Hawaii 2017 - Day 6, Ka'anapali

Today started like most other days - breakfast at the condo.  We all got to sleep in to about 8am when the Twinkies finally awoke so we were well rested for a day full of activities.

After breakfast, we got into our swimming gear and made our way to the beach so we could play with the beach toys.  It took some time to find a good spot since the water was high (likely high tide) and the waves were big.  We finally found a good spot three hotels over.  We had a good time building sand castles, digging holes and wading into the waves (but not for long because the waves were pretty big).

After about an hour and a half on the beach, we packed up and went back to our condo for lunch.  Today's menu - pancakes, bacon and breakfast potatoes.  It was delicious.

Once cleaned up from lunch, the twinkies went for a nap and MBMell, Lola and AA went back to the beach while DD stayed at the condo, playing some video games.  At the beach, AA went snorkeling while the ladies sat on the beach, enjoying the sun and warm weather.  Snorkeling was ok, because of the waves, the water was a little murky and hard to see but still made for a good time.

Lola got stung by a bug - it hurt

The stinger

At around 3:30, the beach bums made their way back to the condo to wake up the kids and then go for a swim in the pool.  The wind had picked up a little and the sun was behind some clouds so it was cool outside the water.  Lola didn't want to come in because she knew she would get cold once out.

The kids had a great time - T loved swimming to the water falls and going inside the little coves behind them while B enjoyed playing on the pool stairs and with the handrail.

The afternoon swim was short - only about 30 mins as everyone was getting cold.  It was then a short 5 mins walk back to the condo and AA and MBMell made supper - spaghetti and salad.  Lola made some garlic bread as well.  Dinner was delicious!

During dinner, we had to pause while T went to the potty and was successful!  B later went to the potty and also was successful.  MBMell wants to keep Lola with her for another week to get the kids potty trained, AA said that was fine - hahaha.

After the twinkies were bathed and in bed, the adults stayed up - AA and DD played some video games while MBMell and Lola talked and worked on some things on the laptop.

We are a little sad that tomorrow is our last day together but will make the most of it. 

Hawaii 2017 - day 5 Maui

This morning we got up, and ate breakfast on the lanai.  The Twinkies enjoyed the continental breakfast that we prepared for them.  Dd wasn't feeling well so he ate some breakfast and then decided he should stay back while we go to the aquarium.

 It was a struggle to get the Twinkies willing to pack and head out the door.  But eventually and only about 1 hour later than we hoped for we headed to the van and Dd headed back to bed.  Lola forgot her sunglasses so back up the elevator she went.

We drove about 30 minutes to the Maui aquatic Center. The Twinkies enjoyed looking at all the fish. We were thankful that There was an eel there, as B loves her "eel friend", he just happens to be at every aquarium she goes to. They also enjoyed the statues of sea lions, B showed wiggy her seal to the fake sea lions. There were cute turtles and sharks, and even stingrays (Lola's favorite part).

We went for lunch at the seaside restaurant that was located at the aquarium. The Twinkies had a great time with their gold fish appetizers and colouring.  The adults enjoyed the view, it was sure a windy day out there.  B ate for almost 1 hour, insisting that she finish her hamburger.

Off to get dole whip...MBMell and Lola's favorite Hawaiian treat.

Lola resquested a little shopping just outside the aquarium.  Didn't find anything. On our way back to the van the rain started to come down. T sped up and B thought sitting in thrvstroller would help but we all got a little wet on our way.


The drive home was uneventful with the backseat passagers falling asleep. Once back, the Twinkies went for a nap and aa and Lola went down to the beach. It rained off and on on us, but we still enjoyed the sites and views.

Getting back to the condo, Lola got right into the kitchen, made cookies, and supper.  T didn't really nap even after the van so eventually MBMell got him out and he got to be a only child for a bit, playing with 3 adults and all the toys. Dd was sleeping.

We ate supper and b began to not act quite right. Oh no she is getting sick. Lola also isn't 100% with sinus pressure.

Evening consisted of family movie night and Lola falling asleep through it.

Hopefully we can feel bettter tomorrow!
 Lola

Hawaii 2017 - Day 4, Inter-Island Travel Day

This morning started out like most other mornings except Lola and AA did not go for a run today. Instead, we were going for breakfast at 8am so that we could get back to the room, changed and into the pool for a quick swim before we made our way to the airport.

The kids devoured yet another buffet breakfast, as did the adults.  Breakfast started out as a bit of a gong show - the staff seemed overwhelmed and there were no highchairs, which we deduced was caused by the highchairs not being returned after the Thanksgiving Dinner last night.  Oh well, we managed for the first few minutes and then some highchairs showed up.

We decided to walk back, giving the kids more time to burn off some energy before a day full of travel.  After spending only a few mins back at the room, the twinkies were changed as were AA and DD.  Then, it was off to the pool for some swimming and a few slides.  The water today was cold, probably because it did not have much of a chance to warm up from the sun before we got in.

The kids had a great time but were getting cold pretty quickly.  This was ok as we only had about 30 mins to spend in the pool so getting them out wasn't a big deal.

After the pool, we went back to the room and got changed and then finished packing.  MBMell vowed that DD was not bringing his old UV shirt back home with him after they bought him two new shirts yesterday.  And she stuck to her guns:

Then, we made our way to check out and to load the van.  Everything fit!

The drive to the airport was short and bittersweet.  The kids were a little sad that we were leaving but soon realized that we were not going on a "long airplane ride" and were staying in Hawaii, taking a short 30 mins flight to Maui.

At the Kona Airport, AA dropped off the gang and then returned the rental van.  Once back at the airport, AA took a phone call for work and then he and Lola got their bags checked in for the flight after MBMell and DD got their stuff checked in.

AA made a mistake and forgot to finish the water that was in his water bottle (which unfortunately was in Lola's backpack), so Lola had to go through security twice, the second time after she emptied the water out of the bottle on the non-secure side.  She was not happy with AA but got some iced tea which made her feel a little better.

The flight was all of 30 mins.  The boarding and taxiing process was probably as long (if not longer) than the flight.  The Big Island and Maui are neighbour islands so we really didn't have far to go.

Yes, AA was looking at all the business jets (seen below)

Leaving the Big Island

First sight of Maui! (and Mount Haleakala)

Molokini (the ring island)

Once on Maui, AA went and got the rental van (another Nissan Quest... yawn) and then brought it back to load everyone and everything up.  We then made our way to Whole Foods (Lola's favourite grocery store in the US) to get some groceries.  Then we were on our way to our condo near Kapalua (a 30 mins drive normally).

Traffic was heavy today being Black Friday.  Plus, there must have been an accident or something that was slowing down the westbound traffic as we averaged about 20 mph the whole drive.

MBMell and DD got us checked in and we were then escorted to the hotel (check-in was across the highway).  After navigating through the confusing underground parking, we finally found the elevator we needed to park by - or so we thought.  Turns out, we were on the complete opposite end of the u-shaped complex from where our room was.  So we trucked the kids and some bags through the halls to our room.

The condo is two rooms separated by a large common area and kitchen which can open onto the large lanai overlooking the courtyard and where you can see the ocean in the distance.  It is awesome!

Once settled in, the boys unloaded the van while the ladies made dinner - a chicken rice bowl, Lola's masterpiece.  Dinner was delicious, and homemade - just what we needed after eating out for the last 4-5 days.

After supper, the twinkies had a bath and then were in bed at a decent time.  AA, Lola and MBMell walked to the store nearby to get a "few" more things - most importantly on the list was coffee for AA and deodorant for MBMell.  So, naturally, we walked out of the store with three bags full of groceries with other items which we realized we needed for dinners (ground beef for spaghetti and some type of fish for dinner tomorrow).

Tomorrow we are going on an "adventure" - we promised B that we would go to the aquarium, and she is super excited.  She even wants to take Wiggie (her sea lion) so that she can see her friends - pretty cute.

Hope all is well back in the 204 on this Friday night.

Aloha!

AA