Ahhhhhhh, Hawaii!!

It was obvious we were dreaming of having a Christmas Hawaiian vacation since all of us accepted the "most economical, but not so direct way of getting there" plane tickets.  In short, our flight itinerary was by far the LONGEST flight time we have ever endured--which basically took us literally from one side of the world to the other (over 24 hours to be exact).  The only perk about it, was being layed over in Los Angeles for 8 hours, and having a chance to see and visit with John's sister, Bethany and Chad, and their 3 darling kids who live there!  After that, it was back on the airplane for yet another flight.......soooo tiring, sooo long, but OHHHHH soooo worth it once we arrived!!

How quickly we have tried to forget the long journey, but what we choose to never forget was our favorite memories about HAWAII!!....Here are just a few responses from some very satisfied vacationers....

perfect weather, gorgeous scenery, amazing beaches, watching surfers,  family bonding, visiting the Castles',  Settler's of Catan game nights, three generation uniting, Polynesian Cultural Center (minus the drama part of briefly losing our Preston boy!), pineapple ice cream, sandcastle making, whale watching, golfing and more golfing, shaved ice, Carter, Jenna and Brady (and Kim and Kyle of course), Rook challenges from Papa, scuba diving, theater movies and popcorn, Papa, Grandma, and Great Grandpa Rigby, Pearl Harbor, American candy/food,  Mele Kalikimaka song being played non-stop, fabulous date nights, fresh leis, spotting Jack Sparrow's Black Pearl, speaking English everywhere!, Preston overcoming beach fright, Mc D's breakfast Mc Muffins, 4 brothers' bedroom sharing,  Parker's beach body, fresh pineapple,  Marriott Maui Beach Club, pirate ship waterslides, football watching, body surfing, non-stop hysterical moments, snorkeling, and.......finally receiving a call from the airlines that our missing suitcase with ALL our Christmas fun had been successfully found and delivered!!!

FAVORITES IN OAHU

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

 

 DOLE PLANTATION

 

 

 

 BEACH FUN

 

 CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CASTLES'

 

 

CHRISTMAS MORNING

 (SANTA EVEN FINDS US IN HAWAII)

 PEARL HARBOR

 "THE BLACK PEARL"

HANAUMA BAY

 FAVORITES IN MAUI

 

 

 

 WHALE WATCHING

GOLFING

 

 

 

Hawaii was even more perfect with Grandma and Grandpa Copeland AND Great Grandpa Rigby! How we will always cherish these times together--thanks for always being willing to meet us ANYWHERE in the world Papa and Grandma!

 

 

  

 

And about that plane ride on the way home.....was it any shorter?  No!  But, are we ready to head back to Hawaii next year.....ABSOLUTELY!!  So, until next year, we will keep dreaming of vacations in fabulous Hawaii ........