Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Maui 2012

We just returned from our annual pilgrimage to Maui.


Grace's usual pose for the camera.




Traveling ever-so-lightly (four checked bags, a backpack for Charlotte, a BOB stroller for Grace and a slew of carry-ons) we didn't fit into a typical taxi. Luckily, Chuck Maui came to our rescue with a limo taxi!!



The girls didn't know what to make of no car seats!!


Disregard Charlotte's stained t-shirt...she put it through the ringer on the plane.
But note it says "Aloha" - totally appropriate right?!
It's the same outfit Grace wore to Maui just a few years ago.
*Sigh*
It's going by so fast.
*Sigh*


Breakfast on the lanai.
Charlotte has picked up Grace's camera habits.


The beach was a BIG hit!


Sand castles were built and destroyed. 


Toes were tickled in the sand.




Doesn't she look all grown up?!
*sigh*


Charlotte's new favorite look...it's kind of like a glare with a little sarcasm.
She's going to be a character!


Talking up a storm, we kept quizzing her with words.
Charlotte, say Hawaii.
Hawaii.
Charlotte, say Aloha.
Aloha.
Charlotte, say yes.
NO!! (Followed by laughter, giggles and smiles!)
The ONLY word she won't say or even attempt to say is yes!

Charlotte, say yeah.
Yeah.
Charlotte, say ssssss.
Sssss.
Charlotte, say yes.
NO!

We all break into giggles!
Like I said, a character.
It's like her little joke and she thinks it is sooo funny!


Charlotte loved the water. She like the sand too - especially eating it - but the water was where she wanted to be. Whenever she thought we weren't watching, she'd dart into the waves. 





Grace loved jumping in the waves but entertained herself digging too!


Here comes trouble!
This pic cracks me up. Her little tummy hanging out.
Guess I should of tried her swim suit on BEFORE the trip!




We decided to change things up one day and rent a car for a little day trip. To surprise us with something fun and special, Court rented a little red convertible. It was super cute and reminded me our trips to Maui before we had kids.



It was the girls' first time in a convertible and at first they didn't know what to think...


but it quickly turned to dislike.
So much so we had to pull over and put up the roof.
Sad for mom and dad.


Out on a walk with the girls, we stumbled upon a beautiful pond FULL of the brightest, biggest Koi fish you ever did see.
We sat there just mesmerized by them because they came right up to the edge of the pond. If we wanted to we could have pet them!
The "keeper" of the pond noticed us and brought over a bucket of food and Grace got to feed them!
She kept saying...
Look at the fish, Mommy!
They are so cute.
I love them.
*sigh*


We ate at wonderful restaurants, spent lazy afternoons napping and reading.


I read the entire Hunger Games series in the month of January.
So good!



And eating. Did I mention we ate? A lot?
Luckily, we exercised too!
Court went on monster runs every day.
Grace was up before dawn every day so she and I went on runs in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds. I didn't even have to take her out of her pi's because it was so warm!


An obligatory photo at the fountain.


Somehow, we didn't get one of Charlotte. 
I did manage to catch one of her sporting a little flower in her hair. When in Rome...


Our last night...

Dinner, drinks, sweet girls and a sunset.
Perfect.


Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.
Not gonna lie. I few tears were shed as we departed. Reality can be so harsh.
On our last morning, we went for a walk, played on the beach and wore the girls out in the pool.
When we at last headed to the airport, we thought that they would sleep on the plane.
Charlotte did sleep. But at the airport in the security line.



She didn't sleep a wink on the 5.5 hour flight home and was THAT kid on the plane.
Jumping, screaming....sooooo tired but worked herself up so much she couldn't relax.
And neither could we.
Or anyone sitting within ear shot of us.
*Sigh*
Our plane landed at 11:30 at night. As we stood in line, deboarding the plane, I could see people looking at her and saying things like that must've been the baby crying.
I wanted to die.
I think Charlotte was pissed too.
Because every time she saw one of those people looking at her, she started screaming all over again.
Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get off that plane.
Under normal circumstances, we probably would've overnighted in Seattle to drive home the next morning but the thought of loading them in the car, to unload the car to put them to bed only to load everything back up in the morning seemed enough to make us want to pull our hair out.
So we decided to make the 3 hour drive that night.
Luckily, the weather, roads and passes all cooperated and we rolled in at about 4 am.

So yes, we had a wonderful vacation.
But I could definitely use a vacation from the vacation...if you know what I mean!


Aloha and mahalo Maui!
Until next time...

3 comments:

Julia said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!! My husband and I visited Maui a few years ago for my brother's wedding. It was so beautiful and we had a wonderful time! Cannot wait to go back someday and take Charlotte. Your photos are lovely. The girls are adorable and getting so big. Where do you shop for them? They always look so cute!

Home Sweet Home Place said...

Maui is magical and a great place for a wedding! I bet that was beautiful! Thank you for you comments on the girls clothes. I shop everywhere - Target, Gymboree, Wal-Mart, online - you name it! But I also am lucky to have very generous parents who have very good taste! :)

T.C.M.+ C said...

Thanks for the pictures... the stories... It looked like a beautiful trip and you looked beautiful too! All that family time makes you feel so lukcy, huh?
Maybe we'll get to be at the same time again soon?!