Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Hawaii - Part 1

In the few days after Mom passed away that James and I were in Wisconsin, Dad told us that they'd made plans and provision to honor Mom's wishes to have her ashes scattered in Hawaii.  It took a lot of planning to make the trip a reality, but in July it finally happened.  The eight of us, plus the rest of my family (Dad, brothers and their wives, and our niece), hit Oahu and soaked it all in for a week.  It was a very emotional week, full of highs and lows.  My family and I feel so privileged that we got to share that experience and will treasure the many memories forever.  Dad rented a lovely beach home in Honolulu for all of us.  We enjoyed fun, frolicking on the beach and in the ocean, sitting in hot tub and watching a lightning storm (smart, eh?), and lots of good eats, including some fresh-caught fish from the boys.  

We ate most every meal outside, on the extensive decks.  Pineapple was, of course, a staple!

  
The ocean was literally 10 feet from the hot tub, and the hot tub was under a canopy of palm trees.

Dad fueling for the day with LOTS of coffee (I sympathize).

Ian babysitting his littlest cousin, Phoenix

Elle and Cecily crashed pretty hard our first night - the plane ride was grueling, and then the waiting in the airport for the rental vehicles, sheesh!