A Hawaiian Vacation and Sunday Morning Coffee

We just returned from the most incredible Hawaiian vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii, and I’m still soaking in the memories.

Nine of us packed our bags and headed to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, where we rented a beautiful villa and enjoyed seven days of sun, adventure, and family time that we’ll never forget. Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

A group of nine people, including a child, stand together and smile for a photo outdoors on a patio with greenery and palm trees in the background.

Season 5 Volume 31

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

About Me

A woman and a man stand side by side by a pool, with palm trees, greenery, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

A Week in Paradise: Our Unforgettable Family Vacation in Hualalai

From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something special. Our villa in Hualalai was perfect—spacious, elegant, and so comfortable for all of us. The best part? We had two golf carts that made getting around the resort not only easy but fun. Whether it was a quick ride to the beach, a scenic cruise to play tennis, or a sunset drive to dinner, those golf carts became our favorite way to travel.

A vibrant sunset sky with orange clouds is reflected in a pool overlooking a golf course, with palm trees and greenery in the background.

The weather was perfect every single day. Blue skies, warm ocean breezes, and just enough tropical humidity to remind us we were truly in paradise. We made the most of every minute.

Our days were filled with swimming in the ocean and the resort pools, playing golf on the stunning course, and walking the lush, meticulously maintained grounds that make Hualalai feel like its own little world. Some of us played tennis, others worked out at the gym, or enjoyed the spa. There was truly something for everyone.

Three people sit at an outdoor restaurant table at sunset, with drinks, menus, and palm trees visible in the background.

Of course, the food was a highlight. We cooked a few fabulous dinners in our villa’s fully equipped kitchen, which made it feel like a true home away from home. But we also treated ourselves to delicious meals at all of the Four Seasons restaurants.

From fresh island seafood to Hawaiian-inspired flavors and tropical cocktails, every bite was unforgettable. Dining with the sound of the waves in the background made everything taste just a little more magical.

The Tsunami Scare

As perfect as the week was, we did have one very unexpected day—when a massive earthquake off the coast of Russia triggered a tsunami warning across the entire Pacific. Every coastline in Hawaii was under alert, and the Four Seasons, along with all nearby resorts, was evacuated.

Three men stand on a patio facing a pool and a lush outdoor landscape with palm trees under a cloudy sky. Indoor furniture and towels are visible in the foreground. — Waiting for the tsunami

Were we scared? Yes. Did we all show it? No.

This was my second Tsunami warning and evacuation in Hawaii, and the waves never happened. But, I did some research and realized that in 2011, a similar tsunami warning occurred on the Big Island, and there was enough damage to close the Four Seasons for seven weeks.

We were notified that our villa was high enough above sea level and we did not need to evacuate. The day also happened to be one of the two days we had scheduled to cook dinner in our villa, so we made a lot of cocktails and a nice dinner and waited.

It was a surreal experience, waiting and watching updates come in, but ultimately, the waves that reached Hawaii, Alaska, and the West Coast were small, and there was no significant damage.

What a relief.

Three adults and a child in swimwear stand in shallow ocean water; one adult lifts the child in a life vest while another takes a photo.

That crazy day only made the rest of our week feel even more special. Being together as a family, supporting one another through a moment of uncertainty, and then returning to our regular vacation rhythm made us appreciate everything even more.

A couple stands side by side by a pool, surrounded by palm trees and greenery, with a blue sky and open landscape in the background.

A man and woman stand together by a pool and lush greenery, with a palm tree and open sky in the background.

As we said goodbye to Hualalai, we all agreed—this trip was exactly what we needed. Time to relax, reconnect, laugh, explore, and enjoy the beauty of the Big Island with the people we love most.

The memories we made will stay with us forever, and we’re already dreaming about our next trip back to this little slice of paradise. Hualalai, we’ll see you again soon!

A man and a young girl sit on driftwood at a sandy beach with palm trees and a wooden building in the background. The man is pointing into the distance.

A beige wide-brimmed bucket hat with two large gold-rimmed ventilation eyelets on each side and a flat crown.

T5 Cotton Duck Hat

Woman wearing a ruched, blue one-piece swimsuit with wide shoulder straps, standing and facing forward against a plain white background. — Bleu Rod Beattie Women’s One Piece

A woman wearing a loose, sleeveless cream top and matching wide-leg pants, holding a woven straw handbag, and wearing black sandals.

2 Piece Linen Set

A woman wearing a long-sleeve, loose-knit crochet sweater dress with horizontal white, beige, and tan stripes, holding a woven handbag.

ANRABESS Women Swimsuit Crochet Swim Cover Up

Brown cat-eye sunglasses with thick frames and dark tinted lenses, shown on a white background.

Vintage Square Cat Eye Sunglasses

A tan-colored, open-toe slide sandal with cut-out strap design and flat sole.

Sam Edelman Women’s Bay Jelly Flat Sandal

My Latest Project

I shared two blog posts this week about Christmas in July, and wow, were they popular! I love thinking about the holidays, even if it is 85 degrees and sunny outside.

This reel on Instagram is my most popular reel this year. Who would have guessed?

Even though we were in Hawaii all week, I did spend a lot of time finalizing my Christmas crafts for the next few months. If I get way ahead, I might share them even sooner than October.

Clay ornaments with green tree designs are placed on a wooden surface next to a spool of green and white twine.

I am even considering sharing them once a week starting in September.

What do you think?

It might be a crazy idea. Not sure!

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A cream felt Christmas stocking with brown and gray felt leaf and berry decorations and a scalloped tan trim at the top—perfect for unique Christmas in July Ideas.

Creative Co-Op, Multicolor Handmade Wool Felt Stocking

Two cone-shaped objects wrapped in white textured yarn with small silver beads, perfect for Christmas in July ideas, are placed on stacked pieces of textured beige paper against a plain background.

Metallic Yarn Cone Silver Jingle Bells Tree

Four rustic metal bells with a brownish-gold finish, each hanging from a thick rope, are arranged on a plain white background—perfect for adding festive charm to your Christmas in July ideas.

Triangular Christmas Bell Cluster

A gray tape dispenser with a roll of clear tape, perfect for gift wrapping, featuring a serrated cutting edge.

Wrap Buddies

A spool of green and white twisted baker's twine is shown standing upright against a white background. — Green and White Twine String

A roll of red metallic adhesive vinyl, perfect for gift wrapping, partially unrolled on a white surface.

Red Metallic Wrapping Paper, XL Roll

A collection of small, decorative silver ornaments in various shapes, perfect for setting a festive Christmas table, beautifully displayed on a woven mat.

Silver Mercury Glass Ornaments- 25 Pieces

A snowy wreath made of evergreen branches and red berries.

Norfolk Pine Wreath with Frosted Berries

Cloth Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

Three people stand outdoors on a paved path at sunset; an adult woman holds a child, who is upside down, while another adult stands next to them, all smiling.

Our family vacation is over, and honestly, I’m feeling a little heartbroken.

It’s always the same after we return from a big family trip, especially one filled with so much love, laughter, and time together. But this time? It feels a little harder to shake the sadness. We spent an entire week together in paradise. The days were full of sunshine and ocean breezes, early-morning coffee chats, family dinners with cocktails in our hands, and belly laughs that could probably be heard across the island.

And now, just like that… it’s over.

Three people sit together at an outdoor restaurant table in the evening, smiling at the camera. Palm trees and diners are visible in the background.

Now that we are back home, the house is too quiet. Almost eerily so. No suitcase wheels rolling across the floor, no clamor of beach bags being packed, no chorus of voices asking, “What time are we leaving today?” or “Where’s the sunscreen?”

Even the hum of the dishwasher feels louder than it should. The silence is a sharp contrast to the full, noisy, joyful house we had in Hawaii just a few days ago.

Three men stand outdoors on a sunny path near a golf cart and tropical trees, wearing summer clothes and sunglasses, with the beach visible in the background.

An adult and a child are lying in shallow pool water, smiling at the camera near the edge of a tiled pool surrounded by tan stone.

I walked into the kitchen this morning and instinctively wanted to make breakfast for everyone, only to remember it was just me. (Dave is off playing golf.) No lineup of mugs, no sleepy greetings, no one gathering for an early round of golf.

Just me, and a memory of a kitchen in Hawaii that had been filled with people I love.

I miss the little things most. The giggles from our grandson playing in the sand. The group texts with random photos from the day. The chaos of getting everyone organized for tennis or dinner reservations. The lazy afternoons reading by the pool while someone took a nap. The spontaneous conversations that only happen when everyone’s just… there. No schedules, no rush, just presence.

Three people are relaxing in an infinity pool overlooking a golf course with green trees and a clear blue sky in the background. — Three generations.

And even though we always know vacations end, nothing quite prepares you for the emotional shift when they do. We packed up our bags, hugged each other a little tighter at the airport, and promised to do it again soon.

But I already miss everyone. I miss the togetherness. I miss the joy of watching my family make memories that we’ll carry forever.

It’s bittersweet, of course. I’m so grateful we had that time together. I wouldn’t trade a single moment. But now, I’m allowing myself to feel the quiet and the sadness that comes with it. That post-vacation pause is real. It’s the space between having your heart so complete it could burst and settling back into daily life where everything feels just a little… less.

So today, I’m moving slowly.

Letting the sadness linger. Looking through photos. Remembering the salty air, the warm sun, and how good it felt to be surrounded by my people. And I’m already dreaming about our next family trip, whenever and wherever that may be.

Because if there’s one thing this past week reminded me of, it’s that time together is the most precious gift we have.

And I miss it already.

Finish my pottery projects from this class session. The deadline is this week!
Finalize Christmas craft projects for August.
Start making plans for Ellie’s baby shower, which is in a few weeks. I can’t wait to share, and there will be lots of pink, I promise!

Rustic kitchen with a large wooden island featuring many drawers, open shelves with dishes, jars, and a vase of flowers, under exposed beams and natural light from two windows.

I am so in love with the rustic charm of this Country House in Belgium.

A stack of five chocolate peanut butter bars with a chocolate layer on top, placed on a piece of parchment paper.

Trisha Yearwood’s “Shockingly Delicious” No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars taste even better than a Reese’s Cup.

A dining table set with dishes, a floral centerpiece, a wooden tray with mangoes, and abstract orange artwork on the wall in the background.

I am so in love with this Large Artwork for the Wall: Abstract Paper Patchwork DIY.

Several smooth stones are painted yellow with various emoji faces, including smiling, winking, laughing, crying, and heart eyes, placed among unpainted rocks on grass.

These are just the cutest Easy Painted Emoji Rocks (No Art Skills Needed!).

A woman in a black dress stands smiling at an open black door decorated with a pink and white floral wreath.

My friend KariAnne shared the Back Porch Decor Ideas for Summer.

A shallow, round white marble bowl with subtle gray veining, set on a short, cylindrical wooden base. — Cork & Mill Marble Decorative Bowl for Home Decor

A textured artwork featuring two halves: the top with rows of raised circular shapes, the bottom with rows of short vertical rectangular forms, all in monochromatic white. — 30×60 inches White Texture Abstract Art Oil Painting

7×7 Baking Pan

And what a week it was!

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