Love is in Stiles

In March we were super lucky to be able to spend ten days in paradise, a.k.a. Oahu! We hadn't been back in almost exactly two years, since we graduated from BYU-Hawaii.
This spring Scott taught a course for BYU-Hawaii online, about social entrepreneurship. It was difficult, since Scottie is already doing so much, for him to have to split his time further. But our life goal is to get back to Hawaii. Live on the North Shore of Oahu, Scott teaching Entrepreneurship/Business at BYU-Hawaii. Surfing on Saturdays, riding bikes around town, with a little house with a BIG avocado tree. That is the dream my friends.
So anyways, we were super excited when he got asked to teach. Not only is it one step closer to a full time job teaching there one day (crossing my fingers), but it is giving Scott a chance to hone his teaching skills and make sure that he would be happy with that job if he were to get it. AND last but not least, we got a trip to Hawaii!!!
We got to visit with my brother Burke, and his family that live in Oahu. Their youngest, Indigo (aka Indie), is just three months younger than Maverick and they had a ball together. We also got to see many of our friends from the North Shore that we hadn't seen in years. We were nervous that Mav wasn't going to like the beach, because he hadn't been fond of the beach we took him to in Hong Kong months before. But he adored it! Seriously, he is even more of a beach bum then us. He was curious about the water, and wanted to wade in, but his main love was the sand. I should have anticipated that he would love sand toys, because spoons and forks are basically just giant versions of the spoons and forks that he already carries around. He loved to dig holes. And throw sand. And eat sand. And sit in giant sand holes. And crush sand castles. He did it every day, all day. One day when we had already been at the beach a few hours it started raining and I was hiding in the beach tent, and he happily sat in the sand and piled sand on his legs until the rain stopped. This dude was meant for Hawaii!
Actually, our whole family is meant for Hawaii. I have never had a place that feels so much like home. Getting there just felt right. I love everything about it. The smells, the gorgeous sights, the people, the food, the feel on sunshine and salt and sand. I knew that I missed Hawaii, but being there just reaffirmed that we need to get back there permanently someday. Somedays I just miss it so much I ache. I never knew that a place could make you feel that way, even more so than most people I know. There is no question in my mind that, while I still love Heber, Hawaii is my home. It's one of the few things I have been sure about. My marriage to Scottie, my baby, my religion, and Hawaii.
Whew! Somehow most of my posts get all mushy at some point. Who would have thought a post about a trip to Hawaii would be so personal?

Uncle Burke, cousin Indigo and Mav hanging on the beach.

This series was my favorite from the whole trip- it was a GORGEOUS day, and the babies were happy as could be to play in the sand and pretend to surf.

He's a natural. Hawaii in his soul.

Pure happiness. Baby, beach, sand, sunlight, smiles, snacks.

My favorite beach on the island, White Plains.

A crooked smile from the Maveroni.

An amazing Thai food truck on the North Shore.

By pure miraculousness, two of Scott's best friends were visiting Oahu exactly when we were. This is Scott's best friend, Blake. We met up at Turtle Bay.

Nose wrinkle smile.

Another great beach, Cockroach.

Tide pools at Cockroach.

Look at those eyes!

A perfect day at Kualoa, where President Obama has a house.

Scott presenting at the Empower Your Dreams Business Plan Compition at BYU-H. Other presenters included LDS You Tube celebrities; The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, and the Harmon Brothers.

Me and Mav did a stroll through of the Laie, Hawaii temple.

Waimea Beach with cousin Kai.

Maverick loved to sled on the boogie boards!

The Pillbox, a lookout for WWII. This is located directly between Kawela Bay (where they filmed the second Hunger Games movie) and Turtle Bay. Side note- this is also where Louis Zamperini was stationed in part of Unbroken.

Gorgeously tan cousin Sage.

The best burger in the world is from Kahuku Grill on the North Shore. It is owned by some friends.

The Paniolo burger. Cheese, Pineapple, Barbecue sauce, onion rings. Humongous. Perfect.

And when you finish you look like this.

BYU-Hawaii.

To our surprise Maverick actually would nap in his carseat.

A sunset at Waikiki Beach!

Some perfect lighting at Waikiki

A cute baby crack to send you on your way. :)