Tropical Paradise Part II

After a bumpy (more like stomach-dropping and almost vomit-inducing landing), we were finally in Maui! Our next task was to pick up our rental car and drive about 45 minutes to Napili Beach where my family was staying. Our condo was spacious and beautifully decorated (sorry I didn't take any pics of it), and the weather was misty, but balmy and tropical.

The next few wonderful days were filled with lying on the beach (SPF 50 and shade for me baby!), eating, enjoying time with my dear family, exploring, swimming, and trying to convince the little one that sand is not painful or scary to walk on. The most fun activity was snorkeling (one day we took a boat ride out to the Molokini crater to snorkel) with turtles. They were huge and friendly, and so close that if it were not a federal offense to touch them, I could have stroked their slippery shells (which I'm not saying I necessarily did, since it's a crime to lay a finger on them, which I found out after swimming with them)...ahem. It was amazing, and just too short of a vacation. The little doll had a great time going next door to visit her Nana and Papa (I think this was mutually enjoyed).

Here are a few pics from our fun:

handsome hubby

The flights home (3 including a red-eye) were uneventful and we got home just under 24 hours after leaving Hawaii--wow, a long journey for a short trip, but totally worth it! Thanks Nana and Papa for being married 55 years and for taking us on this trip! Can't wait to do it again in 5 years-ha!

Tropical Paradise Part I

On Easter Sunday, we boarded an early flight bound for Maui!! I had been praying a lot in the few days leading up to the trip that the flights would go smoothly (#1- I don't really like to fly...I usually feel pukey if there's any turbulance and often on the descent to landing, #2- Our little girl is pretty laid-back and good-natured, but a 9 hour flight is long for anyone, let alone a 19-month-old). When we got on the plane, we were seated next to the window with the little one on our laps (you don't have to pay for a seat for those under 2, but then you have to endure a one and a half year old on your lap. For nine hours. Yes, we're cheap and crazy). As the plane got ready to roll, I noticed (yes, I had been watching the whole time) that our back half of the plane was less than half-full. The gentleman next to us (seated in the outside seat with FOUR empty seats next to him), asked us if we wanted to switch with him once we were up in the air---Ummmm YES! Thank you Jesus!!! So we had 5 whole seats to ourselves for the flight. AWESOME. We could lie dowm, spread our stuff everywhere (we had a lot of stuff), and the doll could have her own little space, too. She did great until we had about an hour left of flying and then was whiny, but so was I by then ;)

Before the trip, we bought our sweetie her very own backpack. She loves it, and wore it all around the house before we left. It was cute (very bright pink) but needed a little bit of...something. So I put my hot-glue gun to work...

Before

After

Nothing super-creative, but a little more personalized. We filled it with her very own water bottle, crayons, paper, stickers, playdough, snacks, and a slinky, and.....she just about fell over backwards when I put it on her back! So, defeating the purpose of having her carry her own little bag with her things (so that my purse wasn't overrun with the above-mentioned items), we put most of her things into Jonathan's bag (heehee), and she carried crayons :)

Stay tuned...we're almost actually in Hawaii!!

How is it almost mid-April?!

A tropical update coming soon--we're recovering from our Hawaiian vacation!! Celebrated my grandparents' 55th anniversary!