We had been counting down the days until our trip to Hawaii!!!!
The day finally came and we were all READY!!!!
Another surprise for the Schneiders....
We were flying FIRST CLASS!!!!!!
A first for all of us....
After eating and drinking our way to the island, we piled into the mini van and headed north to Waikoloa!
Poor Annalise wasn't feeling so great, but we had dinner reservations at Geoff and Robin's favorite restaurant and thought we'd take a chance.
It's an AMAZING place....sand in your toes and a fantastic sunset!
Didn't last long....had a bit of a barf fest before our food even got to the table!
I walked Annalise back to the condo and put her to bed.
She was super worried she was going to be sick the entire trip....in fact, before she went to bed she cried
"I don't want to miss Hawaii". Poor kid.
However....the Hawaiian spirits must have been listening...she woke up at about 2 a.m. feeling totally fine.
Phew!!!! Dodged a bullet....Hawaii was saved!
Our condo was awesome....
And we spent lots of time at the pool!
We took a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook. It was so fun! We went on a catamaran called the Fairwind 2! Lots of cool parrot fish and even an eel showed up for us to see.
Not a lot of pictures....didn't want the phone to die with all the water!
We did a "do-over" at Lava Lava. Wow.
We could get used to this!!!
The girls were really looking forward to their day at Dolphin Quest.
As soon as they found out we would be going back to Waikoloa, they started saving their money to pay for time swimming with the dolphins.
We headed over to the Hilton to get the day started.
Annalise loved that this bird in the lobby was named Chelsea (same as her 2nd grade teacher!)
They weren't quite sure what to expect when we arrived.
They got into their group and got the run down on their time with the dolphin.
Getting to know each other....
A deep water swim.
And up close....
All the dollars saved were well worth it!
The smiles on their faces were priceless! Swimming and interacting with the dolphins was not only a highlight of our trip, but something they will both remember forever!
The 4th of July was spent playing at the Hilton lagoon and pool!
Not a bad view for the day!
A 4th of July BBQ on the lanai....
Annalise called in some feral cats while we were in Hawaii.
They would come and meow below the deck.
She even named them....
Mufasa
and Bon Bon
We were able see the fireworks from our pool at the condo.
Geoff didn't even get out of the water!
Another day we spent visiting Hapuna Beach. The ultimate Hawaiian white sandy beach!
It was so lovely....body surfing, snorkeling and loving being in the sand and water!
Look at that water!!!! Ahhhhhh.
Being back at Waikoloa meant that we needed another trip to KPC (Kamuela Provision Company).
We took another family picture....
What a difference 6 years makes!
The dinner was the same.
AMAZING!!!!
This place is so cool!
Another beautiful sunset dinner....
We had a lovely after-dinner stroll through the Hilton.
Avery and Robin needed a nap....
Our second to last day we spent a couple of hours at a lei making class.
It was so cool hearing the traditions and stories in the Hawaiian Cultural Center.
More exploring in the Hilton, too!
We did dinner at Imari Teppanyaki.
Yum!
A lovely sunset and sunset boat ride.
Check out the creeper lady. She was filming a selfie-stick video most of the ride.
Just paused long enough to creep our picture.
Our last day was spent hanging out at the pool.
We went for one last trip to the Hilton and the girls both tried a "SNUBA" trial in the pool.
Then our last dinner just had to be at Lava Lava.
Our happy place.
A sea turtle even pulled in to hear the music and watch the dinner show!!
What a great trip.
We feel refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to begin a whole new chapter in our lives.
Aloha Hawaii.
Mahalo.
