Both my parents have big birthdays just a couple years apart, so they decided they wanted the whole family to go to Hawaii to celebrate! They very generously helped us so we could all go! It was so much fun!
We made a red, white and black countdown. Since Conner is only two years old, we simplified it by saying we were going to Mickey's house when all the links were gone!
We're so excited! We're finally in the car on our way to the airport to go to Mickey's House!!!!!
Conner insisted on pulling his own suitcase. He got to walk on his first moving walkway. I SO wish I had video taped it! You know the scene in the movie Elf where Elf is going up an escalator for the first time and does the splits? That's exactly what Conner did. It was so funny!
Isaac made friends while waiting for our flight
There's a 5 hour time difference from Texas to Hawaii, so with two young
kids we knew that it would be a difficult change. We flew out in the
early evening, kept the boys awake most of the flights (with a short nap), and arrived in Hawaii at around 10pm local time. We stayed at a hotel right next to the airport.
Day 1
The next morning we went sight seeing while the rest of my siblings and parents were on their flights.
Then we got on the shuttle to Aulani. Both the boys fell asleep in the van!
When we got there,we were all given a Lei.
The first Disney Characters we saw were Mickey and Minnie!
Time changes are hard on little ones. Isaac fell asleep sitting up waiting to see Mickey and Minnie!
We had so much fun exploring the Disney Resort! While exploring we found Goofy by the pool! We even asked him if he would do the Hot Dog Dance for us, and he did!
Day 2
Today we went to Pearl Harbor in the morning.
Conner hanging out with Uncle Adam
The fish and coral were really pretty out on the memorial
We spent the afternoon enjoying the resort and for dinner the whole family went to the Makahiki Buffet.
Day 3
We spent the morning at Aulani. We took Conner to the kids club during family time (he's not old enough to stay)
We went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. It was so beautiful there!
Our little Pineapple!
He's 2 years old and already bummed he has to take pictures with his parents! He'd rather be with his cousins!
Next we headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center
The sign of a fun vacation is kids who just cant stay awake any longer!
This little boy was in one of the performances. I believe he was 5 years old. He was amazing!
Isaac was getting restless during one of the performances we were watching, so our tour guide took him for a walk to show him off to her friends. They made him this cool head band out of leaves.
Conner got to go fishing and caught this fish!
Day 4
Ammon and I got to go on a date while Grandma and Aunt Elise watched our kids! We went for a drive along the coast.
We spent the rest of the day at Aulani enjoying the amazing splash pad and pools! This place is AHHHHHH-MAZING!
That night we let the kids watch a movie in Grandpa and Grandma's bed while the adults got to sit around and talk!
Day 5
We drove into town and went to the Aloha Swap Meet. It was fun to see all of the Hawaiian things! Then we went and hiked Manoa Falls. It was a beautiful hike!
The signs and everything online said no swimming, but come to find out,
people do swim there. And we were very sorry we didn't wear swimming
suits! Elise and her kids got in anyways!
Day 6
This morning we had breakfast with the Disney characters at Aulani (this was Elise's present to everyone for their birthdays this year). And then we relaxed and played at the resort all day long!
Grandpa and Conner looking at the fish
This is the splash pad. It was amazing! It had two kids water slides and water shooting out from everywhere! Underneath the toys the water was about 1 foot deep.
We did this treasure hunt thing, but it was way too old for my kids.
Watching JD and Maia snorkel
Relaxin'!
Day 7
Today is our last day at Aulani, we fly out tonight.
We are so sad to be heading home. Parting ways with our family and leaving such a fun vacation!
Our vacation to Aulani in Hawaii was amazing! We had so much fun being there with our family! We played hard! I think this is how we all felt at the end of the trip; especially after the long flights with a 2 year old and 9 month old!
Thank you Dad and Mom for planning and helping make this wonderful vacation happen!
