We had the opportunity to go to Oahu with Grandma & Grandpa Wagner this summer. Part of it was a family vacation and the other part was for Cooper's 10-year old trip with my parents.
It was so fun! The weather was awesome! We were in paradise!
This was Mae's first plane ride. She was great! All the kids were well behaved and everything went smoothly.
On the shuttle going to the airport.
We arrived! Aloha!
We stayed in my aunt's houses on the North Shore.
I don't know why but Mae has been drooling a ton lately. There's no sign of teeth. Maybe that's how she cools herself off. :-)
The girls kept collecting the flowers that had fallen off trees and bushes. All the smells and colors were so beautiful.
I think Clara took this picture
It was so fun to go exploring on the rocks in the backyard. Everyday we found something different.
dead eel
Sunday - we went to the local ward that we always went to when I was growing up. Fun to see familiar faces. Everyone is always so welcoming.
Cooper had the best time trying to catch all the lizards!
Sunday afternoon we went geocaching with the kids. One was hidden up on the mountain near Waimea Bay where an old historic landmark is.
I guess there used to be a temple here centuries ago.
We found the geocache right before it started pouring rain. (Above) Cooper traded a keychain for this travel bug.
Mountainside view of Waimea Bay
On the way home we picked up this ginormous leaf. Tyler was using it as an umbrella.
1st day at the beach...
We just walked down the road to a nearby beach. Great area for snorkeling, surfing, and see turtles!
There were a couple of turtles that were coming right up on the shoreline to eat the seaweed off the rocks. It was fun to swim with them.
Clara the mermaid
Addi the starfish
2nd day at the beach...
This time Tyler dug a hole for Mae to lay/sit in. She loved her little spot and would just play, eat, or sleep. :-)
Mom & Clara
Not sure what
The kids loved building holes and they would see how long the walls would last before collapsing from the water.
The water at Waimea Bay was so calm. Clara called it her pool.
Hawaii just isn't the same without going to Matsumoto's! It is the best shave ice ever!!!
We made sure to go there almost every day after the beach. :-)
Clara and Cooper sporting their new Matsumoto shirts
The Birthday Boy!!! Can't believe he's double digits!
Beautiful view of the sunset from the backyard
Dole Plantation
We always go to the Dole Plantation to get their yummy pineapple sorbet (yes, we go to many places because of the food) :-)
Clara and Cooper weren't impressed by the pineapple sorbet, but Addi and Ella liked it.
Jones' in a pineapple
They had these glasses in the gift shop. It made for a fun picture. :-)
The kids learned that pineapples grow above ground and on little bushes. It really is amazing how they grow. Not what I would imagine. :-)
We've been to the Dole Plantation several times but have never done the maze. Well, Cooper said he wanted to do it for his birthday because the maze is featured in his Guinness World Records book as the world's largest maze. It took us an hour to complete. :-) You have to find your way thru the maze and find signs that talk about all the different islands.
another beautiful sunset
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
This is where we come to buy any souvenirs. Best deals on the island!
Cooper left the swap meet with a blow dart gun. He was shocked Mom said "ok".
Ella left the swap meet with a beautiful moo moo.
Another trip to Matsumoto's. This time Addi and Ella are wearing their shirts.
I think all but 1 time Clara spilled her shaved ice. At least she never cried about it.
Grandma & Grandpa babysat the kids so that Tyler and I could go to the temple. It was our first time do a session in this temple. It was so beautiful and we were grateful for the opportunity.
Clara crashed on Cooper's shoulder.
Another day at the beach...that's what you do in Hawaii! It's so great!
This time we went to Hukilau Beach. It's known for it's boogie boarding waves.
Cooper caught some crabs in a bucket
Different beach day...
Grandpa buried Clara and Addi :-)
Hang Loose!
Cooper's hole
Ella's hole
Mae sitting in her hole :-)
Fun sign in Haliewa
Grandma & Grandpa got tickets for us to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center night show. It's so neat to see their native dances and songs.
Waiting for the show to start!
Backyard friends!
Grandpa went exploring one afternoon and yelled for us all to come. There were 7 turtles sunbathing. which isn't uncommon to see. But then he also saw a hawaiian monk seal! We looked online and these are endangered animals and there are only around 1.100 left in the world. We looked up the tag on it and found out that it was a female and she was probably pregnant. She was definitely a beautiful creature to see. And it's neat seeing it in the wild.
One of the beach houses
Cooper & Mom
Dad and his girls
Clara swimming in her "pool"
Ella floating in the "pool"
"Thank you for my tube Grandma!"
We're so grateful that Grandma & Grandpa allowed us the opportunity to go to such a beautiful part of the world. But now it's time to head back to AZ. We'll miss you Hawaii!
