Spring Break 2021 - Big Island of Hawai'i

We never dreamed that we would go back to Hawaii so soon after visiting the first time but plane tickets were at record lows (thanks to Covid) and I got a steal of a deal on hotel rooms, so we had a hard time coming up with reasons not to go back. We did all have to have negative Covid tests before arriving in Hawaii and had to have another negative test upon arrival at the airport, so that made us all a bit anxious, but it was worth it for a week in paradise with record-low crowds. Just the way we like it. 

Up bright and early on our first day to enjoy the sunrise from our resort. We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. 

Where did these big kids come from?? 

Emery randomly captured a few model shots of James without him knowing.
She may have a future in photography. :) 

What's crazy is that one of Emery's teammates on her club soccer team was all there. What are the odds that she and her family would be in Hawaii, on the same island and at the same resort as us the whole week?!? The kids had so much fun playing together nearly every day. 

Emery and Louise

Holland, Hunt, Case, Louise and Emery

The first time we visited Hawaii, it was in the fall. So it was just before whale season. The whales come down from Alaska in December to have their babies. They stick around until late-March, early-April, so spring break is prime whale watching time and boy did we see a bunch of them. You didn't even have to go on a whale watching tour to see them. We saw them our fist day just walking to he pool. They were right off the coast of our resort. It was incredible! 

But one of our favorite activities was the whale watching tour. We got so close! The mommas were HUGE and the babies were so cute breaching up out of the water. Definitely a highlight of the trip! 

Oh how we missed these Hawaii sunsets! 

Day two brought other adventures. We hiked to the Pololu Valley. This was something we did last time as a family of four and so we were excited for David and Debra to join us this time. 

Gearing up for our night snorkel with the giant manta rays

This trip, we did a lot more relaxing and less running around, which was nice. We spent several mornings at Waialea Beach. There is great snorkeling right off the beach and we would get there early to beat the crowd. It's definitely one of our favorite spots. 

We also spent a lot of time at the pools at our resort. The kids could have stayed out all night! 

Luau time! 

View from our balcony at our hotel

The overnight trip back is the only downside. SO TIRED!!