Hawaii

For the last week Dan and I have been taking a break from house renovations and relaxing in Hawaii.  I had a work trip scheduled for Hawaii and since it aligned perfectly with our 5 year anniversary, we decided to make it a vacation.

We've crammed a lot of stuff in the last few days, but we also tried really hard to relax and soak up the 80 degree weather.  We knew the minute we stepped off the plane it would be back to the house stuff (which it was), work and cold temperatures. 

During the trip we visited the usual Oahu spots; Pearl Harbor, North Shore and the Byodo-In Temple.

Pearl Harbor

Sea Turtles on the North Shore (it's so cool, they come right up on the beach)

Shaved Ice at Matsumoto's on the North Shore

Byodo-In Temple

In addition we went on several hikes, including one to the top of Diamond Head, the iconic backdrop of Waikiki.  

Diamond Head

Lanikai Hike-We hiked along the entire ridge of the mountain.  

The highlight of the trip for me was getting to see a Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross play a team from Canada in beach volleyball. I met Jennings earlier in the year in Kansas City, so getting to see her play in person was a huge treat.

And of course there were always lots of beautiful views: 

We arrived back in KC earlier this afternoon and already spent the evening taking down a plaster wall, nothing like getting right back in the action.