Oh my goodness, I can’t even handle that picture. I captured it in one of those rare moments when Liv was away in another world (a hula-dancing world this time, I think), caught up in a story of her own. This usually happens just before she enthusiastically puts on a show or happily insists that we join in (Kevin in coconuts).
Last week I shared a few snap shots from our family vacation in Hawaii but there were too many photos to pour into one post. More hula girl (T is equally adorable), hiking and kite boarding during the last few days of our trip after the jump.
Oh my gosh I can’t even handle it.
And this one…
Taylor was an equally sweet little dancer. Up until the minute she tore the skirt off in true toddler fashion and threw it across the lawn. She’s a feisty one. Thank goodness for pictures!
On one particularly cloudy day, we packed the family up and headed across island for hiking.
One thing to love about Hawaii is the ever-changing landscape. Kevin and I once drove the entire island for a week while camping along the way (pre-kiddo days) and spent time in the wet jungle, dry high dessert, sacred clear blue pools and black volcanic ash (even spending the night in the valley of the volcano) just to experience it all.
There are moments on Maui where the volcanic life is so evident that the dark, black rocks runs themselves all the way to the ocean.
This blowhole was the destination of our hike – so cool! Yep, Kev might be perched a liiiiitle close with baby in arm.
The Nakalele Blowhole is located about 20 minute north of Kapalua. The other area we explored on this morning was the Iao Valley National Reserve further inland, but it was sprinkling at that point and I left my camera in the car.
We love to be adventurous. Truly essential on any kind of vacation (even a beach one). I wish it were easier to hike with a toddler and preschooler but truth be told that without some kid-sized carrying equipment it’s much easier to do this: :)
The ‘rest’ part of our trip came in the form of hours at the beach, many of our happy home rituals (like play time, naps and peek-a-boo)…
plus your occasional virgin Mai Tai (read: pineapple juice).
It’s very touristy, but I had to share with Liv some real hula dancing and so Kevin and I took the girls one evening to a hotel luau.
That’s the whole pig!
Liv thought that the costumes and the dancers were pretty cool.
It was Kevin’s birthday on the day we traveled over to Hawaii, and one of the activities that he’s been really wanted to try out (here in San Diego, too) is kite boarding. So on one of the last days of our trip we packed the family up and headed over to a beach dedicated to the sport (Kanaha Beach near the airport) for a lesson for he and my brother.
Turns out it is way more challenging than it looks – even for two seasoned water sports/sailing guys like these boys! You also rarely get into the water until your second or third private lesson (something I think they didn’t know. That song ‘sail away, sail away’ is playing in the back of my mind). They had a great time and it’s fun that they have the possibility to continue the adventure in the waters here at home.
I made Liv her own sail to inspire some imaginary play at our end of the beach…
And we all relaxed by the sea shore.
Oh man! And that brings us to our flight home. It was a beautiful trip, but man it’s always good to come home (amiright?).
Other recommendations I might offer if you’re headed over to Maui: a trip to Hana (consider going for two days to enjoy the curvy drive and beautiful sites), biking from the top of Haleakala (the island volcano), snorkeling Ka’anapali’s black rock (we swam with sea turtles the last time we were there), enjoying a fancy and fresh (they list the name of the fisherman who caught your dinner that evening on the menu) dinner at Mama’s Fish House (Hula Grill is a close second for me with live music and a sandy floor to bury your toes in), and the next time we travel we will plan a two day trip to Molokai to see Father Damien’s village.
I know it’s not always great to check out photos from someone else’s vacation, but I truly appreciate you joining along for a recap of our little journey. :-)
Pregnant beach bag essentials, more travel logging, and part 1 of an end-of-summer adventure on the islands.
Your girls are such cuties in their hula skirts – and everywhere else. You all really know how to pack a vacation full of adventure, don’t you? It all makes me wish that Hawaii were so much closer for us. If we ever get there, you can bet that I’ll be coming back to this post for your recommendations!
Your family is beautiful, and I am not sure your kids could be any more adorable! Thank you for sharing little slices of your life with us—I enjoy reading every single post….and am anxiously awaiting the pumpkin muffin post :)
Thank you so much, Laura!! Really appreciate your kind words and your comment :).