Maui 2013

We're having an amazing time in Maui!  

We left early (4:30am!) on Saturday 11/16 and flew out of Oakland, straight to Kahalui, Maui. It was smooth travels, despite the children not falling back asleep during the drive to Oakland or the flight to Maui! :-) We had lots to keep them busy on the flight, thank goodness. During the last few days, we've stayed close to "home" and have just enjoyed our resort. We're staying at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club and it's amazing! The pool is every kid's dream... complete with a pirate ship spray park and numerous slides and waterfalls. The kids have been waking up early, ready to go, so we've taken a walk along Kaanapali Beach each morning, enjoying the peaceful beach time as the sun rises. Our days have been filled with either pool time or beach time. Connor is loving the slides and swimming on his own, including showing off his front flip in the pool. Maddie really enjoys the pirate ship area- floating around, and filling/emptying the sandpail with rocks and sand. There are lots of families here, so the kids seem to always find friends to play with. Connor has taken up boogie boarding which he is absoltuley in love with! We've walked down to Whaler's Village for dinner one night (Leilani's On the Beach), and we've also explored downtown Lahaina and showed the kids the Banyan Tree, haivng lunch at the Copy Cat Grill. We're so blessed to have a full kitchen in our hotel, so we've been able to have breakfast in, pack picnic lunches, and even make dinner at home some nights. We ran to Costco today to get some steak that Michael is going to bbq for us tomorrow. Although we've been trying to relax and enjoy every moment- it's going by fast. It's hard to believe we're already half way through the trip. Our days are so filled with fun, both Connor and Maddie are taking long naps midday and sleeping well at night. In fact, MIchael and I are going to bed early each night because we're exhausted too! Michael is sleeping as I type this- cuddled next to Connor in the "kids' room." It's been an amazing vacation so far! We don't want it to end!

Whaler's Village Christmas Tree

Enjoying the waves, after appeasing mom with a photo shoot!

Maddie is a bit reserved around the sand- but began getting used to it as I snapped this picture. 

First morning at the beach during sunrise.

Face-timing with Grandma. Wishing Grandma and Pops were here with us as we had planned!

Outside the Hyatt at Kaanapali Beach.

Getting ready for our first day at the pool! Thanks Grandma and Mimi for the cute swimsuits for the kids!

Watching Monster's University on the flight to Maui.

Maddie enjoyed coloring on the flight!

Happy 90th to Gigi!

This weekend, we got to celebrate Grandma Mary, or as Connor and Madeline call her "Gigi." Her 90th birthday is this week and we had a wonderful time celebrating her life. She is loved by so many and has a beautiful family to show for it! Happy Birthday Gigi! You make 90 look great!

Happy Halloween!

Last Pumpkin Patch of the year...

We managed to squeeze in one more trip to the Pumpkin Patch before Halloween this week! Mallory hadn't been able ot come with us yet, so we made another trip to Dave's Pumpkin Patch with Aunt Mallory. Since it was a Monday- there were no crowds so we got to enjoy everything more than before! Connor and Maddie both loved bouncing on the giant pillow and running through the corn maze.The  mobile zipline company was setting up when we were there and I couldn't believe Connor wanted to do it! He was so courageous and adament about wanting to do it, even though Auntie Mal and I were nervous! He even did it twice! What a brave kid! I wonder what his teen years will look like if he showed no nervousness at 5 on a zipline! We had a great time! Certainly enjoying fall!

Dave's Pumpkin Patch

We had another fun evening at Dave's Pumpkin Patch with our dear friends! We're so blessed to have such great family friends who value traditions like our annual pumpkin patch trip. Even though we don't see eachother as often as we'd like, it's always wonderfully cherished time when we do get together. The kids loved the pumpkin patch. Connor's favorite things were the giant bounce pillow and getting to dress up as a kinight in shining armour for the Pumpkin Princess Castle. Maddie enjoyed the corn box, the tractor ride, and of course the animals. She is such an animal lover. We're continuing to enjoy Fall!

Fun at Fog Willow Pumpkin Patch

This past Monday, I took the kids to Fog Williow Pumpkin Patch in Elk Grove. We had a blast! There were tons of farm animals and the kids absolutley had a blast petting them and feeding them. We even got to pet brand new baby bunnies! Maddie and Connor were so brave feeding the animals, even the big horses! We went on a tractor ride, picked out pumpkins, and explored the farm. Connor enjoyed climbing on the hay stacks and jumping off and Maddie loved the playgroud. I'm really enjoying this time of year, and am so thankful for my Mondays with the kids. 

California Capital Airshow

This is our 3rd year going to the Capital Airshow. Connor loves it each year! This year, both sets of grandparents joined us and it was a great day! We really enjoyed watching all the airplanes and walking around. Since it's October, they paid tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness, which was extra special for us. The bottom photo of Michael with his parents shows part of the Patriots segment of the show where the planes let off pink and white smoke to honor Breast Cancer survivors. It was special to witness with our own Breast Cancer survivor, Jill. The kids had more fun playing with each other than anything else. In fact, when I asked Connor what his favorite part of the airshow was, he replied, "Seeing Cousin CJ!" Love that!