Hawaii 2020

We had such an amazing trip to Hawaii in 2019 we decided to do it all over again in 2020. The sameness of the setting revealed the differences that have occurred within our family in the past twelve months. And let me just say- things have gotten easier. Without even realizing it we've emerged from the all consuming stage of having babies and toddlers. As we traveled through the fog of three newborns in five years, the days that felt so far off are slowing becoming our reality.

Last January we couldn't let 18 month old Hazel out of our sight for a second. She still napped and 6 hours on a commercial airline were painful. This year she was quite independent, no one was quarantined to the condo in the middle of the afternoon, and the flight was unremarkable. 

There was also a distinct shift in the boys and what they wanted to do. In years past they've mainly wanted to dig holes in the sand and wade in the pool. This year they spent most of their days in the ocean and loved doing sunrise and sunset swims. They wanted to boogey board, snorkel and do all things. By 7 am they were running laps and so exhausted at the end of the day they barely had the energy to protest their 7:30 bed time.

Owen is the type of kids who need to know what to expect, so on vacation he can get a little out of sorts if things don't end up how he imagined. Being in the same space eased his anxiety and made him much quicker to open up and engage in the Hawaiian activities. We were efficient in our purchases and meal planning so the cooking felt organized and easy. I can't think of a reason not to do this vacation again and again for foreseeable future.

It was an epic week. The time to be together and make family memories is a gift that means everything to me. The sun revitalizes my soul and I love slowing down with nothing to focus on but each other. I'm incredibly grateful for this time and these people.