Hawaii - Day 4 - more snorkeling!

We left the kids to go snorkeling on our own ... they preferred to build sand castles ... I have to say that holidays with older kids?  Some very sweet perks compared to the last time we were here and they were so young .... Chris and I saw 3 turtles on this time around snorkeling!!

 Chris is still the most fun dad ever ....

 Best view ...

 Oh beach ... how I miss you .... though the water in mexico was warmer ... ;-)

 Smooth Criminal ....

 Our young man ....

 Yet still a teenager and needs a ton of sleep ....

 We were both so pleased at how much this kid snorkeled ....

 We tried to go to the Grand Wailea to see their Christmas lights, but it was a bit chaotic at the hotel with parking and all, so we backtracked a little and parked at the Grand Wailea shops and had very expensive ice cream and window shopped at very expensive stores ....

 Sweet time together ....

Hawaii - Day 3 - Haleakala

Today we drove up to Haleakala !!  10,000 feet up!  Happy we got above the clouds!

 The pictures may look epic and it was a great day, but Chris doesn't do so well with the altitude .....

 Intro to Krispy Kreme donuts ....

 2012 shots when they were little ...

 Now and Then:

Hawaii - Day 2 - Snorkeling, Chilling and Jumaji 2

I love to wake up early when there is something to see!!  I parked myself outside the resort and watched the sun rise ....

 This is the tree in front of the resort ... so beautiful ...

 Well...someone was excited for snorkeling ....

 He surprised us with staying out longer than anyone snorkeling ... Isaac and I had a good time out at Makenna Landing for snorkeling but headed in to eat our lunch on the beach while Chris and Elliot kept going....

Once back home, Chris needed a nap, and I had a book to read .....

 And Elliot continued to live his best life, back in his housecoat, making Annie's mac and cheese, and playing on his DS.

 After dinner, we headed out to see Jumanji ...

 Isaac took a pic of a guy he thought would look like Chris in a few years .... lol

 Playing tag with Elliot ... while waiting for the movie to start ...

It actually was an entertaining movie -- we couldn't get 4 seats together, but 2 and 2, and they were the oversized comfy recliners ... I may have fallen askeep for a short bit ... but from what I can remember, it was a good movie ....

Hawaii - Day 1 - Maui Ocean Center and La Haina ...

We had our last of 2 nights in a separate condo because our timeshare resort wasn't until the 12th ... it was a nice enough place, but I am glad I was only there for 1 night.  We decided this morning to take in the Maui Ocean centre ... I loved this fish ... it looks like someone colored it with crayons!!

 It has been fun looking at our past Maui pictures and comparing them with current ones.....

 My favorite part of the center -- the shark tunnel .... you sit in this glass tunnel and the sharks and other fish swim over and around ...it is awesome ...

 They have expanded since we were last here and we saw a beautiful film about whales on this huge omnitheatre....

 Unfortunately, the pass to get into the center is only a little less than Disney and we were done in less than 2 hours!  Even going as slow as we could ...

 Recreating shots: the turtle in the 2019 version had been baking in the 30 degree sun all day and nearly roasted Isaac's bits off ... man we laughed ....

Then we hit up LaHaina for shaved ice and some exploring of the local museums ..

 It was then time to check into the new resort and happily watch Elliot enjoy his first of many swims in the pools!!

On my way to Hawaii to see my boys ....

After a pretty sweet morning with Jody, who grabbed me from the airport and took me home for the night .... I always come away from conversations with her with a new sense of purpose and drive ... she is one inspiring gal .... lots on her plate ...

 Waiting at the airport, decided to buy myself a new travel mug with my birthday starbucks card from Jenny ....

 The time zones are starting to mess with me, but here I am up in the air again ...

I ended up sitting in a row with a father and daughter who had tense words with eachother before we took off, and then didn't speak to eachother again for the rest of the 6 hour trip, NOR did they watch any movies or anything ... they both just stared ahead at the back of the seats in front of them ... it was super awkward......was thankful to land and get with my no-drama family .... I was ready to see them,