The Jet Lag is Finally Over

We recently returned from our dream family vacation to the islands of Oahu & Maui. We had such a wonderful time and are already daydreaming about when we will have the chance to go back. The weather was perfect with no humidity and cool evenings. I will never forget the most stunning sunsets I have ever seen. They were breathtaking and I was in awe of the beauty that I was able to witness. We had a jam packed trip with plenty of time for lazy days on the beach as well. Kayla had an opportunity to surf, snorkel and swim with sea turtles. She took hula & lei-making classes and learned about the history and cultures of the Polynesian islands at the Polynesian Cultural Center. In Maui, we drove the road to Hana and saw the beautiful coastline & amazing waterfalls. The local food was awesome and we loved eating Loco Moco for breakfast, a salisbury steak type of meat served with rice and a fried egg. Yes, very strange to us but, OH, so good. We tried the local pork cooked in an Imu, poi, local breads, coconut pudding, spam, shave ice and lots of lots of pineapples. But the highlight of our trip was taking a family portrait in Ko Olina's Secret Beach by Anthony Calleja of Anthony Calleja Photography . The pictures turned out so nice despite us being hot and sweaty from standing directly in the sun. I had hugely swollen ankles from our long flight there and that was pretty funny. Our photographer was a little impatient with us. He was sort of a perfectionist and took his work just a tad too seriously, but overall we are so pleased with his work and will definitely use him again when we are back in Hawaii.

Oh, Hawaii, how I long to be back!!! All I've been able to do since I've been back is daydream of buying a small house in Maui and selling pineapple smoothies, coconut pudding and banana bread off my front porch to tourists driving to Hana. Now that is SOME dream, isn't it?