Hawaii Day 9

Today was our most active day yet!  We got up bright and early and headed to Diamond Head, eager and ready for a good hike.  If you don't know.. Diamond head is a large crater that was formed 300,000 years ago from a brief volcanic eruption.  The crater is 350 acres across with its width greater than it's height.  (I thought it was pretty freaking high, but whatever.) Diamond Head was purchased by the National Government in the 1904 and was used to aide in the coastal defense of O'ahu. This is Hawaii's most recognizable tourist attraction and is also a National Landmark.

All I will say is this... Ed and I were here four years ago and hiked Diamond Head on that trip as well.  We definitely do NOT remember it being this hard or strenuous.  Either the weather in August is much different than the weather in February, or we are just getting older and more out of shape.

Oh yeah.. I forgot to mention.  Ed had an additional 25lbs strapped to him this time.  Maybe that made it a bit more difficulut.

Still feeling optimistic.

Smiling and stupidly thinking this can't be that difficult.

Getting a little steeper.

Nice family picture right?  Little do you know we were completely winded and looking for a reason to take a break.  Please note.. we were only hiking for 5 minutes at this point.

Off the pavement and onto the mountain.

Beautiful views

Here is my mom pretending she was going to collapse.  She did an amazing job!

Almost to the top.  We had to go through two tunnels and up two sets of stairs before finally reaching a winding metal staircase.  It's close quarters as it is without adding in a chubby boy in a Baby B'Jorn strapped to your chest.  Ed was a stud on this hike.

Finally at the top!  Thank the good Lord!!

Tiny place to look out.  We weren't going to try and crawl through the cement to the actual look out with Caden.  With a squirmy boy this was close enough for my liking.

Caden's expression is how all of us felt.  He was amazing once again and never made a peep the entire way up or back down.

Getting ready to head back down.  Ed's smile faded a little as you can see, but if you quickly look behind him he had a pretty nice view on the way back down.  I mean.... of the beautiful mountain of course!

Very, very steep stairs, and yes our legs were shaking like crazy at this point.

Caden surprisingly didn't even get scared when we went into the dark cave.

Sweaty Mommy and Daddy ready to be back on the ground.

WE DID IT!!

There's the BEAST in the background.

As you can see, someone was very worn out from his strenuous hike.

Mi-Mi treated us to some delicious sushi after our hike and believe it or not she even tried a California roll.  Way to go Mi-Mi!!

After our busy morning we just had a lazy afternoon in the room.

Just in case there was any question as to what was on the TV.....

You guessed it!  Those lovable, furry, speech impaired Wonder Pets.  

After dinner Mommy, Daddy and Caden headed out to catch the sunset.

Never disappointing even when it's cloudy.

My Boys~Love them!!

Here is Caden waving to the people beside us.  He waves with his hand facing the wrong way.  

It really is pretty cute!

On the way home Caden asked to get out of the stroller so he could pick the board he will use to catch some waves tomorrow.  We didnt' want to burst his bubble and tell him he's a bit small yet, so we just went along with it.

This is a picture of the elevators in our hotel.  The art on the walls is just amazing!

Hawaii Day 9= Exhausting hike, relaxing afternoon, delicious sushi, gorgeous sunset, and a tired group of travelers.