Haleakala (sunrise)

Sunday morning we got up at 3am to drive to up a volcano to see the sunrise.  The kids didn't fall back asleep in the car like we had hoped they would.  And we made it to the top, almost 10,000 ft and 30 degrees colder than the bottom, about 10 minutes before sunrise at 5:38 am.  Caroline got car sick and threw up as soon as she got out of the car!  Unfortunately it was not the last time she would get car sick that day. 

Most of the pictures were taken by Justin.  They are out of order but you can see how amazing it was!!  You don't see that kinda thing just anywhere and it was incredible!  

It was a beautiful clear morning and we could see the volcanos from the Big Island!  So neat.  After hanging out at the top for awhile we headed back down and around the island towards Hana.   More adventures awaited!!

Aquarium and Lahiana town

Our first full day on Maui we went to the aquarium.  The kids really enjoyed it.  Eric really enjoyed it since he doesn't snorkel.  Plus they did education about how to care for reefs.

2 ugly fish.  Stone fish

Watching the sharks.  First take and got the all looking

 I gave my phone to Caroline and Will so they could take pictures.  Most had to be deleted but there are some good ones.

Then we headed to Lahiana for a late lunch and to walk around a bit.

Oldest banyan tree in the US. 

Waiting for dinner

That's all the same tree!

Next up, sunrise on a volcano!

Me-Ow-Ee

We flew to Maui today!!  Eric calls it meow e. We drove around a little and played at the pool. Boy do my kids LOVE a pool. And this one had 2 bridges you could swim under with water falls. The best part was the water was warm!  I hate cold pools. Now we are waiting to be seated at a restaurant while watching the sun set. 

Here are some pictures of the pool fun. 

View of our beach!

Aargh, matey!

With the girls gone camping, the boys were left to themselves for the weekend!  Friday night Justin got home to have dinner (I had chicken in the crock pot) before going to baseball practice.  Saturday morning Will had a game and then they went to Honolulu to go on a Pirate Cruise!  Apparently Eric didn't like it and kept asking to go home (no nap didn't help).  Will loved it but woke up with nightmares that night!  Oh well.  Some of the pictures are ones Justin took and some are ones they give you on a CD.

Diamond Head in the background!

After the Pirate Cruise they had dinner at Bubba Gump's and walked around the mall, going to the Lego store and the Disney store.

My boys!

 They got to shoot cannons and have sword fights.  Will won his battle!

Sunday they relaxed and were glad to see us at lunch time!

Camping, Girl Scout style!

Friday afternoon I left the boys with the neighbor and Caroline and I (along with my co-leader and 4 other girls) headed to Camp Pamaluu on the North Shore.  We were going to the Girl Scout camp for the weekend.  We had a great time and stayed busy.

The view going up the mountain Friday afternoon.

Our cabin for the weekend.

Our troop of scouts!

Friday night our troop was tasked with starting the fire for S'mores.  Each girl got a chance to light a match, some of them for the first time.  Not Caroline!

 Saturday we went to different stations/activities.  The first was games, dress for the weather and strike 3 poses and froggie killer.

 Then we went on a hike collecting items to glue onto a picture frame.  We got nice and muddy from all the rain the night before.

 Then onto a first-aid, knife safety.

 We then went to knots where we made survivor bracelets.  After that we got to go cool off in the pool!  The leaders took turns taking a shower while the girls swam.

 Two of my girls participating in the end of the day flag  ceremony.

 More pictures of the cabin we stayed in.

 All the junior troops (4th and 5th graders) after completing the scavenger hunt Sunday morning.

 Audrey, Saniya, and Caroline busy with ? (I don't know what it's called.  The plastic-y string you make into whatever.  It ends up in a square with 2 colors.)

 The view going back down the mountain looking at the famous Sunset Beach.

My co-leader's daughter ended up throwing up Saturday morning near the porta potty.  They ended up leaving before breakfast.  The good thing was I had 4 great girls that get along and made it very easy for me to do this on my own.  I was exhausted Sunday afternoon when we got home and then started feeling sick as the evening wore on.  Monday morning I was worse and ended up staying on the sofa snoozing on and off all day.  If I got up and moved around then I had to go to the bathroom!  So I stayed put!  The kids were great and loaded and unloaded the dishwasher twice, vacuumed, and sorted all the dirty laundry!  Such great kids!