Day 8 - The Last Day

Today we would get up, get ready, and move out. We checked out of our condo this morning before venturing out for the day. Since our plane wasn't leaving until 10:00 that night, we still had plenty of day in which to take in the sights. So we headed up to Maui's Upcountry stopping for breakfast at the Kula Lodge. I had macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. Yum!

The view from our breakfast stop.

Merry Christmas from Maui! Taylor is posing next to a big poinsettia bush in front of the lodge.

After breakfast, we continued to climb upwards winding our way up Haleakala Volcano.

Lyndsee and Papa
We stopped and got out to hike above the clouds.

Daddy and Reagan

Will and Mommy

Taylor at the volcanic overlook.
The sights were amazing at over 10,000 feet in elevation.

Later that night we would fly home on the most miserable flight of my life. When I was younger, the plane ride was always part of the fun of going on vacation. I feel less and less invincible the older I get which translates into a nervous wreck in a flight with any amount of turbulence. It doesn't help when its the middle of the night and we're flying over a vast ocean below or the flight starts with the plane losing its power, the engine shutting off and the lights in the cabin leaving things pitch dark with no explanation before they start the plane again and take off. It also makes it worse that I can't sleep even though its 2am and my kids are restless around me--Reagan crying out uncontrollably at times while my husband sleeps like a baby. He's used to flying. We had a layover in LA at 5am and finally arrived home in Las Vegas at 9am Wednesday morning.

Despite the sour note the trip ended on (only because of my paranoia), we had a marvelous time on Maui and I would recommend if you have the means (sky miles and lodging in our case) to go--do it! And don't think you can't take your kids. It was every bit a family destination as a romantic hotspot. And for those that wonder if their young kids would appreciate such a trip, Taylor told us each day we were in Hawaii how much she loved being there and how happy she was we took her with us. She and Will both continue to write about the trip in their school assignments and I know the things they experienced there will stay with them for a long time to come. The memories made may fade because they are young but the time together as a family will leave an everlasting impact for good. I can't wait until the next family adventure!

Day 7 - Day at the Beach

Today we stayed close to home (our condo where we were staying at) and spent time at the beach and pool. We never get very many pictures when we go swimming because we are either wet or sandy. Here are a few that we did manage to take that day.

Lyndsee's sandy piggies

A good reason to bring beach chairs next time.

Styrofoam coolers don't hold up when you sit on them.

Day 6 - Day of Rest (but not really)

It just happened to be Stake Conference on the island of Maui the Sunday we were there and Elder Holland spoke. I liked going to church in Hawaii and anywhere we may travel to as it testifies to me that the Church is true no matter where you go in this world. Many of the members in Maui were wearing there traditional Sunday best which I loved seeing and they seemed totally appreciative of the opportunity to have an apostle of the Lord visit them. I love to hear Elder Holland speak but I must admit that as of late, Eric and I dread Stake Conference because its a 2 hour sacrament meeting with kids. Not fun! However, our kids were actually quite good and we were able to enjoy the spirit of the meeting.

After stake conference, Shannon took us into the Upcountry to see the first LDS meeting house in Maui. She retold miraculous stories from these historic grounds. I really appreciated her knowledge as I didn't even know this chapel existed.

Inside the chapel, my kids can't resist an opportunity to play church.

The whole lot of us in front of the Pulehu Chapel.

After our time at the chapel, we went to Iao Valley State Park where we did some walking amongst the nature trails there learning about the history of this area.

Ioa Needle

We then went to a near-by park where Shannon's family had lunch waiting for us. It was fun to visit and hang out with cousins and their new families (with some adorable babies!) We all enjoyed some down time in Paradise.

Boats and Trains - Day 5

We signed up for a simple boat ride with the Pacific Whale Foundation to take us out on the water but then they decided to consolidate two boats into one. This was exciting news for us because they put us on the snorkeling boat with free equipment and lunch for no additional cost.

Taylor enjoying watching the spinner dolphins right off the front of the boat.

Taylor snorkeling with Daddy.

We weren't sure if our kids would take to snorkeling but figured we would give the older two the chance to try it. I was so surprised and thrilled with how well they did. My chance to go out with Will and let him experience swimming with the fish was priceless! I will never forget what an exciting new discovery it was for him to breathe under water like the fish.

Reagan spent some time on the back of the boat but never got into snorkeling.
Papa and Reagan
On the boat ride back, the kids got to learn more about sea life and animals. They learned and experienced more on this day than they could ever learn in a classroom. We really liked the staff on the boat and attribute them for some of the success we had in getting Taylor and Will out to snorkel. The staff was very accommodating, informative, and genuinely helpful. (I promise they didn't pay me to say that.)

After spending some time visiting our cousins at Shannon's house, we decided to do the Sugar Cane Train which goes right past the back of Shannon's house. Though the kids loved it, I'm not quite sure it was worth the high ticket price.

Taylor

Reagan
Watching the train turn around.
Waving to Shannon and her grandbaby as we rode by on the train. She is standing in her backyard.
All of us on the train. Did I mention how nice it was to have my parents with us on this trip?

That night at cousin Shannon's recommendation. we ate at a restaurant that looks out onto an expensive Luau so that we could watch some of the dancing without the expense. Someday I'll go to a Luau when I don't have my kids in tow so I can actually enjoy it.
These sturdy sandals have had some fun adventures so far!

Paradise and Beyond - Day 4

The bugs were pretty intense on this side of the island and mommy forgot the bug spray. I don't know why but my kids always get big reactions on their faces. This picture is Will with a bite under his eye and between his eyes. Taylor got several bites on each leg and we ended up buying her her own bottle of calamine lotion so we didn't have to hear about them the rest of the trip.

Papa would open coconuts for the kids we would find lying around on the ground.

Taylor standing on the back porch of the little cabin we stayed in.

The one thing I really wanted to do while on Maui was hike the Pipiwai trail that leads to Waimoku Falls. It is about a 4 mile round trip hike. The rain just kept coming down and I was unsure how we would manage it with 4 kids on a muddy trail. My mom volunteered to stay back with Lyndsee and my dad came with us. The rain slowed down as we came to the trail head and didn't start again until we were done. I was so happy because we even did the whole hike which I wasn't sure we would do. It makes me so excited just to type about it as I remember the spectacular scenery and the beautiful trail that took us through an incredible bamboo forest. Its a must do if ever you are on Maui!

The first waterfall we came to a half mile up the trail.

These crazy Banyan trees can be seen around the island of Maui. This is one along our hike.

A bridge taking us over the river to the entrance of the bamboo forest.

This bamboo forest was awesome and was the main reason I wanted to do this hike. The clanking of the trunks of these trees against each other as a breeze blows through was musical. Its a similar experience to hiking in a narrow slot canyon. Kind of eerie too because you can't see through to "the other side" of the bamboo forest leaving you wondering how far it goes on and how lost you could become if you wandered too far into it. Taylor was such a good hiker and seemed to appreciate nature at its best just like her mommy. As we made our way down the trail, I started to worry about Nana and Lyndsee back at the Visitor Center. I didn't want to leave them for too long for fear they would get bored but this trail was drawing us farther in and none of us could find the will power to turn around and go back.

We ended up making it to the end of the trail where we were rewarded with this magnificent waterfall. And once again, because of the rain, it was at its very finest with other small water falls coming down around it.

We didn't dare get any closer than this because we were feeling its spray from here and would have to cross a second more fierce water way. I loved this hike and it was one of the highlights for me of this trip. Thanks to my mom for hanging back with Lyndsee, to my dad who can still pack a child on his shoulders (Reagan), and to Eric who hauled Will (not quite the hiker we would like him to be YET) through most of the hike.

When we got back, we couldn't find my mom so we waited around taking cover from the rain that started falling. A little while later, Nana came off a trail having been on a hike with Lyndsee. They went to see Ohe'o Gulch. Way to go Mom! Especially without a backpack!

Wet after her hike with Nana. She could have cared less though.

Ohe'o Gulch

More of Ohe'o Gulch. People swim in these pools usually but not today because of the fast running water.

After our hike, we continued around the back side of the "Road to Hana" taking in all the beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and ocean scenes as we went.

The scenery was very diverse and we ended up in areas that looked more like home (desert like) at times and mountainess (pinetrees) at other times. Loved, loved, loved the Road to Hana and everything beyond it!

On the Road to Paradise - Day 3

We left our condo at the Worldmark Kihei on the dry and sunnyside of the island for the very wet and rainy green side where we would spend one night. We met up first with my mom's cousin Shannon and her husband James. Shannon is a tour guide in Maui though she and James raised their family in Reno and still live near there part of the year. James grew up in Hana and so they would give us a lot of personal insight on "the road to Hana" we were about to experience.My parents actually ended up in Shannon's car and we followed from behind.
Our kids were actually really great on this part of our trip. Reagan loved playing with her princess magnet set and she and Lyndsee snoozed a lot on the winding road. Taylor and Will must have been taking in the beautiful landscape as they were pretty silent through our drive.
The Road to Hana is about 52 miles but you don't ever go more than 15 miles an hour. You pass so many waterfalls and they were gushing on this day because of all the rain. It was one of the positives of going on a rainy day. There wasn't any traffic either which I've read can get to be a bit much. There are 46 one way bridges along this road so thats a really good thing it wasn't crowded!


Lunch stop where I had a fish taco
We gave up one night in our timeshare to stay at this little one bedroom cabin at Wai'anapanapa State Park. Not nice AT ALL but we went into this trip knowing this would be like camping for us and also knowing you couldn't beat the scenery we were surrounded by. The crashing of the waves and all the rain we received that night made for a sleepless night and me wondering in my paranoid state if we might be the victims of the next big tsunumi. Morning time in all its splendor in this part of Maui made it all worth it however!

Taylor with Papa in the background
I loved the contrast of the black rock with the bright green.
Reagan on the hike to the black sand beach from our cabin. (if you're starting to wonder why a bunch of my photos are of Reagan, its because she will look and smile for the camera when my other kids won't always)
Beautiful black sand beach
Hiking back to our cabin along the road. I love this picture!

We enjoyed the evening spent out on the deck eating and having birthday cupcakes to celebrate Lyndsee's first birthday. It was a truley heavenly day in paradise.