Another day, another Aulani post. 🙂
If you don’t enjoy travel posts, I apologize! You should check out today’s Meal Plan instead. If you love a travel post, well, then this one is for you!
Don’t forget, 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. In PART TWO, I shared days 2 and 3 of our trip where we enjoyed the beautiful beach, pool and amenities at the Aulani resort. In PART THREE, I shared our dolphin encounter adventure, so make sure you catch that one too!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend, friends! From my family to yours, aloha on this Monday! xx
Early morning pics of the waterpark below our room. This area here is just for younger kiddos (I would say kids my kids’ ages and younger). There is a separate baby splash pad area as well, but this spot here was super fun!
The area in the middle? Two amazing water slides! One where you sit in a tube and one where you sat on your bum. The green water on the bottom is where you can daily either feed the rainbow fish or actually snorkel with them.
And here is a portion of the lazy river 🙂 .
Good morning! Another yummy breakfast date with my favorite guy!
Avocado toast is always a win for me.
After the breakfast…
..the fam loaded up in our rental car and drove to the North Shore. We had heard that the towns there was oh so cute and the waves oh so BIG! We were anxious to check it out!
We drove about 40 minutes from Aulani to the North Shore, and it was beautiful! This drive cut through the heart of Oahu (instead of hugging the coast), so we saw all the agriculture, hills and beauty of the middle of the island. When we got to the beach, there was a lot to take in. I’ve never seen waves so big or so many surfers in one spot. We pulled out our towels and settled in for some fun in the surf and lots of people watching.
Here’s the problem, I really need a person to just go with us on vacation to take pictures. I don’t want to take my phone into the ocean, so I have days like this and get three photos (none with me). Sigh. On our next trip, I’m going to bring a seventh person just to hold my phone and snap pictures. 😉
After a lovely morning at the beach, we knew just where to eat in town…
…and it was so delish! There are so many fun food trucks and places to stop in the North Shore area, but we had done our research in advance and knew that Stonefish Grill was very gluten-free friendly, so we stopped there and enjoyed lunch. After we ate, we headed back to…
…the fun at Aulani 🙂 .
For dinner on this night, we walked right down the path to the Marriott Beach Club and had a delicious dinner outside…
…at Longhi’s! (Remember this is the resort where we stayed two years ago before our Hawaiian cruise.)
You can find my romper (another Amazon find!) HERE. It’s such a great price and comes in so many other colors too!
Lots of time spent in the ocean and a good meal is the best way to spend the day.
The next day…
…we had a food tour planned, but the kids asked us to cancel that and instead, stay at the resort. My personality wants to go/do/see as much as I can when I’m on vacation, but often, my sweet hubby tells me to stop being the cruise director and just let the kids enjoy and relax. Sooooo…I cancelled the food tour, we turned in our rental car early and spent the next two days beachside at Aulani.
Andrew and I were ROLLING when we looked out and saw Ashby paddling Smith all around the cove. Bahahahaha!
Our go go go family enjoyed all the chill out time.
Today’s poolside outfit? My coverup, hat, bikini and sandals are all great finds!
Aulani has an amazing app that tells you about all the things going on that day so you can stay up to date on the activities they provide on property (character sightings, crafts, activities, special events, food features, and so much more!) and then you can plan what you want to do and seek out fun. We enjoyed the app so much that both of us had it downloaded and the kids would often check it out to catch the fun. One of the things they have are their poolside stories where native Hawaiians share the history and culture of Hawaii in a very creative and fun way for kids of all ages. We had so much fun listening poolside before dinner…
…where we walked next door to the Four Seasons to eat at Noe.
Terrible picture…adorable Amazon dress 🙂 . This dress is only $22 and comes in so many fun prints and colors!
This Italian restaurant wasn’t beachfront…it is tucked away in a garden with twinkle lights. I know this sounds crazy, but I’m going to just say it…the Italian food here was the best I’ve ever had. Yes. In Hawaii. Even better than Italy. I don’t know? It was fresh and homemade and insanely delicious! Bonus, they had g-free pasta boiled in its own water (no cross-contamination) for our g-free girl 🙂 .
Yes. Please.
You guys, I have one last Aulani post to share later this week or next. Per your requests, I did all all of my outfits from Aulani (so many Amazon finds that are under $30!) to my #OOTD page. You can see everything in one easy spot right HERE.
In the meantime, I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great start to your week! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Sheaffer says
Wow! Gorgeous beaches (obviously) and alllllllllllll of this yummy food!!!!!!!
Elspeth says
I’ve been loving all your Hawaii posts! So fun to read about your adventures!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Melissa Dement says
Officially putting my name in for the 7th person spot!! I will take all the pictures!
Melissa Terry says
I, for one, am loving all the Aulani posts! We are headed there this July and I take notes every time you post ; ). Thanks for sharing all the great information!
Sarah says
I volunteer to come along as your photographer! Hahaha!!
Jennibell says
“Stop being a cruise director” – hahaha!! I GET it 😉
It’s so good you are married to someone who can speak truth to you like that and that you can accept it. I would have been bummed to miss a food tour though. I get it. In a few years your kiddos will be old enough to be on their own for a day and you and Andrew will be able to go and do your thing. And then you’ll miss these “chill” days. I know you know it b/c you listened and have great memories of this vacation even though you were forced to “stay” 😉
I’ve never really thought about Hawaii as a place I wanted to put on my travel list but you are changing my mind through these posts!
Have a great week.
Mix and Match Mama says
We are both enneagram 8s, so direct and blunt talk is all we know. Hahaha!
Monica says
I will happily be your 7th on your next trip to hold your camera!!! Great post and I am loving your Amazon finds – very budget friendly!
Kathy GARRARD says
I would be happy to go with your family on your next vacation to hold your purse and take pictures! My husband is Erica’s great uncle on her dad’s side. Please don’t hold that against us! I’m a granny to two precious girls so I’d be lots of Help!
Jordan says
I volunteer to be the photographer on the next trip! Bahahaha
Andrea Ferrata says
What’s the name of the Italian restaurant?
Andrea Ferrata says
Nevermind! It’s the restaurant at Four Seasons. Disregard. ?
Ryane says
I volunteer as tribute! I mean, as family vacation photographer 😉
Nicole says
Love all things Hawaii so thanks for posting your trip. Curious if you would recommend this resort for an adult only trip? Or would you pick a different spot for just you and Andrew?
Mix and Match Mama says
I told both sets of our parents that they needed to go, so YES! While there are many other great places for couples in Hawaii, Andrew and I would have thoroughly enjoyed going there without kids.
Margie says
I love all your travel posts. Thanks for all the tips and sharing. Some random stuff – I know you love podcasts. Have you ever listened to the Holderness Family? I think you’ll love them. They have a lot on parenting, marriage,enneagram, etc….Also I binge watched this show on Netflix called The Parisian Agency – so good! Just wanted to share : ).
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m looking up both things right now. Thank you so much!
Maria says
Shay, All moms have the phone/photo problem! I bring both a waterproof phone pouch and a waterproof waist pouch and alternate between them to always have my phone available to take a pic while in the water with my kids. The waist pouch I use more a waterparks where I need to hold a little cash, etc…
Phone pouch
https://www.amazon.com/JOTO-Universal-Waterproof-Cellphone-Underwater/dp/B07V8HGM7T/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=waterproof+phone+case&qid=1648475375&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMldPWkVQMUo4OUFEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTkzMTAxOU5UVjFER1hFWTNNJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NjY4NzgzM1ZVUERTNzhEV1NZJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Waterproof waist bag
https://www.amazon.com/AiRunTech-Waterproof-Accessories-Valuables-Snorkeling/dp/B07TC5RZLL/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2YWM8WJKXJ93U&keywords=waterproof+fanny+pack&qid=1648475446&sprefix=waterproof+%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-4
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Maria!!!!
Natalie says
Can you share where little girl’s swimsuits are from???
Mix and Match Mama says
Target!
Joanne says
I’ll volunteer to be your vacation photographer! LOL. It looks amazing.
Leslie says
Off topic, but had a quick travel question. We are headed to Boston to catch our beloved Red Sox in action. Then off to Chatham for a long weekend. Worth it to take the ferry to Nantucket for the day? If so, any specific recommendations while we’re there?
Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful day.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! I think it’s a great idea to head to Nantucket for the day. The ferry literally pulls up in the heart of town where Main Street is. You will step off and find about a million things to do/shop/places to eat right there. Easy!
Mary Arredondo says
I love these posts!! We’re going in July, booked with Clare and can’t wait to try these restaurants!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!!!!!!! Thank you for letting us be a part of your vacation!
Sharon says
I was looking at Noe’s menu and couldn’t figure out which pasta dish you ordered.
Mix and Match Mama says
It was the daily special!! It was a ragu that was out of this world. They had several specials that night and this one was fantastic!
Carly says
A couple considerations for Aulani and the Disney Resort versus Disney Vacation Club Properties which are in the Villa section of the resort and part of the Disney Vacation Club which is an owner share property that you buy into with annual owner fees and taxes. The 2 bedroom villas depending on availability are either dedicated 2 bedroom or lock off 2 bedroom. Lock off is basically a 1 bedroom villa plus a studio. The cleaning and room amenities are different than a resort room. Cost is much higher and ranges for 2 bedroom 1800- 2000 PER night depending on time year/dates, etc. Some of the resorts other amenities are additional in cost. If your renting kayaks, boogie boards, umbrellas, loungers, all that is daily extra costs. I love the Aulani(been many times) but our family finds it somewhat limited in terms of things to do on property and around the area, especially for a week. If you have smaller children or just want a chill beach vacation by pool/sand this is a great place. If you have pre teen or teen it is limited. My kids love the beach and water but you can’t expect that age group to sit on the sand, pool or a lounge chair all day, everyday for a week at that location. They get bored, especially with the very limited waves and deep ocean access on this property. They are surfers and this location is not great. The Disney Vero Beach Florida property has much better ocean access and waves with a life guarded beach public access located right next to Disney and much larger waves that local surfers use. We have stayed at all the Disney properties including internationally and villas of all different sizes and are DVC members for 20 years. You can never go wrong with enjoying the resorts but, clients need to be aware of the difference between a Disney Resort and the Disney Vacation Club properties. It also matters in terms of making a reservation and availability.
Patty says
I could be person number 7 with a camera in Hawaii, lol!
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re invited next time 😉 !
Claire says
Pretty sure that picture of Mades throwing the shaka (hang ten) could be the best “out of office” vibe I’ve ever seen.
Jennifer Cool says
Have you ever been to bar harbor and Acadia?
Mix and Match Mama says
Not yet! On my bucket list though!
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
Yes!! You need to! I live about an hour from there; so beautiful!
polly pover says
Fly into Boston and drive up! Lots of lobster, lots of shopping, hiking, biking, cold North Atlantic beach water—though there are lakes too!
Becky Carl says
I volunteer for photographer!!
Tiff says
Amazon has these waterproof phone pouches that are perfect for pool or ocean pics!
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjc9Ki-4en2AhUoGEwKHRH2D8wYABAJGgJvYQ&ae=2&sig=AOD64_39gb8qjndnFqggLZDwtO6ZgaH1Ng&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwihvJm-4en2AhXzdc0KHUhqA50Q5bgDegQIARBF&adurl=
Jamie Beckman says
What part of the North Shore did you visit? We are headed to Maui in a week and are going to spend one day on Oahu! We wanted to go to the North Shore . However, I’m not sure where the best place to go wld be. We want to see those big waves!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We went to and through the town of Haleiwa! It was so adorable! It was easy to walk around, drive right over to the shore, see the shops, the restaurants, the food trucks. Super cute!
Serena W. says
Hi Shay! I have a life hack that I had to share! Order a phone tripod with remote from Amazon! We were able to get some great photos in Canada because we brought this along. It packs up pretty compact and isn’t very heavy at all. It is great for vacations of all kinds (we have used it at the beach, in the snow, and at the lake).We have had no trouble fitting it in our suitcases or even throwing it in my carry on bag. Definitely check it out! Also, you and Andrew are the hottest couple ever!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Serena! Thank you so much for the life hack and the compliment 😉 !