Hawaii Minibook Day 4

A more relaxed day just wandering the island ... we did a little eating, a little shopping, a little sightseeing. Our attempt to see Iolani Palace was interrupted by lots of activists. As Senate was in session, there were many people of Hawaiian descent displaying their message of Sovereignty and taking back the lands. It was quite a sight to see as there were hula dancers, ancient Hawaiian chants and what we think is members of Hawaiian royalty dressed in the ancient ways.

After our picnic at Iolani Palace, we walked around Ward Center and found the Honolulu Cookie Company. Sampling of these local flavored shortbread cookies was a treat. My favorite was the coffee one. We also found Marukai and had ourselves a mochi ice cream treat. Prices at Marukai in the islands was a bit higher than what we are used to seeing at the Marukai in the mainland.

A nice snack or light lunch is always Kozo Sushi. They sell fresh sushi rolls all day long to go. It's wrapped in a unique way so the nori stays crispy until you are ready to eat it. Kaila was excited to take part in this cool ritual of eating a sushi roll!

The story of the day was typical of a casual Hawaiian day. Taking our time just hanging out and "running errands" without the rush of actually crossing things off our to do list. Just browsing and enjoying ourselves. We also got to catch up with old friends for dinner at Auntie's house.

Lots of time hanging out at the beach means the girls get to play in the sand and the water without tiring. Mom instead does tire out and lays down in the shade just relaxing and maybe playing with her iphone. :)

We also hit Aloha Tower Marketplace. It used to be quite busy and a popular hangout but nowadays seems really quiet. Lots of shops closed down, the restaurants just had a few people for lunch. This was on the ways we felt the changes here in the islands from the slower economy. Even though people are overall happy, they are definitely working harder and feeling the changes of less tourism, less jobs and more expensive everything else.

Our favorite thing to do while here is always the eating. Every morning, dad asks, What you like eat today? We try all the local favorites. Mitsuken, Helena's, Bob's Drive In, Rainbows Drive In, Zippy's, Leonards, Yummy's and the best roast pork at the food court in Pearl City Daiea (not even called that anymore). It's so much fun sharing it with the girls and they being foodies also love this part of our trip!

Day 4 is pau! We have so much more to do and we are so grateful to have this special time here with family, friends and each other. Best vacation ever ?!?!

Hawaii Minibook Day 3

Back in 2006, we found this neighborhood in Aina Haina named Kainani. This time around we had to go back and retake a picture of her standing in front of it. Six years later, the plants are a little overgrown and you can barely see the entire name. But she still says, Mom if we ever move back to Hawaii can we live in my neighborhood? Hmmm ...

Our third day on the islands was again spent with the cousins. Being a Monday holiday, there was no school and work. Yay! Off to Ko Olina we went to check out the new Disney Aulani Resort and to take advantage of the nicely landscaped man-made beaches. It really was very Disney and reminded me a bit of Florida. Here we also found Kainani's American Girl Doll's neighborhood ... Kai Lani!

The kids had so much fun playing in the sun! We all got a little bit more tan ... even baby!

My pretty girls in a picturesque background. How come every time I take out the camera Lena poses like a model ... notice the hands on hips? But I am very grateful they even let me take so many pictures of them ... there goes mom again with her camera ... haha.

And a fun iPhone pic that was doctored up with the Red Stamp app. Loving this free app!

No day is complete without the local grinds. Journaling the many places we eat is a must!

Capturing the story of the day ...

The cousins are so happy together and I am so excited for this opportunity to capture these memories of them ... we all know that they really do grow up way too fast. Last time we saw them was 2 years ago in California and there was no Kaimalie.

Each with their own personality ... especially Kainui. It took him awhile to warm up to us.

Spending time with their grandpa was also a treat. Good times being spoiled for sure!

Hanging out at home, the grandkids altogether. A great ending to quality time with the family!

Hawaii Minibook Day 2

Lots of days at the beach ... mom, do we go in the water every time? Sure, honey! Mom, it's not cold or grey or dark like at home. Loving our time here in the islands for sure ... fun in the sun!

The famous Duke Kahanamoku statue at Waikiki Beach. Since we are staying right here, might as well hit that beach first. Kaila caught her first of many waves and is now in love with surfing. Mom tried to catch a few and lost stamina ... boy, not the same when you are out of shape and many years older ... I just couldn't paddle hard enough on a couple to actually catch the wave ... shucks! In the end, only caught a couple and ended up with many sore muscles instead. Ha!

Fun title page ... part of our vacation time is spent in our hotel doing homework.

Kainani is researching Japanese American culture versus American Indian culture. Go venn diagram.

Having fun building any kine stuff with da cousins.

Our first morning on the islands, we took a walk on the beach when no one was there. Way cool!

Story of the day today was mostly about island foods and hanging out at the beach!

View from our hotel is pretty cool. Lots of tall buildings in Waikiki ... it's hotel central ... what do we expect?!? But at least we got ocean view, mountain view and Diamond head view!

Some of the foods we are sampling already ... kim chee chige from our favorite late night haunt Sorabol, manupua from Chun Wah Kam, more plate lunch and poke!

Mom, take a picture of this ... the kids know that my favorite thing to take pictures of is food!

Day 2 pau ... we are just beginning our adventures here on da islands!

Hawaii Minibook Day 1

Before we left on our trip, I stole some time in the scrapbook room to put together a travel mini book. It's mostly a Making Memories travel kit that I saved for my Europe pictures but still haven't gotten around to scrapbooking much of yet ... over a year later. So this time I'm going to try to get the stories told as they happen so I can actually remember them.

It's an 8x8 mini album of papers glued together, tabs punched and mini stickers to tell the dates. In between each date I also added a smaller sheet with a ripped note paper for the story of the day. All bound with rings in case there are other pieces of memorabilia I might want to add along the way. The front and back is acrylic to hold its shape in the suitcase. And I only brought along a one gallon ziploc of embellishments ... a sampling of ribbon, buttons, stickers, letters and twine. Ready, set, scrap!

Day One was the trip from San Diego airport to Honolulu. The girls don't remember the last couple of times they had been on a plane so it was quite an adventure.

Lena called dibs for the window seat. She took the picture of our view from the plane as we landed in Hawaii. She and I sat together during the 5 plus hour ride and entertained ourselves with another feet shot. Haha. She says to me ... mom, this is how you make an airplane. The thumb and pinky are the wings and the hand is the plane. We flying mom! So cute!

Keeping a piece of Hawaiian Airlines in the lunchbox and the swivel stick.

The journaling/story of the day was mostly about the trip itself. Upon arrival, however, they were pretty excited to see their cousins and sample our first dose of local food ... poke variety of all types!

And the shots of us on the plane. 5 hours went by pretty fast with breakfast, snack, a Dolphin Tales movie, a little DS and a little homework. Day One complete!

Ekolu Kai Mini Take Two!

The mini album continues with more favorite pics of the girls. I might be biased but I feel pretty lucky to have such great models for testing out my amateur photography skills.

My reason for scrapbooking

Ekolu Kai. Ekolu meaning 3 and Kai is the beginning of their names ... they make me happy.

Every year for the past 5 years now we have been participating in Ever After's Survivor Crop. We stay up for 24 hours to raise money for Susan G Komen's Breast Cancer Foundation. Make n takes are part of the event and this is my twist on the minibook we created there. Breast cancer can and probably has touched us all in one way or another. It's a good reminder to get our mammograms and live life fully as we never know what surprises life may bring us.

What better way to remind myself to live life to the fullest than these 3?