Two weeks in Paradise...It was wonderful to be back, after all, its been three years! The longest I've been away from Hawaii since 1999 - Randy probably, what, since 1990? We went with the rest of the Butticci clan to celebrate my parents retirement. It was a great time spent on the beach, teaching the kids to snorkel, surf the big waves, and lots of hanging out together. It was Jeff and his family's first time back since Randy and I got married. And even though Lucas has been to Hawaii 3 other times, he didn't remember. So, it was kind of like a first time trip for him. It was also Frances' first time to Hawaii, and we just happened to have stayed in the same house where Lucas spent his first vacation to Hawaii. It was great to revisit (and have all new) good times and great memories.
The pictures below are totally out of order...Oh well.
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| Lucas swimming in the waves |
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| We had some unseasonably big waves the last few days - the kids had a blast getting knocked over and riding the waves. |
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| Big wave coming! |
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| Watching what comes next |
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| I don't ever remember seeing big summer surf on the North Shore like we had the last few days. |
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| Hula babes |
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| Ready for the luau |
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| Grandma and Papa and grandkids |
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| Jana B, Jeffrey Bodean, and JenBop |
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| Baby LOVED the beach. She was in her element. |
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| Laniakea "Turtle" beach did not disappoint |
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| We watched this guy come in from the surf... |
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| ...and join his girlfriend. |
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| Last night at Haleiwa Joes |
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| Last sunset at "our" beach |
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| Picking papaya from the backyard trees |
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| One of MANY geckos. |
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| Michelle, Jeff, Nicholas, Dad, and Randy did a day hike out to Kaena Point (overlooking Ratdog 1 - a place we used to go camping and diving). |
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| My sea bass at Haleiwa Joes |
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| It was delish |
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| "Our" beach |
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| Baby |
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| Mommy and me |
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| Family |
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| Boogie boarding! |
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| Havin' fun |
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| Hang 10 |
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| Happy retirement!! Woot! |
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| Beach babes |
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| Straight from the plane to La Mariana Yacht Club Restaurant |
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| Learning to snorkel at Three Tables |
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| The kids picked it up right away |
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| Daddy and babes |
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| Jeff and the kids |
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| Wouldn't be North Shore without a stop at Aloha General |
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| And lunch at Jameson's - Best Mai Tai on the Island |
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| Shave ice - best there is |
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| Yum! |
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| Climbing the big Plumeria tree at Giovanni's Shrimp Truck |
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| Morning walk on the beach |
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| Watching the ocean |
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| Every night we watched the sunset |
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| Baby and grandma |
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| Hawaiian keiki |
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| Dole Plantation |
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| Royal Hawaiian... |
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| ...with Diamond head in the background. |
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| International Market Place |
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| Aloha, A hui ho! |
Two weeks - it goes so fast - but we sure had a great time. Can't wait to do it again!
