Weeks #20 & #21 @ The Dahlhouse Travels to Maui

For our family vacation this year, we decided to go to Maui.  It had been almost three years since we last visited, and we were thrilled to go back.  The last time we were in Maui, I was pregnant with Man Cub (seems like a lifetime ago).  

The trip started at PDX and we were thrilled (ok BEYOND thrilled) that Hawaiian Airlines had brought back their non-stop flight to Kahului, Maui.  What used to be a whole travel day, from PDX-HNL-OGG (getting to the condo around 5pm Hawaiian time), became a much shorter travel day (arriving at 10:45am Hawaiian time).  

Traveling as a family of six, I always make sure to book seats in the back of the airplane, as not to disturb others around us.  I figure, if we are in the back of the plane, and Man Cub throws a fit or cries, then we are at least in the back (what more can you do)? 

This was not Matthew's first time flying; however, it was his first time really aware of what was going on.  He was very excited to see all the "airpane" as he calls them, but was not so thrilled at take off, protesting, "all-done, all done."  I think it was some sensory overload.  He quickly transitioned into becoming ok, and played musical seats between our two rows.

After landing in Maui, grabbing a bite to eat, we headed to stock up on food for the condo.  Costco is literally right next to the airport, and then a short trip to Foodland.  I forgot how expensive some things are (hello $11 watermelon), but then some things are inexpensive (1.97 pineapple).  I had never seen so many boxes of pineapples. Neither had B.

We stayed at our favorite place ever!  It's called the Hale Hui Kai.  It is literally 20 steps to the beach (which has the softest sand you ever felt).  The kiddos play for hours in the sand and water.  Boogie boarding, snorkeling, wave jumping, sand castle making...it really is the best.  Our condo unit is on the right on the bottom.  We were also close to the pool.  The Hale Hui Kai is located off S. Kihei Rd. in Kihei, Maui.  Look them up.  I can personally give a review of units #109 and #112.  

Grace enjoyed hours of reading.  She has sure turned into a little book worm.  I love that!!  She also was an incredible help with Matthew.

Having never traveled the road to Hana we were up for an adventure this trip.  It was amazing being in a rainforest and seeing the waterfalls.  We stopped at the iconic Halfway to Hana stop and bought their famous banana bread.  It was yummy.  We also stopped at a black sand beach.  It was on my bucket list!  It was truly black sand! I had never seen anything like it before.  

(Three of my kids on a black sand beach)

We traveled up north to Lahaina, to eat at Mark's favorite restaurant...Duke's.  Everyone enjoys it. 

I visited my dad's resting place and laid flowers in the water in honor of him.

After that, we got Hawaiian Shaved iced for all and ate it under the Banyan tree.

There were a lot of beautiful sunsets.  Many have asked if we had VOG or were effected by the Volcano erupting on the Big Island, but the answer was no.  We saw no effects of the volcano on the island of Maui.  

We spent a lot of time on the beach, enjoying the sun.

Or at the pool, which Matthew has named the "cuppy" after his sippy cups that hold water.  Silly kid.

I am happy to report Matthew got his "OWN" ukulele, so now he can stop screaming over Bella's.

Before we knew it, our trip had come to an end.  It always goes by too quickly.  

It was crazy going through TSA in Maui.  We had to remove just about everything from our carry ons.  It literally took 15 minutes to make it all the way through with our stuff.  They ended up checking and opening three of our bags too.  Sheesh.  We barely made it to our flight.

Heading back to the mainland was an adventure in itself. Little help and a lot of stares greeted us on the aircraft.  But we made it and Man Cub even slept through half the flight.  YES!

Before we knew it, we were back where we started and waiting for our ride to come and pick us up. I feel I am still readjusting to life post vacation, and the jet lag was pretty bad this time (as there was a three hour difference).  But we continue to move forward with end of the year activities for school, and getting ready for summer.  

Weeks13 & 14 @ The Dahlhouse

Week 14 was pretty uneventful around the Dahlhouse.  Which was welcome after last weeks birthday festivities.  I was ready for a break.  Week 15 involved our spring break fun, which included a couple of days we went swimming at the YMCA, a day beach trip and hanging out with friends.  Here are a few highlights!

RELAXING while the girls and I got pedicures for their birthdays.  It was pretty much the cutest thing ever!  Bella may or may not have had to hold my hand during part of the pedicure.  LOL.

 SPINNING the wheels on Bella's baby doll stroller!  Seriously....this kid!

HUNTING turkey!!!  Gobble-gobble!  Luke went on his 2nd annual turkey hunt and was VERY successful this year!

REDECORATING the kids' bathroom with a woodsy theme.  I heart Bears and Moose!

 EATING at Pig-N-Pancake or as Bella calls it "PIGS-N-A-BLANKET".  It's all the same!

FREEZING our buns off at the Seaside, OR turnaround.  We really did have a very fun day.  It was just a little rainy.

STOPPING to enjoy these moments.  He is growing too quickly and awww man...he has my heart!

What the World Needs....

....is less worry about soaring gas prices and more sisters ROCKIN' sun glasses in February!!!!

Ohana

This is the view from my mom's lanai...sigh...it is perfect.  She has this adorable out door furniture with comfy pillows that is perfect for sitting and relaxing. 

Sunday evening we scattered my dad's ashes and it was perfect.  It was meaningful, beautiful and of course emotional.  The sun's rays kissed the water as my mom, brother and I sent him out into the waves of the ocean.  Most appropriate as it was his very FAVORITE spot.  We celebrated with a dinner at Lelani's.  Although, I missed most of it and my dinner had to be boxed because miss Isabella was not in a cooperative mood.  She actually ran a very high fever for the first 3 days we were here.  She finally has been fever free for the last 24 hours and back to her old self.  She even touched the ocean today without trantruming. 

The kids go 100 miles an hour until the crash.  Grace is trying to collect any and every flower that she comes across (which means we have so many brown withering flowers around our condo).  I know sooner dispose of the old ones and a whole new crop of flowers appears!  She is so happy to be wearing make-up (which consists of lip gloss and a little pink eye shadow).  Hawaii is the only place I allow make-up right now :) 

Well...I would love to post more pictures but the connection is soooo slow.  Many pictures when we get home.  Mark spent the morning snorkeling off Molokini on a cruise.  He LOVED it.  Well...off to dinner.  

Jet Setters

We made it!!! Currently, all 3 children are napping and I am sitting on the lanai with gecko's running underfoot, listening to the sound of tropical birds singing in the trees.  It is warm...83 degrees.  The smell of the nearby restaurant is wafting into the condo.  Fabulous.

It is weird to think that it is cold, and rainy and the holiday season is in full swing at home.  It is if we have been transported back to the lazy days of summer.  The sun sets at nearly 6pm and we are wearing shorts, tank tops and sun dresses.  My cheeks feel sun kissed and I spent nearly an hour snorkeling on the beach in front of our condo this morning.  I am bound and determined to see these turtles everyone talks about...but I haven't yet.  Lots of Dory and Nemo fish though :) 

Luke and Grace are fish...they would swim nearly non-stop if we let them.  The water is warm and it takes no time for your body to adjust to the temperature.  A little piece of heaven on earth.  Bella enjoys the beach as long as she has her aqua socks on so she can't feel the the sand, and she wants nothing to do with the big blue ocean. 

Family has been arriving and our group continues growing larger and larger and louder and louder (which most of it is Luke trying to be heard.)  It is so fun!

Tonight we are going to up to the Royal Lahina where we will spread my dads ashes.  I know it is going to be emotional for me so I am trying to prepare myself.  After that we are going out to dinner at Lalanis. 

Sorry I couldn't post more pictures but the connection is slow.  You can visit me on facebook and see more. 

Aloha!  Carissa

What the World Needs.....

 Less talk about school test scores...and more 1 year olds playing the Wii!!!!

(P.S. Her Wii controller matches her outfit!)

Our Magical Miracle Trip

In late June, our family took a magical, miracle trip to the Happiest Place On Earth!  Disneyland is always magical (no matter your age), and this trip was a MIRACLE, because some incredible, generous people decided to give the entire trip to our FAMILY as a GIFT!  They wanted Luke to see Disneyland NOW, and they wanted our family to have a much needed break.  So, we packed up the kids and headed on down to Anaheim via the Long Beach Airport courtesy of Jet Blue Airways!  This post is packed with pictures :) Enjoy

 Mark and Bella waiting at the gate C6 for our plane to arrive.  She was the busy toddler this trip, and I could tell that the others waiting at the gate were hoping they were not going to sit next to us!

Luke and Grace waiting for our plane.  It was late, but that didn't stop the pilot from making up the time in the air.  We flew 600 miles per hour to make it only 15 minutes late.

 Luke and Bella cruising at 39,000 feet.  I must say I am one BLESSED mama to have such incredibly good traveling children.  Bella may have been a bit loud at the terminal but she was an angel in flight.

Here is how dad enjoyed the flight (with ear phones and the next row over).  I on the other hand was in the middle with Grace on one side, Luke on the other and Bella on my lap.  I LOVE how serious Grace looks watching her TV.  Such the seasoned traveler.

Our airplane.

Our sweet little Long Beach Airport.  Seriously...if you are considering going to LA try Long Beach.  It is little and easy and Jet Blue flies in directly.

Our FAVORITE lunch spot IN N OUT burger.  YUMMY!  Uncle D even met us for lunch too.  Part of going down to Anaheim was to visit David and Katie (my brother and sister in law).  They were so incredible by keeping up with us at Disneyland and blessing our entire family with love and lots of fun stuff.  We love you guys!

Swimming was another highlight of our trip.  My kids are to the age where they really love to swim and Miss Bella was no exception.  She LOVED her some swimming time!

 Our hotel...the Sheraton Park Hotel.  

 Dinner at our favorite restaurant DUKE's (Huntington Beach).

 The Happiest Place on Earth!

 Alice and Wonderland!

 Dumbo with Daddy!

 Miss B and mommy.

 Rockin the 3-D glasses at California Adventure!

 This little girl waited sooooo long for this NEW Ariel ride.  She was THRILLED to ride it twice.  It was a cross between Haunted Mansion (you ride in a clam shell that resembles the chair in haunted mansion) and its a Small World because of the music.

 Our family of 5...notice Bella's missing shoe :)

 Miss B!!!

 The three amigos.  

 The train.

 Grace got her face painted at the Princess Fantasy Fair.  WOW!  This was the best thing you could have done for her.  She LOVED it!

Even better was dancing with the REAL Sleeping Beauty during the show!  She could barely move because she was so in awe of Sleeping Beauty.  It was the cutest thing.

Aunt Katie gave the kids this incredible "Very Merry Unbirthday Party". She took the kids to Chuck E Cheese followed by a birthday party at their place.  She even got each of the kids their own birthday cake.  WE were ALL incredibly BLESSED!

 Bella's Cake

 Luke's Cake

 Grace's Cake

Checking out their place!

Here is Uncle D and Aunt Katie...thank you again for everything you did for us.  We felt sooo LOVED.  We miss you guys so much.

And to the people who gave us this incredible GIFT, I pray that God blesses you for your generous, kindness an selflessness.  Thank you for the MEMORIES and for the OPPORTUNITY to give Luke this experience right NOW.  I am so thankful more than I can express in words.