5-0

We had the amazing opportunity to take a family trip to Hawaii in February. We found airline tickets on Allegiant from Vegas to Honolulu for just $99 each way, so we really couldn't pass up the chance. Tyler's parents and the Bischoffs ended up coming too, so that made it all the more fun. Nancy found an amazing penthouse condo with enough rooms and beds for everyone. It was perfect. Really, that was almost my girls' favorite part of the whole trip! The weather was a little bit chilly and rainy at times, but I was just so happy to be there and cross Hawaii off my bucket list. I can't wait to go back to the other islands someday (one can dream, right?). We drove down to Vegas and spent a few hours there before we flew out. We spent lots of time at the beach, of course. Waikiki Beach was within walking distance of our hotel, which was awesome. We tried a few other beaches but they weren't as warm as Waikiki. Other things we did were the swap meet, Pearl Harbor, a catamaran/snorkeling adventure, Dole Plantation, Polynesian Cultural Center, a hike through a rainforest to a waterfall, and watching a surfing competition. I had a really hard time coming home to the freezing weather and crappy air of Utah.

Ada had to get a pic by the Eiffel Tower in Vegas

Cousins outside the Bellagio

Ada and Kate thought this dude was a statue. He freaked the heck out of Kate!

Getting ready to go

Chillin' at the condo

Not a bad view, eh?

The condo had plenty of beach equipment for everyone, among other things

We enjoyed a Chinese New Year celebration at a hotel near the beach

Cool tree outside the church

Church

The girls sporting their new Hawaiian dresses

Cousins at Pearl Harbor

Those who died

We saw lots of rainbows

Waikiki Beach

Posers

Dole Plantation

Outside the giant maze

Ellie had no fear of the snails

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Cute Ada near a pineapple plant

Tyler and I throwing spears in the Tongan section of the PCC

Fiji

More Fiji

Samoa. See the dude climbing the tree?

Pretty temple

Our catamaran. There were tons of spinner dolphins around the boat and we saw lots of sea turtles and fish while snorkeling

Our date night at a restaurant where you cook your own steak

Some famous dude. Forgot his name

I got lei'd for Valentine's Day!

Cousins on our hike

Beautiful waterfall

Children of the corn!

Couldn't resist this V-Day photo opportunity

Sweet Ly loves playing in the sand

Gorgeous sunset on the beach

Hibiscus

We drove to the top of the mountain a few times to enjoy some gorgeous views

Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore. Delish!

We saw fireworks from our balcony on our last night there

One last time at the beach

Chillin' at the airport since our flight was delayed like FOUR HOURS

The condo we stayed at

Flight home

Our flight home was not so great. Lyla cried and cried for much of the time and didn't get a lot of sleep. Besides the long delay, I left my phone on the plane. Luckily, it turned up in New York several weeks later and a kind woman found my mom's # in the phone and was able to send it back to me. Due to all the delays and our drive from Vegas to LaVerkin, Tyler and I didn't get to bed until after 6:00 AM! Despite that, it was a dream vacation and I would give anything to go back.