Hawaii, Day 1

We left PDX at 8:45am and 6 hours later we were in Oahu, Hawaii.
We chose to go here over the other islands for two reasons, it was cheaper for all four of us, and we wanted a big sandy beach for the kids to run and play on. Hawaii is 3 hours behind Oregon so we felt like the day had just started when we got there. We found our way through the airport, got all of our stuff, caught the shuttle to our hotel and then realized we were in heaven. Ok, not really, but it was pretty great. We checked into the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort and Spa, which was the best hotel we have ever stayed in as a family. They had 5 pools, 3 hot tubs, 22 acres of beach front property, their own little Lagoon on the beach. . . . . waterslides. . . . we really didn't have to leave the "village" if we didn't want to, they had EVERYTHING.

We started the trip off on a great note. Everyone at the airport was so helpful and friendly. Without even asking they offered an extra seat for Kaden since the flight wasn't full. They let us take drinks for the kids through security screening. . . little things like that. . . they were just so friendly, we were really suprised.

When we finally got settled into the hotel we went out to explore. While we were walking around the hotel we saw some animals we weren't expecting to see. Don't know if you can see what is behind Makayla but there were FLAMINGOS!! The kids were so excited. Ok, so were we. . . .

And Pinguins. .. .

I had no idea pinguins liked Hawaii. . . ..

We went down to the Lagoon and the kids played in the ocean water and sand.

Then of course we ended up at the pool.

Day 2

We got up today and the weather was much nicer today. The first day was a little cloudy and windy, today was blue and beautiful!! This is the view from our room. Below is the Marina, Ocean and Lagoon. All the buildings you see are part of the Hilton Hawiian Village.

We got up, had beakfast in our room and then headed down to the beach.

Is this how you do it mommy?

I'll give you one guess where Michael got a little too much sun this day. . . . they kids were putting shells, rocks, sand on him. . . . at least they had a good time, right?


After hanging out at the beach for a while we took a walk to Wikiki beach and the International Market place for a little shopping and dining. Of course we stopped all along the way to play in the water and check out stuff.

The kids an I on Wikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background.

I think these trees are so weird, so I had to take a picture.

And of course we ended up at the pool this day too!! We all had a blast playing on the water slides. This pool is so cool, it is one of the five which was designed with kids in mind. Kaden could walk/swim all over at this end of it.



Kaden is dressed and ready for dinner and a fireworks show. Our hotel does fireworks every Friday night so we went down to the beach to watch.

This is our hotel in the background. We are standing at the other end of the Lagoon. The fireworks and a walk along the boardwalk ended day 2.

Day 3 - Saturday

Today we were some how able to talk Makayla into spending the day on the beach. Michael and I both wanted to do some snorkeling and were told that there was a good spot right out infront of the hotel. So we went to try it out.

Day 4 - Mother's Day

On Day 4 we rented a car and went to see more of the island. It was beautiful! I just can't get over how blue the water really is there. And it was so "aqua green" in some places, just awesome. So we made stops along our way to get out and check out different beach's.

Our Navigator is trying to get us back to our hotel. :o)

After a day of cruising around the island, we had a Luau to go to. So we rushed back to get showered and changed, but the best part is the Luau was at our own hotel so we didn't have to go far.