Aloha Hawaii

Sun, sand, surf...what more could you want?

Daddy and Lucy kayaking at Waimanolo

Our 13th anniversary dinner

Waikiki Aquarium

Lucy and Grammy Tutu at Ko Olina

Loving life!

"Byodo-In-Temple" on Oahu, and Baby Jake-In-Mommy

Elizabeth and Lucy

Sunset and big waves near Sharks Cove on the North Shore

Our family, Waimea Waterfall, Oahu

"Secret" Falls in Kauai

Waimea Canyon, Kauai, The Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Too bad we are blocking the view!

Hiking above the Napali Coast, Kauai

Sunrise in Kauai

Roosters love the beach in Kauai too!

Way back in February Marc, Lucy and I traveled to Hawaii to visit Marc's Mom Randy, and to relax as a family. I feel so lucky to have family in Hawaii and the perfect excuse to go there every few years. Each time we learn more about the Islands, explore new places, and get to know our favorite spots better. Randy is an excellent host and always makes us feel so welcome. After about 6 days there an incredible sense of relaxation and well-being comes over me and it just feels so good.

This was Lucy's first trip (well, she did go in utero!) and boy did she have fun! Three months later her first memory is of Grammy Tutu, then of making sand castles. We spent lots of time at the beach, and we also went hiking, to the aquarium, and to visit the North Shore and our friend Elizabeth. We did the Pineapple Maze at the Dole Plantation. It really helped having Marc there! I never would have found all of the stations on my own. On our 13th anniversary as a couple Marc and I got to go by ourselves to see Jake Shimabukuro, a really amazing non-traditional ukulele player at a fancy restaurant. It was awesome. Before the show we realized there was something we liked about the name Jake, and sure enough, that is what we are naming our son. Jake Carson Leisenring!

Randy took care of Lucy for a few days, and Marc and I got to go to Kauai by ourselves. It was so nice, spending time together. We did some great sight-seeing, going to Waimea Canyon, hiking above the Napali Coast, and visiting a couple of waterfalls. We relaxed on the beach and went out to a memorable Valentines Day at a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, where they cook the food in front of you...yum!  The highlight, besides just being together, was seeing migrating humpback whales jumping in the water offshore. We got up at sunrise and walked, looking and looking and seeing nothing. The sunrise was beautiful, so we weren't totally disappointed. After a beach-side resort breakfast, we walked back to our hotel and lo-and-behold, there they were, swimming and jumping. Clear out of the water! It was from a distance, but so cool to actually see whales. Back on Oahu, Lucy and Tutu had a great time together. We were so grateful to Randy for taking such good care of our little Lucy. 

We can't wait to take Baby Jake to Hawaii! And I can't wait as my last two trips there I have been pregnant! ;)