Aloha! The Dex has conquered Hawaii.

I just returned from a much needed trip to Hawaii.  Even though I'm unemployed and don't have much cash (much to the chagrin of my Daddy), I decided to take my parents to Kauai for a week-and-a-half Hawaiian extravaganza.  We had a great time, full of new adventures, delicious food, a few dirty diapers and some great family time.

Our first adventure was the flight there, which was my first time on a plane.  For weeks my Daddy was freaking out about the ordeal for reasons unknown.  What's the big deal?!  Look how awesome I was.

Pre-flight peek-a-boo with the neighbors to lighten the mood.

Nothing like a good book on kittens to pass the time.  Would you please pass the Sky Mall?

Whoa momma!  It's true what they say about drinking at high altitude.

We finally made it to Kauai after a long flight and I was ready to relax.  I couldn't wait to hit the beach, so we got right to it.  Kauai has some of the most beautiful beaches I've seen during my extensive world travels and I will miss them dearly.

"Wheeee!" (or something like that.)

Uh oh.  Must wash hands.

Mommy and I could get used to this.

Sittin on muh throne, surveying muh new beach kingdom.

What?  I'm on vacation.

My Nona Mary, Nono Miguel and Tia Yvonne (Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie for my non-Argentine readers) joined us in Kauai a few days after we arrived.  By the time they had joined us I was effectively a local boy, so I decided to show them the ropes and took them on some beautiful hikes.  Although I'm an expert hiker, I prefer to let my Daddy do most of the physical work while I take the reins as navigator.

Onward and upward, Daddy!

Wow.  Now that's a grand canyon.

I don't want to say hello, she's a GIRL!  Ewwww!!

Post-hike evidence that I truly can sleep anywhere.

Note to my readers: There were 3 screaming roosters behind the tree when this picture was taken. 

Given my survivor-like hiking skills, I was typically far ahead of the pack on the hikes.  I didn't want my family to get lost on the way back, so I took a note from Hansel and Gretel and left some road markers for them to follow.

One Goldfish for my tummy, the other for the road.

One of my favorite parts of the trip to Hawaii was the food.  We spent a great deal of time searching for delicious local cuisine and hit some major jackpots.  Most importantly, I learned how to dip my fries in ketchup (featured in the video below).

Dex Dex loves Lau Lau.

Picnic on the beach.  I'm a simple kind of guy.

Chopsticks.  You're doing it wrong!

Real men wear shirts to a luau with the same pattern as their Momma's dress.

We were constantly doing all kinds of fun stuff on our trip, certainly too much to document separately, so here's a quick pictorial summary of some highlights of the trip.

Uh, I think I dropped something in the canyon.

Gave swim lessons to my Mommy.

Took the family shopping for tourist junk.

I really am a super sweet guy.

There was something about this fence in Hanalei that made me quite happy.

My Daddy insisted that we take pictures by this cool tree before we left.  Did I just feel a rain drop?

Yup, definitely felt a rain drop.  Thanks a lot, Daddy.

Although we had a great time visiting the beaches, hiking the beautiful trails and munching on delicious bananas, the highlight of the trip was my decision to finally timely start walking.  I knew my Daddy had always been concerned about missing my first steps and he had sincerely hoped that I would do so while we were on vacation, so I threw him a bone and did it while we were on Kauai. You're welcome, Daddy.

My parents say their lives won't be the same now that I'm walking.  Yup, they're right.  Check me out in the video below.

Mahalo, and until next time.