Kauai

Right around the same time we switched over Ellis’ medication and things were pretty tough and unstable at home, we found out Adam qualified for his Summit Club trip for work. Not only is this a FREE trip, we also found out they were going to Kauai! As much as we’d been dying to go to Kauai, I thought there was no way in the world we’d be able to go and leave Ellis at home. My parents, Adam’s parents, and our sisters (Jeanne and Kelly) knew about this trip though, and convinced us we HAD to go. I will forever be grateful to them for this! I can’t tell you how badly we needed this trip! Praising the Lord Ellis’ new medication finally kicked in and things were starting to calm down at home too before we left! We dropped the kids off with Nancy before school on Tuesday, April 23 and headed to Kauai! We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Resort, with this beautiful salt water lagoon!

The beach outside our resort was beautiful too! Gosh I love the ocean!

Little snag…my luggage didn’t make it to Kauai, but there was no way I was going to let that get me down! The clothes I had on, my day old makeup and contacts, and the hotel robe were all I needed on day 1!

No luggage, no problem! I can ride in the golf cart in my dirty and comfy airplane clothes from the day before, while Adam plays golf!

Nothing a little Bloody Mary can’t fix!

This was seriously the most gorgeous golf course I’ve ever been on!

Ended the morning with a birdie!

And a delicious lunch with a view!

Luggage was officially lost and I needed underwear, clothes, toiletries, and flip flops! Thank goodness for Target and online shopping, so we didn’t have to waste a lot of time! Adam was thrilled to be at Target, as you can see!

Roosters were seriously all over the island!

The resort had tennis courts, so we both got to play our favorite sport on our first full day!

Man it felt good to get out of my dirty airplane clothes and put on a dress for dinner!

The sky was so pretty that night!

The next morning Adam had a meeting, so I explored the resort…

They had a bird sanctuary in the lobby!

I went back up to the room for a minute and found the BEST surprise ever!!! Lesson learned! I will now be packing soooooooo much more in my carry on from here on out!

After Adam’s quick meeting we went on a 4 mile hike to Waimea Canyon. These next few pics are just lookout points on the way to the trail…

Starting our hike!

Such a pretty view of the canyon and totally worth the hike!

Next time we’ll do a helicopter tour though…not gonna lie, that hike was brutal!

So many waterfalls!

Roosters just hanging around while we eat lunch!

Our third night was the “Welcome Dinner” at a plantation nearby.

Adam was cracking me up with his giant dart throwing skills (or lack thereof)…

Adam’s company paid for each of us to do an excursion. Adam chose golf (duh) as his excursion, while I got to go to the spa! Unfortunately they weren’t at the same time, but while he was golfing, I still got a full morning of relaxing! First up was coffee with a view….

I even had some new friends join me for breakfast!

They were rude though, and took my food without asking…

Then I guess they told their friends I was giving away “free” food…

I just love how open everything is in Hawaii, and how they bring the outside inside!

Spent the rest of my morning posted up on the beach doing my absolute favorite thing!

Was even entertained by the local talent!

Sea turtles!

Monk Seal!

More views of the beautiful grounds at our resort!

A little after dinner live music in the lobby!

Tropical birds just chilling all over the resort!

My turn for my “excursion”!

Most relaxing, BEST massage ever!

Just couldn’t get over this tree and open window view in the lobby!

After my massage, we took a shuttle to this secluded beach someone recommended to us. There is no tourist parking at the beach, so you have to book a shuttle ahead of time to get there. They limit how many people can go on the beach per day, so it never gets too crowded!

It was a little bit of a trek to get to this beach called Ke’e (pronounced K-A), but so worth it!

The sun didn’t want to shine for us while we were there, but it was still beautiful!

My FAVORITE part of Hawaii is the beautiful ocean on one side and the lush rainforest peaks on the other!

In case you were wondering, those black rocks are super slippery!

Almost had the whole beach to ourselves at one point!

The beach was basically a cove surrounded by a reef, which made for great snorkeling and no waves!

Farewell Fuscia dinner was on the grounds at the resort!

They had a mini Luau as our entertainment while we ate dinner

They closed the evening with this incredible band! Nothing better than some live music in paradise!

Our last morning we booked another excursion since our flight wasn’t until 9pm that evening! This was by far the coolest excursion I’ve ever been on, and the BEST way to see the beautiful Na’ Pali Coast. We Took this 10 person motor powered raft to explore the coast…

It felt like we were on a speed boat!

We had some entertainment along the way too…

Simply beautiful!

They filmed the movie Godzilla on this island and used dry ice to sculpt the edge of this cliff to look like Godzillas profile!

Up close and personal with the waterfalls!

Love how we got to go underneath one without having to get out of our raft!

I mean, how beautiful is this?!?

Wait, we actually get to go through one?!? Coolest experience ever!

Sooooo many beautiful caves along the coast!

Is this real life?? God is such an incredible artist!

My favorite travel partner and no one else I’d rather explore the world with!

Breathtaking views around every single corner!

Nature is so cool!

Aloha!

Time to get out of the raft and explore a little!

There were fish everywhere! Best snorkeling I’ve ever done!

More entertainment on our long boat ride back…

Dolphins are the cutest!

Right outside our resort is a famous hike along “Shipwreck Beach”. We were so exhausted from our morning excursion, but I’m so glad I made Adam do this one last hike with me!

I can never get enough of these insane views!

Loves him!

I 💜 Kauai!

View of our resort from the hike!

Killing some time before our evening flight home. Relaxing and sitting in gratitude for this beautiful life I’ve been given. For my hard working husband who affords us these opportunities and our selfless families who step up to make them possible, but most importantly, for my magnificent Creator who continually leaves me in awe!