I wish everyday was vacation

Matt and I are finally home after a few weeks of vacation. It was lovely! This is going to be a longer post, but I guess it's ok since I haven't really posted anything in a while.


First stop: San Diego/LA


We arrived in San Diego to meet up with Matt's family for a little family time. The last time we took this trip was 3 years ago, and Matt and I weren't even engaged yet!

The fun thing about this trip is we all stayed at the same place so we didn't need to drive too much, we just had to walk to each other's rooms. I love the pools here, too.

It was kind of cloudy the majority of the trip, but when it wasn't we were at the pool.

Matt & Kate, she was showing us her mean swimming skills.

Matt and Hoopes, his mission buddy. We had an okonomiyaki night which they planned, but somehow I ended up showing them how to make the okonomiyaki.

Matt had an office visit in LA with an accounting firm. Look at him all mature and career-oriented.

My cousin lives in LA so I went along with Matt on his trip to visit him. Here are his cute new shih tzu puppies and mommy Minji. Aren't they adorable?

I had SO much fun with Keao. We went to the fabric district and I was in heaven! Thanks again Keao!

We celebrated Matt's 25th birthday while we were with his family at Bruno's. The pizza was yummy and HUGE.

Since we've been running a lot I gave Matt some insoles for his running shoes, and a pre-Hawaii gift, tanning goggles. It was a joke, but he actually used it.

Next stop: Hawaii

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 was being filmed in Hawaii so we got to take pictures of the Pirate ship. Too bad we didn't meet Johnny Depp.

The third day of our trip was Matt's 25th birthday.

He started his birthday by golfing with Uncle Darrell at Ko'olau Golf Course...

...Then breakfast at Liliha Bakery. They have THEEE best french toast made with Hawaiian sweet bread...

...then Matt rented his very first car! (After 25 you don't have the pay the extra fee!)

...Then we checked into our hotel in Waikiki. Before we took this trip I told Matt I wanted to stay in a hotel at least one night since I've never stayed in a hotel in Hawaii. It was sooo nice. I love air conditioning. This is the pool view from our room.

We stayed in an ocean view room thanks to our friend Ewa. Doesn't the background look painted?

Here's the Birthday Boy enjoying the view.

I loved the pools at the Sheraton. There was even a little waterslide. You can barely see my head and my feet.

Matt took a turn. It was a pretty small slide so he didn't get much speed but we both thought it was fun.

For birthday dinner we ate at Coco's Curry House, a chain out of Japan. Matt was SO excited to eat here.
Mmmm...Katsu Curry

Happy Birthday Matt!

Amy, Brett and Summer visited us in Waikiki.

We stayed in the cutest plantation-style hotel. I loved it, thanks again Ewa for getting us oceanviews! Isn't this place cute?

Pretending we don't know our picture is being taken

One of the main reasons we went to Hawaii was for Brett and Summer's wedding! Little did we know we were going to help with preparation! This might look like a sweatshop, but we all gathered at Uncle Dean and Auntie Carol's house to sew chair covers. Keao, Summer, Auntie and I were on the sewing machines; Matt and Justin were cutting loose thread; and Brett was ironing. Busy, busy, but fun!

Of course, we hit the BEACH!

Matt only wanted to boogie board, so I just watched. We would alternate calm beaches and rough beaches. I prefer calm.

I stuck to sandsliding. The only downside to this is you know the wave is going to crash down right on top of you.

KCCN Birthday Bash with the cousins.

Keao took us to Crepes No Ka Oi in Kailua. Super good!

Dukes. Yum. Seasoned waffle fries. Yum double um.

Finally, we ate okonomiyaki and I didn't have to make it!

Remember how I mentioned wedding preparation? Here we are preparing coconut shrimp for the reception, all 1,400 of them until 2:30 am! Keao and I made a good team. I can still hear the rhythmic pound Keao made to batter each shrimp.

Summer and Auntie Colleen asked me to make the bouquets. Here's the bride's. (Thanks for the photo Mika!)

Matt and I were stationed at the "sign in" table, but this one was way more techy.

This was a special wedding for us, not only because Brett is my cousin, but because Matt and Brett were mission companions! Congrats Brett & Summer!

Reception clean-up. Matt, Keao, Brett.

We love Amy!

At my wedding Brett helped my mom assemble my wedding cake, which inspired him to make his own! Isn't he nuts? But he did a great job. This picture is for you Shima! (Sorry, it's been disassembled a little).

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Matt and I had a North Shore day and rode scooters. So fun, but a little stressful on a narrow road.

I'll never be too cool to wear a helmet. I just wish the helmets were white. It would have been so much cuter.

Waimea Bay

We stopped for shave ice at Matsumotos

Then we ate lunch and shared another one.

More sightseeing stops...

Laie Temple and Matt trying to tan (i.e., no shirt). I made him wear a helmet after I told him all the pros to wearing a helmet. What a good husband. I tend to be extra cautious.

We were introduced to Settlers of Catan, a board game. I think that will be the next board game we purchase.

We had to hit up Liliha's one last time for sweet bread french toast before we flew out. It was the perfect end to a fun trip! We can't wait to go back!