Our Hawaii Trip: Film Photos, Family Memories, and Why We Keep Going Back to Paradise

Okay, so I know I said I was done with the Hawaii recaps, but then Tanner got his film photos back and you guys, there were just too many good ones not to share! I mean, I couldn't just keep these gems to myself, right? hahah. It just felt right to put all these memories in one place, bc these trips with my little fam are everything to me. I'm still smiling thinking about all the sunshine and salty air we soaked up together, and I wanted to spill all the details on why this place has such a piece of my heart. Seriously, every time we go, I leave a little piece of my soul there, and then I spend the next few months just dreaming of going back. It's truly heaven on earth fr, and getting to experience it through my girls' eyes just makes it a million times better. :,)

The Magic of Film: Capturing Real Life

You guys know Tanner is my personal photographer and videographer, my hype man behind the lens always. He's always got his camera out, capturing everything, and I love that about him. But lately, he's been really into film photography, and let me tell you, it just hits different. There's something so raw and authentic about film, you know? You don't see the picture right away, so you're just living in the moment, trusting that it's going to turn out. And when they do, it's like opening a little time capsule. These Hawaii film photos? They're just *chef's kiss*. They capture the vibe, the colors, the genuine smiles, and even the messy moments so perfectly. It's not about getting the perfect shot, it's about capturing the feeling, and film just does that so beautifully. I'm so glad we have these bc they just feel like *us*.

I remember one day, we were just chilling on the beach, Stella was building a sandcastle that was more like a sand mountain, Ozzy was splashing in the shallow water, and baby Cherry was just mesmerized by the waves. Tanner was just walking around with his film camera, not saying much, just clicking away. I didn't even notice half the time, which is probably why the photos feel so real. There's one of me just laughing at something Tanner said, with my hair all messy from the ocean, and I just love it. It's not posed, it's just pure joy. And another one of Tanner holding Cherry up to the sunset, her little hands reaching out. Ugh, my heart. :,) These are the moments I want to remember forever, and film just immortalizes them in such a special way. It's like a little piece of art for our memories.

Why Hawaii is Our Happy Place

Okay, so why Hawaii? Honestly, it's just *it* for us. We've been a few times now, and every single time, it just feels like home. The air, the ocean, the people, the food – everything just makes my soul happy. It's the kind of place where you can truly just *be*. No pressure, no rush, just sunshine and good vibes. For our family, it's the perfect escape. The girls absolutely thrive there. Stella is a little fish, she could spend all day in the ocean or the pool. Ozzy loves exploring the tide pools and finding little shells. And Cherry, bless her little heart, she just loves being held and looking at everything new. Her eyes just sparkle when she sees the ocean. It's so sweet.

I think what I love most is how much quality time we get. At home, it's easy to get caught up in routines, work, chores, all the things. But in Hawaii, it's just us. We wake up, have breakfast together, decide what beach we're going to hit, and just go. There's no schedule really, just going with the flow. We eat yummy food, swim, build sandcastles, watch the sunset, and just connect. Tanner and I get to have those late-night talks on the lanai after the girls are asleep, just soaking it all in. It's those moments, those simple, beautiful moments, that make me feel so grateful. It's a place where we can truly just focus on each other and make those core family memories that I know we'll all cherish forever. My mom always told me to invest in experiences, not just things, and she was so right. These trips are priceless to me.

Adventures and Chill: Finding Our Balance

When we travel with the girls, especially now with three, it's all about finding that sweet spot between adventure and chill time. We used to be those people who had every single minute planned out, but with kids, you just can't do that. You have to be flexible, you have to go with the flow, and sometimes, you just have to throw the schedule out the window hahah. This trip, we did a really good job of balancing it all. We had some days where we went on big adventures, like exploring a new part of the island or going snorkeling (well, Tanner and Stella did, I was on baby duty hahah). And then we had other days where we literally just stayed at the resort pool all day, ordered room service, and just relaxed. Those chill days are just as important, if not more, bc they allow everyone to recharge and just enjoy being together without any pressure.

One of my favorite memories from this trip was a day where we just drove around without a real plan. We stopped at a random food truck, got some amazing garlic shrimp (seriously, if you go to Hawaii, you HAVE to get garlic shrimp, it's life-changing), and then found this little secluded beach that wasn't crowded at all. The girls just ran free, Tanner and I sat on a blanket, and we just watched them play. It was so simple, but it was perfect. No agenda, just pure, unadulterated family time. And that's what I've learned about traveling with little ones – sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones. It's about being present and letting the day unfold naturally. I used to stress about making sure everyone was entertained every second, but now I realize that sometimes, just *being* is the best entertainment of all.

Little Moments, Big Memories

You know, it's not always the big, grand excursions that stick with you. Sometimes, it's the little things. Like Stella teaching Cherry how to splash in the bathtub, or Ozzy trying to share her ice cream with Tanner (even though she clearly wanted it all for herself hahah). Or the way Tanner always makes sure I get a few minutes to myself, even if it's just to sit on the balcony with a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise. Those little acts of love and connection are what truly make a trip special. They're the threads that weave together the tapestry of our family memories. I love watching my girls interact, seeing their personalities shine, and witnessing their bond grow stronger with every new experience. It's truly the best thing in the world.

I remember one evening, we were all sitting on the beach, watching the sunset. The sky was just exploding with colors – pinks, oranges, purples. It was breathtaking. Stella was snuggled up next to me, Ozzy was playing with the sand, and Tanner was holding Cherry, pointing out the colors to her. In that moment, I just felt so full. So grateful. So incredibly lucky. It wasn't about where we were or what we were doing, it was about *who* I was with. My family. My everything. And those are the moments I replay in my head when things get crazy at home. Those are the moments that remind me why we do what we do, why we work so hard, why we chase these adventures. It's all for them, for us. :,)

Until Next Time, Paradise

Leaving Hawaii is always bittersweet. Part of me is ready to get back to our routine, sleep in our own beds, and get back to work. But another part of me just wants to stay forever, soaking up the sun and the aloha spirit. But I know we'll be back. It's become our family tradition, our special place. And every time we go, we leave with full hearts, sun-kissed skin, and a camera roll full of new memories (and now, a roll of film too!). I'm so grateful for these experiences, for the chance to explore the world with my favorite people, and for all the love and laughter we share along the way. Thank you guys for always following along on our adventures, it means the world to me. And if you're thinking about a family trip to Hawaii, my advice is just DO IT. You won't regret it. Make those memories, soak up every single second, bc these years with little ones fly by way too fast. ILY guys! ❤