Mele Kalikimaka

Each year at Christmastime, John and Alison have been so kind to invite us to be with their family at some exciting place in the world.  One year we were in France; last year in New Zealand and Australia; this year in Hawaii.  We were so excited when Kyle and Kim and their family were, also, able to come; plus, we invited my dad to come along, too.  We all had such a great time and only wished the rest of the family could been there, too.

Hawaii--a place of breath-taking scenery . . .

Beautiful sunsets . . .

Watching the grandkids have fun on the beach . . .

Where you can actually not be in a hurry and just enjoy each other's company . . .

Bug the grandkids . . .

Get to know each other better . . .

Hear about some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world . . .

See and feel (ouch!) strange sea creatures . . .

(After Jenna got a spine in her hand from picking it up, her mom pulls out the spine and then picks the prickly little guy up . . .)

(and walks him back to the ocean.  Yeh for Kim!  By the way, the hotel staff had her spray vinegar on the sting, but said urine was waaay better.  Jenna opted for the vinegar!  Hah!)

Watching the grandkids make fun sand sculptures . . .

Isn't Tyson just the cutest mermaid?

Seeing Brady's new skill--he is learning to swim!

Where the weather is always just right--not too hot, not too cold . . .

Enjoying the ultimate treat of coconut or pineapple ice cream inside the pineapple itself, or having a pina colata (virgin, of course!) . . .

Playing in the ultimate swimming pools . . .

Watching the coy fish which seem to be in every pond . . .

Marveling at every bush and flower . . .

Being amazed at how beautiful Christmas decorations can be, even when there is no snow!

Eating pizza together at the Flatbread Oven in Piae . . .

Playing with the Play Dough--which literally is dough--that they give to the children rather than color crayons . . .

Of course, Brady did his best BYU letters!  And we thought the dads were the ones obsessed with sports teams!  Hah!

Cousins having so much fun together . . .

Being in heaven having a shave ice . . .

and having a Grandpa try to "steal" it from you. 

Luckily Brady was a good sport and shared!

Laughing at the funny color the shave ice makes your tongue . . .

Enjoying the wildlife . . .

Seeing how coconuts actually grow . . .

Finding the place where the opening scenes of "Jurassic Park" were filmed . . .

Actually seeing a "Breadfruit tree" . . .

(I'd hate to have to live by "breadfruit alone."  These things are hard as rocks!)

Visiting the shops which included having a wonderful meal at Whaler's Village . . .

Of course the meal ended with one huge dessert with spoons for all . . .

Eating Japanese food at my favorite kinds of Japanese restaurant . .

where they cook it right in front of you. 

Observing how good George is getting with chop sticks.  I think he's getting his practice while going with some of the district people for lunch.  Teachers don't get time for such luxuries.  I want to go! 

Going downtown Lahaina and sitting under the third largest banyan tree in the world (largest in the U.S.) . . .

Taking little rests whenever anyone wanted to . . .

Eating every kind of shrimp you could think of at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company . . .

From the waitress giving you a quiz about "Forrest Gump" trivia, to little sayings all over, it is such an experience to eat there.  (Notice above my dad's head:  "Mama says you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes." 

Observing the cruise ships come in . . .

And, of course, ending the whole experience with an ice cream dessert.  (Luckily, I only ate one spoonful!  I am proud to report I only gained 1/2 pound on this trip!!!) 

Playing games in the condo . . .Carter was joining in to learn some of the Wilde tricks!

Standing in front of what remains of the old fort made out of coral--so sharp!

After returning to the old banyan tree at dusk, seeing all the little lights they had strung in it . . .

In addition,  hearing all the birds who came in the evenings to the old banyan tree for a get-together.  It was so loud, you could hardly talk above it!

Enjoying the skills of the many surfers.  On this day, about twenty little guys who were probably eight or ten were out there--no parent supervision.  They had probably been doing this since they could walk! 

Laughing at the Santa being pulled in his sleigh by dolphins.  It was really cute--however, I had to take it as we were driving by. 

Enjoying the spectacular view from John and Alison's condo window . . .

Watching some of the Hawaiian artisans at work . . .

Loving how happy the grandkids were when they went to Kids' Club and won lots of prizes . . .

And then realizing with sadness that it was our last day in Hawaii, Alison made it more tolerable by scheduling a whale watch.  It was fantastic!  (Waiting for our ship to come in!)

This was definitely a trick--you had to time it just right so the waves didn't douse you and get you wetter than just your lower pant legs!

The weather was spectacular, the ride was great, now we just had to find some whales!

And sure enough!  We saw quite a number of whales--here three were together.  We told the guide we had seen whales in Alaska in August.  He said they called Alaska the dining room because they go there to eat lots of fish, then they come south to Hawaii to the bedroom where they find their mates and have their young.  (I'm quoting the guide!!!)

We even saw a couple of dolphins . . .

Here a dolphin turns over and shows his white underside.

A very successful whale watch and a whole lot warmer than when we went in Alaska, but both just as interesting!

Yes, Hawaii was all of the above, but mostly a time for renewing family bonds and showing how much we all love each other.  Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful time we spent together!