ALOHA

Hawaii 2009

We had the very good fortune to spend our spring break in Maui this year. Several things seemed to coincide for us to get there. We had talked about going to Arizona or camping in the van in Texas but everything fell into place for us to go to Hawaii -- inexpensive airfare, available housing, and extra funds from my mom's estate and my dad. Although the flight was long, Gus struggled with all the traveling, and we ended the week with sick kids, it was a fabulous week together and we are so thankful that we could go.

After hours over the ocean, seeing the island was excellent. As we walked off the airplane, Maddie said, "Do you smell that!?" The ocean!

We spent the majority of our days on a beach.
Eric dug huge holes each day. I loved the refreshing views and sounds of the ocean. The girls made friends and sand castles. And Gus ate more sand than we care to admit.

Maddie and Elise were great buddies all week.

Eric rented a long board to try out some stand-up paddling right in front of our apartment.

The girls fed the sea turtles at the Maui Ocean Center.

We saw whales every morning from our balcony.

We discovered what the locals eat -- spam musubi -- spam on top of a block of rice wrapped in seaweed. Stop at the local gas station with $2 for this tasty treat! :)

Eric and I tried to find time to just be together without some of the everyday demands.

We drove to "Upcountry" to get some great views of the island. We discovered an awesome farm stand on our way to the volcanic crater at Haleakala National Park.

We drove from the ocean, through the clouds, to the top of the crater at +10,000 feet.

After we discovered the sunflowers at the farm stand, I decided to leave my mom a little thank you in the clouds (The girls tell me that's where the angels live).

We left the crater and watched the sun set into the clouds. I guess my mom liked the sunflower.

Eric and Elise went shell hunting while Maddie (102 fever) and Gus napped. I took this photo from our balcony.


The girls loved boogie boarding.


We celebrated our last night at a luau. The girls wore their new Hawaiian dresses and flowers in their hair. They were most impressed with the hula girls and the fire dancer who ate fire.

Aloha. Love. Peace.

The Friday before we left was a SNOW DAY!
8 inches, no school or work, a perfect time to fly away to a tropical island.