hawaiian vacation {in photo & video}

Two years ago our group of friends were out to dinner and we realized that we all shared the same wedding year {well, except for me and Ryan – we are one year behind}.  Someone threw out the idea of taking a 10 year anniversary trip together to renew our vows in Vegas. It started as a joke, but soon the guys started talking and decided that a Hawaiian vacation was a much better option for the 10 year anniversary trip {well done, men}.  So this trip has been in the making for the past two years and I think we were all pleasantly surprised that it actually came together.

{our group on luau night}

Between the six couples, we have 17 children – all under the age of eight.  Coordinating our calendars to fit in a week+ getaway and finding childcare for our many small children sounded like it would be a challenge, but somehow it all worked fairly seamlessly. We were all so thankful to the grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and friends who took care of our babies while we enjoyed this much needed vacation.

The best part about traveling with a group was that we were able to spend time as a whole group, time by ourselves or time to break off into smaller groups for dinner.  Because we usually have 17 kids around, it was so nice to be able to start and finish a conversation in one try!

At the end of the trip, the last few couples sat around the pool asking what the most memorable part of the trip was. It was SO hard to answer. I think I could come up with a favorite part for each day. Seriously, it was the best trip ever.

So, I’ll just highlight some of the favorite moments:

On our first full day in Maui, Ryan and I went to dinner with our friends and then out to the only dance club on Maui. For the record, I like to dance, but I’m not a clubbin’ kind of girl. I stressed for weeks about what I could possibly wear from my closet to a club.  But I pulled it together and the night was quite possibly the most fun night of my life. I’m not even kidding.

{at the club}

We ate that night at my favorite restaurant of the trip, Hula Grill in Kaanapali.  The food was great, the atmosphere was even better, and I might have developed a small crush on the ukelele player who was entertaining us.

Those Hawaiian men are charmers.

The next day, we took a drive up to the north shore of the island.

Then up a long, winding and perhaps dangerous road to catch this view:

There is actually an estate on the top of that hill on the left. Can you imagine?

Once our entire group made it to the island, we had three full days of activities planned.

DAY ONE: poolside hangout at the Makena Golf Resort & luau at the Wailea Marriott

{heaven}

DAY TWO: zipline & dinner at Taqueria Cruz for taco tuesday and BYOB {seriously}

Ziplining was fun – best if done with a group since you are all roped in together for the morning.

Here I am on the first zip down:

Taqueria Cruz is this hole-in-the-wall taco place in Kihei that we loved. Especially the live music.

DAY THREE: snorkling trip to Molokini & bbq at our condo pool

We took the Pride of Maui snorkling tour … nothing fancy, but the crew on the boat were great and we had a fun time. The snorkling was not quite as good as we all expected but the experience was worth the trip.

A few months ago my parents bought a condo in Kihei so Ryan and I had a great place to stay and entertain our group for a bbq one night.

{the view from the condo pool}

Once our busy days were over, we tried out different beaches.

{perhaps my favorite beach – in Napili}

{cool lava rock beach south of Makena – best snorkling ever! Awesome coral, lots of fish and turtles, too. Called the dumps by locals}

{hawaiian green sea turtle with lots of pretty coral}

For your viewing pleasure, here is a video of this big guy:

And of course Big Beach {Makena} which is an island favorite

My girls are going to kill me for this, but I have to post it anyway.

A few things about this photo:

1. I wore a bikini. Check that one off my resolution list.

2. Notice how nicely tanned all my girlfriends are? I’m jealous.

3. For having 17 children, I’d say we look pretty good!

So many amazing memories, beautiful scenery, laughable moments, breathtaking views, the best food and friendships deepened.

But most of all, I loved having some time away with my love.

Even though he lost his wedding ring in the ocean.

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