for the love of july

HAWAII!!

this trip was so good for all our souls and refreshed us all in so so many ways.

to take a trip as a family is so important to us. it gives us intentional, uninterrupted time where it is just the four of us. we made this same trip last year and knew we so badly wanted to try to make it happen again this year. which we're already saying about next year now too!

the winter/spring here in washington gets to us. we have such a desire for the sunshine and getting away for a week helps get us through til summer. (but now unexpectedly the weather here at home has been so great!)

you can see our trip to hawaii last year HERE!

it's so fun to be making memories a year later at the same places. we stayed in the exact same condo as the previous year because it worked so well for our family. same time of year too!

making this family vacation/babymoon happen was the perfect timing where I'm feeling good in the second trimester and before our sweet little brother is here with us.

traveling with little kids isn't easy, but no doubt it is worth it!

every.single.bit. of it.

our kids do pretty well traveling. tanner is just at the age of being one-and-a-half where it's tough to sit still ;)

so many pictures to come here (sorry, not sorry!)

there is no justice put to these pictures right here- hawaii has the most gorgeous sunsets!

and little miss cutie buns here makes it all the sweeter :)

first ever leis for both us girls! we saw them before heading to the condo and harper was so captivated by the "flower necklaces"

B E A C H D A Y S!!

these were our absolute favorite of days. we just knew the kids were going to have the best of time at the beach. and they did! i tell ya, they could've sat there and played in the sand for the entire day. neither were fans much of the ocean. (though harper loved it last year!) they both had moments where they worked up their courage to get in, but definitely preferred playing in the sand.

just plopped their cute little selves down with bucket + shovel in hand.

happy as could be.

P O O L!!!

at the condo we've stayed the pool is literally in our 'backyard' just a few steps from our back porch. we stay on the main level and that too makes all the difference when children need naps.

the kids can get all the napping in that they need while we're still able to enjoy outside.

it's when we put in most of our pool time :)

a couple of days brandon and i even scored by both kiddos napping at the same time and it became a little 'date' by the pool for us!

F O O D!!!

one thing we have LOVED the two times before when we had been to kauai was the food on the island. and this time around we found even a few more places we just couldn't get enough of!
- - - ACAI BOWLS.- - -

ah-mazing!!!

that's it. that's all i'm gonna say.

we walked to get one for breakfast EVERY morning. and once i finished, i couldn't wait til the next morning when i'd get another. obsessed much?? ;) nahhh

---DA CRACK.---

best mexican from a little hole in the wall restaurant.

I say restaurant loosely since it's really just a pick-up window ;)

--PUKA DOGS---

polish dog + sweet fruit relish + a grilled bun.

i can almost taste it now! SO GOOD!!

---and good 'ol SHAVED ICE of course!!---

we always go to the same shack and it never disappoints!

---WHITE pineapple!---

pineapples alone in hawaii are unbelievably good! the sweetest i've had.

BUT if you can track down a WHITE PINEAPPLE at one of the local farmers markets. get one!

bring a $20 bill and don't expect much change back. most spendy pineapple, but truly worth every bite!

there's always a bit of jealousy to whoever winds up getting the last bite :)

...how my ideal food intake for the day would look like if it were all up to me...

breakfast: sau sai acai bowl

lunch: puka dog with mango relish

dinner: da crack burrito bowl

snacks: shaved ice + white pineapple

all that x7 days in.a.row! :)
the morning i was up before all the rest and took a solo walk on the beach watching the sun rise.

nothing like it.