We not leave until late afternoon from SLC. So time was spend walking the airport and playing DS games.
We got into Maui at 1: 00 am Utah time. We had a very quick layover in LA. I had decided to treat everyone to first class to give eveyone more room. It was a surprise for their Christmas and the boys are all so tall and traveling 7 hours in cramped chairs is just not a good time. When we arrived each of use were given a lea at 1:00 am.
We really just wanted to get on our way to the house but first luggage and 3 car rentals were on the agenda. Colin kept telling me his lea really itched his neck, and Ava just wanted to sleep, while Jaxon watched for his luggage. The grandkids did amazing on the flight, but Clay was worried they would be up all night after sleeping on the plane. I told him I would stay up with them if that was the case. When we finally got to the home everyone had to run around and see EVERYTHING in the house.
so it was 2 hours later when everyone hit the bed. 
First thing in the morning we were able to see a beautiful site out our back windows that opened up all across the back of the house.
The kids were up early so we let them outside to see the wonders of Maui....
They even heard the ocean............
They went up to the observation deck on the roof........
They could hardly wait to hit the pool. As they asked "is it time yet".
The floors to the home are all wood so you can imagine the running of little feet so early in the morning. But wait it was 7:00 am here but 10:00 am in Utah so everyone needs to be up. Maybe hitting pool balls will do the trick....
Yep that did the trick now SWIMMING............
So we told the kids they had to put on their life vests and could only put their toes in. As you could imagine that only lasted about 10 minutes when they decided to put their heads in.
It was not long until the sun was out on the pool and the whole family was in the pool. The boys out playing football on the 3 acre homesite.
Before we left each day Rachael would round up Sharon and Brandon would join in at times to help with her hair. Rachael always has her hair just perfect. That is one of the reasons she is so darn cute.
Toenail painting by Kelly. A must for Ava. She would get upset when her toe nail polish came off from the salty ocean. She would have to go and find Kelly to fix them.
Alex worked out daily and Ava and the boys would chime in. Just a little help please......
As you can imagine getting ready for meals was exciting but with help it all went just fine. Everyone pitched in daily and made it sooooooooo easy. Thanks to everyone.
The kids were in the pool every minute they could, from early morning, to late at night. If it was to cool they entered the hot tub that was attached to the pool.
We spend most of our time at the beaches just having quality family fun building sand castles, body surfing, writing our names in the sand and of course, throwing children in the ocean. Good times.
We did however need to stake our claim on the beach and with 11 people that was the easy part...
Ava running from the waves and singing NaNaNaNa. She is such a funny girl.
Rachael and Ava watching everyone in the ocean.
Clay throwing Colin in the air. Seems like throwing children is always fun. What, did I really say that. Well having 3 large boys they were always body slamming when they were younger so why would that stop at the grandkids.
Clay and Brandon tossing one another. See what I mean,.....
Into the pool you all go.
More sandcastles were being built by Ava and Alex.......Masterfully I might add........
Kelly and Ava packed the sand for a solid structure............
A sand turtle was in the making by Jaxon and Sharon carefully forming its body into shape. Jaxon began gathering the rocks, coral, shells and finally the stick.
Can you see her smile?
Finally the creation named Emily is done.........
Even Mickey came out in the Sand
Great job you 2.
We practiced writing our names in the sand.........
We also wrote our love to one another, even though Terry was not sure what T + C meant. Are you kidding me........What a romantic.... Seriously........
But who could not forgive him; he is so darn handsome...
I forgive you for not knowing what was written.Colin who is 7 gets ready for his first snorkel lesson from Dad (Clay). I think he is about ready for the plunge.
Yep he is ready.......
Even Ava is ready to go.As I was looking out on the ocean I can see 2 people walking on water. Oh wait it is Kel and Alex .....examing the coral cuts on their hands and feet.
Even Alex and Brandon can walk on water. What do they have that I don't?
Body Surfing is always a good time to get sand in places you never knew you had. Clay and Brandon heading towards the coral. Warning was not posted on the shore but by the lifeguards station.
Brandon riding the wave...........
Terry teaching Colin to ride the wave into shore.
Clay and Brandon riding into each other. Not on purpose I am sure of that...
Clay showing his final move before heading to shore.
While Dad is out catching the wave Colin is right behind him all smiles....
Jaxon is collecting coral..............
My beautiful daughters in laws are being movie stars...................
So, I am taking photos so I thought I better throw this in just to prove I was here in Maui. Ever tired taking your own head shot? Well this is what you get...... not a pretty site but hey we are on vacation....
We could see some whales at a distance jumping while going to Molokini crater.
Everyone enjoyed a little snorkeling............Colin, Clay and Kelly. They even saw sharks..... Oh my.....Colin even saw SHARKS......(I will post these later when they are devoloped)
I guess Kelly was not scared at all!.........She is just relaxing and taking it all in. Did you know the sharks were there Kel?
Sharon even got her nerve up and went out with Brandon......Way to go girl...
Breakfast was served while traveling 2 hours out to sea.
Luau's are always a must if you go to Hawaii and this one was the best I have ever seen. When we arrived we all received a second lea. I can't get enough of these. I love the smell of the flowers.
The food was fabulous and everything was so organized. We just sat back and watched the show while Ava did her own version of the Hula for all to watch.
Photographs of the family were taken...............
Colin, Cris, Ava, Terry and Jaxon
Alex and Kelly at sunset
Clay, Ava, Rachael, Jaxon and Colin
Sharon, Brandon and TerrySunset
Cold Drinks freezing your tounge.
Wonderful pork
Later in the week we enjoyed a sunset dinner cruise on the Spirit of Lahaina. There was a magic musician on the boat the entertained the kids. At first we all thought this might be lame, but turned out it was really good.
Colin and Jaxon participating in the show....While the boys held the magician long rope that he proceeded to run through his body as Colin and Jaxon stood in amazement.
Even Alex was a star.........Holding a goldfish bowl that the magician took out a large book and located a real goldfish in it and placed the fish into the bowl Alex was holding. Later there was treasure chest at the bottom of the fish bowl that Colin had to pull out. Carefully Colin lifted the small treasure box out of the fish bowl and opened it to find a playing card that someone else in the audience had guessed.
A fantastic spread was given to us that were soooooo delicious......
Family pictures we taken...........
One of the days while at the beach a bum comes to us asking to borrow our sand bucket. We politely said no the kids are using it. He said he had traded the coral to that girl (Kelly) for use of the bucket. To make a long story short the guys came back in and the bum approached us again. This time asking Clay for the bucket so that he could show the kids something. Clay handed him the bucket and began teaching the kids how to build a sand castle with water squeezing sand from your hand. At first the kids were not sure what to think of him but as a little time passed they sat down and watched him. From that point on every time we went to the beach we made sand castles just as the bum did.
He was amazing to watch but still a little scary also. We did not leave the site of the kids and kept very close to them.
As the journey starts to come to a close everyone wants time to stop. No one was ready to go home. Love was in the air for everyone................
There was one last thing to do before we left................I had promised the boys shark tooth necklaces.. We located a shop as we were headed to go eat at Bubba Gumps.
They were so excited to find these.
I had to find something for Ava so she located a bracelet right away. She is sooooooo girly.......
Our last hours were spend wasting time driving around, photo taking,locating parks, getting lost, finding closed resturants, the acquarium and about anything else to pass time. Our flight did not leave until 9:30 pm and we had to be out of the house by 10:00 am for the next arrival. Our flight would arrive in SLC at 5:30 am
Just taking in the sites at the Ocean Center
Monkey playing around and peeing as they swung from side to side. Watch out!!!!!
Clay and Rachel just taking it all in. Colin climbing this enormous tree.
Jaxon walking the rocky shores looking for crabs. While Alex and Kelly play with Ava
Colin swinging on the tires swing while Rachael pushs. Jaxon getting ready for his big climb
Brandon holding on tight to Ava as she walks across the tree than off to the swing.
Kelly climbing the tree to the top. You go girl.....
All in all it was a fantastic trip with the family. Terry and I will treasure this family vacation forever. We love our kids, grandbugs and daughter in laws so much. Until our next adventure................
ALOHA FROM MAUI.................
WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.
