Jun13

Another Boring Beach Day

Posted on by
Standard

Good ol’ Ko’olina Lagoon. Can’t beat this beach for great weather and calm water. While my sister was hear we had a run of rainy weather up on the north shore and windward side of the island, where the best beaches happen to be! We ended up heading out west to lagoon 4 for some snorkeling and sun. The snorkeling isn’t terrible, I went out once and saw a decent variety considering the lagoons are manmade. The last time we were here a turtle had snuck in but we weren’t so lucky this time. All in all, you really can’t go wrong at too many beaches in Hawaii…

DSCF1451a

 

 

Mckenna and her aunty Steph. These two were having way too much fun out there.DSCF1460a

 

And apparently getting a good shot of your feet while you are floating is difficult because I had about 20 bloopers on my camera… Mckenna did manage to catch a cute pic of her footsies.DSCF1469a

 

I don’t think he was grumpy? Not that I remember anyways…. tired and ready to go home though.
DSCF1463a

 

Also! We were getting ready to pack up when this woman came over freaking out, she had been sitting next to us with some friends and had left a little while before. Apparently she took off her rings when putting sunscreen on her kids and set them on the blanket (!!!) When they left her friend shook the blanket off while packing up not knowing the rings were on it. The lady was FRANTICALLY looking for them so a bunch of us starting to help sift sand. We finally convinced her to talk to one of the marina staff which she did and they were able to find someone that had a metal detector to come help her and for us to stop (I guess what we were doing was possibly making it worse) We left before the guy got there so I don’t know what happened but I hope she found her rings! Anyways, that is my PSA for the day, leave your rings at home if you don’t want to get sunscreen on them!

Jun12

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Posted on by
Standard

We did the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific the same day as the Arizona Memorial. It was quite a bit to take in, but I think its important for my kids, especially because they have a parent who is in the military, to understand the sacrifices that have been made for them. This memorial which is known as Punchbowl, sits up on top of a crater with a stunning view of downtown and Diamondhead.DSC_0035

 

 

We waited a few days after Memorial Day when it had some pretty big crowds, so we had a only a few others in the entire place.  DSC_0037

 

 

It’s really interesting to walk along and see veteran’s from wars that were fought decades apart buried next to each other. You also sometimes find headstones for astronauts.

DSC_0039

 

 

Or ones that break your heart.DSC_0040

 

 

Alongside the stairs is the Court of the Missing, walls engraved with the names of 28,788 of military members who have never come home. I had no idea. DSC_0043

 

DSC_0045

THE SOLEMN PRIDE
THAT MUST BE YOURS
TO HAVE LAID
SO COSTLY A SACRIFICE
UPON THE ALTAR
OF FREEDOM

 

DSC_0052

Jun11

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

Posted on by
Standard
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

I don’t know why it took me so long to visit this memorial, it is absolutely stunning and sobering to visit. I guess that is the good thing about guests is that they give you that kick in the pants to get stuff done. I was a little worried we weren’t going to be able to do it because tickets sell out months in advance. I was told that we could walk in and try to get on stand by. Well we ended up doing just that which was awesome. We were the 1pm tour that day which was absolutely incredible because it was the last tour of the day. So as the crowds were filing back on the last ferry we were able to take pictures of the memorial completely empty. DSC_0025

I recommend trying to do the last tour of the day if you are able.

DSC_0021

The sailors and marines who died on the Arizona that day. I had always been curious why the ship was left where it was and why the remains were never brought up. The wonderful park ranger explained that the way that the ship broke up would have made it difficult to raise and the ship itself was on fire for 3 days, effectively cremating all those who were inside.

DSC_0020

 

In 1982 it was decided that Arizona survivors could be interred into the ship when they died. This gave me chills. DSC_0015

DSC_0018

Dedicated to the eternal memory of our gallant shipmates in the USS Arizona who gave their lives in action 7 December 1941 “From today on the USS Arizona will again fly our country’s flag just as proudly as she did on the morning of 7 December 1941. I am sure the Arizona’s crew will know and appreciate what we are doing” Admiral A.W. Radford, USN 7 March 1950

DSC_0006

Jun10

Playing Catch Up

Posted on by
Standard

Okay, I think my brain is officially functioning again!

My sister was here for two weeks and we stayed BUSY. We were all over the island and now I have a huge amount of photos I need to go through.

Also we are seriously gearing up for Homecoming around these parts. I feel like I have a ton of stuff I need to do and get done. I was mentioning this to Omar and he was like ‘it’s going to take you weeks to clean the house?’ Yes, dear. I turned into a hoarder while you were gone. I am just trying to declutter, organize and make everything look PERFECT!

Unfortunately I have a terrible habit of feeling super overwhelmed and then shutting down and not wanting to do ANYTHING. Its the worst and I hate it.

So I am going to try and upload the eleventy-million pictures I took when my sister was here and show you how awesome Hawaii is! (Hint: it’s SUPER awesome!)

May27

Aloha Swap Meet

Posted on by
Standard

Got some time to kill, head out and do a bit of shopping. Especially if you are looking for any type of tourist or tiki item, this is the place to go!

The Aloha Stadium has the swap meet three times a week and has dozens if not hundreds of different vendors… although MANY of them are selling the same exact mass produced in China crap.

However, there are some standouts in the crowd… I got a super nice plumeria branch for a great price, we found a great local baker who makes awesome cakes and breads, a local oil & vinegar company where I picked up some yummy dipping oil, and a cute Hawaii sticker for my car!

DSC_1655

 

 

It did bring back memories of the gypsy markets in Spain. It’s a fun place for kids because you can give them a couple dollars and they can find little treasures for themselves…DSC_1658

 

DSC_1660

 

 

I am still a little mad that Omar won’t let me get a tiki head for the house, he says they creep him out, I on the other hand, think they are pretty fun!DSC_1661

 

 

And if you need a sarong or a muumuu? This is for SURE the place to come!DSC_1662

May25

Schools Out!

Posted on by
Standard

 

And SOMEONE isn’t pleased about having to get his picture taken with his older sister…DSC_1619

 

You would have thought I would get bigger smiles on the last day of school than on the first day!

After dropping them off, Steph and I ran over to the airport lei stands to pick out some leis for the kiddos to wear.

Back to school in time to see Mckenna receive an award for her work with the library club.DSC_1626Then she got to wear her pretty leis… It was pretty hard to narrow it down but I love the ones we found for her!

DSC_1630

 

After that we stopped by and hung out with Omar and his class for an end of the year party. I can’t believe all those babies I met at the beginning of the year are now going into first grade!  We are going to be so sad to not have Mrs. M next year!

DSC_1644Please note the manly leis we got for Omar, and I even grabbed one for the teachers.

School’s out, time for a treat. Off to Menchie’s for some frozen yogurt. I love, love, love the fruit punch and lemonade sorbet. I think those are my new summer favorites!

DSC_1648 DSC_1647