Sweet Somethings : 2014

Dreamy Hawaii Trip: Part 3

I love the Polynesian Cultural Center. I love learning about each of the regions and cultures. I love the dancing. I love the humor. I love love the parade. My dream is to be a hula dancer on one of the canoes during the parade. They don't take white blonde girls. I can dream, though! I was a happy girl here.

After the PCC, we went on a little tour or BYU-Hawaii and the Laie Temple.

Steve found some Russian friends and spoke to them the whole time. I took pictures and explored the Visitor's Center. :)

WE TOOK SURF LESSONS! Steve is convinced that a Hawaii trip isn't complete without surfing. I was terrified and told him that I was NOT a surfer girl. A small part of me was super excited though and happy we were doing this. Afterwards I told him maybe I'm a little surfer girl, deep down inside.

Ideally, we would've looked like this the entire time.

Realistically, we looked like this the entire time. Boy, was it fun though!

Of course, we visited Pearl Harbor.

Dreamy Hawaii Trip: Part 2

Wednesday we woke up bright and early and headed to Hanauma Bay, the most popular snorkel location in Hawaii. Unfortunately I don't have an underwater camera, but take my word for it, INCREDIBLE experience. We saw so many beautiful fish. My favorite is the black and white polka dot one with a fluorescent yellow stripe. Also, the humuhumunukunukuapua'a. Great little guy. Nemo, Dori, scar, and all their buddies are now residing in this bay as well.

That evening we took family pictures.

I sure do love these people

Dreamy Hawaii Trip: Part 1

We found out last Christmas that the whole Mortensen clan would be going to Hawaii! The wait from December 2013 to August 2014 was rough, but, most days, the anticipation was the only thing that got me through Spring and Summer classes. Needless to say, Monday morning at 3:30 I was extremely excited. The Delta flight attendant said, "woah, you are way too awake this morning." "I'm going to Hawaii!"

packing the car at 3:30 in the AM. WHAT!?

Hawaii airlines babay!

blurry plane selfie

We stayed at this perfect condo on the Southwest side of Oahu. I forgot to get a picture! :( It was perfect for our stay! It had a full kitchen with all appliances. Our first stop was good ol' Costco to get groceries for the week. Costco is a great land. (Costco samples in Hawaii are the same as samples in Utah. In my mind they would be poi and coconut and fish. But, alas, jello and pretzel hot pocket thing.)

magical pineapple. it's hawaii.

The kids stayed at the condo, while Steve's parents stayed at a hotel a few blocks away. Connected to this hotel were these lagoons. We spent the second day relaxing at the lagoons. Hello, horrible sun burn. on the second day. Apparently, when your skin hasn't seen the sun in a year a single application of SPF 50 is not good enough for this fair skinned girl.