Lahaina Banyan Tree Park and More Maui Fun in the Sun

Family photo at Lahaina Banyan Tree Park, Maui

Two pink hibiscus flowers, reminding me of the girls

Exploring the Lahaina banyan tree

 

Cute little hula girl Elise in Kaanapali

Momma and Alina by the Lahaina banyan tree

Secluded and picturesque Makena Beach

Awesome surfboard fence in Paia

...And now back to more Maui fun in the sun. While we spent plenty of time at the beach and pool, we also made time for some day trips and excursions around the island. We took a day trip to Lahaina, the former capital of Hawaii, and the girls loved exploring and climbing the massive 140-year-old banyan tree. After spending some time at Banyan Tree Park, and allowing the girls to run off their pent up energy, we spent the rest of the day shopping and exploring the town. We had lunch at Kimo's Maui and the food was excellent. After lunch, we made a stop at Ono Gelato for some delicious frozen treats. During our stay in Maui, we also explored Makena, Paia, Kihei, Haleakala, Waliea, Kaanapali and yes we made the long road to Hana drive. I have plenty more photos to post from our Hana experience. It was definitely a highlight, and the girls did very well on the long road trip. 

The kiddos at the Marriott Wailea koi pond

Wind in hair, sand on face; having the best beach day ever

Alina's first ocean experience; adjusting to the waves haha

Pool time fun in Kihei
 

Sunset on Kannapali Beach

Delicious Lilikoi Mojito and a real Hawaiian Mai Tai

Happy Hawaiian Beach Birthday Daddy!

All sunshine and smiles on our first day in Maui, Hawaii

They don't build sand castles, they build sand fortresses

Bright yellow Hawaiian hibiscus flowers

Daddy celebrating with his loves; beach birthday style

Daddy's three Hawaiian girls

Cuddle time bliss in picturesque Wailea

Daddy and the rest of the gang celebrated his birthday this year in perhaps the most idyllic location under the sun: on the beach in Maui, Hawaii! We went to visit our favorite red-haired Auntie Robin and chai-latte lovin' Uncle Greg. We always have the greatest time with these two, and they were gracious enough to let our family of four stay with them at their beautiful home in Kihei. The girls really enjoyed Hawaii and they loved spending time with their auntie and uncle. They completely embraced the flip-flop, swimsuit, beach bum mantra and had fun playing in the sand and sun. We enjoyed some great morning walks to Wailea for Starbucks, lilikoi smoothies, and delicious banana bread. While at our favorite morning breakfast spot, we saw tons of humpback whales stir up the water and even leap high into the air. It was incredible. I think daddy fully embraced growing older this year; celebrating in Hawaii with his family and his three lovely and sweet girls was in his words, "the best birthday gift possible". We all arrived back home late Sunday from our one week vacation in paradise. As expected, I took far too many photos and we were on-the-go pretty much the entire week sightseeing, and enjoying the beach and sunshine. It was a very fun-filled week and I plan to post up plenty more photos, so stay tuned.

They found a kid-size tree to climb in Wailea

Coral adorned beach in Wailea

The girls enjoyed chasing butterflies by the sea

They also collected a few Hawaiian treasures

At our favorite morning whale watching spot in Wailea

Incredible humpback whale sightings in Maui

Full bellies, content souls at Hula Grill in Kaanapali

The Girls First R1 Motorcycle Ride

Little thrill seekers first R1 ride!

Daddy decided to take his motorcycle, aka - "the street bike", out for a short ride the other day. With his work schedule, he rarely gets the opportunity to ride anymore. Of course, the little's insisted on taking a ride too. Daddy took them both on the slowest motorcycle ride ever in our court. He was getting the "eye" from Momma who insisted they do not leave the court...period. I'm glad our little thrill seekers had fun, they both kept yelling, "faster daddy, faster", it's obvious that they've inherited their daddy's need for speed.

The Girls First Trip to the California Academy of Sciences - San Francisco, CA

A day of fun at the California Academy of Sciences

Claude, the albino alligator. A true rarity

The girls loved the Steinhart Aquarium

Mr. Albino alligator closeup, yep he's real alright :D

Grandma and Momma enjoying the peaceful aquarium

Several weeks ago, we took the girls on their first trip to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Grandma also accompanied us on this very fun winter day. Dad had originally wanted to go to Monterey Bay Aquarium, but I talked him into the Academy of Sciences as it's closer and really a great alternative. The Steinhart Aquarium is beautiful. We spent the majority of our time at the aquarium exhibits, and ended the day in the planetarium with a very fun and informative journey through the solar system. Truth be told, the girls were a bit overwhelmed by all the explosions and edge-of-your-seat realism during the planetarium show. We loved it, them not so much; though they did sit through it extremely still and wide-eyed. Elise screamed a couple times while Alina just ducked out of the way of the asteroids. The girls loved the aquarium though, so while we were there we let them lead the way. They especially loved Claude, the albino alligator, "Mouthy" Mr. paddlefish, and the enormous leopard stingray and sharks. There was another exhibit where they were able to touch live starfish and other interesting seas creatures and they found that quite fun too. We didn't get a chance to take them to the living roof atop the building, so we are saving that for our next trip. We look forward to taking them back again soon.

Strangest fish ever, the elusive paddlefish

Sea dragons, jellyfish, spotted filefish and a leopard moray eel

Elise dubbed him, "the silliest green toad ever"

Admiring the Steinhart Aquarium & huge leopard stingray

Gorgeous albino Burmese python; yep we love snakes!

Goodbye 2013 - Happy New Year 2014!

 Winter-Early Spring Blossoming 2013

Spring Fun 2013

Yet another year has come to a close, and while we did have some very fun memories throughout this year, I do have to admit that 2013 was a tough one to navigate. All of us were extremely sick with severe colds and flus from January through May, no joke. The viruses were relentless this year and not only took a toll on our physical health, but also our mental well being. We also had to make a couple ER visits, which is never a place anyone wants to be. As a parent, I felt completely out of control and I suffered considerable depression stemming from all of us being so ill for so long.

Despite such hardships, I am able to look back now and appreciate the fact that we are all tough, and made it through such an intense set of circumstances. Sometimes you need to just STOP and put things in perspective, there are millions of people who endure far more difficult circumstances on a daily basis. I admire those people and realize many of them have suffered unspeakable losses and still continue to be strong for their loved ones. Whenever I start to focus or fixate on the difficulties I'm having, I have to mentally check myself because it isn't good to wallow in "why me" scenarios. I have a wonderful family, whom I love more than anything in this world. Setbacks will happen, such is life, but finding the light and goodness through the dark days is the support role that family fills.

Looking back on 2013, I refuse to think in terms of setbacks and instead focus on the positive experiences. Our family bonds were innumerably strengthened. There is a very deep kind of appreciation you feel for one another when seeing how that person faces adversity. In my case, it was my girls who showed me the true definition of being tough. Through being intensely ill, they still managed to smile and stay positive. I have a tendency to immediately conjure worst case scenarios, whereas they were little rays of optimism professing their intentions of playing outdoors and eating their favorite foods once they recovered. Being around such positivity helped me tremendously.

Looking through the photos I gathered from 2013, I realize that the good times far outweighed the bad. There were more smiles and moments of joy, than there were tears and pain. I see two very lucky parents with a couple of the most precious little daughters imaginable. They are our world, our love, our life. 2013 was a good year, because despite setbacks, family always finds a way to bring out the best in each other.

Summer Love 2013

Fall & Winter Joys 2013