Look Mom...I FINALLY Posted (Hawaii)

So I know it has been way too long, but here is a post (finally) about Hawaii. We went in the beginning of April 2011 for 9 days! It was SO much fun! Markus was a dream on the plane and in Hawaii (even though he was cutting 4! teeth - I couldn't even tell) The scenery there is absolutely beautiful! This is a picture of one of the many many perfect flowers found on those tropical islands!

Our first day we flew to Oahu to pick of Tiffany from BYU-H! We spent one day there and went to the beach at turtle bay near campus! This was Markus' first experience with the ocean.

I don't think he really enjoyed the water. It was a little cold for his liking and noisy and all around a different experience than what he was used to. This being the first day there (after the travel day) he was still getting used to the Hawaii climate.

He was much happier just lounging in the stroller under an umbrella on the beach!

Here is what Markus looked like pretty much every time we would be walking anywhere. He would pull his hat over his head and cross his feet! He was such a cutie!

After our short visit to Oahu, we traveled to Kauai and spent a week at our resort there.

This is a picture of our favorite beach to play at on Kauai. There was good sand area to set down towels and rest in the sun. The water area on the left is a little divet in the shoreline where the waves come in, but they aren't able to carry you far from side to side! It was really fun to experience the ocean waves in a little more controlled area. Then to the right is a playground area for young kids. Although Markus wasn't big enough to enjoy it there it was still fun. They also has fresh water showers there so you could rinse off the salt water. We spent more than one day at this beach :)

We went to church there on Kauai and the people were so nice. They gave everyone a Lei and sang us a welcome song! It was very beautiful. As they were going through annoucements they said there would be a fireside held that evening with Elder and Sister Nelson! I am so glad I decided to go to church that day! What an experience.

Since Todd's father is cousins with Wendy Nelson it was really fun to talk with her. She recognized Todd's face as soon as she saw him and we were able to convince them to be in a picture with us! (I know Markus isn't wearing a very Sunday appropriate outfit, but he just got WAY TOO HOT!! This is what was underneath)

Grandma gave us the opportunity to go on a boat tour while she stayed home with the baby. Since she has already been to Hawaii many many times she figured she would let us go and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

The guide knew the spot where all the dolphins would play and they just love the boat because they know it is very likely they will get a treat! It was really fun to see them. They would just swarm all around us and definitely were not shy about being close to the boat.

They were so close we could almost touch them!

Then we went whale watching! This is a momma and her little baby swimming together. It was really fun to see them, but the spend most of their time under the water. You have to be really patient to be a whale watcher! It is really cool when they finally do surface, but it takes way too long for a day tour that needs to be back for lunch.

Todd and I took a little road trip to the other end of the island and check out the lighthouse, some awesome caves and Tunnels beach. Todd had a lot of fun snorkeling while I chilled on the beach with my little red-headed friend:)

Overall we had an excellent trip! We got plenty of shopping in and saw most of what there is to see on Kauai! I would definitely go back!!

Here is Markus & Todd tuckered out from all the excitement of our journey :)