In Hawaii

Aloha from Hawaii! We are having a fabulous family vacation. The ocean and island are incredible. Pictures do not do it justice. We have been here for three days in our home that we are renting on the North Shore that sits right on the beach. The waves roll in right outside the back patio. (We do turn them off at night for noise control while sleeping.) Yesterday, we went to Pearl Harbor and took a boat over to the USS Arizona Memorial. Then, we bought tickets to go and see the USS Missouri. These two sites are know as the bookends of WWII - the Arizona sinking at Pearl Harbor, causing the US to enter the war, and the Missouri serving as the place where the surrender documents were signed. Julie and Brian were able to go on a guided tour of the USS Missouri and go in the CEC room, which is the control room for all the torpedos, harpoons, and other destructive weapons (you normally can't go in there unless you're in the guided tour group).
Today, we have been relaxing at our house. Julie got to fulfill a life-long dream of running in the ocean while it was raining. (We like it when our children aim high and are able to accomplish these things.)
We have enjoyed the shave ice (not shaved!) and the malasadas (very delicious portuguese donuts), both of which are famous on the North Shore.
We look forward to more adventures on Oahu during the next week!