Sunset Watchers

 Unless you REALLY like photos of Orelia and Bennett on the beach at sunset, then you can skip this post.

 One of my absolute most favorite thing about Hawaii was watching gorgeous sunsets every day.

 The best part is that watching the sunset was Orelia's idea.

 After we just so happened to catch the sunset on the beach the first night in Hawaii, Orelia kept insisting it be part of our everyday agenda.

 No two sunsets are alike, and no two crazy play fests on the beach are alike.

 Sometimes the kids got soaking wet.

 Sometimes they got even more soaked than soaked.

 And every time they came back to the condo and hopped into the giant bath tub to clean off the crazy amounts of sand that can accumulate after one romp on the beach.

When Orelia plopped down to catch the last glimpse of the sun setting, she just seemed so grown up to me that she might appreciate something like this.

 Then, of course, she frolicked in the waves as only a kid can.

 And thank God she's my little girl.

 And this little girl loves a sunset beach romp.

 I love Hawaii - which isn't a novel concept.

 We have been to Hawaii a few times - sometimes with kids and sometimes without kids.

And for me this trip was better than any other Hawaii trip we've had before.

Because what could be better than watching your little man in his wayfarers with his shark shirt?

 I could look at his chubby cheeky and chunky toes every day for the rest of my life, especially if there is a Hawaii sunset going on in the background.

This was our first trip to Hawaii as a family of four, and it was incredible to share this place with two kids who are old enjoy to enjoy it.

 The golden hour seemed to bring the craziness out of both my kids, which worked great since bedtime was right around the corner.

 The kids shared a room on this vacation, so we wanted to get them good and tired every day before bed so there would be as little shenanigans as possible.

Here is a photo of Bennett tiring himself out.  He gets in this pose and then says "whoosh" and runs as fast as his can.  I'm not sure where he came up with this concept, but it's nice to always have some warning before he goes running off.

Occasionally John and I could even enjoy the sunset side by side while the kids happily played.  Bob photographed us with a little cuddlebug between us.

 Bennett wasn't interested in sitting with us because he was in the middle of a construction site (naturally).

I hope our family has many more Hawaiian sunsets to see together.

 I know that the time will fly and soon Bennett won't be bringing backhoes to the beach for much longer.

 And he may not be drawn to the biggest holes or hills on the beach forever.

 But I am so grateful that this year the beach brought him such pure joy.

And I'm so grateful that this girl motivated all our sunset beach trips.

And that we got to enjoy the view of our beautiful children

In this unbelievable place.