It is best to start at the end before the beginning so I can explain before going any further with the Hawaii pictures. 

Travis shot this on our last roll of film, purchased for way to much at the Foodland across the street of our favorite beach on the North Shore. That's me in the middle embracing the last sunset, with my dress up to my waist so it wouldn't get wet for our midnight flight home. It is now my favorite picture Travis has ever taken, I will forever feel the same joy and warmth I did in that very moment. I enjoyed every sunset, every shrimp shack meal, every flower picked for my hair from the million growing on our daily trip to Haleiwa, the books I finally finished (here and here) and every night sleeping with the door wide open to let in the ocean sound-with my favorite person on earth. In fact, there was so much enjoyment going on I didn't take that many pictures. I played with my new favorite film camera while Travis was the tourist lugging around the SLR and blackbird fly taking most of the pictures. It. was. perfect.

What did I take pictures of? I didn't have the kids with me so that was out, Travis was bumming it just as much as I...he's out, there was no wedding or family session (full intention), and again I was busy enjoying life in real time, so I found myself gravitating towards taking pictures of what made me smile...

The rainbow out our door.

Romy's Shrimp. If you need more of a visual than this, click here, no joke that's me 0:25-0:37. {digital}

Travis' new favorite food, shaved ice with ice cream at the bottom and sweetened condensed milk over the top. {digital}

Travis surfing. He was so proud of himself, it still makes me giggle. {digital}

The same flowers my best friend had for her wedding almost 5 years ago in Hawaii. {digital}

I imagined little Jettie tan from her head to her toes. {digital}

Hughes is usually the first to point out God's thumbnail {digital}

fire trucks=Matt of Matt & Liz {film}

orange+teal VW=bobbi+mike {film}

Sunset Beach, taken at 8 am. Can you believe the difference in tone, exposure...well everything in these 7 pictures pasted together from my film shots. I stood in the same place and just pivoted, changing none of the settings. {film}

Kids surfing. In the midwest kids play video games and ride bikes-maybe. When you have the North Shore down the street, you surf. {film}

That is it for me my friends. I leave you with what I pulled from Travis' card. A tiny bit of us, lots of ocean and surfers, and just to let you know, none of the pictures capture how amazing this destination is so if you need a personal guide on your trip to Hawaii, call me.

Another view from out our door of the sun rising behind the island.

The North Shore had an amazing surfing season, we saw the magazines with pictures of 40 foot waves during November and December, we visited at the end of the season but they still competitions going on which was the best entertainment while sitting on the beach sunning and reading.  

 

We guessed most of the surfers were around 8 or 9 years old.

This one was about 5.

Usually we watch the sunset in the back pasture or in a corn field, to see the sun dip in the ocean was truly "take your breath away" beautiful.

 

The one picture of us:)

Comments

[Jamie]

These pictures are beautiful and make me extremely jealous! Doug and I are still considering Hawaii as a honeymoon destination, so any advice or recommendations would be very appreciated.

[Emily]

These pictures are breathtaking! One was better than the next. Looks like you had a wonderful trip :)

[krisy]

These pictures are so good that they could all seriously be postcards!! (including the one of you and Travis!) If we ever get to go to Hawaii, I will be sure to contact you for the must sees and dos!!

[Betsy King]

WOW!!!!!! This looks amazing! Hawaii is so beautiful, in so many ways. So was this your first trip without the kids? I'm wondering what that will happen for us. : )

[Stephanie]

Wow. Stunning. Gorgeous. Jealous.

[jodie]

Those photos are like a massage for my eyes...totally relaxing and energizing all at once. Love them!

[Sarah S.]

These pictures made me wish we were going to Hawaii for our honeymoon! Sigh, one day I will make it back to those amazing islands! Hope you had a wonderful vacation and glad to hear you relaxed.

[Truc]

Clary, wow. Those pictures are stunning. I'm glad you both had a wonderful time.

[andrea]

Very beautiful pictures! I love the one your pasted together. so very cool. The one of your in the red top is so pretty! What a fabulous trip!

[Liz]

Those are beautiful pictures! The one with the rainbow over the beach is awesome. The pictures have so much detail that I feel like I am there! I like trhe firetruck...That made me smile!

[Sarah]

You look EXACTLY like Liv Tyler in the one of just you (in the orange top). Beautiful! I will have to get to Hawaii one of these days.

[Beth]

The rainbow picture is perfect. I'm glad you guys had a great time! I hope to go to Hawaii someday!

[Carmina]

Clary & Travis, welcome back to the faubulous midwest! Oh my goodness...as usual, I am AWED by both your beautiful pics! when I look at your them, I feel like I was there experiencing all!!! G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S!!! My favs are the rainbow & the pasted panoramic one!

Sigh... just dreamy!

[Pamela]

all of the shots you two took are incredible! seeing your new toy makes me miss shooting with film.

[bobbi]

You're one of the best photographers I follow... I'm proud to call you my friend.

[Lindsay]

Amazing pictures! LOVE the one with the rainbow...I want to be there right now.

[Chrissy of Chrissy and Ryan]

Holy cow- I officially cannot wait for our own honeymoon in hawaii! Upon showing these to Ryan, I said "we need to learn to be good photographers before we go to Hawaii" to which he replied "so I can lug around big expensive cameras the whole time?" to which I replied "well Travis did it for Clary" ;) haha gets 'em every time! Thanks for sharing these- your blog always makes my day!!

[John Harder]

These are freakin ridiculous! Amazing.

[Trisha S.]

Amazing pictures, as usual.
It is my dream to go there some day.
I'm going to wait until I'm as good as you at taking pictures! ;)

[Nikki]

Speechless.

[Melissa Mac]

The pictures look great and I'm glad you guys got to have such a great time together just appreciating each other. Love you

Mel

[Darbi G.]

THESE are vacation pictures I don't mind looking at...and actually want to see more!!! Thanks for sharing your piece of heaven, Clary!!! And someday when we go to Hawaii...I'm calling you & Travis to come too!! haha ;)

[Neesha]

Clary, I've become a little addicted to your blog! How could I not with such incredible eye candy? Amazing. Makes the dreariness of this rainy weather bearable!
Neesha

[Sarah]

WOW. The photos, as always, are stunning! What a great time of the year for a Hawaiian getaway (and even though I can't getaway, I feel like I did just by staring at those photos!). BTW, thanks for the comment on my blog...what do you mean I have mail?? I checked my email, but didn't see anything. :)

[Jennie]

Breathtaking! Just incredible. Thanks for the "massage for the eyes" as the other poster said--so true!

And thanks for our prize winnings! You have no idea how much that made our day...it's been a crazy few weeks at work, and to get a fun package in the mail was just all sorts of happiness. :)