ALOHA HAWAII!!!

We spent last week in Hawaii (we flew over on Air Force cargo jets for free*).

Here's the C-5 that got us to Hawaii.
*Although Air Force space-available travel is a great adventure, it is highly unreliable and requires time, flexibility, endurance, luck, caffeine, and patience, especially when traveling with small children. You will always end up somewhere upon boarding an Air Force jet, but it may not be where you want to go, the amount of time you desire to be there, or with the same luggage that you came with. The most important rule of Space-A travel is C-5's always break.

Waimea beach.

Jenny and I went snorkeling after playing in the water with James for awhile. We took our time playing around in the shallow water, then passed James off to Mary Jane and put our snorkeling gear on. Just as soon as we put our faces in the water we saw a huge turtle swimming right towards us! Jenny started screaming under water and squeezing my hand. We had to move to get out of it's way and it touched my arm as it passed! We ended up seeing a lot of turtles. They come to the shore to bask in the sun... so do I.


Hawaii is called the rainbow state for a reason... and it has nothing to do with gay pride!

We had a good time at the Dole Plantation and we rode the Pineapple Express train. It's great having a 2-year-old so you get to do those really fun things and you can always say "hey, it's for the kid," but really you just want to do it.


The perfunctory picture in front of the Dole Plantation.



We tried our best to fit in with all the other tourists.


Aloha oi, aloha oi...


Check out those pineapples!


Gotsta have a Dole-whip!

World's coolest dad.

At the macadamia nut farm we ate as many nuts as we wanted. There were all different flavors and we could crack open our own with a rock. As you can tell it was intense.

James' favorite part.

That's a very mischievous look on your face! James always gets shifty eyes when he is about to cause trouble.

boogie.


We hiked to the top of Diamond Head and checked out the view. James hiked the whole way himself, he was like a celebrity up there, everyone loved him, but they probably thought I was a terrible dad for not carrying him, but he wouldn't let me... looks like I have a new hiking partner!


A view of a Navy Aircraft Carrier on the boat on the way to the U.S.S. Arizona.


The Pearl Harbor experience, especially the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, was very humbling. I have never felt more proud to live in this country and serve in the military.


Our last day on the beach.


The flight home.


Special thanks to:

Brandon and Hillary Hardy, it was great seeing you guys, thanks for everything!
John and Anne and Eden for letting us crash at your place in Laie!
Benny and the Jets... it was our Hawaii theme song.
The great Air Crews that let us hitch a ride on their jets!
and anyone else that made it this far on our blog post, thanks!!!


A few videos for your viewing pleasure:

It's great to be home in good old San Antonio: