Mahalo, Hawaii!

We got back from Hawaii last week and even though we desperately missed the kids, we didn't want to leave. The picturesque views, weather, people, food and shopping were enough to make us want to stay forever! Here are some highlights from our week-long trip in paradise. If you'd like to see all the pictures, I'm uploading them to shutterfly. I'll include a link to them shortly.

The Royal Hawaiian (nicknamed Pink Palace by locals). Truly one of the nicest resorts we've ever stayed at.

The resort grounds.

View from our room.

An early morning walk on the beach with Diamond Head in the background. Yet not that early since we awoke most days at 4am.

Nick's skydiving adventure.

His training lasted about 3 minutes. I would have backed out right there!

Phew...he's alive!

Our helicopter ride.

Diamond Head.

Not long after this view, I started to feel a little queasy. So, Nick took over the camera!

The Dole pineapple fields.

USS Arizona memorial. You can sort of the see the outline of the ship underwater. 

Our final night in Oahu. A surprise dinner aboard the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor.

The spot on the Missouri where the Japanese signed the truce to end World World II.  

Nick receiving his official Circle of Excellence coin from the CEO and Executive Team at Waste Management. A very proud moment (dare I admit some tears from his pregnant wife)!

Before heading into the tent for dinner, we enjoyed a sunset view from the ship.

 

Kauai trip. The view from our room.

We hopped the railing to get to this tiny waterfall we spotted on our way up the mountain.

Waimea Canyon. We were told you rarely see the canyon this green or the river running through it. But because of the rain they had the week before we arrived, this was our unusual view.

A short hike to see other views of the canyon. 

Lunch stop in Poipu on our way back from the canyon. 

Opaekaa Falls 

Roosters and chickens everywhere you went. Because of the hurricanes they've had over the years, the chickens were spread all over the island.

Construction workers chopping off coconuts from the palm trees. We even snagged one for the trip home. 

Another Mile Marker 0. Only other one we've seen is in Key West.

Kilauea Lighthouse

Wet cave along the drive to the end of the road in Kauai.

Dry cave.

A couple gifts for the kids back home.

We shipped pineapples back home to Max.

Better Late Than Never

Here is a recap of the past few weeks (pre-vacation).

Our homemade scale. They seemed to enjoy plopping different things in the cups. 

We weighed different magnets, crayons, small toys, and even food!

Cleaning up the food we measured. And, yes it was 9:00am and they were eating fruit snacks!

Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Max sitting next to a Wisconsin Irishman!

Irish dancers.

Littlest Irishman.

Our little shamrock.

Busted

"Who, me?"

While playing at the mall play place, she was busted taking sips from some kid's juice box sitting in its deserted stroller tray. I then caught her taking bites out of a brown marker. And yesterday, she apparently wasn't ready to say goodbye to the homemade oreos when she took it upon herself to yank one out of the garbage can and stuff it into her mouth! Violet has officially joined the terrible two's too early!

Measuring the House

We found an easy and fun way to pass a little time while Violet napped this week. We set out with a ruler and a list to "measure" the house. Who knew a ruler could bring so much joy to a kid!

Our list courtesy of Let's Explore.

Max even jotted down a couple measurements himself.

Sledding

For the first time all winter, we got to take the kids sledding (which I'm indifferent on whether I like that fact or not). Max loved every second, Violet not so much. She did enjoy walking along the sidewalk watching the big kids on their snowboards.

Max went a few times alone. You could hear him laughing the whole way down.

A long walk back up the hill.