A Little Tour of Maui

January 2019 

Yes, we rented a van to get us to Aulani, but only because it was cheaper to do that than to get us there by taxi!!  Marcus had originally planned to drive straight back to the airport to return the van, and then get an Uber back to the resort.  I had a different idea: why not keep the van for the full 24 hours and spend a LITTLE time touring the island?  While we would be "giving up" a morning at the resort, we all decided to go for it.  We're so glad we did!

First stop was a simple botanical garden.  I wanted the kids to feel the "nature" of Hawaii.  We all LOVED this little garden!  We could've stayed there all day.  :o) 

Next we stopped at a coffee shop/farm for some treats.  This was all pre-planned and I chose this stop because of the "local vibe" and the coffee farm that was onsite.

The Main Attraction: Dole Plantation!!

Ok, ok, so it is very touristy.  But that is EXACTLY what we were hoping for!  We loved riding the train around the property and learning about different Hawaiian crops.  And of COURSE we had to get Dole Whip!  This was a really big hit.  :o)

We picked up lunch on the way "home" -- a famous roast-chicken joint.  Yum!!  

 

Welcome to Aulani!

January 2019

After a stop at Costco, we drove to our destination: Disney Aulani Resort.

Aulani is a Disney property but without a ton of commercialism and Mickey hype.  The mission is to immerse guests in local culture; they have the largest private collection of Hawaiian-artist artwork in the world.  The Disney aspect is felt more for the hospitality and service.  Aulani is not an all-inclusive resort so it was great that we had a kitchen so as to avoid eating at a resort restaurant for every meal.

Welcome to Aulani!

                                                

We had a surprise when we arrived:
American Idol was filming on the beach

Lionel Ritchie, Katie Perry, and Luke Bryan

On the beach, watching the competition
from a distance.  We were able to go into the
actual concert area, but we wanted to walk
around and get a lay of the land instead.

Marcus went out on the paddle board
and I was just SURE he would fall in!
(but he didn't)

When we saw the show a month
and a half later, we saw that Marcus
and Gemma made it on TV!

Making ourselves at home :o)

 

Going to Hawaii !!

January 2019 -- we're going to Hawaii!!

This was a "reward" trip for reaching a big financial goal on our path to being debt-free.  For years we told the kids, "when we do this, we will go to Hawaii!"  Time for us to pay THAT debt to them!

After much research and also introspection about what kind of trip would be ideal for us, we decided to visit Maui and stay at the Disney resort Aulani.

Let me say, this was NOT what I would've planned!  My kind of trip would be to stay at a house and spend the week exploring whatever island we chose, and maybe even multiple islands.  But, does this sound very relaxing to you?  NO!  Would all the kids enjoy this type of active trip?  NO!  So that is how we decided on Aulani.

We reserved the largest room they had, which is also the only type of room with a kitchen.  This helped mitigate some of the cost, because we filled a suitcase with non-perishable food and planned a Costco trip upon arrival.

Here's the photo diary:

All packed and ready!  

This large suitcase holds all our
food and also a large electric griddle

No family trip is complete without
a binder for planning :o)

Delegation and organization are
the keys to a successful trip

Apple blossoms from pruning
in late December

On the road!  A beautiful morning

Goodbye, Portland!

Thanks for driving us, Papa!

This photo was right before Celeste
abandoned her suitcase in this
revolving door, and the suitcase
just kept going around and 
around...  LOL!!!!

All checked in, ready for our direct
flight to Honolulu

Hawaii!!

Our "little" rental car

The adventure begins...

 

January 2019 - traditions and new fun

Every January we use gift money
from grandma and grandpa
and we have dinner at Mod Pizza...

...then we spend the money at
Barnes & Noble!!  We all love this
annual tradition.

Horse lessons continue, even in cold weather.
Here, Bunny is on Tiva.

Homeschool continues as well!
At this point in the year, we are
half-way through our 32-week
Mother of Divine Grace program.
My goal is to finish around early
May, to be able to concentrate
on GARDENING at that point!

Date Night!  At one of our 
favorites: Bistro Agnes

Haircut and style,
fresh for the New Year

Happy 9th Birthday, Gemma!!

One of her gifts: a soft-clay sculpting set

Time for Posa to go en pointe!
The fitter - who has been doing
this forever -- was SOO impressed
with Mariposa's strength.  She
could not believe Posa was 
only 12!

Always time for a little fun

Celebrating January birthdays

Drawing by James

14 already?!?!
Happy Birthday, James!

A nice little gift from little brother