Lanikai Beach

Our next outing was to Lanikai Beach which is supposed to be one of the top beaches in the world. Now I really only know San Diego beaches as comparison, but this beach really was amazing. The water was crystal clear. The sand was fine, soft and reasonably cool. It was very clean - both water and sand. And best of all, it was hardly crowded. We saw a crab and a little fish right near shore so the kids could marvel at them too. The drive there was pretty scenic as well going through what seemed like a rain forest and driving through a tunnel that goes through the mountains.

Not pictured below is our ocean kayak adventure! It was Kyle and Emily's first time in a kayak on the ocean. They've done kayaking in a harbor before, but weren't allowed on the ocean. It was also Jadon & Brennan's first kayak experience and Brennan was so excited by it he fell asleep within 5 minutes of starting. We attempted to paddle out to the twin islands which look pretty close and actually are, but were thwarted by increasingly strong waves as well as a rocky reef that mandated a round about way, into the waves to reach the islands. Needless to say, we weren't going to risk falling out (we were wearing life jackets) or getting pummeled by the waves to reach the island. So we had a nice paddle and turned around.

Kyle with one of the twin islands in the background

The twin islands - Mokulua

Me 'holding' the Twin Islands

The twins with the twin islands behind them.

Snorkelers at Lanikai

After the kayak adventure, it was nap time. Brennan continued his nap from the kayak. There was a little hut already constructed that served as his napping tent.

Sleepy Brennan in his hut

Kyle & Emily napping with shade structures constructed by Daddy. Very Survivor-ish!

Jeff enjoying his book during nap time

Bird pirate

What an interesting night in Waikiki... Street performers are in every city! Hawaiian cities are no exception! We crossed paths with a bird pirate.

Jadon, Emily & Kyle holding the bird. They were hesitant at first, but then obliged. And the bird didn't even move

Stephanie, Brennan, Eric & Jadon with the birds. Brennan wasn't so happy about this.

Jeff, me, Emily & Kyle with the birds before the bird Kyle & Emily were holding fell. *Note the bird was okay after his short fall.

He really looked like a pirate! If I remember correctly, he even was missing a few teeth like a pirate too.

Diamond head

Our first outing in Hawaii was to the other end of the island to hike Diamond Head. My friend BJ, who grew up on Oahu, said it is a tough hike for the kids because it gets quite steep and has many stairs, but has an amazing view from the top. Even with 3 four year olds and an 1.5 year old, we were determined to do it! And we did! Stephanie had the hardest job, carrying Brennan on her back the whole way!

Jeff holding Brennan's hand for the initial, flat walk with Kyle looking on

The triplets - Kyle, Jadon & Emily

The four of us about mid-way up. Beautiful ocean view from there.

Emily & Kyle resting

Jadon posing mid-way up

Beautiful ocean

Inside the crater

At the top, but not the very top. About 10 steps below the top.

Jadon, Stephanie & Brennan. Stephanie had Brennan on her back for the hike up! Amazing!

Kyle at the TOP!

Emily at the TOP!

Jeff & Kyle at the top, overlooking Waikiki

Emily & Jadon on one of the stairwells down. Loads of stairs!

A dark tunnel - Kyle didn't like the dark so much, but thank goodness for the iPhone brightest flashlight app!

More stairs

Yet more stairs

Stephanie, Brennan & Jadon coming down the stairs

Emily & Jadon walking the winding path

 

Kyle post wipe-out. He was running with Emily & Jadon down the winding path and wiped out hard and really scraped up his left knee. He was quite a trooper though and didn't fuss too much, just wanted to be carried so his leg wouldn't hurt.

Another dark tunnel

A well deserved treat of shaved ice upon making it back down!

Cuties on the beach

Our hotel had a great little beach right behind it. I think it was part of lagoon 1 or 3. While the water wasn't as warm as we'd all like, once we got used to it, the swimming was good. Emily was very proud of being able to swim in the ocean with Daddy. She has become quite a little fish. They went swimming out in the lagoon and Emily saw a turtle. And we all saw some little tiny fish swimming near the shore.

Kyle, Jadon & Emily chillin' in the (warm) sand

Luau

Our first night in Oahu, we went to a luau at the hotel. Emily was excited to wear her new rainbow dress and Kyle is monkey wearing shorts that he's wearing outfit.

Everyone at the luau

Kyle intently watching the luau and fire dancers

Kyle & Mommy. Emily and Daddy left early because Emily was too tired to stay and watch any longer - those were Emily's words, not ours!

Kyle shielding his ears from the fireworks, but still loving the show

Fire dancers

Fireworks

Kyle standing next to the Pro Bowl trophy.

Off to Hawaii!

And we're off to Hawaii! Nothing like the comfortable seats of an airplane to sleep in... better when you're four years old, but still not that comfortable. One instance where it is about the end result and not the journey there.

Stitch!

The kids and I went to Disneyland today for our "something fun". Actually, we went to California Adventure as we had not been there for several years. And we were very lucky to see Handy Manny and Stitch!! Stitch is my favorite and he was great to pose for a picture with us. Maybe we'll see him in his home state of Hawaii too!

Monkey bars

Look who can do the monkey bars!! Emily has been able to hang on the monkey bars for a long time now and even reach for the other bars and would do them with help, but was hesitant to do them by herself.  But a little girl who was 6 showed her how it was done and that was just enough of a boost of confidence that Emily needed.  So she tried it and was successful!  It was great to see how proud she was of her accomplishment. She wanted to keep on doing the monkey bars even though her little arms were so tired. 

So here is a video of her doing them again with some tired arms. Great job Emily!