Aloha VI - Aloha!

We played hard and slept hard in Hawaii!  

I loved looking at these ones when we would go to sleep at night.  The only problem with their crazy sleeping was that we had such a hard time keeping blankets on them...and hotels can be so chilly at night (which we love). 

Sean may have been too old for the Pirate ship since he discovered lifting this slide base which would launch the kids catch air in their landing - not something a little tyke would typically do...Of course they loved it!  I let them do it as long as he didn't lift too high...didn't want him to break the slide!

So much fun that these boys had such a blast playing together!  Though Cade had a few issues sliding down quickly after the person in front.  Didn't help that the boy in front of him {every time} had moving issues...he wouldn't move away from the landing spot!  I think I had to tell him to move every time.

Extra pictures ...

On our Sunday drive...we got to see some of the gorgeous rain forest parts of Maui!

Scenery along the beachwalk where I ran.

Gorgeous hawaiian tree!

First day Instagram.  We saw people slacklining...and got to try - somewhat like tight ropes.

Last day run with Scott...somewhow my phone camera changed to a tiny resolution.

Last day to play in the pool!  It was so fun to watch Ryan throw Cade up in the air.

And Kyle could touch here...so he loved to play in this section...and dive for torpedos. Even though trhough the spring, we were hoping he'd swim well in Hawaii...and he took lessons and it helped, it was in Hawaii where he truly became somewhat of a fish!  This spot was his happy place!

We saw fainbows in the Rainbow State!

Our last night we walked down to Duke's again for a Hula Pie, this time Grandma and Grandpa joined us for the fun.

But this time, the boys weren't messin around and Scott was having a hard time getting a bite!

On our drive to the airport, we could see the top of Haleakala!  Not too common as the clouds are usually covering the view of the top.  It was giving a nice Aloha goodbye:)

And off we go...

On Hawaiian Airlines, I was so impressed by their seat backs...look how smart this cup holder is!

Cade also discovered a "PASS" holder.

picture taken by Cade himself!

Prettiest runway!

Views in Oahu as we fly home!

We had such a fantastic week!  So many great things we got to see and experience.  Our favorite was totally the sea turtle sightings.  It was so fun to see them with Scott and the boys.  Ryan was really an impressive snorkeler!  And we of course loved just being together all day everyday!  Ryan and Sean had so much fun learning how to boogie board...and going down early with Grandpa.  And catching baseballs on the ground from our balcony 6 floors up was also a fun memory!  Thank you for the accomodations and company Grandma and Grandpa!  We will forever have wonderful memories of this great week!

Aloha V - Napili Beach

In search of boogie boarding awesomeness...and because I'd seen photos of this picturesque beach, we headed out to Napili Beach!  This gorgeous cove is also known for snorkeling too!  Perfect!

The view to the right...

And to the left.

Indeed, Ryan and Sean had a blast boogie boarding on some bigger waves than by our hotel...though it was tricky to catch the waves as they didn't seem to break til the last second.  The water was so nice!

Trying to catch that wave!

And the waves were also not too scary for the little ones...Kyle and Cade had fun playing in the shallow water!  Sean, though burned also had a blast hanging out with the brothers.

After a while, Ryan, Cade and I went to explore the rocks to the left.  Lots of tide pools...but no sea life in them...except for a tiny fish or two...which Ryan had fun chasing...kept telling Cade he was going to catch him some dinner!  We had a blast out there.  There were plenty of rocks and the waves weren't huge and it was breaking far out anyhow, we just played so peacefully among the pools!  It was so awesome.  Cade was swimming in some of the pools with his muscles too.  It was just fun.

At one point, we saw Scott and Sean snorkeling just beyond the rocks behind Ryan's head.

They reported to see lots of big fish, including one with the tall pointy up and down in the fish tank from Nemo!

After we were out there for a long time, we headed back and noticed lots of people on the sand oooing and aaahhhing...including Scott!  So he tells us there is a big sea turtle right in the water, eating off the rocks!  So I ran to grab our snorkel gear...and Sean and the four of us, Scott, Ryan, Sean and I all ran in and saw the sea turtle together!  We were so close to him, we were trying not to touch him...backpeddaling and all so the waves didn't just push us right into him. He was eating all the algea off the rocks so close to the shore.  It was quite exciting!

Another fun thing that happened at Napili Beach...as I was walking along the sand, I noticed a sign on a palm tree that said, tell your friends and family to look online and see a live webcam of that beach!  So I texted it to my parents and sister...and my sister called while I was taking pictures of Kyle boogie boarding...the web cam wasn't super clear...but she could see colors of swimsuite and people...so when I took a picture of Kyle and the flash went off, she could tell it was me and we were waving to her in the sky - not totally sure where the camera was!...total Big Brother moment.  Hilarious!

Later when we got back to the resort, a nice lady came to give us this aligator for a while.  I thought it was so fun to watch them all try to get on and then fall off...I had one just like this when I was little and thought it was so fun to try to get on with others at the same time!

And Cade gave us good snuggles when he got tired or cold!  loved that!

Aloha IV

This day we were heading to Lahaina and had reservations for an evening Luau...but while some of us were getting ready, Grandpa took the big boys down to boogie board...since it was so close and easy! Ryan and Sean are right inbetween the palm trees!  The picture was taken from our balcony - zoomed it...but hello!  Awesome!

Here is one not zoomed in...and you can see our neighbor balcony...and Grandpa and the boys.

Later we went to Lahaina...with the first stop at the Banyon Tree!

It is quite fascinating with so many aerial roots making new trunks.

And we had lunch at "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" - literally!  Unfortunately the camera just wasn't taking the picture inside and the view outside at the same time.  But the ocean is just out the window!

Then that evening we walked down the beachwalk from our room to the Royal Lahaina Luau in Kaanapali.
The setting was gorgeous of course...and the food was fantastic and the entertainment was so fun!

Kyle was sort of a zombie at this point...sleepyness caught up with him, but he livened up for the show!

Cute beachie family!

Lessons in swirling.

Learning the luau!

Sunset

Luau dancing!

The fire dancer was amazing!  Even though he said it was a really hard night because it was windy...he was sweating and still winded from his finale!

After the show the boys all ran around pretending to be the fire dancer man..Kyle even turned his shirt into a skirt.

So happy we went to the Luau!  Serious fun!