Aloha Oahu

Josh and I have been saving our money for a vacation for a while and after long negotiations and discussion we decided that Hawaii would be our destination. After further discussion and weighing logistics, Oahu became our island of choice. The adventurous side of both of us REALLY wanted to go to the Big Island, neither one of us have been there before and there is so much about that island that appeals to us. We went to Maui on our honeymoon and while we weren't opposed at all to going back there, it ranked lower on our list. Kaui was mildly interesting to us as was Oahu. Oahu is however, the easiest island to get to from San Francisco. Our biggest determining factors were price of ticket and how many stops we would have to make. As airlines have cut down their services it is increasingly difficult to get to an island directly. For example, to fly to the Big Island, we had to make at least one stop, sometimes two (one of the stops was in Salt Lake City...uh I'm not going east before I go west). So...Oahu it was. As Claire gets older and we aren't worrying about how a baby is going to do with multiple stops, perhaps we'll be more adventurous.

Next on the checklist was where to stay. I found some great vacation packages courtesy of my old friend expedia (used it to book our honeymoon). Upon further research and a HUGE tip from my mom, I looked into VRBO.com ****warning**** this sight is super addictive so browse at your own risk. It stands for vacation rental by owner. You can find a place to stay just about anywhere in the world on this sight. I loved it. We found a little one bedroom condo to stay in a lesser touristed part of the island. The place was exactly as it had been described on the internet. It was like 30 yards from the ocean - on the beach. Sunset pictures in previous posts were taken from our lanai. Let me put it to you this way, we had to turn up the radio or TV to hear it over the crashing of the waves - heaven. The lady who we rented the place from even found us a pack n play to use while we were there so we didn't have to lug Claire's across the pacific.

Get this, our fullsize rental car was $95 for the entire week. Yep, $95. To give you perspective, I even had a discount for Las Vegas and our rental car there was $80. The rental car we arranged through priceline and what a deal it was.

The final detail of the trip, who do we trust to take care of our other "child", Lola. She was a serious consideration in arranging this whole trip. A dear woman that Josh works with allows Lola to hang out at her house and run around with her dog Katie two days a week and she graciously took care of Lola for the week.

So, after a couple months of preparation we were off.



We arrived on Oahu at 11:20 in the morning. Plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day on the island. After retrieving our luggage and picking up the rental car we were off. We spent a little of the afternoon at the beach, showing Claire what the warm part of the pacific ocean felt like. Josh even got in a little snorkeling.

Ocean & Crater

We have experienced many more firsts with Claire on this trip. Its very very different vacationing with a baby but we are so blessed and thankful for the way Claire has traveled with us. Claire and Josh at the Ko Olina Lagoon, a perfect place for a baby to experience the ocean for the first time.

Sporting her UVF protected hat and all sunscreened up, Claire checks out the ocean.

The trail to Diamond head...here we go.
I thought I was going for a hike not using the stairmaster, oh well. no turning back now.

The view makes all those stairs worth it.

Josh taking a dip at Kailua beach.

Another breathtaking sunset, I could get really used to this.

an early morning

We've been on a pretty early schedule all week long. The other morning we took advantage of the early hour and strolled along the beach. A lovely way to start the day if you ask me.
Smith Family footprints (Josh - right, Jen - left and Claire above us)Claire and Josh enjoying the view first thing in the morning.Family portrait.C
Claire's first canoe right, at the Polynesian cultural center, doesn't she look so happy about it?

Claire and Josh cooling off in the shade during Hawaii show.

Paradise

Our internet connection is a little slow. I'll be sure to give a full report on our Oahu Adventure upon our return. For now, enjoy a couple of snapshots from today.

Claire got a hold of our Hula pie, a family dessert tradition when we are near a Duke's, Sunnyside or Hula grill. She reached right over and grabbed a fistful of whipped cream. I predict this child will not bashful come her 1st birthday party. She found the spoon much more interesting than her sticky hand. I got her cleaned up before she had the opportunity to taste the whipped cream.

Claire's first boat ride.

First time in the ocean.

The view from our balcony tonight. I will be falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

ahhh...

Have a good evening, I know I will.

Look Alike

Over the last few months I have heard a number of characters with whom Claire shares a resemblance. In the following post, I have gathered and combined some of these images. So...what do you think? Who does Claire resemble?

Wallace & Gromit?

Mr. Smee?

A kewpie doll?

Cindy Lou Who ?

her dad's personal favorite, Fred Mertz.

her mommy?

Popeye the sailor man?

I love this place!

I can walk to Trader Joes from my house. Matter of fact, you can almost spit (not that I advocate for that) and hit it. I'm less than two miles from Costco, three miles to my work , a little over that to Josh's work, we are surrounded by Safeways and Nob Hill. We live 35 minutes (without traffic) to San Francisco, three hours (give or take) to Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes to the Lafayette Resevoir, 1/2 mile to the Canal trail and less than two miles from HARVEST HOUSE.

Harvest House is a hidden local gem. Well maybe its not so hidden but it was to me until I found it about a year and a half ago. I was in search of some random ingredients for Lola's dog food (yes, call me crazy, we make her food). I don't have any idea how it came up but I mentioned looking for bonemeal, nettle leaves, kelp powder (you get the idea) and how I was trying to avoid Whole Foods (LOVE Whole Foods but we can it whole paycheck in our house). A friend from church mentioned checking out Harvest House.

Organic - Check, reasonably priced - check, random stuff - check check! You can buy carob chips (yuck) right next to the sesame seeds, dried bananas, papayas, and soy flour. Not only can I find everything I need to make Lola's grain mix but I have also found a whole host of things for our family. Probiotics for babies - check! Mineral makeup - check! Organic all natural gluten, dairy and soy free teething biscuits - check! This place has almost it all. Today my tab included barley flakes (Lola), rye flakes (Lola), rolled oats (Lola), organic, sulphur free dried apricots (Claire), teething biscuits (Claire), Local honey (Josh - apparently helps with allergies) and peanut butter chips (me - needed something a little sweet) all for the low low price of $14.00.