a sunburn is earned, not bought

Tell me about it!  The summer is almost over and I decided to change my bathing suit design which exposes a whole different part of my top to the sun.  I have earned this sunburn!  And no, Cathy Peet, my top and bottom still do not match in case you were wondering!  Chris would like for me to let you know that black people can also get sunburned and even peel.  I  keep telling him aloe vera is his best friend during times like this.  With that being said, any guesses as to what we've been up to???

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we have been at the beach.  On Friday, we decided to hike the Lanikai Pillbox Trail.  This hike was pretty easy and really beautiful.  There were a few bunkers, or "pillboxes" along the ridge.  These bunkers were used during World War II to observe the windward coastline against possible Japanese invasion.  Once we reached the top, we were able to see the "Moks Island" in front of us and the Ko'olau Moutains behind us.  

partners in crime

popping out of the pillbox

After our hike, we headed to Lanikai Beach.  This beach is #2 on my list of favorite places, right behind the North Shore.  It was super crowded though and I even saw jellyfish swimming in the water but we still had a good time.  Jaden got stung by a jellyfish but it didn't really bother him until way later when it was time to go to bed.  Imagine that?!  Below are some photos of our day.  We ended our night watching the sunset and fireworks at the Hilton.  Like Ice Cube said, "today was a good day"  :)

gotta love the self photo

we don't ever want to leave

these sunsets never get old

On Saturday, we went to a beach close to home to watch the annual Dragon Boat races.  In my mind, I had something totally different pictured.  In reality, they were canoes that were painted to look like dragons.  Very anticlimactic.  

I could do her job!

On Sunday, we headed to the beach in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  This hotel is the most ugly/beautiful hotel I have ever seen!  It is the color of Pepto Bismol (gross) and looks like an old spanish mission from far away.  However, when on the actual property it is one of the nicest places I have ever seen (if you can get used to the pink).  There is so much history behind this hotel.  It was built in 1927 (maybe pepto pink was in back then?) and was used as King Kamehameha's playground after he conquered the island of Oahu.  Even Shirley Temple stayed here during the 1930's.  

Shirley Temple was a great actress and Jaden really loves the drink, but I wanted to come here because there aren't any rocks in the water!  A lot of beaches here in Waikiki have coral even in the most shallow parts which makes it really hard to swim.  We spent a majority of our day here and then headed home.  When we got there, we had an interesting visitor waiting for us.  Chris wouldn't let me bring her inside, though.  She doesn't look like an alley cat to me.  

Flossie, the cat!

We woke up this morning to gray skies and 100% humidity.  We quickly decided today was going to be a "do nothing" type of day because of Flossie, the tropical storm (not the cat) was headed our way.    Chris and I caught up on a few shows and Jaden alternated between the tv and his nintendo.  

Hopefully the storm will pass by tomorrow so we can get back to the beach.   Don't want my sunburn to fade!   

Aloha!