From Luaus to Look Outs.

You have no idea how difficult it's been for me to cull through our MOO-COO pictures and pick the best ones.

No idea.

There was so much to see, do and sit in astonishment of.

Like this banyan tree. THIS IS ONE TREE (and my photo only shows a portion of it).



According to this website, the Banyan Tree was first planted in April, 1873, and marked the 50th Anniversary of Christian missionary work in Lahaina. The tree was imported from India and was only 8 feet tall. It now stands more than 60 feet high, has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core. It stretches over a 200-foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre.

Of course I had to get some kiddo loving while doing a bit of tree climbing...


We attended a luau one night and it was so much fun. All except for watching them pull an actual pig out of the ground (where it had been cooking). I couldn't watch or bring myself to take a picture of it.

April getting leid (please proceed with off-color jokes. I expect them):


Cassie was obviously very excited to spend the evening with her Aunt Heather:


I don't think I need to tell you who's behind the mask...


A rare picture of Jenny and Cory without kids in lap:


The guy behind me was demonstrating how to get juice from a coconut. Interesting, but I prefer the "Hey, can I have a pina colada" technique better.



I tried to twirl the little ball things, but succeeded only in knocking myself in the head. I was way better than April, though....





We were also taught how to tie sarongs. I liked mine...April was a bit worried about what a breeze might do to her fabric...





Terri couldn't resist, she had to put a flower behind Johnny's ear:


Here's just a tiny sample of the show (lemme tell you, these hips don't lie...)



April had to have this pic. Who am I to deny her?


The next morning we got up at the butt crack of dawn to drive several hours to catch the sunset at the top of Haleakala.

I'm not a morning person. EVER.

I repeat, EVER.

However, I agreed to leave my room at 4am and nearly kill myself driving hair pin turns so that I could climb 10,000 feet to see the sunrise.

Wisely, I was not told it would be near FREEZING, probably raining and we might not actually SEE the sun come up.

We arrived at the top of the crater, wrapped ourselves in towels and tried to dry out.



We waited. And waited.

Saw nothing but gray. The ranger came by and said, "That's it, folks. Not a great one today."

WHAAAAAAAAAAAA?!

Apparently, we were supposed to see something like this:



They need to rename the crater.

My vote: Hale-jokes-on-you-a.

Bastard sunrise, toying with me like that.

At least we got this photo - all was not lost.



On our way back down the mountain, April and Cory made us stop at every Look Out spot. I began to question their will to live. When I say it was cold outside, I mean, IT WAS COLD.



I admit it was amazing to think that just a half hour before, we were looking DOWN on this cloud....



This sign was actually posted above the toilet in one of the rest stops on the way down the mountain. It disturbed me....



April had to use the little girl's room - when we weren't near a little girl's room. She made do, nestled in nature, and came out victorious...



...more to come...