Kauai

We just returned from a wonderful week in Kauai!

We went from a snow, freezing SLC, to paradise in the Hawaiian islands.  The difference in weather is dramatic, but we'll take warm weather over cold anytime.

We were so lucky to grateful to leave the kids at G & G Shields house.  All the kids love staying there, they have their regular routines, friends, and school nearby.

Plus they get spoiled by their grandparents!



We left Friday morning, and headed straight to Kauai.  It took all day to get there, we checked into a hotel near the airport and got some dinner nearby. We were exhausted because of the time change and so we went to bed. 
The next day we woke to the sound of roosters ( they are everywhere around Kauai) and looked out to see the gorgeous beach.  The best part about Hawaii is the warm weather and the humidity! It feels so good on your skin after a cold, harsh winter. 





Saturday we bummed around the beach, went swimming/hot tubbing and then headed north to the townhouse we rented for the week.  We stopped and got Danny a surfboard and bought groceries for the week on the way.
We stayed in Princeville in this new, nice townhome.  It was perfect;comfortable with a full kitchen and access to a pool/hot tub. Plus the bed was comfortable. 

We went straight to Hanalei beach that afternoon/evening and ended the night with delicious Mahi Mahi for dinner. 
The next day Sunday we went to church at the Hanalei branch. It was a great sacrament meeting, and then we did some hiking and exploring.  We stayed home that night and made burritos at our place.


Once we got settled in the rest of the week we were at the beach. 





There are so many beaches that we love but some of our favorite were; Hanalei Bay, Ke'e beach, Tunnels, Brenakee's, Luma Hai, and more.  I can't remember all their names. 
But it was so great to wake up, decide which beach to go to and then go.  We had a cooler at the town house so we'd eat breakfast at home, pack a lumch/drinks for the day and be at the beach all day!  It was the fantastic!





Danny surfed almost everyday, some beaches had nice big waves, and he really had fun! Plus we also got to snorkel, boogie board, swim, body surf, go for long walks in the sand and lay on the beach. It was fun to watch him surf and see him doing something he loves so much! I am not good at surfing but had fun trying.



We loved Ke'e beach with the gorgeous scenery of the Na Pali coastline.  The surf was really high this day, and there were no swimming or snorkeling allowed, because of the huge waves.  It was fun to watch them crash into shore. 



On Thursday we headed to the south side of the island and spent the day at the beach. This beach, Brennakee's had a lot of wildlife, we saw dolphins, sea turtles, and a couple of whales.  Plus the surfing was really good. 
We went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant that night and had great Ahi tuna tacos.  I could eat those every night, they were delicious! We walked back to the beach after dinner to watch the sun set, because it was so beautiful. 



As much as we missed our kids it was SO great to spend time together.  It was a relaxing, mellow, fun week- doing what we want to do!
But we would love to save up and bring the kids someday! They would have a blast!

More pictures of the beach, and one of the townhouse. 
My favorite thing to do is just to be outside in the warm sunshine!  It felt amazing to be warm-without wearing layers of clothing.



We found a nearby store that made great smoothies, but our favorite snack was a cold papaya with lime juice on top! It's the perfect dessert or snack. 
 I think we bought 7 or 8 papayas on this trip.





There is no much natual beauty on the island, everywhere you look it's amazingly beautiful!
We left Friday night and caught the red eye flight to LA.  The flight was good, but we were tired by the time we got to SLC on Saturday morning. 
It was brutal getting off the plane into 12 degree weather. 
But we were excited to see our kids, and hear about their week at grandma's. 





We had the best week soaking up the sun. 
I really wish it was Spring! 

Until next time Kauai!