ALOHA!

ALOHA

Wow we just got back from the best vacation ever.....we took the whole crew to Maui Hawaii. Flossie tried to dampen our spirits but other than a little wind and making a few waves, the attempt was laughable. We do appreciate all our friends and family that were concerned for us and feared the worst but we were all for the best there.
Saturday after we checked in we hit the beach....late and swam there and in the pool. Then on Sunday we rode Atlantis submarine down 131 feet to the ocean floor and let the boys experience what Duke and I see when we scuba dive. Saw a ship wreck, and some cool fish and coral...the boys and adults loved it. Troy asked Reid if he wanted to sit on his lap, because he looked a little nervous on the boat ride out and he said no.....I'll just hold your hand....and was a brave little dude, but once on the sub.....he was loving the window portals to the ocean floor. We also shopped Front Street and ate at Bubba Gumps.....and saw Forrest run.... ocean side, sunny and with family what more could you want.

On Board Atlantis

Monday we took the crew on a Volcano tour to the big island. We saw some majestic views of cliffs, valleys and waterfalls that were so beautiful. Reid took the most expensive nap ever on the ride there. So then we cruise in to see the lava flow. The top of the volcano is no longer erupting, it is a giant steam vent ....it erupted and then it caved in on itself and now there is a huge lava flow that broke out on the side. Because of the volcano there are earthquakes on the island daily some big, some small. So the ride in to see the flow was OOOHH SOOO BUMPY....like crazy bumpy...we dipped a wing and saw it....really cool looking, crystal clear views of the flow and mountain and then caught a quick turn to catch it again and the clouds had moved in so quick you could not see ANYTHING.....apparently the weather on the volcano is moment by moment, so captain Bill opted for our safety and we started the return trip home rather than another shot at the flow. So at this point I am SMILING and BREATHING.....anything to not use my ALOHA bag......Dale is hurting too....as well as Reid. Duke is enjoying the ride. I found my tiny air conditioner vent and stuck my face in it and avoided the ALOHA....Dale fell asleep, as well as Reid and soon we were to smoother air and back on Maui.....feeling better and happy to have feet on solid ground.
So for the rest of the day we swam and hung out. FYI Captain Bill plays the bass in a Hawaiian Band and we were treated to his music on flight and his cd upon landing.....what is the difference between surf music and volcano music......volcano music is HOT.....yea sad joke but it's Captain Bills

Reid serenading us at dinner.....
Tuesday we played at the ocean and the pool for a good half of the day and my chest showed it.....so that afternoon we all rested shopped at Whalers Village and ate at Cool Cat Cafe .....live music, good food and family.
Wednesday we swam and then went to ride the SUGAR CANE TRAIN. Grabbed lunch and ate it on the train ride back. The kids played on a life size toy train and Dale scaled the steam spout.....only Dale.... so Duke and I had our romantic dinner that he arranged for Troy and Carolyn to watch the monkeys....so we went to LeLani's on the beach and had some amazing food, and watched an even better sunset and we took a walk on the beach.....very nice....and the company was even better.
Thursday we had Family Beach Day and rented cabana's right outside the hotel on the beach, Dale snorkeled all over with Duke, Troy turned Reid into a bogey board champ.....and Macy is a sea monkey.....that little girl loves the water.....any water. We built sand castles with Carolyn and Troy....who by the way have to be the best Aunt and Uncle ever! We hung out with Mamma Sam in the cabana's. Then that afternoon the boys and Duke and I went pari-sailing. 800 feet up over paradise, sooo goood. Reid was my buddy and he loved it, got to see the different colors of the water, but did ask "why are we up here?" Dale and Duke rode and Dale asked if they could stay up all day, when Justin said sure...$700 you can have it all day. Dale looked at Duke with his PAY THE MAN DADDY....look. So obviously he loved it and wants to do it again and declared Thursday as the best part of the entire vacation, Then we went to The Aloha Mixed Plate for dinner as a family on Troy and Carolyn's last night.
Friday we said our goodbye's to Troy and Carolyn, Dale was extra sad b/c "Mom, Carolyn means more to me than you know, she's special." And yes she is Dale.
The rest of the day Friday we went to Lahina and shopped a bit, went to Hard Rock for lunch and milkshakes, mailed 2 coconuts, and went back to the beach to swim one last time. We also found this huge hole on the beach and claimed it and played for hours digging tunnels, watching the tide roll in....it was very relaxing and fun.

Saturday after check out we went to the Maui Aquarium to see the sharks, turtles, fish, jellies, eels, shrimp.....and a scuba diver feeding the sharks....Macy's favorite part. Then we took the toomungus bus.....Macys version of Humongous bus turned it in and headed home....the flights were uneventful which is good, and on the last flight to SA we had a bunch of soldiers on their way home from Iraq.....thanks for your work guys....and girls. Dale declared that if there were girl they would have on dresses....and then was proven wrong when one came aboard in BDU's that were pants....

Another funny was that Dale made a friend on the plane on the way there from Dallas to Maui, she was in first class and he was with Mamma Sam in first as well. They bonded over hubba bubba. We saw her again at baggage claim and he was bummed b/c he forgot her name. Sam ans I both said well Maui is a small island maybe you will see her again.....so on Tuesday at the pool, I see Dale playing with a girl....and think WOW she looks kinda like the girl from the plane......it was her, staying at the Kaanapali Beach Club with us.....and to top it off on the same flight home and sat in the row infront of us! So they played on and off all week at the pool....Small world....her name is Lauren, lives in Dallas, but she is only a friend as he declared. Dale the ladies man, meets a girl on the way to Maui, that is like every single persons dream and he does it at age 6.

Macy the beach babe!