Well as you can tell we can't stay away. One year at the Marriott Ko Olina Resort and we are hooked. The Resort is in a nicer part of the island only grouped with a few of the finest Resorts, and the calming man made coves are a great place to relax. Every year we consider a new island, but we always resort back to this one. The Resort has become home, feeling like we had just left upon our return. It's familiar, and our family likes familiar. We like returning to things we enjoy and feeling comfortable wherever we go. Traditions are big with us, and this place has become a tradition. Of course, we fooled the kids into thinking this tradition would not happen this year. We complained the tickets were too expensive, which they were on the airline we normally take to Hawaii, but I was able to find some reasonable prices with a competitor. However, we didn't share that information with the kids. We went with the story that Hawaii would not be happening. Aubrie started cluing in the night before we left, when I was having everyone gather all their liquids in one Ziploc bag, and she started putting two and two together as she noticed that we were taking the same amount of luggage we always take with us to Hawaii. I tried throwing them off by having them only pack four outfits. And when she insisted we were going I reminded her that we weren't packing enough, and that she was making us feel bad that we could only take them to California. The next morning as we were driving under the tunnel by 7th street Aubrie knew we were going to the airport. They were thrown off that our flight was on a different airline and the tickets destination was LA. When we got to LA instead of going to baggage claim we ended up at the gate for Hawaii. They were all very excited, but of course kept saying "Oh, I knew it all along!"
This year was super relaxing. The first year we wanted to take the kids everywhere, the second time we felt like we needed to take the McGees everywhere. This year we weren't slaves to schedules and didn't feel like we had to be anywhere. We just did things that seemed fun to us at the time. It was great! It allowed for things like running early in the morning with Boston along the beach and seeing a seal, exploring the Disney Resort, Sophia being able to feed the fish and enjoy Resort activities like the Mermaid reading, and going up to the third floor for ping pong and pool. My most favorite thing was just being able to relax in the lounge chair not feeling like we needed to be anywhere. I also enjoyed our lazy nights playing card games and watching TV. There were only a few things we were committed to. We found out the day before we left that some friends of ours from the ward, the Snows, were there also. We already planned on church, so we met them for church, and we ended making a day of it..walking over to the temple after church and then hanging at the house they rented on the north shore. It was a nice relaxing way to spend the Sabbath. We also were able to meet up with Megan. She is finishing her schooling there. It was great to see her. We took her out to Dukes one night, and then took her with us to Hanauma Bay another day. She had never been and it was one of the things on her Hawaii bucket list, so we were happy to be able to take her along. Because it was such a chill trip it seemed so long. Usually when we leave I'm longing for a few extra days. When it was time to go this year, we all felt ready to go. Not because we wanted to, but because we felt satisfied with the time we had there. Eight days is a great amount of time to spend in paradise!! I'm grateful that we have had the opportunity to make it once again. It really is something I look the most forward to doing with my family.
My seat buddy for leg one....still thinks we are going to California!:)
Ben told them we were celebrating 4 birthdays and an anniversary. This was in our room, along with champagne glasses and champagne...which obviously was never opened. 
The view from our room. Ben surprised me with an Ocean View. LOVED it!
The view from our room. Ben surprised me with an Ocean View. LOVED it! 
First Day Spent Relaxing at the resort, and making a trip up North for Giovanni's shrimp and a Teds Bakery Pie!
Never tried the roasted corn until now. A definite must from now on!
Saturday night at Dukes. My Favorite dish, besides the dessert. The kids love the Buffet!
Hanauma Bay. Windy and Rainy at first, then perfect laying out weather. Visibility and current too strong to go beyond the reef, but Sophias first time to snorkel and see the fish....she was so excited.
Resort Activities. They were all looking forward to another shot at the hulu hooping title. Also we added Tahitian dancing this year. That was fun! Aubrie wouldn't let a boot keep her down!
Boston Hawaii selfie!
Kumon goes with us everywhere!
Last snow cone on the last day in paradise. The worker gave us each a free snow cone, since he knew us so well by the end of the trip. All the workers new us by name between checking out basket and volleyballs for the pool, and ordering endless amounts of shaved ice...the only place we got them on the island this time. We all agree Marriots are the best on the island!
This is what I have to leave:(
What our family does with a 4:30 am layover in San Francisco! 
0 comments:
Post a Comment