Aloha friends!

 

My family and I just returned from a wonderful seven day trip to Kauai,HI.

 

After experiencing an incredible family reunion last year with my biological Father, half sisters and brother I was really anxious to bring my family to Hawaii to meet them all.

 

I took over 1400 photos! Eek! However, I promise I will only share the highlights of the trip. 🙂

 

We stayed at the Waipouli Beach Resort. 

 

It had the most amazing accommodations and the BEST swimming pool which my children obviously loved most!

 

I was a SUPER long flight but Im really proud that my children did better than I expected. I was nervous that their might be some meltdowns. 

Vivi and Grant did great! Thanks to Delta Air Lines personal TV's in the headrest. They were able to watch cartoons the whole flight.

We spent our first night getting settled, unpacked, and rested up for our big week ahead.

 

Saturday we headed to Hanalei Bay to see my sister Kaiu and my father Keith.

 

 

 The kids were excited to meet Grandpa Keith.

 

We spent the day at the beach and later that evening went to my sisters Kuulei and Chris's house for a potluck birthday dinner party for Kuulei. 

 

 

So happy to see the girls again!

 

 

Vivi and Grant got to meet their cousins Makaia and Kamalei. 

 

 

We enjoyed some nice dinners out with the family.

 

Fruity Tropical Drinks Yum!!!

 

Precious!!!

 

On the 4th of July the family rounded up and spent the entire day at Anini Beach.

It's a small little beach near the North Shore.

Chris and Kuulei really know how to do it up at the beach. They thought of everything!

 

Tent, tables, chairs, grill, drinks and lots of yummy food.

Even a cute children's picnic table.

 

 

I took a ton of photos. Here a few fun ones.

 

Kaiu pulling the children around. The little boy behind Grant is her son Jaden.

 

 

 

Aaaaahh….the bluest sky!

 

My hubby the wannabe surfer. 🙂

 

 Trying to look cute and not fall. 

 

 

 

Water Babies

Hee! hee! Pretending to surf.

 

Baby Kamalei

 

With her Daddy

 

LOOK! I found WILSON!!!! LOL!!!

 

 Sister Love

 

 The girls and I got goofy and dorking around. We thought it would be fun to pretend they were Sports Illustrated models and I was the photographer taking rapid fast action shots.

I pray they don't kill me for posting these. hee! hee!

 

 

This shot of Kuulei rocks!!

 

 

 

Not only did we celebrate the 4th of July, but to our huge surprise we celebrated Chris proposing to Kuulei on the beach. 

 

It was the sweetest tender moment and Im so happy I could capture it!

 

 

So thrilled I had the chance to witness a this incredible moment!

Our 4th of July was truly a blessed day!

 

Leave it to me to wonder about town and discover the CUTEST Shabby Vintage Boutique called Serendipity.

I actually found the boutique last year, but unfortunately it was closed at the time. I was desperate to go back to check it out.

So one afternoon Curtis took the children to the pool and I went SHOPPING!!!

It was open and sooo inviting!

A shop after my own heart!

 

Even a cute mint bug was parked close by.

 

Awesome isn't it? The perfect beach car!

 

The shop owner Mona was not working that day but her lovely and gracious mother was very nice and helpful.

You can tell Mona put alot of love into the shop. It was amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

Dreamy vintage gowns!!! *sigh*

 

 

I noticed there were several inspiring magazines displayed around the boutique.

One of them caught my eye immediately!!!

 

O.M.G.!!!!

My home happens to be featured in this very issue!

What are the chances??

WOW!

I giggled and told Mona's mother that this was my home.

Pretty cool huh?

 

 

If you ever visit Kauai you MUST stop by Serendipity. It's full of the prettiest vintage treasures. Tell Mona I sent ya. 😉

 

 

 

One afternoon we took the sunset snorkel cruise to the Napali coast.

My sisters and I went last year and it was a blast!

 

 

 

One of the highlights of the cruise was seeing TONS of Sea Turtles. They were swimming all over, and several were camping out on the beach shores.

 

 

Kids had a ball swimming in the ocean. They went down the slide over and over again.

 

 

 

Makaia and Kaiu

 

Gorgeous Sunset

 

 

 

Towards the end our vacation I finally got to visit with my brother Kika.

We visited the Sushi restaurant he works at.

 

 

 

We had a fabulous lunch and he really hooked us up with his favorite sushi rolls.

 

Later that afternoon before we headed to the airport to fly home, we spent more family time together with Kika, his beautiful girlfriend Leann, and their precious baby girl Kelani.

 

 

Now for my little GRAND finale….

I saved the best photos for last.

I got REAL LUCKY!!!

These photos taken on the beach were not planned and very spontaneous. 

We had just finished having a family dinner and decided to take a walk on the beach.

 

These are the beautiful shots I captured.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a miracle that all the children smiled naturally at the camera. 

Beautiful and timeless….

 

 

 

What another amazing and memorable trip.

Family bonding and special quality time together. 

 

Now Im back to reality. Missing the low humidity weather, cool trade wind breezes, and laid back attitude.

 

I hope YOU are enjoying your summer as much as I am!!! 🙂

 

XOXO,