Hawaiian Retreat

So this is what Jet Lag really feels like.... ugh! It's never hit either of us like this before. Maybe it's because we're both in our 30's now with an active 2 yr old & doing things in our own time frame isn't an option. Good thing Phineas & Ferb was on a lot today so Ashlyn was entertained while we tried to readjust!

A little rest & relaxation was well enjoyed as Derek and I spent last week on the Island of Oahu. It was his 3rd time to that Island & my first. It was so great for us to get away and reconnect. Thanks again Mom & Dad Pulsipher for watching Ashlyn for the week & thanks aunt Heather for filling in, too....we really appreciate it!

People would cringe when we told them we were staying in the town of Waianae. We found out that it was not an area that welcomed tourists much.

No worries 'cause as soon as the gates closed we were in our own secluded paradise.

The building and street side were not much to look at, but when we stepped off the elevator to our 5th floor condo, the doors opened to a whole new world.

Views of the hotel's beach side from our lanai.

A couple times we were literally the only ones on the beach......it was awesome! Breakfast every morning listening to the crashing waves and incredible sunsets right outside the living room doors.

Derek snorkeling at Makaha Beach just outside of our condo. He would have been born with gills if possible!

Our week went a little something like this....

Friday, May 7:
Our flight was as 6:00am - at least it was supposed to be. It was an awfully early morning & we live about 50 minutes from the airport. By the time we made it there, we were just under a half hour before take-off & we couldn't check luggage - so they were luckily able to reschedule all three of us on a 7:30 flight. We purposely scheduled a long layover in Salt Lake where Derek's mom met us to pick Ashlyn up for the week. We still made our original flight to Honolulu where we arrived around 3:00 in the afternoon. By the time we got luggage, car, & hotel situated - we found a Chili's for dinner, then went back to get some sleep.

Saturday, May 8:
Rented Snorkel Gear, Went out to the Beach for a while, then Went to Pearl Harbor for the afternoon.

We didn't make it in time to go see the sunken USS Arizona, so we opted for a tour of the USS Missouri. So glad we did - it was a major highlight of the trip. We took a guided tour, then we were set loose to go discover the rest of the vessel on our own. We took tons of pictures, had a great time, and stayed until closing time taking the last bus back...

A typical bed in one of the sleeping quarters. Some were stacked 4-5 high.

The "Mighty Mo" was not actually built till after the attack at Pearl Harbor. It is the vessel where the documents were signed declaring the Japanese surrender and the end of WWII. Above is a monument marking where the table stood for the signings and below are the documents.

A view from the Captain's Chair.

Sunday, May 9: Mother's Day

Must not have had the camera out much this day 'cause I only took a couple pictures.

That morning we got up and went to check out Ko Olina - an incredible Marriott resort with 4 beautiful lagoons. We went snorkeling for a while then called home to wish Happy Mother's Day to moms & Happy Birthday to my Dad & niece, Taylor.

We only reserved a cheap base car & were stoked when the rental car co. upgraded us for free to this fun convertible.

We were not so stoked when we were doing a U-turn in a parking lot in that same convertible and got into a minor fender bender. I couldn't resist this Kodak moment....

We were trying to find our way to my friend's house when this happened. Shirlyn (a good friend from Gunnison) and her family live there and it was so good to see her, meet her kids, & catch up a bit. She and Deven invited us over for a delicious Sunday dinner. Sorry about being late while we waited for the cops to arrive & thanks again for your help with all the tickets!

Monday, May 10:

We had a lazy morning, went to get some lunch, and then off to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

So many white shirts have been ruined because Derek will inevitably spill food down the front. Here he is at the restaurant taking some preemptive action! Good Job, Babe.

The Cultural Center was awesome, but it was sure a long & hot day. I'm used to the heat - the humidity is a whole other story.

Tuesday, May 11:

We met up with Shirlyn & she took us for a tour around the North Shore. We went to this quiet beach where she & I got to chat, play with her cute little boy, and Derek went out on another snorkel adventure. He came back a bit beat up from all the rocks, but we had a good time.Then she had to leave to get her daughter from school & we continued on. Went to tour the Temple grounds & Visitor's Center. The temple itself is closed for reconstruction. We met one sister missionary who will have served her entire mission at the temple grounds having never gone in. Even if we couldn't do work, it was peaceful to be there.

I was hoping to get a really good picture of the two of us which turned out to be way too much to wish for. Here's a small version of a bad pic & I'll do some photoshop touch ups later!

We made it back to the condo in time to catch the sunset...

Wednesday, May 12: Derek's 34th Birthday

We went to Waikiki for the day. Started out by taking a walk along the beach. The photos look a bit surreal...

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Then we went for a submarine ride. We saw fish, turtles, sunken ships, & a plane. The ships & plane were artificially planted there, but it was still pretty cool to see.

We went shopping at the marketplace, found the authentic Tiki's that we like collecting, bought a few souvenirs, & I got a tattoo (which will eventually wash off).

Thursday, May 13:

Was an incredibly lazy and relaxing day. We had breakfast, went down to the beach, went snorkeling, had some lunch, had a long nap, went back down to the beach to watch the sunset, had a great talk, went back up for dinner, watched some TV, and went to bed. Not too shabby!

Friday, May 14:

We packed up our things in the morning & checked out of the hotel. Our flight didn't leave until after 9:00pm so we had the entire day to keep ourselves occupied. We were really just anxious to get home at this point & see our sweet baby girl, so it was a very long day.

We decided to go back to Pearl Harbor. We spent a few hours there learning more about the attack and the war. So humbling. Here are a few pics from the USS Arizona memorial.

Here's one of my favorite pics. Sitting at the Honolulu airport waiting to get on the plane. A little more tan and a lot more relaxed!

When we got in to Salt Lake on Saturday morning, Derek's parents were there bright and early waiting for us. Ashlyn was waiting at the bottom of the escalator with her grandpa & didn't quite know what to do when she saw us. My mom had been prepping me that she would probably be mad, so I was ready for a bad reaction. It was so sweet. She grabbed Derek's legs first & gave him a big hug. Then she just rested on my shoulder for a bit. Wasn't quite sure what was going on, but at least she wasn't mad!

We got to visit for a while, then it was more waiting for our final flight into Phoenix. Derek & I were exhausted & Ashlyn was just bored.

She kept a bit entertained after finding my Ipod. It's blurry 'cause she was bobbing her head up and down. So stinkin' cute!

We're ready to go again (although our pocketbooks won't be for a while!). Time to start saving & maybe next time we're taking little monkey with.