Hawaii-Day 5

Saturday was the days Ben and Katlyn's sealing.  Mario and the boys asked if we really had to go.  Of course we did, that was the whole reason we had flown to Hawaii this exact week.  Of course, I think they were only joking.  But it was hard to pull them from Bellows.  We headed up to the temple early Saturday morning.  The sealing was at 10.  When we pulled up to the temple, we were told the power was out in all of Laei and that the temple was closed.  Fortunately, they have generators and were able to still hold the two sealings they had scheduled that day.  It was a beautiful sealing and I'm glad I was able to attend.  The temple president was the one that sealed them and I always love listening to their words of wisdom.

After the sealing, we left to go get some lunch.  One thing that is really popular in Hawaii is the food trucks.  As you drive around, you see these trucks parked on side of road that sell lunch.  We stopped and I got their speciality, shrimp. 

After lunch, we drove around until we found the "turtle" beach.  Up on the North Shore, there's a beach that sea turtles like to lay out in the sun all day.  It was exactly what I had envisioned because they are roped off and we aren't allowed to get too close.  But it was still cool to get within a couple feet of them.  They weigh over 200 pounds.

After watching the turtles nap for a few minutes, we headed out to the famous Matsumoto Shaved Ice in Haleiwa.  I don't really know why this place is famous because there are places all over Oahu that serve shaved ice.  I've been told the other places are equally as good too.  But you come to this one for the "experience."  You stand in a long line and wait while places just around the corner have no line and even offer discounts.  We were suckers and waited in line. It was delicious. It even has some ice cream at the bottom.

After shaved ice, we headed back to "the rock" as my kids call Waimea Beach with the cliff jumping.  They were anxious to try it again.  Unfortunately, the waves were a little too rough and they didn't feel safe jumping.  It is a little scary because there are signs posted everywhere that the surf is dangerous and the cliff jumping can be fatal.  The signs say not to jump but even the lifeguards just say to jump on one side so they can help if you get into trouble.  The boys didn't play much in the water because it was too dangerous that day.  But Mario and Eric had a blast playing in the surf.  It made me very nervous and I was so grateful when we left with no injuries.

We quickly showered off at the outside showers and changed into our nice clothes and left for the reception that was held at Laie point.  It was at a very nice home located right on the ocean.  We had some luau food which was great since that was the only time we had a traditional Hawaiian dinner.

It was another great day in Paradise.