Another day, another Aulani post 🙂 .
Here’s the deal, how many pics of the same view, the same beach and the same children can one take? You’re about to find out.
If you missed PART ONE, make sure you go back and check that one out too because I share the details about our flight over and our resort accommodations.
Today, we wake up to our first full day in Hawaii. After a great night’s sleep, we were rested and ready to go.
Good morning, Aulani! This was my view from our balcony as I did my quiet time.
Not too shabby.
I think I’ll keep him 🙂 .
We had character breakfast reservations to kick off our trip that morning, so everyone got up, got ready for the beach and got out the door…
HAT//COVERUP//NECKLACE//iPHONE COVER//POPSOCKET
…I was in full beach mood 🙂 .
With my favorite beach tote from Amazon. I love this bag so much! All of the pockets make me extra happy.
Aulani has a character breakfast (with amazing gluten-free options!) most days of the week. We had reservations to visit on our first and last mornings there…
…pics with Mickey and Minnie? Yes, please!!! They make me happy every time I see them!
You guys…I think she’s taller than me now. What in the world?!
Inside the restaurant, we also got to see our friends Pluto and Goofy too!
Kensington’s gluten-free Mickey waffles (made in a separate g-free waffle iron!) made us happy 🙂 .
After our yummy breakfast, it was time for…
…the beach! We parked ourselves here every day and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Aulani sits on a cove with the Four Seasons, so it’s super private, the beach is unbelievably gorgeous, the water is calm, and the water sports are a plenty. There is beachside service too…so it checks all the boxes. FYI: the little girls wore almost all Target suits on this trip which are my fave. Last year, I bought them and they lasted from spring break until the end of the summer season (and we wear swimsuits almost every single day in the summer). I am obsessed with them. If you see them in a cute suit, it’s probably from Target.
A few pics of the cove…
…from all the angles.
So many of you asked me where we bought Kensington’s suits this year, and they’re all Athleta!
I am officially parked in my happy place.
You can rent water sports and gear from Aulani right there on the beach. All four kids loved the paddle boarding!
The water was crystal clear.
Geez, I love these four kids so much!
The end of the perfect first full day!
Next up, it was time for dinner…
…this Amazon dress was perfect for the occasion with my fun earrings and that clutch from last year that I LOVE! It comes in other fun colors too, and it’s also an Amazon find! The dress comes in many other colors too.
No filter needed when you’re in Hawaii 🙂 .
This cutie was ready for dinner too!
We had reservations on this night right next door at Mina’s. We only had reservations to eat here one night, but after the first visit, we loved it so much that we ended up eating there three out of the eight nights. The location, the food, the setting, the view…it was all too perfect.
Right outside on the beach and directly next door to Aulani.
It was the BEST first full day!
Spoiler alert: Day three started out just as beautiful 🙂 .
On this morning, Andrew and I decided to leave the kiddos to their breakfasts in our room and walk next door for a breakfast date at the Four Seasons.
Such a great idea 🙂 .
Next up, time to get ready for the beach! How adorable is this coverup?! Oh my word! This one was my very fave from the whole trip! It also comes in black too. I love my sandals too! Don’t forget, I do recommend sizing down on the sandals.
We were at the beach by 10:00 and stayed until 6:00.
All four kiddos on their paddle boards.
After a full day beachside, we went back to our room and cleaned up for dinner…
…another great #lbd! Also, these black palm earrings are such a fun find!
For dinner, we walked right outside the front doors of Aulani and across the street to…
…this super cute shopping center in Ko Olina…
…we looked in a few shops…
…and then enjoyed a delicious dinner at Monkeypod!
My macadamia nut crusted fish was caught that day! YUM!!!!!
After a delicious dinner, we walked back over to Aulani…
…and said goodnight to Day Three!
That wraps up PART TWO! Don’t forget, if you missed PART ONE, make sure you catch that too. Also, if you want to go back and revisit our trip from Hawaii from March 2020, you can do that too! On that trip, we stayed in Ko Olina for three nights before taking a seven-night Hawaiian cruise and visiting four different islands along with Pearl Harbor. You can see those posts HERE.
As a reminder, we would love to help you with your next vacation too here at Mix and Match Travel Agency! If you’re interested in traveling to Hawaii, a cruise, an international destination or Walt Disney World, we would love to help. Unfortunately, we do not offer our services to places like New York City, Yellowstone, Nantucket, etc.
I’m off today to intervene as my kids constantly look for ways to pinch each other. #sigh
From one Irish girl to another, I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Lauren says
What a dream trip! We pulled out our calendars after your post Monday and started nailing down a timeframe to go!
Did you guys do the pools at all or just beach? I’m wondering if the pools feel crowded or if there is enough space to spread out.
Mix and Match Mama says
We would walk to the pool (just a few feet behind the beach) intermittently throughout the day to do the slides, lazy river, hot tub, etc. There is a ton of space and so many different pools.
Elspeth says
What an incredible few days! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Nicole says
Love all the pics and cute finds! We leave for our Spring Break next weekend! I’m curious, did you and Andrew work out in the morning this trip?
Mix and Match Mama says
We did! Aulani had a great gym there on the property! I worked out in the gym twice and then ran the other mornings.
Nicole says
What is a good running distance for vacation? What did you do? Thank you Shay!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I kept it at three miles every day. There was a great path along the coves that made this easy.
Peyton Cline says
Your posts so far already have me saving for a family vacation to this resort!!!! Disney+Hawaii?! Yes please!!! Do you mind linking your Kindle cover? I love that color! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s an Amazon find. Let me look for the link!!
Erika Slaughter says
Looks like an amazing two days and always YES to a breakfast date!
Amy says
What an amazing trip! Looks absolutely beautiful! Would you mind sharing the link for the sandals you wore with the long black dress? So fun!!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re from last year and I cannot find them. They’re Steve Madden multi studded sandals
Katey says
Shay! Oh my goodness I love this. I keep wanting to take Maxi and Harry to see Minnie and Mickey and Hawaii- so this may be the best of both worlds!
Mix and Match Mama says
Friend, they would love this!! They would love both 🙂 .
Ashley Craw says
Trip looks amazing!!!!!!
~Nothing to do with your post, but wanted to share that I had the Robotic Hysterectomy on Monday, and this past weekend, I went back and read through all of your posts after your hysterectomy and found them helpful -so thanks! Day of surgery and day after surgery, I wasn’t sure if I’d have as successful of recovery as you, but things took a big turn and I honestly felt good on Wednesday and now today. Thanks for keeping things real!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so happy you’re doing well!!!!!!! Ashley, this comment made my heart happy!! Take it easy, keep resting, walk when you can…but don’t forget that your body went through major trauma, so allow yourself rest. I’m so happy you’re doing well!
Ashley Craw says
Thanks for your sweet comment! Made me feel good! feel like I need to say that I’m 40, also – 3 kids – 2 boys and a girl. When I think of women getting hysterectomies, I picture at least a 60 year old. I’m so looking forward to a FUN summer!!!!! Love your blog!
Joanne says
The views are just amazing! Though my kids would be miserable at the beach all day; we’ve tried that a time or two and I think we lasted all of one hour on our last beach trip. LOL.
Mix and Match Mama says
How old are they? I think age matters. The pool and slides and lazy river were right behind us, so our kids went back and forth.
Michele says
I was thinking the same thing. Also, how can your kids( and you & Andrew) skin stand 7 hours out in the sun everyday?? Don’t they get sunburn?? My husband and 13 yr old would never want to be at a beach all day.
Mix and Match Mama says
We don’t get sunburned (we use sunscreen but none of us are fair). I don’t know? There’s a lot to do if you don’t love the beach and pool, but my kids toggled between the beach, the pool, the slides, the snorkeling, the boarding all day every day. We’re super outside people though 🙂 .
Sarah M. says
I still think about the calamari at Mina’s from when we stayed at FS in January 2020. So fun you got to enjoy both resorts!
Katie says
What does Andrew do all day at the beach while you read? My husband always sleeps in the chair beside me! Ha
Mix and Match Mama says
He read on his Kindle too! We both also did paddle boarding and things like that too!
Maria says
What a beautiful resort! I hope to get there one day.
Love your watch face & band! Is that face exclusive to your series? Can’t find it on my 6. So cute and summery!
Mix and Match Mama says
I just looked the other day for someone else and unfortunately, Apple doesn’t sell it right now. I bought this band right before the holidays.
Maria says
I was referring to the face. I have a series 6 and can’t find that Numeral combo filled and outlined with a different color. Or even that color combination. I think that face is exclusive to the series 7.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh! That’s easy! You can do that one too! Go to the watch app on your phone and customize the face. There are a million ways to customize the face, but for all of my watches, I’ve customized them this exact same way.
M says
Love everything about Aulani but I hope they improve the poolside / beach food options soon. The small menu gets old after two days.
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know? We ate it every day and found it rather large. Maybe they have since you last visited?
Kristin Dunbar says
Thanks for the post and look forward to reading about the remainder of the trip. I’m GF as well. Did Monkeypod have good GF options? Thank you
Mix and Match Mama says
They did!!
Sharon says
Madeley’s multicolored sandels are so cute. They look like they would be hard to put on. Where did you find them?
Mix and Match Mama says
They zip up in the back! Last summer, I bought a pair for Mades and a pair for Ashby. They both outgrew their pairs, so Mades is wearing Ashby’s pair from last year which now fits her feet. They’re from Nordstrom.
Ashley says
Where are Andrew’s swim trunks in the pic with Mickey & Minnie from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Chubbies.com 😉
Bethany says
Would love to see a post on budgeting for vacation like budget trip for family of four to Disney world for 5 day would be between $X-X, Middle of the road would be $$,$$top of the line . Same for Hawaii and mexico and some of the other trips you go on and what is worth splurging on , activiites, food etc. in each location. Would help families know what they need to save to go.
Mix and Match Mama says
You should reach out to me! Our travel agency quotes trips specific to your family’s size/dates/number of nights all day long. We’d be happy to give you those options!
Andrea says
Our twin granddaughters turned one today, and I am counting the days until we can take a family vacation to Aulani! Also, I was curious about the distressing on the Evereve denim jacket. One reviewer said their jacket had an actual hole in it, and while I like a distressed look, I’m not a fan when it’s overdone.
Mix and Match Mama says
Happy birthday to them!!!! I hope they have the best day!! And yes, on my jacket, on the back (lower left side) there is an actual hole where the distressing takes place.
Kristen Leonard says
Do you think a 3.5 year old would have fun? Or are the activities for “older” kids? And if we don’t plan on doing excursions, because there wouldn’t be much for 3.5 yo to do, would a car be necessary?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think so! There is a huge kids play area, a splash pad…so much! I do not think a car is necessary at all. Reach out! I would love to help!
Lovely says
Your trip looks so fun! The view from your stay is gorgeous and I love that outfit you wore to the beach.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Sheaffer says
It all looks dreamy… but that pom pom cover up and that avocado toast!!!!
Jamie says
Hello ..is the character breakfast all you can eat? Like the ones at Disneyland.
Mix and Match Mama says
It was until COVID, so now, you order off the menu.