Oahu Part 2

We LOVED the North Shore!  There were so many great beaches and we loved the snorkeling at Shark's Cove.  I saw more sea life in that spot than I did at any other beach in Okinawa.  
 

Shark's Cove is a perfect snorkel spot, especially for kids.  There were a ton of small pools full of fish so I finally got Parker and Landon to stick their faces in and once they did, they were hooked.  Meanwhile, Randy and Ethan were snorkeling in the small cove next to the tide pools where Ethan found the perfect spot for cliff jumping.

Henry spent most of his time eating snacks and sitting in the chair.  I couldn't get this stubborn boy to snorkel, even though we practiced in the hot tub before our trip.

This little cove was were we swam with sea turtles.  Parker and Henry even followed them close enough to touch one...bucket list check!  Ethan found a puffer fish and I dared him to swim down and grab it by it's tail so it would puff up.  He did it!  

Henry loved the sea urchins and we even spotted a small octopus as we scoured the tide pools for sea life.

Of course we had to eat at Ted's Bakery.  The pies are as good as everyone says.  

I think we went back to Ted's three times.  The joke was "what are we doing after we go to Ted's Bakery?"

This beach is just down the street from the temple

The waves were rough or he would've jumped in

This is Pounders Beach and there was some good boogie boarding happening here

Ethan put on flippers and was able to catch some big waves while the rest of us watched safely from shore

Landon was the only boy who was willing to watch the sunset and the surfers with Randy and me.

The surfers were so good but what really impressed us were the boogie boarders spinning around and doing barrel rolls on the waves.  We stayed until it was too dark to see them.

Back at the condo the boys were doing what they love most 

Arm wrestling and leg wrestling are always fun for everyone

After one last snorkel adventure at Shark's Cove, we checked out of our condo and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center while I hung out in the car trying to find us a flight or a hotel.  It was stressful.

I found us a house on AirBnB.  yay!  Then I read the fine print that said the owner had 24 hours to accept the booking that was non-refundable.  After a couple hours of not hearing back from them, I canceled it and we booked us a room at Turtle Bay $$$$$

so much whining as we walked around

But they sure loved their tattoos!

We checked into our hotel and they literally greeted us with Hawaiian leis

The room was beautiful but this view from our balcony was worth every penny

The restaurants were packed and pricey so I bought a bunch of ramen and snacks for the boys to eat while Randy and I ate at Seven Brothers and of course I splurged and ate a slice of their delicious tropical banana bread.  Find the recipe online.  It's yummy!

The next morning Randy and I went running/exploring.  Not together of course.  But we found out the TV series Lost, Pirates of the Caribbean, and several other moves I can't remember were all filmed here.

We did lots of swimming the hotel pool and Henry LOVED the water slide.  He probably went down over a hundred times.

We went to this beach.  I think it's Waimila Bay?

Ethan and Landon started jumping off this rock and soon all the teenagers on the beach joined in or came over to watch.  It was so funny!

We had fun watching from the shore

    

The only shave ice we got on the trip.  We were never hot enough to want to eat it.  Parker ordered it because he was sick of burgers.  He barely ate it so I happily finished it off for him.

These two boys were exhausted!

The hotel lobby was open and overlooked the bay.  Pictures don't do it justice

Before leaving Turtle Bay for good, we took out some beach cruisers and checked out the bay and the 4 sea lions on the beach--two little babies had been born the day before.

We left the North Shore and headed to Pearl Harbor, running through the parking lot to make our reservation on the boat that takes you out to the US Arizona.  We arrived in line huffing and puffing to find out the tours were canceled due to heave winds.  What?!  Could our luck get any worse? Yes it can!  Because an hour later we found out our flight from L.A. to Seattle had been canceled.

We hiked to this lighthouse and Henry walked the whole way!  I didn't even bribe him.  I just told him how big he was and how impressed Marcus was going to be when we told him how Henry didn't need any help.  Except for this picture, Henry walked along, holding my hand the entire four miles.  He didn't say a word.  Just walked.  It was both miraculous and hilarious.

The views were stunning.  God is good!

After dinner we were back at the airport for our 10:30pm flight to L.A.   Henry was beat!

Good morning in LA

After begging the travel agents for flights, we finally got a rental card and began the long drive home.

Check out Henry practically laying on his Happy Meal.  We got home around 3am and got everyone in bed and then I called Marcus because it was five hours later in Brazil.  We chatted for awhile just because we could.  It was so nice finally talking to him when I'm not busy getting all the boys to school in the morning like I usually have to do on our calls.