Maui Trip - Day 10

08-17-08

Sunday. Our last day in Maui. Shara and I found it pretty funny that it was not until our very last day, that we actually got to sit... and relax... and visit... and have a full on conversation without any interuptions! It was awesome! Jess sat in my lap and played with toys in a pail of water while we talked and laughed and had a fantasticly memorable sister time.
My absolute most favorite moment of this day (if not the entire trip!!), was watching Shara go down the waterslide at the pool at our hotel. I am telling you, I laughed harder than I think I ever have. It is really hard to explain, because it was definitely one of those 'had to be there' moments, but just trust me... it was hilarious! We rode the slide 4 times in a row and it was not until the 3rd time that Shara really learned how to get going fast like a rocket! Ellie would go first... then I would go, so that I could catch Abbie at the bottom... Abbie would go... and then Shara would be the grand finale! She was so completely out of control, I really thought she was going to fly off the side of the slide. If you know my laugh, just imagine it non-stop, very loud for like 10 minutes straight! It was classic. I love my sis.

Here is my little Jane, looking for her Tarzan... A nice woman made this 'headpiece' for Ellie at the luau the other night, so Jess had to model it! Oh, and the leopard string bikini? Nanny couldn't pass it up in the little baby boutique at Whaler's Village. It was so cute on her, that I took about a million photos. Lucky for you, I only posted a few. :)
We really made the best out of our last day on the beach! We also made the best of our last day by the pool!! We had no other choice, but to share a big yummy banana split in a pineapple half. Needless to say, it did not last long. Since our photo shoot the evening before did not go as planned, we just had to re-shoot them! Ellie was the perfect model for Aunt Cindy. I told her to play and be cute... and she did exactly as I said. She was playing in the sand, twirling around, scattering sand as she did so... perfect! Any photographer would have had a ball!! I took about 200 photos... here are some of my favorites. (You will notice Jess is not in any of these. She was napping. Fortunately, we got some good ones of her the night before.)

A precious mommy/baby girl moment!
I love this photo of Abs.
And Nick was a great model, too.

Nicky is an aspiring photographer. He took this photo of me. Good job, Nicky!!

He even asked if I would will my camera to him when I die. Silly boy.

This was our last evening to enjoy Maui. We headed to the airport after a quick bite at Leilani's. Since we turned in our 'no longer needed' van the day previous, we took a shuttle to the airport. The shuttle picked us up at 8:15pm and boy, was that a ride! I can't remember who asked the question, but someone simply asked everyone to tell their favorite memory of the last 10 days. I was quick to answer-- Shara on the waterslide!! Well, that was one of them. Another fave was waking up each morning at our first hotel, enjoying a quiet time with Jessica before we started our day. Walks on the beach. Dinner at Mama's! The black pebble beach in Hana. The banana split! All the wonderful meals. The list goes on. It was great hearing everyone tell their favorite moments of our trip. Even though this was a family trip, the experience was truly so different for everyone. It was neat seeing the trip through each person's eyes while they spoke.

It was an amazing, amazing, amazing unforgettable 10 days. I am so thankful for all the photos and video that allows me to relive all of these special memories.

Aloha!