Aloha from Hawaii!

Max and I made it back to the U.S. from Canada on November 26th and after driving our belongings to Raleigh first, David flew in on November 30th.  With a very quick turn-around, trading our winter clothes for some lighter threads, we hopped a plane to the islands of Hawaii.  We were fortunate to be able to spend a week with David's sister, Laura, in Kapalua, Maui.  While there, we learned that vacation with baby is a bit different than vacation before baby.  You don't really get a vacation from your every day.  It's the same routine, just different scenery.  A two-naps-per-day schedule cuts the beach time into very small increments.  And beach time with Max involves pulling handfuls of sand out of his mouth and chasing him away from the waves pounding the beach. There was no sunbathing on this beach vacation!  Lest it sound like I'm complaining here, please let me say that this was an absolutely wonderful place to be and I loved sharing it with our little one.  But I would be dishonest if I said I didn't also miss the mindless beach days of ol'.  Relaxing occurred after his 7pm bedtime!

Max had absolutely no fear of the water, whether we were on the beach watching the waves crash or floating in the water.  This was great, but also a little frightening since he crawls at lightening speed and could have easily gotten ahead of me with a quick turn of the head.  I was happy he wasn't on two feet yet.  We found a fantastic beach in Lahaina for babies.  It was completely protected by reef so the water quietly lapped up on the shore and we could let him crawl around in the water without worry.

Besides the beach, Laura and I also found time to do some running.  The golf resort had a trail that wound along the rocky shoreline and through the resort property.  On one of our runs, the landscaping crew was trimming coconuts from the trees.  They popped one open for us to drink.  I've always wanted to try fresh coconut water.  It was TONS better than the stuff you buy in the cartons.  Laura snagged a few more and tossed them under the stroller, and I was pushing about 55 pounds of coconuts (Max included) up the hill to home!  Great workout, refreshing reward!

David got this shot from further up the trail.

4 coconuts in the basket, 1 in the seat. 

The second half of our trip was spent with our friends, the Sarmientos, in Kauai.  We vacationed together a few years ago and enjoyed ourselves so much that this trip had been planned for 2 years.  Since the Sarmientos' little guy is only 10 weeks older than Max, they were pretty much on the same page.  It was funny to watch them interact and good for us to observe what's to come for Max. 

The condo we rented sat atop black lava rocks so that our lanai peered out over the ocean.  The waves crashed up on the rocks all day and night.  At night, everything seemed to get louder.  The owner even supplied ear plugs in the bedrooms to make it easier for light sleepers.  I was able to spot the whales every day right from the lanai.  Unfortunately, my less keen-sighted companions were suspicious of my eagle eyes.  Good thing I have a camera with a pretty good zoom for evidence.

The crashing waves from the lanai

Our view from the lanai

Sunset

David making fun of my whale watching capabilities

Breakfast, lunch and dinner from the lanai

Not a bad spot to have your breakfast

Found a swing on the beach

Max and Valentino take turns

A few days into our trip, we took a helicopter tour of the island.  The tour company was the only one that offered a doors-off experience,  for unobstructed, breathtaking views the entire time!  It was one of the most amazing sensations.  Flying in a helicopter makes you feel like you are floating, soaring, like a bird.  Our pilot compared it to flying on a magic carpet.  We flew into canyons, rolled between cliffs and past waterfalls and we were able to see things that can only be viewed by air, since eighty percent of Kauai is uninhabited and very difficult to reach by foot or by car.  Stunning! 

The Napali Coast

We enjoyed some very laid back days in Kauai.  It was a great island for family time.  We felt so blessed that we could share another vacation with our dear friends.  After a week in frigid Wisconsin, I'm ready to plan our next trip to the islands!

Shaka!