Parasailing...WWWHHHHHAAAT?

It was awesome.

I told the kids they could each pick one big thing to do while we were here.  Emily picked parasailing, then George and Evan decided that they wanted to do it too.  Matty was too young, or at least that is what they say on the phone!  We drove the windward side of the island down to Waikiki, found another bridge, the Queen's summer home (which was not that impressive), and spent a little more time basking in the joy of Kualoa Ranch.
I am not even going to post any of those because we were on our way to go PARASAILING!!!

We showed up early so we went down to see the beach...not a great sand beach, but we weren't looking for sand today!  We paid for 4 sailers and 4 observers, but then we got on the boat and told the captain that the three big kids were the only ones that wanted to do it, but they didn't weigh enough, so the grown ups had to go with them. He just basically told us: boys against girls.  Get them suited up, and just like that we were all going parasailing.  Randy of course was up for it, but Grandma was on the fence (as was Kyle) but when the captain said Matty could do it...no one had any excuses left!

The assistant took our pictures (for a small fee) but it was so great to have them, since this was something we all wanted lots of proof of for later!
The boys were first, after about 30 seconds of instructions they were on their way!

 Evan's eyes just kept getting bigger, and bigger..

 Kyle was trying hard up to this point to not look scared, but I think this picture revealed his true feelings! George was just excited.

 He took them up a little way and then dunked them in the water a little.  Then off they went.  750 feet of little yellow line between them and the boat.

Somehow after he had reeled them in about half way he just let them drop into the sea....it was a little scary but they just skimmed the top of the water again and then kept floating.

George took an awesome selfie while he was up there.

The water was so incredibly blue.  This toe shots really show how far up they were! So glad he grabbed his camera!

Now it is the girls turn.

 Matty was pretty nervous, she wasn't nervous about the flying, she was nervous about the dips into the water she watched the boys take.  She didn't want to fall into the water.

 Trying to keep Matty calm and happy was my priority so I was not as nervous as I probably would have been if it had just been me and Emily.  It was really really awesome up there.

 Finally a smile out of her!  She giggled when we got all wet.  She liked it all.  

 Really puts us in perspective, ya?

 Another picture, full of love and joy...priceless and an awesome view of Waikiki and Diamondhead in the background!

 Emily was in heaven.  She kept saying, this is the best thing we've ever done.  It was so worth it!

I took some selfies up there too but mine weren't as bright as George's.

Me and my Emy

 Nobody can beat that foot selfie!  I totally win!

 Good choice of adventures Em!

 This one is my all time favorite!  Look at the land in the background...we were SO high.  She was not sure about that, but she was a trooper. She just soaked it in.

 Coming back down to semi-solid ground.  Everyone was taking pictures of us while I took pictures of them.

 Jillyn and Randy were next!

 Randy is a little too fearless.  He has the heart of a 17 year old teenager.  He was swaying, and going no handed and just having the time of his life!

 Jillyn was so proud of herself.  It was the most daring thing she has ever done! We both made sure we took some pictures with our cell phones too so we could post instantly to Facebook and Instagram so the world would know how brave we are!

These experiences...there just aren't words....I have always been so concerned about the cost of things, but this trip has really made me realize that the benefit of the experience outweighs the financial cost e.v.e.r.y. time. (especially if a grandma helps with the bill -thanks Grandy) We have never been closer or happier.  I sure hope the aloha spirit comes home with us, and stays.