Mama's Fish House

Last excursion worth documenting: Mama's fish house.  Delicious seafood and delightful beach.

David loves to climb!

Christmas photo?

Final effort for a cute kid picture.. not happening.

On the way home, the men and boys took a detour to some waterfalls.  This was the tropical side of Maui on the way to famous Hana.

Old Town Lahaina

For those who look at my blog, which I suspect isn't very many, I apologize for these travel blogs.  This blog serves as our family journal.  Since someday the years of raising kids will be a blur (as it is already), hopefully we'll be able to recall the highlights.  

 We took a break from the beach one day to venture to old town Lahaina, the original capital of Hawaii.  The kids enjoyed the tourist shops the very most.  David is very proud of his Tiki that he bought with his own money.  Grandma also gifted the kids with a few treasures.  My highlight was Lelani's shaved ice over coconut ice cream!  So good!  This group picture is by the famous Banyan tree, taken by a nice guy who wanted afterwards to be paid for his services... I don't think we were the only tourists who fell for that trap!

Later that evening we attended a Luau.  Love my sweeties in this golden sunset light.

A few extra of Emmy in Hawaii

Emmy and I found this sunset during one of our walks along the beach

Beach Day

Our last day, Friday was an intensive beach day.  We were rewarded with spotting a gigantic turtle, which David and James both got to see.  David loved the snorkeling and by the end of the trip could identify most of the fish, especially the humuhumunukunukuapua'a and moorish idol.

Ruth refused to leave this spot of sand.  3 year olds- such a mystery to me.

James was the most adventurous I've ever seen him at the beach during this trip.

When Grandpa and Dad get involved with the sandcastle, you know it's going to be awesome.

Joseph and Grandpa were also passionate about the snorkeling.  This is the beach that we later found out was inhabited by sharks!  Yikes!

Grandma and Grandpa sure know how to have fun!

Fun in the sun

View from our balcony: pools and ocean.

 The kids spent HOURS at this pool.  Ruth especially loved it, asking to go there multiple times a day, and throwing fits when it was time to leave.

Ruth's daily uniform: floatie, tube, and goggles...all insisted for.

Grandma and Emmy enjoying poolside service.

Cozy chairs and shade: what more could you need?

Sunday excursions

Maybe too many pictures of the blowhole, but it was so fun to hike over raw land and then look back to see the gorgeous coastline.  

The boys are really into Lava these days, so James got his picture with a lava rock.

 Ruth would not go near any water (except the baby pool) for the entire trip.  Hence, her safe spot behind Joseph.

We also took a hike to the back of a bay.  The trees were really fun and so were the mosquitos!  Funny how my kids didn't even know what a mosquito was- California really spoils you.

Hawaii here we come!

After a very lazy summer, we finally got to embark on our family vacation.. to Hawaii!  We felt very fortunate to be able to share an entire week with my parents in their time share in Maui.  It was the perfect vacation: beach, pools, yummy food, and family.  

Emmy is at the perfect age for travel: she can't complain too much and she can't run away.  This was her hang-out spot.

The first morning of the trip, the kids woke up at 4:30 am.  Since we were all awake, we had a morning snack and then headed down the beach for the sunrise.  Joseph and I agree that this was perhaps our favorite moment of the trip.

The children especially enjoyed watching the sandcrabs, which were more than 10x the size of those we find in California.