Jason's Island Birthday

For months, Jason has said that we're going to Hawaii for his birthday.  We had actually planned the family trip to Maui and the dates just happened to coincide with his birthday, but isn't more fun to think you're taking a Hawiian vacation for your birthday?

Jason turned 5 on August 8th.  Sho and I cannot believe that our baby is already five.

 Jason was excited to have an "island cake" to celebrate his birthday.

We also enjoyed a banana creme pie to celebrate Jason's big day.

And Jason came home with the ultimate birthday gift and souvenir all wrapped into one!

Jason loved playing and swimming in the ocean, playing in the sand and snorkeling.  He saw lots of different fish, but I think the highlight (for me, at least) was that he saw and swam with a sea turtle on his birthday!  

Ben loves everything about Hawaii... he said his favorite part was the Portugese sausage and loco moco, spending time on the beach and snorkeling and writing his bucket list (of things he wants to do in his lifetime) while we sat at the beach.  Ben is fascinated with the humpback whale.  He chose a wooden whale as his souvenir, got a fact book about whales and is determined to see a whale in person one of these days.

Kara loves the ocean... she really enjoyed boogie boarding and snorkeling.  We thought maybe there would be a surf lesson during this trip, but maybe next time.  I'm glad she still enjoys things like playing in the sand and making sand malasadas for the family.

Since Uncle Jack grew up on Maui, we always make a point to visit Makawao and see some the the places he remembers from childhood.  

On these family trips, we don't seem to do anything particularly special, but what makes it so special is that everyone is together, having a great time and we all have wonderful Maui memories that we'll cherish always.

Until next time.... Aloha!