Hawaii 2012

Beaches...my vacation "must see!"  Bryant's was Pearl Harbor and we were able to get plenty of time at all locations!

Mauna Kea, HI

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Ford Island-USS Missouri

The ship was amazing!  "Big Mo" was the last battleship built by the United States, and was the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan which ended World War II.

Checking things out

The guns on the ship were HUGE!

Pacific Aviation Museum

Arizona Memorial

It was so eerie to boat out to this monument knowing that we would be standing on the graves of so many brave military men.  It was such an honor to visit this historical site.  We didn't know until entering the memorial that those that USS Arizona sailors that survived the Pearl Harbor attack have been interred with their shipmates after they died many years later.

USS Bowfin submarine

I can't imagine being underwater in one of these.  Claustrophobia began to take over at the thought...

Submarine missle

Heading out to the Arizona Memorial

Brainerd High School's choir had been there earlier and left these flowers at the memorial wall...it was good to see Minnesotan's honoring those lost in the war.

The memorial was beautiful, however looking down into the water and seeing the ship was very sad.

Waipio Valley

Valley of the Kings

At the lookout before our hike down to the beach...it was crazy!

They say if this "road" was classified as a road it would be the steepest in America!

I might not have run a 5K yet, but I feel pretty accomplished having climbed back up this "road!"

The waterfalls and beaches made our trek worthwhile!

Pololu Valley...we enjoyed the sites from the top lookout ONLY-this time around!

The sunsets were beautiful!

Sea Turtles

My honey! :) 

 It was so nice for the two of us to spend some real quality time together.  We do have a good time, even without the kiddos! :)

Waikola Beach Marriott, Hawaii

We were so lucky to have sunshine and wonderful weather.  We had a car, so we were able to take many adventures around the island.  If we ever go again we'll be sure to get 4-wheel drive, so we can check out some more out of the way beaches.  We truly couldn't have asked for a better time, and we feel very fortunate that we were able to get a way together. 

We send a HUGE thank you to our wonderful friends who watched, entertained, and kept our boys safe while we were a way!  They had a blast!

Thank you, Kelly, Jerry, Larkin, Bennett, Alex, and Mason for taking the "first watch!"

Thanks you, Missy, Steve, Austin, Blake, and Brooke for taking the "second watch!"