Sunset at the beach
Loaded with snorkeling gear and glow sticks, we went to the beach to watch the sunset.
Yes, we got a bit too much sun this day!
Sadly, the ONE cloud in the entire sky was right over the sun completely obstructing our view and robbing us of our sunset experience. Oh well, it was still beautiful, the kids got to use their glow sticks, and we managed to still have fun!
Time for good byes!
We said our thank yous and good-byes to Bob and Nancy. They always help our stay to be a good one! Mahalo nui loa and aloha!
Maui!!!
After leaving the Big Island, we had a 12 hour layover in Maui. BUMMER! This was mine and the kids first visit on this island.
Hookipa Beach
This beach is famous for it's windsurfing--the sight of two major world class competitions. We loved it for the 1/8 mile coral reef providing a pond-like area perfect for our kids to play in.
Iao Valley State Park
'Iao Valley is the site of a battle that occurred in 1790 and changed Hawaii history when King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
We really enjoyed hiking the easy trails in Iao Valley. We were surrounded by fabulous emerald hills, and lush trees, and plants. Very peaceful. 
We were entertained by locals jumping off a high bridge into the water below. YIKES!
Kuka'emoku, traditionally called Iao Needle, is a 2,250 ft high peak that was once used as a natural alter and a lookout by warriors. This peak is known as the phallic (this word is worth looking up. Becca, you'll enjoy this one.) stone of Kanaloa, Hawaiian god of the ocean.
A week of non-stop fun and adventure=pure exhaustion!
We ended our 12 hour stay on Maui at a very tasty Thai restaurant. Dyl slept through dinner on a cozy padded bench. He also slept on the drive to return the car rental where we had to set him on the curb sleeping in his car seat as we transferred to the shuttle. He slept in the shuttle to the airport, where again, we unloaded him onto the curb. Rob carried our sleeping Dyl into the airport still strapped in his car seat. He finally woke up when we had to take him out of his seat to check it in. Naturally, I was concerned he wouldn't sleep on our overnight flight to Salt Lake City. My sweet boy proved my worries invalid as he slept for 99% on our long journey home. We got home, I again had to disturb his peaceful sleep to take him into the house. I asked him if he wanted to sleep in his bed, he replied with a quiet and sleepy, "Yes", and had a nice nap in his own bed. We all enjoyed a nap at sometime through out the day! Sleep is good.
We definitely needed our day of vacation from our vacation before we were hit with real life the next day. Phew!
