Aloha and Mahalo!

We've landed, yipp...wait why did we come home again? I thought we were gonna just all quit our jobs and retire early. 

While our vacation was fun and full of adventure, we didn't do everything, but that only means we have to go back! Soon!  Haleakala was amazing, under water reef tour was cool! Surf lessons were fun and "permanent." Next time more pool time, sun lounging, and definitely more Mai Tai's!  

The biggest thanks go out to Nonna & Papa for such an amazing treat and family bonding time!  A vacation like this only comes across every so often, and we're incredibly fortunate to be a part of this loving family and this amazing experience. Thanks to Adam for not laughing at my "surfing style" and thanks to Apy and Mason for their water splash time with Jack & Hazel. Trying to bat at the water jets spitting water up from the ground was hilarious!

Until next time? Or should I say until next year?... Aloha and mahalo for following along with our adventures!

The waiting game

Packed all our belongings, threw out all the trash, and somehow managed to convince ourselves we HAD to go home :(

skipped the long check in line thanks to an open luggage porter, beat tip we ever spent! Breezed thru security, got all our shoes back on, belts back thru the loops, and DVD players back in their cases. Next a bite to eat at the bar n grill, oh goody large beers are on tap!

Now, we wait, last minute potty breaks, souvenier shopping, and get lei'd one more time, flowers that is. Next we board for the "mainland," still trying to figure out how we convinced ourselves we have to go home. Jack kept saying, why do we have to go home? Cameron gets to stay! Not fair. With the promise of a return trip, hopefully next year, that seemed to keep him a little content, for now!

Some morning time with jacques cousteau

Yesterday was fun, some pool time, afreehula show, and plenty of Mai Tais.

We're all riding on a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine. Once aboard the reef dancer, we head out for our under water sea life adventure!  Only takes a minute before we see a couple sharks!  Picking up a bit of the food scraps in the marina frm the returning deep sea fishing boats. Saw plenty of triggerfish, some sea stars, even a green sea turtle chillaxin on the coral. 

Next a little stroll down front street, stop in at the local bakery, then over to the bench under the banyan tree to enjoy some shave ice. Jack picked the flavors, green apple & blue raspberry, oh bonus at the bottom a scoop of vanlla ice cream, score!

One more pit stop on the way back to the condo at the surf lesson spot. Had a little chat with the instructor from Wednesday and the photographer about my Hawaiian Tattoo, they cut me a deal on the pics their photographer took of us surfing. I will try to post when I get home, as their on CD, pretty cool shots though!  At least I'll post the shots where Adam and I are standing up hanging ten \M/

A little nap after some lunch and it's off to the pool for one last afternoon of splishing and splashing before we have to pack up. Tonight, Japanese food and watching the sunset.   

Surfs up dude

Surfing lessons for Adam's birthday was awesome. Or should I say totally gnarly, dude. We had 30 minutes of sand/beach on board lessons, then off to the real deal. We ended up with about 90 minutes of surfing, and I ended up with what our instructors called a "Hawaii Tattoo." Basically, first wave up, I ended up losing balance and wiping out, natural instinct reach for something to hold on to. First thing I found, a large chunk of coral, and managed to slice open my hand. Long story short, I didn't let a flesh wound slow me down, I continued on surfing for the remaining 90 minutes, then ended up with a short drive to the medical center, 10 stitches later, all better. Actually, antibiotics, hydrocodone, and a Blue Hawaiian later, things are numb enough to get by.


More play time in the pool, apparently, Hazel managed to go down the big kid slide all by herself, while Jack and Cameron had to watch from the sidelines. After more pool time, some quick 2 hour naps, it was back to the pool, only this time, Pirate Ship pool time at Cameron's hotel.


Finish the evening with some tritip, good family dinner, and some more Leonetti, then a little frog hunting. Tonight, Nonna picked up a few flashlights for the kids, so they could spot the reptiles even easier.

Tomorrow should be filled with more stories of underwater adventure, hula dances, and of course, more pool time. Nite all!

Pirate ahoy!

Cameron, Jody, Tim, & Jeff arrived! Jack and Hazel were introduced to the coolest kid pool here, a mini pirate ship, with spraying water, two water slides, and a max depth of 1.5 feet. Once thd kids figured out they could go on their own, it was hard to keep up with them! Hazel found that going down the slide on her own was better than when I took her.

Off to another family dinner with all our empty stomachs and a little rain. Tia Juanas was good, Fajitas, chips and salsa, oversized appetizer nachos, glad I ordered them for dinner, and had a couple Dos XX's to wash em down. 

A little sprinkle of rain didn't slow down thd frog hunt!  Stopped off at the store for some fresh batteries, and a few free comic books (real estate guides).  Found another 7-8 tonight, most just chillin, but at least two enjoying the quiet time. Jack said they were "best buddies," but I'll let you decide if it's something more by the pics. 

Now off to sleep for plenty of rest before surf lessons with my little bro. Psyched to treat him to his birthday present here, and excited to try and hang ten, let's hope we can stay up!

Breakfast time!

After my 4.5 mile jog along the beachwalk, we had Papa's French Toast, some bacon and fresh pineapple. An hour of pool time, and off to the Sugar Cane train, all steam locomotive 120 minute trip to Lahina and back. 

Along the way we make a stop at the first station, where we're encouraged to pick the local hibiscus, the tour guide says they feel depresssed if no one picks them. I hop off the train for a quick minute pick 6 or so for all the ladies in our group, and we're back on the track again. 

After watching the engine disengage from the cars and used the turntable, the 67 year old locomotive then took us back on our return journey.  

Lunch at Duke's on the beach, good drinks, good food, and great company. Popular favorite, ho daddy fish n chips, ice teas and blended Fu-Fu drinks. 

Maui jumping frog

Sliding, sliding, and even more sliding, you'd think the water slide would get old, no way says Jackson. After a morning of pool time with Nonna & Papa, some lunch and a nap for all but Kristin who made us look bad by running 10 minutes on the treadmill another 35+ on the recumbent bike. After naps, and hour or two of more water slides and pool time, don't forget the Mai Tai's!  

Post water time, a big pasta dinner with the family on the lanai, and of course some great wine. Hey, look at that Leonetti found his way over to Maui :)

Full from dinner, but not quite ready for bed, Nonna decides to take us all on a frog hunt. We snap a half dozen or more glow sticks and get the kids psyched to find some frogs. Within the first 10 feet of exiting the building, we start to see them. They were huge, as big as my fist if not bigger. Uncle Adam and Auntie Apy took several pictures while Papa decided to imitate them, or at least try to step right behind then so they jump. 

Some wine, a Mai Tai or two (surprise huh) and we're retiring for bed. Have a good night, tomorrow Jody and Cameron arrive for some fun!

A few early morning pics

Some pictures from Haleakala at 4:30am, talk about amazing!

Talk about the best bike ride ever

How much more enjoyable could a 26 mile bike ride be? How about the whole thing is downhill, and you have to use the brakes 100x's more than you peddle once!  Amazing smells, flowers everywhere, temperate weather, and no rain!

Stopped a few times for photo ops, churches, a few passing cars, and of course the most unbelievable bakery in Matsui. The Kamodo Bakery, phenominal coconut Danish, shaped long like a butterhorn, and light and flakey. 

Now a little breakfast at "the best pancake place in town.". Macadamia nut banana pancakes with powdered sugar and whipped cream!

Get up to watch the sunrise? On vacation?

Seriously, who intentionally gets up way too many hours before they need to on vacation, in Hawaii no doubt!

Managed to breeze thru Maui at 2am, surprising not much traffic. Arrived right on time, along with 16 other half awake crazies.

At the summit, it's s balmy 48 degrees. Sunrise was amazing, overheard frequent phrase at picture time, "aim high to grab the color, slowly pan down, smiles all around, and perfect." Now, to warm up in the van down to the drop point.  

Post siesta

After everyone's little snooze, mine included :) Jack decided he needed to hit the water slide a few more times before dinner. 12 to be exact, maybe next time I'll try to get some video. 

Off to dinner at Kimo's in old town Lahina, great food, great view, oh yeah and they make a great fresh Mai Tai! Afterwards, a little shopping, maybe some pool time too!

Finished with dinner and drinks, off to walk the streets of Lahina, Hazel got a little pearl bracelet, Jack got some new Crocs, and they both had Gelato! After watching the sunset we made our pilgrimage back to the condo, for packing a bag, and switching condos with Nonna and Pops, Haleakala for us in the morning!

Pool time

The view from our Lanai...

Water Slide, the only thing Jack will truly remember from this trip is probably the water slide. At 42" high, he could go down by himself, and he loved it so much! I went down first to be at the bottom and catch him, but one he figured it out, he told me to stay at the bottom and catch him. Each time, he seemed to come down different, a few times, ended up face down head first. The pools (4 or 5 of them) are all around 60-70 degrees, some a little more refreshing than others.

Hazel unintentionally managed to collect about 20 pounds of sand in her swim suit and shoes when we went to the beach. Papa and Nonna made sure to build a super huge castle on the beach, but a few of the bigger waves managed to take down a few side walls. The masterpiece ended up looking more like an island in the sand, which later turned into a submarine. Mason managed to find it more enjoyable to run up and down the beach, walking and being mobile seemed to suit him just fine. The water (much colder than the pools) felt really refreshing and the sand so soft amongst your toes.

Lunch of mac n cheese, hot dogs and turkey sandwiches just about put everyone into an early nap state. Jack lasted 2 minutes on the bed, before crashing, Hazel and Kristin about 10. Kind of nice and peaceful right now, just watching the waves slowly roll in, palm trees swaying, and the sun heat up everything in sight. More Mai Tai's please bartender, I have much drinking to catch up on.

Time for Mom's Day Breakfast

Good ol fashion eggs, bacon, sausage, and fresh fruit. Love that local pineapple.

Hau`oli La Makuahine

Happy Mother's Day, or Hau`oli La Makuahine in Hawaii!  The time change is a little tough on Jack, as noted in his wake up time, 4am (7 our time).  It took Hazel all of 2 minutes last night to fall asleep, she was tired. 
Before we turned in last night, Kristin, Jack and I spent 30 minutes out on the lanai listening to the wind blow, just relaxing with a glass of wine and a Mai Tai. Joking how we should just retire here right now, but only if we could keep this place, and an abundance of Mai Tai mix. 
Gonna try and post some sunset pics from last night, and figure out how to be lazy for another day. 
I hope all the Mom's out there have a great day and get spoiled a lot, they deserve it. Happy Mother's Day Kristin, Nonna, and Auntie Apy.  

Pictures from last night's BBQ and the sunset, enjoy!

BBQ sunset time

Tri tip just thrown on the grill, sipping a nice glass of red wine, life us good. Oh yeah, and the sunset is pretty amazing.

Checked out the pools, amazing, kids pool is 6" deep and about 10-15' diameter, lovin it. Plenty of hot tubs, and good time for all. Tomorrow, do some scoping around, check out the shops, food, and celebrate Mom's Day! Pictures to come soon, once the sun hits the water. Aloha

Lasted until the last hour, then crashed

Swag pays off, free drink baby!

And thus the adventure begins

Airport was partially open air, and helped with the temp adjustment :)

After a slightly adventurous rental car experience, where the second van was actually and empty parking spot. Once we hunted down the invisible vehicle, we began our trek. First stop, Ruby's, a little taste of greasy mainland food to acclimate our stomachs.

Next stop, Costco! Where they stock all the local goodies in bulk, including the adult intoxications, rum that is!

Pictures and updates of the condo to arrive shortly, as soon as we get the address plugged into TomTom, glad we packed him!

We've arrived!

Flight was smooth, a few bumps here and there, nothing too strong to spill my drink. Proof again, swag and a heart felt thanks pays off!  I gave the pilots a couple 787 flight deck magnets and my business card, they were excited then once we reached crusijbg altitude, I made my way back to thank the flight attendants with a business card and some Boeing light up airplane magnets. By the time drink service came around, one attendant offered to buy me a drink, gin & tonic with twist of line tastes so much better when it's free!  
After miss crabby finally wore herself out, she crashed about an hour before we landed. Just in time for the next drink cart to roll by. Only this time, free Mai Tai's! Guess who's enjoying the flight now, despite how tired I am and how cranky the kids act. :)
More pictures to come, off to get our luggarge, rental mini-van (you're all jealous of that part), then off to Costco for the "essentials.".  Aloha for now!

Still packing

Ugh, last minute packing, what is the most important part? Yeah, loading the iPod with good tunes. Really difficult to fall asleep right now, despite the fact that we have to leave for the airport in 4.5 hours, yeah need to get some shut eye. Kristin is bringing her netbook, so we should be able to get some good stories and great pictures to post here as well. Stay tuned for more details to come!

Aloha