Monday, June 25, 2012

Our week in Kaanapali, Maui

What a fun week our family {minus sister & nephews} spent in Maui.
We stayed at the Kaanapali Alii, and it was beautiful.
Being jet lagged the first few mornings, I woke up early and took walks with my mom, grandpa and grandma.  I enjoyed getting to spend time with them.  I heard lots of stories from the past and I enjoyed hearing them and asking questions.  My grandpa is one of the most incredible men I will ever know - he has the purest and kindest heart and makes a friend in everyone he meets.  And my grandma, she's a spitfire.  Married for more than 62 years... the two of them make quite a pair - and I hope to have a happy, long and successful marriage like them.  I am quite proud to be their grand daughter.

The theme of this trip for me was family.  Spending time with my sister, BIL, parents, and grandparents is what made this fun.  We played in the waves, spent time in Lahaina, Whalers Village, laid by the pool, played cards and relaxed.  We also went out to dinner... a lot.  We ate at Longboards, Dukes, Leilani's, and my favorite... The Plantation House. {we ate there on Father's Day}

One of the days, we took a sailing trip to go snorkeling on the Gemini.  I definitely recommend this excursion if you go to Kaanapali.  The staff is friendly, the gear is clean, the boat is beautiful, and they serve a really yummy lunch and have an open bar.

On Father's Day - my dad, sister, BIL, TL and I went wakeboarding on the ocean.  We woke up early and met up with Ryan from Wake Maui for a fun few hours out on the boat.  We wakeboarded and wake surfed - then he took us to a secret turtle cleaning station where we got to swim with the turtles.  It was awesome.  If you love wakeboarding - do this... it's so much fun and the salt water makes you very buoyant.  
 First day - off the airplane and into the pool.
 Every morning, my grandpa woke up early and watched the surfers
The Alii
 TL, dad, grandpa, me, Juls, BIL
 Mom and dad catching waves in the ocean
The boys in the pool
 Juls, BIL, me, and TL being a goof
 Dad & Grandpa before sailing
 On the sailboat - The Gemini
 Before snorkeling
Boarding in the ocean
 Dad wake surfing
 Me and my sweet grandpa
 Me, Dad, and Juls
All of us at The Plantation House on Father's Day - special memories.

Going to Hawaii is always a past, present, & future feeling for me.
I think about the past trips going with my family and friends.  People we've been with who have since passed away and the fun memories with them.  I think of the present - being there right now and the special people I am with.  And of course, I think of the future - trips with my family and hopefully kids and making memories.

Thank you to my parents & grandparents for taking us along on this trip.  We made memories that I will never forget.  We feel so blessed.  Aloha!

38 comments:

tiff@thecoffeehouse said...

62 years ... that is awesome. and so are your pictures. I've been to Maui once, and would love to explore Hawaii more ... preferably sooner than later. :)

Jamie Kubeczka said...

How fun! I am dying to go back to Maui!! Beautiful photos!

Michelle said...

Love your pictures! Looks like so much fun.

Jodi said...

What an awesome trip to do with your family. All the pics are beautiful and it looks like you had a great time. I have only been once and loved it. I hope to get back someday!!

Ashley said...

I am wayyyy jealous! looks like a great time!!

Lauren said...

We stayed at the Alii on our first family trip to Maui several years ago...it's a beautiful property.

All those restaurants make me long for some yummy Hula Pie, and the views at Plantation House...absolute perfection!

Glad you had such a wonderful trip with family, and I LOVE your dress from the Plantation House! so cute!

C Mae said...

After seeing these pics, I am SO ready to head to Kauai and spend 8 days on a beach!!! :) That long maxi dress on you makes you look so tall!!! :)

J and A said...

Looks like a great family trip! SO fun!!

Jax said...

What a fabulous trip! Married 62 years.. wow. That is definitely something to aspire to and admire. Love that your grandpa woke up to watch the surfers on the beach every morning. You have a beautiful family and it looks like you guys had a well-deserved fantastic trip! :)

Cassie said...

sounds, and looks, like you had a great time! I've never been to the islands, but definitely want to go someday.

Katie said...

Love love love. ahhh need to be there! You and your dad look so much alike!!!

Katie said...

Love love love. ahhh need to be there! You and your dad look so much alike!!!

Anonymous said...

How fun!! I think it's so interesting to sit and talk with members of my family too. They have such stories!

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

Your grandpa looks so young at heart! And your dad wake boarding?! Wow!! There's must be a fountain of youth in your family!

Jealous of all your travels....looks like a grand time!

Jane {In The Pink & Green} said...

Wow, beautiful photos! Looks like you had an amazing trip, and how wonderful to be able to spend time w/ your family :)

Leslie Harris said...

Those were some great photos! I felt like I was there. And I'm so glad you got to be there with your family, especially your grandparents. Those are memories you'll always cherish. Boy, it's another world back there isn't it? We loved it.
Leslie @ Gwen Moss blog

Michaela said...

62 years?! WOW! Looks like such a great trip Tracy. Memories to cherish forever :)

Tickled Pink Mandy said...

Oh my word. I wish I could telaport myself to some of these pictures- AMAZING!!

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

62 years- AMAZING!! What a great trip! We stayed at the Westin last time I was there. What an amazing time with the fam!

the vintage bricoleur said...

Family times are so important and special! I have enjoyed reading your posts since Tiffany from Living Savvy told me about you. I am looking forward to more and also hope to meet you soon! Terry from The Vintage Bricoleur

Lori said...

What a fantastic vacation Tracy ~ everyone looks great and what's better than vacation+family+Hawaii= unforgettable memory making times!

Emily said...

Great pics! I am going next month... what should I absolutely make sure to see w/ the hubs??

Tricia said...

Your trip looks absolutely amazing. Beyond jealous. Looks like you have a very fun family, and Grandfathers are pretty incredible. :)

Lindsey @ The Hill House said...

Ugh, I am so jealous that you just got to go to Maui. I want to go back so badly; I loved it there. In fact, I finally just posted my Maui pics last night. I'm so glad you had such a good time; absolutely nothing beats being with family. And being with family in such a beautiful place??? Ten times better for sure. Glad you had fun!!

Leslee said...

Lovely place, lovely people... Great times :-) P.S. That sunset pic is INCREDIBLE!!!!

Taylor said...

Ooh fun! Your blog is so cute, I'm a new follower now :)

Carolyn said...

I just got goosebumps from all of your photos! Seriously! I loved Kaanapali SO MUCH!! Now I really want to go back. HAHAHAHAHA :)

Nicole Marie said...

i love your trips to hawaii!! looks like you had such a great time! can't wait to see you!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit. We go there every other year and love it. I am your newest follower. I also live in Northern California.

Anonymous said...

Oh I want to be adopted by your family so I can join you all next time! haha :)

I love Hawaii and I miss it so much. We went to Waikiki (only the husband has been to Maui) and it looked and felt so much like Rio to me.

I love your pictures, Tracy! Glad you had a good time. :)

Angie said...

Oh goodness, what a wonderful trip! I'm so jealous :)
Hawaii looks so breathtakingly amazing. I've always wanted to go. Maybe I'll get there one day. What a wonderful time of family memories made. I'm sure you all will cherish them forever. Thanks for sharing :)

Kristin said...

Wow. What a wonderful trip! Great pics, and even greater memories! Your grandparents are leaving quite a legacy, and how wonderful that they can still enjoy a vacation with you. I'm looking to vacationing with mine in August this year! Hope you have a wonderful day! Sure enjoyed my visit over here :-)

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

That looks like it was such a wonderful trip! I love that they've been together for so long. I also love that everyone took part in the water boarding! How adventurous!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

That looks like it was such a wonderful trip! I love that they've been together for so long. I also love that everyone took part in the water boarding! How adventurous!

Courtney said...

We stayed at the Kaanapali Alii a couple years ago! Isn't it the best?! I love all your pictures; I am having some vacation envy!

Amy Shaughnessy said...

I loved seeing these pictures! I am probably going to Maui in April and I can't wait. My husband and I did a Hawaiian cruise for our honeymoon and never once saw a beach. Can you believe that? I'm going to lie on the beach the whole time this time!

Amy


Fashion and Beauty Finds

D said...

You are just the cutest little thing! Love your maxi dress! :) Looks like you had tons of fun!!

Megan said...

You are so blessed! It looks like you guys had the best weekend, and your grandpa has a good idea. It's so relaxing to wake up early at the beach, before it gets too crowded and just think about life and take it all in!

Sixty two years is an amazing achievement! You don't get that everyday!