We wrapped up the holidays with a trip to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for their Holiday Lights. We had never taken the trains there at night, and it was really cool to see all the lights from tiny little freight cars. The kids absolutely loved it! But the best part I would say for Quincy was the model railroad exhibit building where 3 different model train clubs build tracks and displays for their model trains and basically spend all their free time there creating these awesome displays. We couldn't pull him out of there. It was a fun night for sure, and we enjoyed spending it with Grandma Chacha and Papa Tom.
Quincy started back at preschool, we celebrated my Dad's 65th birthday with a nice quiet dinner, then a few days later Paloma officially turned 2, then Becky went into early labor and I took an impromptu trip down to Tucson to meet the beautiful Makenzie Rae in the NICU at 5-days old, then we got ready for our week-long trip to Kauai, Hawaii to celebrate Papa Meredith's 70th birthday with Solon's Mom's side of the family. You may remember our last big trip like this was down to Tucson for Lisa's 50th (when Paloma was 9 months old), and the year before that to Estes Park, CO for Mimi's 70th (when I was 7 months pregnant with Paloma), so this was the first trip where Mommy could have a little more fun! I will say I was a little nervous about flying 6.5 hours straight with 2 kids, but the goodie bags I made for the flight attendants once again got us HOOKED UP! And the kids were so excited that they did a great job. Mommy was proud. So without further delay, here are some of our Hawaii highlights.
Fun at Hanalei Bay (which was 3 blocks from our house!)
Quincy and Paloma making the same face while watching Max & Ruby - too funny
Alynsia THREW DOWN on some BBQ Ribs!
Anini Beach was so chill and not crowded, it was probably the most relaxing day of the trip. We loved it.
These cockadoodles were EVERYWHERE!!! The start making noise at 3am! It took us a bit of getting used to, but by day 3 or 4 I had pretty much tuned them out. It just cracked me up to see so many roosters in parking lots, mixing it up with everyone.
Solon and I got a night off to enjoy a grown-up dinner while the kids were sleeping at the house with the great-grandmas. We went to a fabulous place call The Dolphin in Hanalei, and it was easily one of the 5 best meals I have EVER had in my life. Blackened Hebi Fish with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and some sushi rolls as a starter. So so so good.
Waimea Canyon
And the gorgeous view on the way down
A beautiful, tranquil drive on the way home from Poipu Beach
We went to an indoor Luau that was just so much fun at a place called Tahiti Nui. It was a family-owned and operated establishment, that provided AMAZING, interesting food, live music and hula dancers, in a setting that was similar to a family get-together. Oh, and if you've seen the movie The Descendants with George Clooney, some scenes were filmed at this place. (see pic of George on the wall)
The kids' first reaction to the hula dancers. They look evil in the pic, but they were mesmerized!
Dancing to the music
Fresh pineapple and POG (Pineapple Orange Guava) juice!
Explanation of the underground cooking process of the Kalua Pork, and samples before dinner! (SO GOOD)
Enjoying the night
Our last day at Hanalei Bay - so sad to have to leave this beautiful place =(
So that was Hawaii for us, a beautiful place that I will love to go back to one day. Thank you again family for that wonderful opportunity to celebrate Papa's birthday in such a memorable way.
We enjoyed the Super Bowl at Charissa and Eric's house
Quincy checking out Beyonce's half time performance
Sleeping Beauty
Celebrating Solon's 35th birthday with family
More adventures to come in the next post!
Until then...
