Hawaii 11

How has it been 2 months since we went to Hawaii?? I thought I would take this time to finally answer the 11 questions everyone has been asking (or should have been asking) about our Hawaiian vacation.

The Hawaii 11 (aka Hawa11):

1. Why were you in Hawaii? Not that you need a reason to go...

Jared has a work conference every year, and this year it was in Waikiki. Some call this conference the AAO, but it is better known as the dental wives reunion. Especially if it's in a cool spot. Sometimes we even get our non-ortho friends to crash the party, like we did the last couple years in DC and Boston. Sometimes (but always reluctantly) we let our ortho spouses actually attend their classes.

2. You were only there for 3.5 days. Was that even worth it?

Um, yes. Although we did mull over this question a bit too much before booking the trip.

3. Where were the kids while you flittered around in the tropics?

We left them in very good hands. We took them to Jared's parents' house and hired his cousin Jennifer, who was just barely home from college for the summer, to be their full-time babysitter. She is awesome. Jared's dad also works from home now, so, the kids were basically in hog heaven, having their awesome cousin and Grandpa as their constant playmates, and getting to see Grandma every night after work was the cherry on top. I'm not sure we were missed.

4. Did you miss them?

Of course! And this will probably sound weird, but we actually never talked to them during the few days that we were gone. We thought it would be too confusing for them to talk to us, and they are terrible phone conversationalists anyway. We had an amazing time, but on the way home I was glad it was a short trip.

5. I saw your pictures. Did you not bring any other clothes?

Yes, I did bring lots of other clothes. I just didn't wear them, apparently.

6. What was the most fun thing you did in Hawaii?

First, seeing a bunch of great, old friends. Second, the surfing. We literally got off the plane, rented a car, got a bite at a total dive, and drove straight to the North Shore for surfing lessons with the North Shore Surf Girls. Before Hawaii, Jared had surfed a bunch but still thought he could benefit from a lesson, and I had tried several times unsuccessfully. But our surf girl (her actual name was Vai, and she went to high school with Jack Johnson so she is officially my hero) helped me catch every wave I went for. I rode 11 waves! On the North Shore! It was a really incredible intro to Hawaii.

7. Favorite beach?

Lanikai, just south of Kailua on the eastern side of the island. The sand was as soft as flour and the water was crystal clear.

8. Favorite food?

We ate a good range of food, from hole-in-the-wall BBQ (awesome) to very "authentic" Hawaiian (meh) to fancy luau sushi (mmm), but I think my favorite meal was the breakfast and dessert crepes we had at Crepes No Ka 'Oi in Kailua. Soooo delicious. 

9. Why did you post pictures of your beat up feet? Some people are really grossed out by feet. Especially beat up ones.

I know, too much huh?

Lil bit.

Sorry. At least the worst cuts were covered. They were small but really deep. We had to cancel some of our more active plans and I wore Toms on the beach instead of sandals for the next day and a half. Sad face. (I know, no one really feels sorry for me.)

10. What did you leave for the next trip to Hawaii?

So much! So much. We still want to see the other islands, the PCC, the LDS temple, Pearl Harbor, and these Japanese gardens I read about called Valley of the Temples. There was just not enough time to do all we wanted, but it's not so bad having reasons to go back.

11. Alright alright, so where are the pictures?

I thought you'd never ask!

Pic of the trip!!!

- what Jared yelled as he snapped it. :)