Hawaii

Jonathan has worked for KPMG for the past 7 years as an IT auditor.  He got a great new job (after 4 months of about 16 interviews) with Goldman Sachs.  So, we cashed in all of the points and miles he had accrued during his work travels and headed to Hawaii after his last day with KPMG.  This was the first time we have taken a long vacation like this without kids, and let's just say it was, uh, heavenly.  We didn't waste a single moment.  Feel free to bail now as this will become a travel log.

Hiking Diamond Head Crater

Sunset sail on a gorgeous catamaran

Drive to the Polynesian Cultural Center

The PCC

Hawaii Temple

And again, at night.  This temple has been undergoing renovations for the past two years and it will be opening again this November.

Hiking to Manua Falls

Rented mopeds

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and a quick stop at Wet 'n Wild

  We did see some awesome fish and a sea turtle, but I decided that snorkeling totally freaks me out.

Pearl Harbor

(After learning much more about this place and the attack, it makes a bit more sense why my Grandma Carlson gasped and let out a big "OH NO!" when I got my mission call to Japan)

Submarines, Battleships, Airplanes, oh my!

(They were filming a new movie called Battleship with Liam Nieson and Rhianna on the USS Missouri, so a large portion was closed off)

Byodo-in Temple

A replica of one in Japan that is 900 years old.  Was very Kyoto-esque.  Jonathan rang that bell SO LOUD that we both couldn't stop laughing.

And LOTS of beach and pool time! 

Some observations about Hawaii:

• 
  
  You can totally get cut off by someone and they will just throw a hang loose sign out their window and suddenly you think of them more as a friend than a big jerk who just cut you off
• 
  
  If I ever need to review my Japanese, just spend a week in Hawaii. I don't think I've ever eavesdropped on more conversations before in my life!
• 
  
  Their public transportation department thought long and hard before coming up with a name for their bus system:

Creative guys, very creative.

We took the red-eye home arrived Monday morning and Jonathan went straight to his new job.

You know, kind of like your first day of school picture.

(what wrinkles?)

We had a great time navigating the great island of Oahu.  Thank you to all those who watched my girls!  When I'm feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed, I'll just head to my happy place:

here

or here

and just for the record