Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Goodbye Hawaii! Hello Snow!

Three hours after getting off of the airplane...the girls were making snow angels.

Mahalo and Aloha, Maui!

On our way home from the ocean center we were driving down the ocean side highway and noticed a huge pod of whales just off the shore. We pulled over and watched them breach and glide through the waves. I counted at least 10 in the group. It was amazing...we watched them until they were tiny specks and then the girls played with Eric in the sand and black rocks. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful family vacation.

Maui Ocean Center

Ava developed a double ear infection during the last couple days of our vacation. We were instructed by the local physician to keep her grounded until Ava's ears cleared up or we would cause her eardrums to burst. So...we were lucky enough to extend our trip by a couple days. Because we had some free time...we decided to head to the Maui Ocean Center. The "touch pool" was popular as always...the girls love "feeling new stuff".

The aquarium tunnel was fabulous and Ava was thrilled to see her favorite giant stingrays.

Micah meets his Auntie

Micah's Birth Aunt and her boyfriend live in Maui. They were kind enough to make the long drive to Lahaina to have lunch with our family. It was certainly love at first sight for all involved.

Hanging out in Lahaina

Ava and Flora were excited to visit the Banyan Tree. They were prepared to climb on it's branches and roots for hours...until we bribed them away with some Hawaiian shaved ice.

I had to post this photo of Micah. He looked so different in Hawaii with his chubby arms and legs that are typically covered with long sleeves and pants. In this Riley Bergeson hand-me down... he was even more kissable on the island.

Lunch at Bubba Gumps

Beach Bums

Garden Explorers

Our condo grounds had lovely gardens with Koi pools and tons of native birds. The girls decided to take their new dogs, Jewel and Jewel, on a tour.

Dinner with a view, please.

Views from our condo...

Eric took a shot of me playing with the girls on the beach from our lanai and I took a photo of him (0r his feet relaxing on a deck chair) hanging with the girls at the kids pool from our bedroom window.

Beach Day

Flora got smacked by a rough wave the first day we played in the ocean. She chose to sideline herself to the sand and enjoyed pool dips over ocean swimming.

Ava and Flora made a sand house complete with leaf brooms.

A sand bedroom built for one.

Micah's first dip in the ocean.

Hula!

We took in the Keiki Hula show at the mall. Both Ava and Flora were impressed with the beauty and skill that the children demonstrated. They didn't take their eyes off the stage.