Hawaiin Honeymoon

Ben got the opportunity to go to Hawaii for work this summer.  Since we never went on a honeymoon we figured this would be a great time to go on one and we worked it out so that I could spend a week there with him.  We dropped the kids off with Grandma and Grandpa Madsen and then we spent a week in Honolulu together.  Ben did have to work during the day but he was always off by early afternoon and he had the weekend off.  We had a great time exploring spots we hadn't seen before and also revisiting some favorites from last time.  I got to spend my days shopping, reading on the beach and eating out and I must say it was wonderful.    I hope that we get to go back someday.

I went to the Aquarium one day while Ben was at work.  It was a little weird to be the only adult there without kids but it was very enjoyable to be able to see as much or as little of the exibits as I wanted.

 

Ben and I went on a submarine that had windows so that we could see some sealife in its almost natural habitat.  I was really looking forward to it.

Here we are heading out to meet the sub. 

 

The local surfers spend a lot of time just hanging out in the water, waiting for the next big wave.

 

Here is where we loaded on the sub. 

Unfortunately, the water was very rough and I got very sick.

If you notice the guy in the background you will see he is giving me plenty of space.  This is because I had just thrown up my entire breakfast into a small bag and there was no garbage or bathroom on this tiny, cramped submarine.

Documentation that we were actually more than 100 feet below sea level.

This is on the sunset dinner cruise that was part of the submarine experience we had in the morning.  I did a lot better above water with the fresh air.

Our view of Diamond Head from the boat.

The sunset of our Sunset Dinner Cruise.

 

 

 The next day we went for a drive around the island. 

Our first stop was the temple. 

Here is one of the banyan trees on the grounds.

 

After the temple we drove around the rest of the island and ended with a great view of downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head.

 

 The last of my solo adventures was a trip to the zoo in Honolulu.  It was only a few blocks from our hotel.

 

 Our last adventure together was a traditional Hawaiin Luau.

We went to Germaine's Luau and had a really good time.  It was different from our luau experience the first time we were in Hawaii because there was alcohol involved this time and the party people that we rode the bus with were really enjoying themselves by the end of the night.  The food was good and the entertainment was fun.

 

 This was my last morning in paradise.

We had a great time and I hope to go back someday.

Chloe Turns 5

With Chloe turning the big 5 this year we had a big friend party.  We called it Pink and Purple Princess Pool Party.  We invited her primary class and their siblings to come and swim and make princess crafts and eat, you guess it, pink and purple cupcakes.  Everyone had a good time and Chloe loved having everyone come and celebrate with her.  We had to do it a week early because of the big trip we had planned for July and August.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She loved everything she got.

Chloe turned 5 on July 1, while we were driving across the country as fast as we could.  Dad even got pulled over that morning and Chloe gave us and the officer a little start by rolling down her window, just as the officer was getting ready to walk away, and announcing that today was her birthday.  You could tell he was pretty startled at first because it is not usually a good thing for the back window to come down when an officer stops someone, but after Chloe made her announcement he wished her a happy birthday and sent us on our way with just a warning to slow down. 

Chloe was very excited to get to celebrate part of her birthday in a hotel. 

She got Barbies,

mermaids,

and a unicorn!!!  Just like she always wanted.

We love our Little Sis.  She always sees the wonder and beauty in everything.  She goes into every situation believing that everyone is her friend and that usually turns out to be true because she is so friendly and loving.  We are so happy to have Chloe in our family.

We LOVE you CHLOE!!!