Aloha Winds

On Monday we woke up to some pretty fierce wind.

This was not on our agenda.

Didn't mother nature know we were in town?

But as my adorable m.i.l. put it -

we were not going to let a little wind ruin our vaca.

And it actually turned out to be one of my favorite days of the trip.

Half of the crew took the "quick route" to the north shore

 to hit up the Polynesian Cultural Center and a round of golf.

My sister-in-law Katie served a mission at the PCC and Temple Visitors Center.

Can you imagine a better mission?

The other half of us took our time - winding around the eastern shore of the island.

It took us 3 hours to get to the LDS Temple from Ko Olina.

But we didn't mind.

We wound up through some of the most incredible roads and saw some stunning beaches.

We got out at several places to check out the beautiful turquoise waters.

We found a little coconut shack and Ann was so excited to get one.

For some reason we were all expecting this little guy to be filled with a sweet pina colada drink.

Wrong-o!

Lesson #1 in Hawaii life.

Coconut water is not good.

We laughed about it for a good hour.

 We met up with the rest of the crew at the Temple and temple beach.

Isn't it stunning?

Still can't believe we were there.

Lucky, lucky are we.

I can't get over how rural the northern part of the island is.

Now that is the real beach life.

Then it was off to the PCC where we saw the fire show -

Ha: Breath of Life.

Loved.every.second.

Sure, its the touristy thing to do.

But it's definitely something you need to see at least once.

I was thrilled we were able to go.

We piled in the car and headed back home.

It was the first time I have taken any sort of "road trip" with the Barkers.

And it made me feel right at home.

Mom nodding off in the front seat, kids piled in the back, jamming out at first -

then poking and prodding at each other 

and then zonked by the end.

One successful family outing.