Vanessa Lachey Reveals Son's Reaction to Family Move From Hawaii
Originally appeared on E! Online
Vanessa Lachey is proving that everything is about ohana.
As she and husband Nick Lachey prepare to move their family—including children Camden, 11, Brooklyn, 9, and Phoenix, 7—out of Hawaii following the cancellation of her show NCIS: Hawai'i, Vanessa is taking a moment to share just how special of a place it's been for her kids.
"I showed this pic to my son," Vanessa wrote in an Aug. 13 Instagram Story of a pink plumeria on a wooden table, "he said 'Wow Mom, that says so much without showing a lot.'"
And when she asked him what he saw, he told her, "'We are moving, but we are not sad. I see happiness and Aloha coming with us.'"
Vanessa was incredibly moved by his response, sharing a sobbing emoji and adding, "forever with us!!!"
The 43-year-old—who had played team leader Jane Tennant on NCIS: Hawai'i since 2021—shared a longer goodbye to the Aloha state on her Instagram Aug. 13, bidding a fond farewell to the islands.
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"'A Hui Hou' Home is where the heart is," Vanessa wrote, alongside photos of her family by the ocean. "Hawai'i, you will always have my heart! Mahalo Nui Loa for 3 beautiful, magical years you gave me and my family!"
Vanessa added, "Now, on to the next adventure. Off into the sunset we go! #LacheyPartyOf5 #AlohaSpirit"
Since news of the show's cancellation in April, Vanessa has been vocal about her sadness, originally sharing on Instagram Stories at the time that she was "gutted, confused, blindsided."
And as she took time to think about her three seasons of work on the series, she turned to the island to help her make sense of the cancellation.
"We aren't meant to be here forever, we are on borrowed time," she shared on Instagram May 1 as she returned to the spot she filmed her first scene for the show. "We appreciate what was given to us for our use, we nurture it and then we leave it better for the next dreamer."
"I'm wishing for my crew and my cast that we all remember the Beauty of what we had," she continued, "we will spread this Aloha in every direction we go."
Vanessa—who was born in the Philippines and moved around the world while her dad was in the U.S. Air Force—shared with E! News in April that being cast as the first female lead of the NCIS franchise was something she "would have never dreamed but realize now is everything I've ever wanted."
For more of Vanessa, Nick, and their family throughout the years, keep reading.
Magical Moment
Vanessa and Nick Lachey rang in 2024 at Disneyland with their three kids Camden, Brooklyn and Phoenix.
"Happy New Year at the happiest place on earth!" Vanessa shared on social media. "This is the first New Year we all 5 rang in together. All three kids (and parents) made it to midnight! Haha!"
Gingerbread Goodies
The family celebrated Phoenix's 7th birthday in 2023 by continuing their gingerbread house tradition. "And just like that, our Littlest Lachey is 7," Vanessa wrote on Instagram. "He’s our miracle baby that we never take for granted. The missing piece to our family puzzle, the one who makes us whole… the cherry on top!"
Beach Day
"So very thankful," their mom wrote. "our world."
All Grown Up
The model marked her daughter's 9th birthday in 2024 with this beachy pic. "From 1 to 9 in the blink of an eye," she said. "Happy Birthday to our Baby Girl."
A Little Disney Magic
Vanessa attended Disney on Ice with her kids and even got to meet Mickey Mouse backstage. Lucky ducks!
The Incredible Lacheys
The former Total Request Live host took Halloween spirit to the next level with her fun family costumes based on the animated Disney movie.
Somewhere on a Beach
The famous family got their tan on during a winter vacation in paradise.
Deck the Halls!
Is it even Christmas Eve if your family doesn't wear matching pajamas? Well done Lacheys.
On an Island in the Sun
The family enjoyed a tropical vacation together.
Rockin' the Stars & Stripes
Red, white and cute! The Lachey family got patriotic for Independence Day.
Sunday's Best
The Lacheys posed with the Easter Bunny during a family celebration on Easter weekend.
The Cold Never Bothered Them Anyway
Princess Elsa would totally approve. The family dressed up as our favorite Frozen characters for Halloween.
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