Our Dyer Sibling Set Is Complete

To our joy, the last Dyer sibling and his lovely family made it out to see us in Hawaii before we left. To their detriment, it was pretty much the week before I headed back to TX for good, so all our worldly possessions were already packed up and on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. Our living room furniture consisted of our two lanai chairs we were planning on selling before we left, and their bed, which we were selling as well. Sweet Benjamin was around 6 months old, and it was the first time I had laid eyes on him. What a cutie! He proceeded to charm us over the next few weeks.

At the local farmer's market

Poor John and Amber – our apartment was close to a busy street, and very noisy. This ended up meaning no sleep for Benjamin, and thus, his parents. Most days I’d get up around 8 am to find John and Benjamin hanging out – they had been up and wandering around Honolulu since 6 am. John and family were definitely troopers as David and I, in our ignorance of what you can do with a 6 year old, drug them around the island for the next week, punctuated by naps. In all honesty, it was two years ago (Benjamin is now a bright, active little toddler!) and I don’t really remember anything crazy happening. Which is good, because you generally don’t want crazy anywhere near a baby.

Out at the lagoons at Ko Olina where we used to live

What up, dawg. He looks like a little gangsta in this picture. A cute, adorable, tiny gangsta. He knows he's the center of attention.

Happy boy. He liked watching the palm trees.

Boys head off to find Fish and Things.

David's about to get a head start on his bald patch

I believe this is Benjamin's first intro to the sea. He was a pretty good sport about it.

Hiking! Yes, we did make them hike. With a baby. He did great.

Hiking up to Manoa Falls

That is a lot of steps when you're carrying another person on your back.

We made it! Benjamin is very zen about the whole experience.

After this we did a scenic drive, ending in this great overlook. I think it is safe to say that Benjamin is not scared of heights.

Here we are on Lanikai!

Beach baby chill out moment.

View on the way back

Benjamin out for a walk by the apartment, charming everyone he met.

Dyers Continued

That's right - we made them go on YET ANOTHER HIKE. We are evil.

At the top of the trail - looking at the east side of the island, and Rabbit Head.

Conked out. Whew!




Some quiet beach time


Beach Babes

Thou Shalt Like The Ocean

Some alone time with Auntie Tiffy - I couldn't help but take a picture of the cuteness. Benjamin was often more stylishly dressed than myself. Look at that hat!

Parents nervously leave their child in my hands to have some ocean relax time. I didn't lose him or anything.

Going for the requisite walk along the beach

Dole Plantation! We always require the goofy pineapple picture. We should make a collage of all the people that came to visit us we forced into this cutout...


Farther up the north shore - this is the Lost Beach


Lost Beach Set - there is always a burly security guard on duty.


Shrimp Shack! Delicious.


Macky's! I actually had a punch card for this truck-food-van thing.

Paddleboarding! David and I didn't really discover this until right before we left, so we had a good time figuring this out with them.

Triumph

Bumming a ride

We got the real entertainment while mom and dad were out having some fun - Benjamin sitting. He loved David.

Mainly he liked grabbing his face. I told him it was only because he has such a big nose. Love you dear!


You MUST get sno-cones while at the north shore!

Waimea Bay - I miss you for a perfect reading beach.

Ready for anything

The Black Rock - That is David and John up there. I was watching safely from the sand.

After jumping - wedgie-tastic.

Aww, brothers.

Benjamin crashing out at the restaurant after a long day.

Where are we here? I don't know, but we're together and having fun.

After this, they went to Kauai for a few days and I headed back to Texas. Thanks for coming to visit us, guys! It was so great to spend time with my little nephew!