UkuleleMom

Day 6 Family Photo on our lanai. While the background is so perfect it looks fake, I can’t stop laughing at the four of us.  “Someone” had had enough of picture taking for one day.  

Oh. My. Word. I have to say that of all of the places that I have traveled in my life, I have truly never witnessed anything as amazing as what I saw today. This island might be the most gorgeous piece of God’s handiwork I have ever ever seen. Dan and I took a helicopter ride this morning to see Continue reading →

Day 5 Family Photo – tried to capture the sunset at Hanalei but missed it.  That’s ok.  We had fun trying to chase it.

Today was a day that has been planned for over 6 months.  For Christmas last year, I bought Michael a private photo tour of the island.  Five hours of walking and hiking around the island taking lots of pictures alongside a professional; right up Mike’s alley.  I have ‘invited’ him to Continue reading →

Our first full day on Kauai!  We woke up early to the most beautiful view!   Continue reading →

Day 3 Family Photo; waiting on our balcony for the fireworks to get started

Just like we suspected, the Fourth of July in Waikiki is CRaY-CrAy-CrAZy!! Cars in every parking spot, tents set up on every possible patch of grass or sand, and people milling about with their families passing the time until it’s dark enough for the fireworks to start. I was SO glad we got a condo with a balcony facing the fireworks Continue reading →

Day 2 Family Photo was actually taken on the morning of Day 3 (oops) with a special appearance by ‘pony’ who does not miss a trip. ever.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July!  I say ‘had’ even though as I type this many of my friends are probably sitting on blankets, lawn chairs, and pool side loungers, waiting for the last few moments of daylight to disappear so that they can look up in the night sky, watch some fireworks and be grateful to live in a country that not only honors and allows freedom but celebrates it.   Continue reading →

Day 1’s family photo: heading out to dinner at the Beach House Restaurant in the Moana Surfrider.

Monday it was my turn to check out Pearl Harbor with Dan.  Mike had enjoyed the entire day there the day before, untethered by any potentially bored family members. He watched Casey so that Dan and I could explore the memorial, because no one wants to spend the time learning about an important historical event with the constant background noise of whines and moans and cries about being too hot and too thirsty and too… whatever. (I dealt with enough of that yesterday!)

Anyway, even though Dan and I were outside and on our tour bus by 5:45 am, neither of us were quite awake yet.  That is, until we started talking to Pualani. Continue reading →

Day 0 Family Photo. Mike plans on taking a family picture every night of our trip.

This morning, Day 1, Mike was up and out of the condo by 5 am. He has been waiting to explore all that Pearl Harbor has to offer since I don’t know when. Meanwhile, knowing that Casey would never be in any possible shape or mood to get to the entrance of Pearl Harbor two hours prior to opening, wait in line for the ferry to see the memorial, then explore the museum and other parts of the exhibit ad nauseum, (actually none of us were up for that!) I had hoped to see Diamond Head National Park and hike up to its observation point. I knew it would take some coaxing Continue reading →

(Please note.  In my excitement and tiredness upon arrival, I completely forgot to post this entry.  Sorry this is a few days over due. This was written last Saturday, the first day of our adventure. I'm still getting used to this blogging thing. Forgive me.) 

I really cannot believe I'm here. In Hawaii. With my family. We were up early of course to catch our flight and Mike sweetly rose before me to start piping Hawaiian music throughout the house so that it's the first thing we would all hear. I think I was smiling before I even opened my eyes. Continue reading →