Maui

Maui. It's now nothing more than just a distant memory. Sad. How quickly routine and cold winter weather can snap us back into reality.

We arrived to our condo the first evening just in time for sunset.

Jack became a boogie boarding pro very quickly. I was too afraid to take his water wings off though...it is the ocean after all.

These sand toys were already in our condo when we got there, and they provided hours of entertainment.

Sand mer-man Jack. He wanted to be buried as a mer-man so bad...don't ask me why...

One of our pool days at the house my Dad, Beth, and Adam stayed at. Jack loves the pool. Jovie just likes to watch.

Jovie's best friend, Hula girl Sally.

Jovie's turn to be a mermaid.

Jovie turned 3 on the 3rd!

The princess in her throne. Rob created some cool things for the kids in the sand.

After the huge, steep, trek down to the blow hole, we thought we'd take a sign by the warning post saying we made it!

The next picture shows just exactly what happens. It's quite dangerous really...a gaping hole in the rock with violent waves pushing the water through like a "blowhole"...hence the name.

Woosh! The picture does NO justice. It's so powerful and breathtaking. The ground rumbles. And a rainbow is formed almost every time. I was happy to catch it on camera though because it lasts only a second.

Ken...thinking he could handle those waves out there. Yeah right Dad! They'd eat you up. These waves were massive.

Man-made or natural? We weren't sure, but it wasn't there 6 years ago, so I'm guessing man-made.

By this time my camera lens was covered with sea-spray, which is why this picture is so blurry, but from left to right, Ken, Adam, Almira, Beth, Jack, Rob, Jovie, Joelle

Our last night :( Everyone was pretty sad, despite the smiles.

What an amazing trip. One I will remember for a lifetime. We had such a nice time as a family on this trip. We did very little, which was exactly what I had in mind for us. Beach, pool, beach, pool, a scenic drive or two, and lots of yummy meals in and out. Pineapple pancakes at the most wonderful outdoor breakfast cafe overlooking whales and turtles swimming in the ocean...that's one of my favorite memories. The kids seemed to have so much fun. They were so good, and played so well together! They were troopers on the plane...even through horrible turbulence on the way home which kept us in our seats with our seat belts on the whole time. I know it will be some time before we can get back there again, but mark my words...it won't be too long.