2009 Maui Trip

I didn't get to post much when we were in Maui so I put it here in one very long post.... Our 3rd annual trip to Maui with the Victorines was awesome! Here's some of what we did and a bunch of photos...

Day 1: We had to get up around 4:00 am to get to the airport early. We left Eureka/Arcata airport about 7:15 am. When we arrived in San Francisco, we were able to get on an earlier flight than planned so we arrived in Maui about 3 hours early. The flight seemed so long to me, even with a movie and lots of snacks for the kids. After we arrived, we picked up our rental car, and headed to Costco to load up for the 10 days. Clint took some meat too. It seemed like it took forever to get to our condo, but we made it. We stayed at Papakea Resort and it was great! We grabbed some food and a couple of beverages to relax from the trip!

Day 2: We took it easy and enjoyed the beginning of our vacation. We went to the beach in the morning...

and the pool in the afternoon!

J.T. decided he wanted to take a nap instead of swim....

Day 3: We relaxed in the morning... here's Andy enjoying his coffee out by the ocean.

And went to Lahaina for lunch. We went to Hard Rock Cafe and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. We also did some shopping...

I tried several times to get a sunset shot that I liked, and this one came the closest.

Day 4: We went to the beach in the morning...

and the kids had such a great time!

Abigail tried to boogie board and looked like she was really having fun...

J.T. just played in the water...

In the afternoon, we went to Kapalua Bay to go snorkeling. Some of us snorkeled anyway.... Abigail really wanted to try, but the first time she went out, she lost her mask. I have a hard time with snorkeling because I don't like when I can't breathe out of my nose....

Evan wanted to take a picture...

Day 5: Andy gave me the chance to go shopping by myself in the morning. It was so nice to have some quiet time to myself. What a great hubby, huh? Then I went back and picked the three of them up to head to Lahaina for lunch. We went to Cheeseburger in Paradise. We also walked around Lahaina....

J.T. lost a tooth that day.... can you see?

And of course we had to take one in front of the huge Banyan Tree...

That evening we headed into Lahaina for dinner and a show. Before we left, I took a few of the kids....

We went to Ruth's Chris Steak House for dinner. It was pretty good, but nothing compared to the great steaks that Clint brought to Maui. The show, Ulalena, was awesome! The kids really liked it too.

Day 6: Happy 4th of July! We went to a parade in Macawao, which is the little cowboy town on Maui. They were also having a rodeo that day, but we didn't go to that.

The kids seem to enjoy the first part of the parade, but it was way too long so they got bored....

Here are some of the paniolos (cowboy in Hawaiian)...

And the cute little town of Macawao...

We BBQed burgers and hot dogs for dinner. The kids enjoyed an Otterpop afterwards.... We did a few sparklers on the beach and watched the other fireworks that people were setting off.

Day 7: We went to the beach in the morning...

Just so you know I was really there, here's one of me.... (and no that isn't my beer!).

Day 8: We got up early to take some family photos. I sent everything up with my tripod, camera, and remote. Thanks to Christina for pushing the button on the remote, but more importantly for making everyone smile!

After we were done with the pictures, we packed a picnic lunch and headed towards the "Road to Hana." We weren't sure if we would drive all the way or not, but it ended up being closed due to construction at about the halfway point. We stopped to have our lunch, and turned back.

We did see a couple waterfalls, but not too many, because it's so dry over there...

We stopped along side of the road to check out this pool at the bottom of the waterfall above. Abigail wanted to stick her toes in...

We headed out to the "Upcountry" area and stopped at the Tedeschi Winery to look around and taste a little.

We were sitting outside the little country store there waiting for the kids to finish their ice cream bars.... and J.T.'s second tooth came out!

So.... J.T. met a girl! Her name is Alana and she is from Arizona. She was at the pool a couple of times when we were there. She suddenly became J.T.'s girlfriend! We were walking back from the pool one afternoon and I asked J.T., "Is Alana your girlfriend?" His response was "Duhhhh!" So here they are...

Day 9: We took a little drive in the morning because it was windy and rainy. We tried to find the blowhole near Kapalua... and then we met the Victorines in Lahaina for lunch at Cool Cat Cafe. After lunch we walked around Lahaina. At one point, we were standing in the crosswalk getting ready to cross the street.... who do you think was on the other side? Alana! And her parents of course! In the middle of the crosswalk, she ran up to J.T. and gave him a big hug!

We went to the pool in the afternoon and went out for dinner that night. After we got the kids settled into bed, Andy and I took a stroll out to the beach. This is how we found them when we came back 5 minutes later!

Day 10: It was our last day on Maui... and none of us wanted to go home. Before the kids woke up, Andy and I walked out to the grassy area above the beach for our last morning. He even took a little stroll along the beach...

We went to the beach for a little while and then to the pool after lunch. We ate lunch out by the pool and J.T. invited Alana to join us. We even swapped addresses with her.

The kids all wanted a picture together...

And of course J.T. and Alana wanted one.... he wants to keep it next to his bed!

This trip was so great. I actually felt sad on the day we left.... I just didn't want it to end. The kids were much better travellers this year and got along pretty well. We are hoping to do it again next year... maybe Kauai though.....