Luke couldn't get enough of the beach.

we would be sitting on the beach and a random lady would tell me that my baby was eating handfuls of sand haha! ( this happened a few times! )

I kept thinking he would learn his lesson and decide he didn't want to eat more... But apparently he didn't mind the taste! haha!

"Ezma put your hands in the air!" ^^ Name the movie!

Dinner at Humuhumunukunukuapua'a ^^ on the resort property.

SNACKING.
Snacking is one of my biggest weaknesses! Especially as a mom and being home a lot of the day -- every day!

It's so hard to resist the temptation of snacking all day!

I crave sweet things, salty things and all the above.

Protein bars have become one of my very favorite "go-to" for snacks for a few reasons.

#1. They fill me up.

#2. They are Protein packed and give me energy

#3. Make it so easy for an "on the go" snack!

#4. They are SO yummy.


^^ ( chipped nails ;)
**PS. This is not sponsored, all my opinions! :)

I have tried different brands of bars and seen which ones I definitely don't like and ones I like :)

Here are my 3 favorite bars that I switch off between and always try and have on hand for when the snacking gets me hard!

#1. These birthday cake "Oh Yeah" bars are my very very favorite! ^^ ( 22 g of protein )

I have to give all credit to my good friend Chelsea for finding this certain brand and flavor of protein bar - it has changed my life!

I am obsessed with all things cake batter and sprinkles. ( That is my happy place! )

We tried a couple brands before finding THESE Oh yeah bars and I have never gone back!

I get them off Amazon HERE - the best deal to buy them!

They are the perfect "sweet snack satisfier".

I have also ordered the combo pack of 12 flavors and loved every flavor of these "Oh Yeah" bars!

You can't go wrong!

#2. Costcos protein bars ^^ ( 21 grams of protein )

If you have ever eaten Quest bars ( I do love quest bars - especially the cookies and cream flavor! ) they are SO similar BUT half the price!

Definitely the cheapest high packed protein bar you will find! The cookie dough is my favorite flavor ^^

You can buy them online HERE or in stores at Costco.

#3. These Salted Carmel Think Thin bars ^^

These aren't quite as high in protein ( 10 grams protein ) as the other two up top but I do love the taste of them!

Beware of SUGAR content when it comes to bars. I try and stay away from bars that are over 10 grams of sugar.

I also want to clarify and say that I don't replace meals with these bars. 

I am a pretty strong believer that it's a lot better for your body to get it's source of protein from actual FOOD.

Just because some of these bars have 20 grams+ of protein doesn't mean you get a free pass from eating actual protein packed healthy food.

And the last thing I wanted to reiterate is that I'm not sponsored to say any of this,

this is truly all my own opinion :)

Happy Monday Friends!

One of Aaron and I's favorite things to do in tropical places ( or anywhere, really ) is to go hiking.

Our kiddos were troopers on these two hikes we did while we were in Oahu!

Kids obviously limit certain hikes you CAN do but we made it all work!

Aaron backpacked Ryan ( the BEST backpack carrier ever! I will link it at the bottom! ) and I carried Luke in our awesome Walmart carrier ( not the most comfortable carrier ever but we made it - haha! )

We chose to hike Manoa Falls Trail and Diamond Head.
Manoa Falls Trail is absolutely STUNNING - I would totally recommend it for a true Hawaiian experience!
You literally hike through the rainforest and the greenery and views are absolutely breathtaking!

The hike is only about 2 miles - round trip - but it's uphill a lot of the way to the waterfall so it takes quite a while to get up to the top!
Ryan actually walked a majority of this hike and loved it! It gets pretty slippery and steep a few places but for the most part is pretty kid friendly!



Unfortunately I have NO pictures of the waterfall - SAD, SAD DAY!
We got completely poured on for most of the hike and I could not have pulled out my camera in the conditions we were in without it getting completely ruined! HA!

Although, I did feel like Tarzan for a split second. ^^ If you look closely you can tell it's pouring rain!
I would suggest to bring towels for the car ride home... It was a slightly cold car ride as we had no towels to dry off!

We also hiked Diamond Head. ^^
Diamond head was super challenging and SO MANY STAIRS! ( especially with carrying the babes - so Aaron and I loved it for the challenge! )
And of course, the view from the top is always worth seeing..

Ryan woke up to balloons EVERYWHERE.
His birthday was the second day we were in Hawaii so we had a full on "RYAN day."



We started out with breakfast at the hotel - it was buffet style so of course Ryan was in heaven.
Any food a kid could ever want..
Ryan's choice of food this particular morning were chocolate chip waffles, "tiger cereal" ( frosted flakes ) and a doughnut or two - really nutritious!! I kept stuffing him a banana in between bites! My poor kids - ha!





I love going to church on vacation.
It's so fun to see the unique culture traditions.
The best start to the day. ^^

We have had this Hawaii trip planned for quite a while so Ryan has been counting down the days until his birthday when he gets to "swim with fishies".
We took him to Hanauma Bay to snorkle! ^^



Any kid would love this I'm sure, but Ryan especially and his love for all things "ocean" - this was heaven for him.


He loved watching fish swim under his toes!
And Luke of course, never got bored of eating the sand and chasing birds.




While we were in Oahu, we stayed on Waikiki. ^^
This was my very first time to Waikiki! I have stayed other areas in Oahu but never here!


If you are going to stay on Waikiki, I LOVED our resort! We stayed at the Moana Surfrider - it's a Westin resort.


It has a very 'old victorian theme' and is so romantic looking.


The beach is beautiful and everything 'food/ shops wise' is within walking distances - which is so nice!