Hawaii Five-0

A few weeks ago, my parents celebrated their 30th anniversary and my mom's 50th bday (hence, the title of this post) by spoiling their kids rotten in Hawaii.


It has always been a dream of mine to visit Hawaii and explore the tropical islands and ocean. Although Cbug and I were fresh off of our honeymoon to Mexico, we couldn't have been more excited. Check out the views~!

Much has already been posted about this trip (see Chris & Jenny's and Jen and Tim's blogs), but Candace and I feel like we wanted to add our pictures and thoughts on our blog, kind of as a journal. We're excited for the day when we can show our kids and grandkids what we did with my family in Hawaii.

Here's Cbug in front of the tree made famous in the LOST episode where Kate digs up a time capsule she buried with her high school boyfriend. Its interesting that the scene is supposed to be on a plain in Iowa, and in the show it totally appears that way.

Home SWEET home! We were on the island of Oahu, on the North Shore.

From the back, Mom and Dad read books in the ocean breeze while keeping an eye on the ruckus below...

Jenny, pondering the name of Heyman Baby #2-

I'd reallllly like to say that I went to Hawaii and conquered the big waves, however, the truth is I only got up on a few and got pounded against the reef on many. haha. I came away with cuts and scrapes on my legs and feet that easily filled with sand particles.

Beach babes.

We hit up the Dole Pineapple Plantation and had some terrific pineapple icecream.

Almost looks fake, doesn't it?

One of my favorite parts was the tour of Pearl Harbor. I like learning history and understanding people and events of the past.

This picture makes me laugh. "Hey! Its me, Cbug, sitting here smiling while I blast away at airplanes".

One of the aircraft carriers from the operations overseas was docked at Pearl Harbor for a few days. Really cool.

What is amazing about this picture is that each of those plaques in the inside and outside circles represents a ship and crew that suffered casualties during WWII. There are about 50 of those plaques and each one has the names of about 40 men who died. Incredible and sobering.

This is the memorial at Pearl Harbor placed in the harbor above the USS Arizona, which was destroyed and sunk during the invasion.

You can actually see the ship and to this day, oil still leaks up every minute or two from the ship's reserve below.

So the men decided to be men and do some deep sea fishing. Here we are at 5:00 am, waaay before 3 of us got seasick and barfed.

While fishing, some sharks approached the boat and one even came out of the water bearing its teeth JAWS style.

Taylor was the best. He wrestled with a 50 pounder for 20 minutes until the fish got off the hook just a close distance from the boat. Fighting these fish requires a LOT of strength.

Here's Chris' catch, a 20 lb Mahi-mahi. Gorgeous.

I managed to coax one on board, too.

We hit up the Poly Cultural Center and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. We saw a cool IMAX video, ate great food, and watched a cool cultural dance.

This says it all.

Thinking about Sam, her fiance'.

So the ladeez went on a tropical hike to a waterfall while the men did their fishing.

Hawaiiiiiiiiiiiiii

One of my favorite activities was snorkeling. The pictures I took underwater of Tim and I snorkeling with the turtles still need to be developed. Here's a cool one of Candace and a toytle.

As the purpose of the trip was to celebrate my Mom's 50th, we surprised her one night by having a bbq, eating cake with 50 candles, and telling Mom stories. We really had a good time telling stories.

What better way to celebrate a bday than by jumping out of an airplane? I did it when I turned 19 and my parents were out of town (hee-hee). Surprisingly, Mom spearheaded the idea of skydiving while in Hawaii. Sure enough, people went through with it!

Yes, that IS my mom in the back celebrating a safe landing.

That's the face you make when you cheat death when your wife is expecting.

That's the face you make when the pilot lets you tag along and then takes you for flips, spins, and nose dives after everyone has jumped out of the plane but you.

I love this picture.

People won't stop talking about this Matsumoto's place. It has a huge line out the door all the time cuz it's Shave Ice is unbelievable. I thought "that's ridiculous, shaved ice isn't worth a 30 minute wait"...

...but it was!

Its THAT good. Bubby says so.

Something not so good is coconut milk.

Just ask Chief.

On Sunday, we visited the Hawaiian temple which was under construction at the time. That's why its not all pearly white like usual.

Families are Forever.

and ever.

and EVER.

Hawaii, I love you...

...Not enough to live with you, but enough to visit every once in a while.

Special thanks:

Mom & Dad for making this vacation possible, but more importantly for living through easy and hard times together for 30 years. My parents have been a great example to me and others of faith, sacrifice, obedience, love, and charity. We love you.