is standing up.

Sunday we tried three ward buildings but finally found the right one (it was stake conference, and I wasn't about to sit in on that.....). This Laie ward has a view of the beach from their back door.

We rested, read, ate and studied CFM in the afternoon. We went on a walk and found ourselves marveling at these majestic ocean views.

Home for "The Chosen" and to bed early.

Monday we climbed a mountain with danger notices....luckily we kept Ryan from going over the edge.

Ryan and Eddie scramble rocks like mountain goats. I basically wait and watch along the saddle.

We found this cunning bakery with doughnuts. We bought eight and licked the box clean within minutes.

Then we spent the day on four different beaches. One beach had small waves. The next beach had big waves. The big kids love the big waves, and Molly loves the small waves, but still holds her own in that massive surf that pounds the shore line.

Because we took all our food and packed picnics for each day, we did stop one time for Giovanni's shrimp. I guess Austin trusted the Italian Hawaiian.

The magical memories for me are watching my children play for hours. They would spend time with each other, time alone, time fight the waves, time giving in to naps, and time being exceedingly happy outside.

Tuesday morning we went to the temple and visited BYU Hawaii.

We were there bright and early and in the rain, so we had to wait a bit before we could jump in the water.

These cliff jumpers were very brave. They had to time the tide correctly, so that the water was deep enough and so that they wouldn't get smashed into the rocks.

These jumpers at golden hour were quite terrifical as well.

It was a leetle cold when we landed upon Hulilau Beach. I wanted my uke so badly.

Wednesday we drove back to the city to visit Pearl Harbor and snorkel at Hanauma Bay.

In my little school we spent the month preparing to visit Pearl Harbor. We read historical books and autobiographical accounts. We talked about war and death. We talked about liberty and life. The children were very respectful. A sacred feeling abounded.

I couldn't believe the variety of fish. The fish were neon and ginormous.

There was a very fit fellow sitting next to us. He had just competed in an Ironman the day prior. But once he counted our children and Austin explained the two missing, he concluded, "You are a real man!"

Ryan found a hiding spot under a chair. Clever.

I got in the water, because the waves were not threatening.

Beach bums.

Thursday we spent the morning on the boat and went swimming with sharks! We hopped into this cage and the sharks came swimming all around us.

He's wearing his shark suit.

We then found Matsumoto's shaved ice.

I found the frozen bananas instead, which was the right choice.

Waimea afternoon, because we were kicked off North Shore by the lifeguards.

I read four novels and sat in a chair. When the waves were huge, I sat and counted heads over and over and over and over.

I wasn't the only reader.

Casual grouping.

We started the Costco 1,000 piece puzzle on Sunday, and we finished on Thursday night. Eddie and I worked on it after dinner in the evenings. My minimal chores allowed this delicious hobby to be addressed.