Hawaii

Over the first weekend in April, my in-laws decided that they were going to use their Disney Vacation Club points and take the entire family to the brand new Aulani Disney Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii in May.  It was a pretty last minute trip decision, but no one could complain when it came to a nice vacation in Hawaii.  We were so excited!  We left Wednesday, May 2 and arrived on Oahu around noon.  We had time to check out the hotel and get acquainted with all that it had to offer including its pools, beach, lazy river and splash pad.  It was amazing!

The kids got lei-ed upon arrival at the Honolulu airport.

The Aulani Disney Resort

Alex doing his sexy pool pose.

Like father, like son.

Kambria found her best friend Morgan again.

When the kids slept....they slept HARD!

On Thursday we traveled to the North Shore where we checked out the Laie, Hawaii Temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We were at the PCC for 7 hours!  It was a LONG day there, but the kids did surprisingly fantastic considering they were jet lagged.  At first Delson was scared of the Polynesian men because of their face makeup and their shouting, chanting and stomping, but by the end of the day, he was into it.  He especially LOVED the night show, "Ha: Breath of Life," and the fire throwing demonstration.  

In front of the beautiful Laie, Hawaii Temple.

The girls watching the show together.

The dads making the kids some fun fish to keep them entertained.

The kids patiently waiting, except Gemma was angry.

Playing the stick game.

Del had all the girls get airbrush tattoos.  Check out some of our sweet wedge shoes.  I'm in the middle with the palm tree tattoo and my shoes probably add 6" to my height.  They are SWEET!

On Friday we had a great day playing at the pool and the beach.  Delson is a FISH and loves to put his head under the water all the time.  Kambria mostly enjoyed playing in the sand and just dipping her toes in the water.  Friday night, Del and Daneen were SO generous to watch all 4 of the grandkids so that the adults could go out for a night on the town.  We went to a yummy authentic Hawaiian restaurant, Highway Inn, that had been featured on Food Network's, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and the food was fantastic!  Then we headed to downtown Waikiki for some shopping and walking along the beach.  It was a GREAT night out for all the adult siblings!  

The fish!  Delson figured out he could see his toes while under the water, so Del bought him some goggles and he LOVED them.  He would throw a penny into the pool over and over and go under to get it.  

Playing in the sand.

Delson and Gemma sitting in the hot tub.

At the Highway Inn for dinner.

In Waikiki.  From the left: Jessica, Damon, Dean, Sarah, Alex, me, Dexter, Morgan, Dallon.

Doesn't he look thrilled to be shopping?

On Saturday we all went to the famous flea market at the Aloha Stadium.  We found some really beautiful Hawaiian made jewelry, purses, ukuleles and other trinkets to bring home.  For lunch, we drove to the Dole Plantation where we checked out some pineapple plants and bought some yummy pineapple treats.  

At the flea market.

Sarah and I scoured the flea market together for jewelry while the guys went ahead with the kids.  It was SO nice to leisurely look for some beautiful jewelry!

The kids playing with their flea market toys.  The boys are playing with a truck and the girls are talking on their cell phones.  Too CUTE!

At the Dole Plantation.

Did you know that pineapple plants only bear 1 pineapple at a time and that only 3 pineapples can be harvested from that plant in its short 4 year life?  Crazy!

Sunday, we attended sacrament meeting and for lunch we went to a great place where I ordered Macadamia nut pancakes.  Boy were they delicious!  Then we headed to Pearl Harbor where we were able to see some of the history of our great nation and learn about our involvement in WWII.  It was a very humbling experience and we were even able to go out and see the remains of the USS Arizona.  How grateful I am to all of those men and women who gave their lives for our country and the freedoms we enjoy.  

Me and my boy after church.

USS Arizona memorial collage

The family in front of the USS Bowfin Submarine.

We are standing at the USS Arizona Memorial.  You can see the battleship's remains directly behind us in the water.

The girls looking at the remains.

Alex, Braden, Delson and Dean looking at the battleship.

Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to spending lots of quality time on the beach and in the pool.  We had to get our tan on!  We had some great times in the sun!  

We met Goofy on our way to the pool.

Delson in the waves.

The girls in their matching swim suits trying to make sandcastles.

Dexter, Alex, and Sarah went out on a paddle board and Alex and Dallon kayaked.

All of the boys digging a giant hole for Dexter.

Mermaid Dexter.....HAHAHA.

Delson loved playing at the splash pad.

Late afternoon on Tuesday we also took some way overdue Christensen family pictures. 

Grandma with her 2 boys.

The silly family picture.

This isn't the greatest picture of our family, but it gives a nice view of our hotel in the background.  And Kambria looks cute.

Alex tackled me and Daneen caught it on camera.

Wednesday morning before we all headed to the airport, we had a Disney Character breakfast where the kids were able to meet and take pictures with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy.  They LOVED meeting them!  

Delson really loves Goofy, so he got 2 hugs from him.

We had an INCREDIBLE trip where we made some once in a lifetime family memories.  It was hard to leave and as soon as we stepped off the airplane in Seattle, even Delson looked up at me and said, "Mom, I want to go back to Hawaii."  Didn't we all!  Hopefully we will get to return someday in the future.  Thank you Del and Daneen for taking us!  This trip will NEVER be forgotten!