Aloha!

In mid-April, we had the opportunity to go to Hawaii for the first time! We had an amazing time in Oahu. We were able to find inexpensive tickets before the fuel prices went up, so we were on our way. We took the boys with us and meet up with my parents. We stayed in Ko Olina, which is on the west side of the island. It is much more secluded and away from all the busyness of the island. We spent a week there and enjoyed many of the activities the island had to offer. We went to Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, waters of Ko Olina, North Shore, Shark's Cove, Waikiki, and hiking at a waterfall aw well as snorkeling nearby We had a week full of fun in the sun and to top it off it was Bryan's birthday and Easter!  (I separated our Hawaii trip into 3 posts; this first post, then a second post about the last half, and family pictures)

 The kids were absolutely wonderful on the plane, we just wished they would have slept. But despite no sleep, we were able to keep them entertained without electronics, just toys, food and walking on the plane.

Getting their shell leis at the airport

Carson is ready for the beach straight off of the plane

Enjoying the beautiful lagoon and warm water

Carson & Grandpa playing at the beach

Getting ready for a swim

Instead of chasing seagulls, Carson was chasing these birds and Brazilian Red Cardinals.

Loving our first day in Hawaii

After the beach, we headed for the pools. The resort we stayed at had 4 different pools, which were beautiful, and countless spas too. The kids liked the beach entry pool and we liked the pool with the waterfall/cave. Bryan even enjoyed the waterslide.

 Our first full day in Hawaii, so Day 2. We went to Pearl Harbor followed by an afternoon at the beach. My parents watched Carson while we took Colby to Pearl Harbor. It was interesting to hear him talk about what happen there from watching the films and touring the ships.

At the entrance to the Pearl Harbor Visitor's Center. They just added onto it in December.

Bryan next to 1 of 3 anchors on the USS Arizona.

Missiles

Inside a museum about the submarine. Bryan and Colby checking out the controls.

We have a number of pictures standing at signs like this one, which is new for us. The Cross Roads of the Pacific. 

After taking a short boat ride across the way, we were able to tour the USS Arizona Memorial. It was amazing how the ship still leaked fuel and you could smell it. It was pretty real to Colby seeing the ship in the water after watching a film on Pearl Harbor, and trying to understanding how their are still bodies inside the ship which is sunken.

We toured this ship, USS Missouri. Bryan had never been on a battleship and absolutely loved the experience of it.

This is 1 of 25 copies of the Declaration of Independence. It had to be on display for only 2 days in Hawaii, we were lucky to see it while we were there.

Onboard the USS Bowfin, a submarine. The boys first time on a sub too!

Colby was surprised by their little doors.

Bryan getting a close look at the sleeping area for the submarine. There is no way he would be able to fit in these beds or bathrooms, talk about tight spaces!

One of the guns on top of the sub

Getting ready for our tour of the Battleship Missouri!

This spot memorialized where the peace treaty was signed on the Missouri ending the deadliest war in history.

Shooting one of the guns on the battleship. Bryan's favorite part of the ship was learning about the variety of weapons and firepower the ship had everything from tomahawk missiles to a machine gun which could fire satellites bound weapons out of the sky.

After Pearl Harbor, back at the beach. This is our cute happy boy loving every minute at the beach. He would splash around loving the water and the sand. Colby is behind him on a boggie board.

Colby riding his "surfboard" as he called it.

Carson's favorite beach toy, torpedo

Ready for the pools! We loved the surrounding gardens/plants at the resort.

Colby at the pool with a cave, waterfalls, and a waterslide.

Bryan and Carson enjoying the spa, which was lukewarm for little kids. The one directly above was much warmer.

Day 3 in Hawaii: We fed the fish, played at the beach and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Everyday the resort had a variety of activities. Each morning you could feed the fish in the lagoon. One morning we did just that. After Colby saw the huge fish, he wasn't about to get in the water anymore and Carson could care less he just wanted to chase the birds.

This video is of Carson playing in the water. He was excited every time he got into the ocean.

Feeding the fish at the shore. It was amazing how they knew each day it was time for their "breakfast" because they would be circling the shore ready to eat.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center. Bryan compared it to a lesser version of Disney's Epcot.

Here is a video of Colby learning a dance in Tahiti.

Riding a canoe across the park. They had various "islands" you could go and explore the various traditions, cultures, and food.

The boat parade, the Tahitian dancers

The Aotearoa, New Zealand, dancers

On the island of "New Zealand" their was an awesome performance of the haka dance, here is the video of it. Bryan's favorite part of the shows.

Colby with his weaved fish from a palm tree. So he didn't make this fish because he decided when it was time to leave he wanted to make a fish, but the activity was no longer going so Bryan and Colby searched all over the park for a fish left behind and luckily they found one. Now he wants us to teach him how to make one since we have palm trees at home. As well, we are to learn how to make hats and baskets too!

This picture is for our New Zealand friend.

Colby with a Tahiti performer. Colby had a "tattoo" stamped on his arm like the native culture does. He was excited for his "waterstamp" as he called it, since he knew it would wash off.

The beautiful park

Carson and Bryan enjoying the delicious food at the park. They both liked the Kalua pork and pineapple.

At the end of our day at the park, we took a tram ride which toured BYU Hawaii and the Laie Hawaii Temple.  The temple was rededicated in November so we were able to see the new exterior.

Colby stuck this plumeria flower he found on the ground of the temple in my hair.

the fountain at the entrance to the temple grounds

Our family in front of the Laie Hawaii Temple.

Colby wearing the glowing glasses that grandpa bought him at the park. Thanks grandma and grandpa we had a great day at the cultural center and learning about the different islands and their history.

Carson loved the feathers on the rattles.
Second half of the trip to come...