Living Aloha...

Just over a year ago, we took a trip to Hawaii for our good friend Guy's wedding in Maui and to visit Kyle's friends/family on Oahu.  A perfect trip- yet too short, as all vacations are.

 We were still a family of three back then- at least, we that's what we thought...

We started our trip off in Portland and got to hang with Uncle Tyler and Aunt Tracey before and after our Hawaiian adventure.

Here we are kicking off travel at the Portland Zoo Max/subway station, en route to the airport at the crack of dawn.

Once in Oahu, our days were filled with plenty of beach time...

 Pool lounging daily...

 Checking out the quality of the peeling waves and getting regular surf updates...

 Practicing our "shaka"- a lot!

The boys (Kyle and Guy) like old times, taking in the surf and sand.

 Daddy braving the North Shore (Chun's Reef).

 Benny colored... a lot!   He filled in a Pirate coloring book over the course of the week.

 Of course we had shave ice!

And we relaxed... ahhh (this is the view from a place we rented for a couple of nights on the North Shore.  And yes, it was as amazing as it looks).

 None of us wanted to give up our hammock time.

 We walked the beach at sunset, and...

 Took in more hammock time.

 Here is our rental- right on Chun's Reef.  I could have stayed forever.

 Quiet beach time at dusk.

 Decadent fresh fruit for breakfast.

 Happy boy among the dunes.

 We also got to play with Grammy & Grumpy!! (Lookout: The Schmid boys take on downtown Honolulu).

 We celebrated Grammy's birthday together.

 And Benny practiced his ukulele skills (not too bad...).

We made sure to hit up all of Daddy's favorite plate lunch spots (eat your heart out, Uncle Kiwi- the ribs were amazing!)

 Made our way to Sea Life Park, and enjoyed a dolphin show-

 Cooled off with ice cream, and...

 Enjoyed all of the aquarium features and displays.

 This boy enjoyed every last drop of every day...

 And boy, does he take his relaxing seriously!

After a week on Oahu, the Schmid crew flew over to Maui.  Daddy took off to play golf with the wedding crew, and...

After a tasty breakfast, the rest of us made our way to the hotel to relax and recuperate after a 5am arrival.  Note: After getting his much anticipated kukui nut necklace, Benny found a spot in the lobby and made himself right at home.

 We lounged by the pool and caught up with old friends and new.

Even the pizzas in Hawaii were fun!

We got Ben settled with a sitter, and off we went up the mountains of Maui to the Churchill's home, in Kula, for a truly beautiful wedding ceremony with a slight mist in the air and... 

 Smiles all around.

 The reception took us down to Guy's brother's home overlooking the lights and lush of Maui

 And we dined and danced into the evening- a great celebration.

 Cheers to the lovely couple- now, come visit us in the mainland soon!

The next morning, we packed up our bags and sadly said goodbye to the islands.  We hung at the airport with Grammy & Grumpy and practiced a few more shakas for the road.

Oh, and Benny also honed his photography skills on this trip (this is one of the "better" shots he took... 4 years old have an interesting eye :)

 Aloha Hawaii- we hope to be back soon... with 2 boys in tow, this time.