10 Year Celebration!

This past August Jennie and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! For several years we have said that we would go on a special trip to Hawaii for this milestone. So, almost 1 year ago we started planning our trip. Most of the time it seemed more like a fantasy than something we were really going to do. At the end of September mom and dad Gibb came to watch the kids and we headed out on our long awaited week in paradise.

After a long day in the air and on the tarmac (our flight was delayed a couple times), we finally made it to our destination. We always said when we went to Hawaii we would rent a Harley. However, we didn't think we would be going while Jen was 5 months Pregnant...so we scratched the motorcycle idea and ended up with the next best thing for cruising the island...a convertible.

Dad Whitehead was able to trade some time at his Kimberley Condo for a week at The Hilton Hawaiian Resort on the west tip of Waikiki. It was amazing!





From the balcony of the room we had a private view of the beautiful Hawaii sunset.

The Resort came complete with several different pools, private beach, shopping and restaurants.


Jen in front of the Penguin Cove at the resort.

While we definitely took advantage of the time and did alot of relaxing in the sun. We also took in many of the cool activities the Island has to offer. Our first full day there we visited Pearl Harbour and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Another day we cruised over to Laie and the Polanisian Cultural Centre for a full day of education, entertainment and fun. Our favorite presentation was at the Samoan pavilion. Jen had to get her picture taken with our hilarious presenter. We also enjoyed the Tonga presentation and the evening show.



On Sunday we attended Sacrament Meeting at the Hawaii Tabernacle. It was a very cool building, with interesting art, architecture, and vegetation.

After church we headed out on a drive to the North Shore and watched the sun fall at Sunset Beach.




One our favorite things we did all week was snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Jen was a little cautious at first about swimming among the various sea life, but you couldn't pull her out of the water after experiencing it. The highlight was the sea turtle that joined us.


Lets not forget the fun we had just walking the strip, eating ice cream, and eating out. One of our favorite dinning experiences was Duke's, eating dinner and Hula Pie on the patio at sunset. We also could not get enough Shaved Ice.





Our last day we headed back to the North Shore to attend a session at the Hawaii Temple, and had a picnic at Turtle Bay.



It was an amazing week! We couldn't have asked for anything better. And I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend it with.

I definitely married up. The past 10 years I have been lucky to be with the girl of my dreams. She never ceases to amaze me. Throughout our ups and downs, 3 kids (soon 4), two careers, nearly 7 years of school, and 7 moves, we have managed to create many great memories, and have a lot of fun together . I can't wait for the rest of forever with Jennie.