I can't believe that it has been over 6 weeks since my last Aloha Friday post. I'm so so so sorry. So this is going to be a SUPER long post with lots of unedited photos. And the photos that are edited and super gorgeous? Well, my awesome friend Henry took them while he was visiting us over fourth of July weekend. THANK YOU, HENRY!!!
1. Father's Day. Justin scored a brand new grill for Father's Day this year. It felt wrong to be in Hawaii without one so we went ahead and splurged. Here is Benjamin sitting on the grill before we starting cooking up some kalbi beef and char siu pork.
And here is Justin opening up the presents and gifts Charlotte made for Justin at school. And note the mustache. Yeah, it's gone now. :)
2. Bishop's Museum. This museum has an amazing collection of Hawaiian cultural and historical artifacts. There was also a traveling dinosaur exhibit when we visited that Charlotte was obsessed with. It's not huge but the dinosaurs move and make noises!!
3. The Hawaiian Railway Society - Train Ride. The Hawaiian Railway Society runs a historical train ride through Ewa Beach on Sundays. It was 90 minutes long which was a bit long for the me and the kids (since I was sans Justin). But Charlotte especially loved it and it has been on my Hawaiian bucket list for a long time.
4. Sea Life Park. This park is A LOT smaller than Sea World but it's perfect way to spend a few hours in the afternoon (especially at only $12/ person through MWR). Lots of dolphins and an amazing view of the islands and Makapu'ku Lighthouse!
5. High Tea at Moana Surfrider. I got to feel super classy with some fellow milspouses by having high tea at the Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel.
Of course, we first had to select a tea. You could choose to have it hot or iced. Simply because I wanted to drink out of a pretty tea cup, I choose hot.
We started with some beautiful sandwiches.
And then the scones and petites fours.
And here are my lovely friends. These women are amazing.
NOTE: From this point forth, the photos were taken by my friend Henry. He is ridiculously talented.
6. Fourth of July. We spent the fourth at home and wish my besties from college. Our neighbors are BBQ masters and so we did a cookout together. So fun!!! These photos are
7. Haleiwa. We drove up to the North Shore and spend the afternoon in Haleiwa with my friends for some awesome food. First we took a friend's suggestion to eat thai at Opal Thai. OMG - DELICIOUS!!!
And then since we up north, we HAD to stop by Matsumoto's for some shave ice!
8. Polynesian Cultural Center. We decided to try yet another luau and take Henry and Karen to the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center this time around. Our ticket included admission to the center too. We walked around for a bit but let's be serious, Charlotte was only interested in seeing the hula dancers. The food here was probably the worst out of the three luaus we have been to. But the theatre style show they had after dinner...AMAZING!
9. USS Missouri. I actually live on the island where the Mighty Mo is docked. It took me over 8 months to finally take a tour of this amazingly important battleship. Thanks for the excuse, Henry and Karen!
NOTE: Now we are back to my boring photos. But weren't Henry's amazing!?!?!?
10. Sesame Street Live. I then took Charlotte to Sesame Street Live with one of her best friends. She asked to go home at intermission. LOL! But afterwards, couldn't stop talking about the show!
11. Lunch at Roys Ko Olina. For my birthday, we went out to lunch at Roy's in Ko'Olina. It was nice to feel classy for just a bit even with the kids around. Charlotte loved eating at the "fancy resturant."
12. ArtFest. We spent the afternoon with S and E at artfest and I'm so glad we did! There were so many activities for the kids to make their own artwork or instruments. Awesome day!
13. Hale Koa. And finally we spent the afternoon in Waikiki at the Hale Koa poolside. Charlotte got to play with her new floatie ring. It was also great to catch up with Chris for a bit while he was in town.
