Oahu, Hawaii day 10

Since yesterday was a success, everything we do the rest of our trip is a bonus.  We have checked all the blocks and are enjoying our laid back time in Hawaii.  Today Colin had his last birthday treat after lunch so the morning was laid back and relaxing.  We drove to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific which is sometimes called the Punchbowl.  It was a busy day with a lot of families out adding flowers and cleaning up the grave sites of their loved ones.  It was just a beautiful place.

We headed back to the hotel to change and for the big event.  We were early so went to one of the ABC Markets and picked up a quick lunch snack.  Colin and I went to get him checked in at the Ty Gurney Surf School (which was awesome and so would recommend them) for his two hour lesson.  He was so excited . . . or is stoked the word that surfer dudes would use?  We headed across the street to the beach for a very quick land lesson . . .

. . . and they swam away far, far from the beach . . .

. . . and then we waited on the beach in the warm sun.  They were so far from the beach we could not see them but thanks to a photographer I got some photos.

. . . he had a BLAST and loved.every.second!

So off to get some shaved ice to celebrate!

We ended up hanging out at the Hale Koa Hotel pool area instead of the Hilton Hawaiian Village because Colin enjoyed all the kids and the pools!  It was a much more relaxed atmosphere in my opinion and family friendly.  It had been a busy day so for dinner we celebrated the start of the New Year and the end of our trip at Benihana!  I can not believe we leave tomorrow.