Browse Day: December 16, 2015

So much to eat…

IMG_4403One the best things about Hawaii is the food!! In between trips to the pool and beach, we ate and ate.

IMG_4100Of course, we started the trip with Jes’ favorite ramen.  Interestingly, Kurt and Yoon suggested their favorite ramen place and Jes HAD to try it.

IMG_0215He had the tonkatsu ramen at Yotekko-Ya and he agreed. It was delicious.  He thinks it ranks at least #1 or #2 on his list now but he’s debating because their fried rice and gyoza are no good.

IMG_3979Our first meal in Hawaii was actually at Nico’s Fish Market.  It’s close to the freeway and on the way to Waikiki.  I love their furikake ahi and Jes substituted the salad for a mac salad for me. Yes!

IMG_4124One of my favorite breakfasts is the coconut waffle at Eggs ‘n Things.  I don’t know how many times I’ve had it or taken a photo of it but I just can’t help myself.  It’s like I just want to remember the yumminess forever.

IMG_4192For an early dinner, we went to Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin and I had the katsu-don, which also keeps really well for the next morning.  KK never stays awake for dinner here so she always gets this dish for breakfast the next day.

IMG_4276From Rainbow Drive-In, I had the loco moco.  KK loved it so much that she ate half of my plate.  I don’t blame her because it’s so tasty and comforting.

IMG_4302On this trip, I had a whole ‘lotta poke.  I guess i was making up for the last trip when I was pregnant.  One afternoon, we bought some poke and had a picnic in our hotel room.  KK ate her fair share of poke today.

IMG_4321

Since Leonard’s was down the street from Rainbow, we stopped to get 6 original sugar malasadas and then 6 filled malasadas: lilikoi, haupia, and chocolate.  IMG_4317We had plenty to share and the first one I ate was the haupia-filled one and split it with Ranee.  DE-lish!  Even Avia looked excited.

IMG_4374We always have at least one breakfast at McDonald’s.  Their Spam and eggs platter is always tasty – especially when you can have a fried haupia pie after. 🙂

IMG_4408On one of the days, we took Jason and Jia to North Shore for garlic shrimp.  I ate this whole plate all by myself. Don’t judge! KK actually gobbled up half of Jes’ plate after her peeled them all.  That’s my girl!

IMG_4424We also stopped at Matsumoto for some shave ice. We picked coconut, lilikoi, and pineapple today.IMG_4456We also made an impromptu stop at the Dole Plantation on our way back and KK scored a second treat that afternoon.  She loves Dole Whip as much as Mama.

IMG_4602At Yoon’s house, she served brunch including macnut pancakes and fried rice from Boots and Kimo’s.  YUM!IMG_4603She also picked up poke from The Hibachi.  Their hamachi poke was so good.

IMG_4552Back at Sheraton Waikiki, we had a few meals at their poolside bar.  As SPG members, kids eat free with a paid adult meal.  The kalua pork nachos and korean chicken wings were pretty good.  IMG_4687I also had the kimchee fried rice loco moco one afternoon and scored a free crudites platter for KK.

IMG_4695Of course, my favorite part of Hawaii is the refreshing mai tai.  I had quite a few and they taste even better when both of your kids are sleeping.

IMG_4288Also, as SPG members, we got to visit the GIFT store where you can take home whatever you can fit into their tiny paper bag.  Ranee and I raided the store and managed to stuff two full bottles of wine and a cooler bag into it.

IMG_4709I even balanced a little pretzel/peanut butter snack on top for good measure.  Haha.  We’re so ghetto but we followed the rules fair and square!

I love Hawaii.  I can’t wait to go back.

Oahu in December

DCIM100GOPRO

We were so lucky to be able to fly to Hawaii for a second time this year!! We went from December 7-14.  It was to celebrate the arrival of our baby boy and to finish off my maternity leave.  We did this with KK when she was born and I’m so glad we did it again.

IMG_3959The trip was kicked off with an empty plane and extra seat for Peanut.  Awesome.  Everyone did great.

IMG_4095We stayed at Sheraton Waikiki again and it was great.  What was even better was that Ranee and her family also booked the same days and hotel!!

IMG_4348THEN a few days before our trip, Jason and Jia decided to come along too!  What fun!

IMG_4756It was so nice to have someone to have Happy Hour with and extra grown-ups to keep an eyes on the little ones in the pool.

IMG_4593 No trip to Oahu would be complete without seeing our favorite Yoon.  She just bought a house in Kailua and she invited us over for lunch.Trevor is much bigger than he was when we first met him in March and he’s adorable.

IMG_4605He also took a special interest in Peanut.  So cute!

IMG_4220 As usual, I was up really early every morning with Peanut and KK was up pretty early too.  Luckily, there’s a beautiful sunrise to watch every morning and it was nice to just hang out by the infinity pool while it’s empty and quiet. IMG_4636We also met up with Ranee and Avia who were also up early and there was one morning that we walked to Marukame Udon to pick up some breakfast.  Yum…wish I could have udon every morning for breakfast.

IMG_4338One of the best things about this trip was that KK got to spend some fun beach and pool time with Sophie! They had a blast together and it was so sweet to see them having conversations and trying to share.

IMG_4149This trip was Peanut’s first trip and he experienced so many new things.  He loved chilling in the pool, which also helped nap during the day too. He was learning how to sit up and it was perfect for hanging out on the beach.  I love this photo.

IMG_4631One great thing about being in Hawaii in December is that they take Christmas very seriously there.  The decorations are off the hook everywhere you go.  This is the tree in the lobby of the Moana.

DCIM100GOPRO

We spent A LOT of time at the pool this trip and KK conquered some of her fears.  She was “swimming” around with her floatie on and went down the small slide all on her own.  She was still afraid of jumping in and was too scared to go down the big slide.  Regardless, we are so proud of how much she accomplished.

IMG_4774We had such a fun and memorable trip! I can’t wait to go again sooner than later.  Food post will follow.