Here Comes Baby Powell!: Hawaii

We just got back from Hawaii a little over a week ago. We had a great vacation with my whole family, Steve's parents, and Uncle Jeff. The weather couldn't have been better and our resort awesome! It was our first actual "vacation" with Nathan if you don't count the times we went to visit friends and family. He did great on all the flights. It helped to have two uncles, Grammy, Grampy, and both of us on the plane. Unfortunately, we did not have a direct flight, so it was a long day, but Nathan actually slept for quite awhile on the way there and the way back. If he got restless, we would just pass him down the line of people, so it worked out perfectly.

I found out it is very different vacationing with a toddler. I still wanted to see everything and do everything, but found that this was challenging when you have a little one with you. We were very fortunate and still did alot while we were there. It was nice to have so many babysitters around. We got to go on a helicopter tour, go on a hike to Kipu Falls, and do some shopping. The helicopter tour was amazing. It was a perfect way to see the whole island and to check out the Na Pali Coast. I loved hanging out on the beach, playing with Nathan in the sand and splashing around with him in the pool. Once he got used to the water, he loved going down the water slides and couldn't get enough of it. He would get so excited when he saw the slides and want to go down again and again. It was so fun to watch Nathan discover so many new things. The only complaint I have is that Nathan did not sleep well while we were there. Luckily, Steve and I have amazing parents. Both sets of grandparents offered to take Nathan for one night. So, Steve and I got two great nights of sleep. I think with so many new and fun things to do, Nathan didn't want to miss out on anything, so decided that sleeping was a waste of time.

I'm so thankful that we had the opportunity to go on such a great vacation with the family. I love discovering new places, and Kauai was a beautiful place to explore. I hope someday we'll get to go back and do some more hiking, kayaking, and all the other fun things they have to do there.

So happy to finally be in Hawaii

Heading to the pool with Grammy and Nanna

Chasing chickens - there were chickens EVERYWHERE on Kauai

Riding on Uncle Jeff's shoulder

Nanna and Grandpa Powell

Pool and water slides at our resort

Playing in the pool

View of some falls from the helicopter

Na Pali Coast from the helicopter

On our hike to Kipu Falls

Kipu Falls - the boys jumped off the rocks from above the falls

Spouting Horn

Playing on the beach at sunrise

Feeding the fish at the resort - every morning they let all the kids feed the big gold fish out in the pond. It was such a fun activity for all the kids.

Taking a snooze on the beach - much needed sleep since he didn't like to sleep at night

Patrick with his coconut - the boys found coconuts washed up on the beach and decided to try them out. It took some time to crack them open, but they were delicious!