Snorkeling, a turtle, and boogie boarding

 We took Zach out snorkeling! It was so much fun. He had a mask and snorkel and we put him on a boogie board and swam him out. He was really excited to see the fish.  He didn't last a long time because the water was a bit chilly, but he felt really special to get to go out with Mom and Dad.

 

(Thanks Calli for letting us borrow your waterproof camera!)

Cal and I went out a few times and we found a turtle!!  I have been wanting to swim with a sea turtle for a long long time so I was REALLY excited about it.  I had seen them before, but never been in the water with one.  This was the first time we saw it.  It was just resting under the coral.  We waited a bit for it to come out then kept going.  When we passed back over it, it was gone.  A few days later we swam over the same spot and it was there again!  So we waited longer this time and it backed out and came up right next to me.  It was close enough that I could have touched it, but I didn't.  We just kind of floated there looking at each other for a few minutes, then it went back down.  It was amazing!

Austin in our castle.

I was trying to get pictures of Zach boogie boarding and Austin was clinging to my leg.  Cute fluff.

One of Zach's favorite beach passtimes:  looking for coral pieces.

Decorating the castle with the found coral pieces.

The waves were really calm, but good enough for Zach to do a little boogie boarding.

 

 

Aquarium, Waterfall, and Puddles

We went to the Maui Ocean Center one afternoon.  It was a great aquarium and we all enjoyed it.  Zach really liked to listen to the information on our self guided tour radio things  (what are those called?) and the octopus.  Austin really liked to find the blue fish and the sea horses.

 

Outside there was a tide pool that they could touch the sea stars and sea cucumbers.

We loved the sharks and rays.  Austin, of course, loved the hammerhead shark!  So fitting for

Mr. Workerman.

The underwater tunnel.

The next day we went and hiked a short hike to see a waterfall.  It had been raining and was really muddy!  At least we didn't get rained on much while we were out because none of us had rain gear.

There were a few waterfalls, but the top one was closed off due to high water.  This is the lower one.  You can kind of see how high and muddy the water is.

Austin coming out of a plant cave and with Grandad Cal by a huge plant.

Zach hiding behind an old leaf. 

 

Another attempted family picture...

We headed to an overlook to watch some surfers and eat a snack.  There were a couple, but we were a bit distracted by the boys.

 It started raining pretty hard and they couldn't resist these huge puddles.  I couldn't blame them.  They had a blast.

 Here is Austin first testing me out.  He would put his hands in the rain (we were under a covered picnic area), then look back at me and giggle.  Then get a little more in the rain.  I finally just took his shirt off and said okay!  It's not everyday they get to jump in puddles.

Cam 3 and Lahaina

These Hawaii posts are going to be a bit sporadic and unorganized because I've got a lot going on, but here is another day...

It was a bit cool and rainy in Kaanapali one day so we decided to go to Kihei, a sunnier dryer part of the island.  We went to a beach the Smiths know well, Cam 3.  The boys loved the lava rocks on the beach.  It was crowded but beautiful!

 

Buckets and buckets of water of course.

Zach built a cool sand castle on the rocks.

 That evening we went into Lahaina to explore and eat dinner.  We visited the enormous banyan tree and got the obligatory family photo in front of it.  The boys weren't supposed to climb on it.  Oops.

We walked by the harbor and the boys got to do some unrestricted tree climbing.

 And where there is water and rocks, well, you know.

As we were walking the boys were up ahead of us.  Then suddenly I realized they were holding hands.  It was pretty much the cutest thing ever.  

One tuckered out Austin.  We had some long busy days and he didn't stop until we were in the car or walking back to our room.  You can even see the remains of chocolate ice cream on his face.  Life is good.

Hawaii Part 1

On February 1 we were lucky enough to get to go to Hawaii for 11 days.  We pulled Zach out of school and went for it!  We met Calvin and Calli there and stayed with them in Kaanapali, Maui.  I was nervous about the long travel day, but the boys did really well.  Amazingly, they did not sleep a wink on either flight, even though we got there at about 10:40 pm Hawaii time, which is almost 2 am our time!!  Austin was instantly asleep in the rental car, and Zach followed not long after.  We stayed in a beautiful resort and it was just perfect!  It was a wonderfully relaxing and fun trip. 

Most mornings we started out on the beach then eventually ended up at the pools.  The beach just outside our hotel was nice and most days we just went there.  The boys were so excited for the beach! 

I haven't even looked at all of our Hawaii pictures yet, but here are some pictures from the first few days at the beach, just to get an update up.

Lots and lots of digging.

Snuggled up.

Austin brought some diggers, of course.

Zach loved to go "diving" for coral pieces.  We collected a huge pile while we were there!

Looking back towards our hotel, we were in the building on the left.

Much more to come!