Dec 4th 2010

Maui: it's awesome.

Even for 7 days...

But especially in December!

-Rob and Nicole

"You can RUN on this!"

I told you they're crazy!

First things first: the beach.

Back in Maui at last. It's like being home again. This is one of our favorite stomping grounds, Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali.

Lia immerses herself in authentic Polynesian culture with this costume from the local gift shop, obviously hand-made by local Hawaiian crafts people.

"Rocket boy", and his tireless launch pad: "White Arms"

"AHHHHGH! Elliot your hand is FREEZING!"

Cheeseburgers in Paradise... the epicenter of Lahaina Town, and home to some good burgers.

The thin beach along Lahaina Town offers up some interesting discoveries for Elliot.

"I summon the power of water into the form of a GIANT DINOSUAR TRAIN CAPABLE OF TIME TRAVEL!"

Grandpa Ross and Lia hang out on the beach in Lahaina.

Lia, Mom, and Elliot conclude an exhausting but awesome day at the beach.

"Can I come in? BTW, is that ice cream?"

"Ok, I can barely see or walk... but I know I left my virgin mai tai in here. Could you hand it to me so I can get back out in the sunshine please?"

"Dude, this is AWESOME Grandma!"

"OHYEAAAAAHHHH!!!!" bellows Grandma Chris

That looks like a golf course Grandma. You sure this isn't the "Golf Train"?

"FFFFWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH"

I dare you to come up with a better caption.

"This train ride better not be over. Not yet at least."

We drove down to the very southern tip of Maui to La Perouse Bay, for some insane snorkeling.

Elliot worked on his underhand pitch, while Ross and I explored the waters up and down the shore.

Just before hitting Io for a rediculously-good dinner, we posed for a quick photo in Lahaina. (Thanks for the picture, Ross!)

At the Maui Ocean Center, Elliot gently "examines" the starfish.

Lia is mesemerized by the hammerheads and stingrays at the Maui Ocean Center.

Elliot chills out by the crazy sculptures in the SeaTac airport.

"Run, Dad! The plane's moving!"

Elliot practices with his new snorkel gear in the pool before confronting the open ocean.

"Pay attention: this is the Hula dance for, "please put a large bowl of chocolate gelato on the ground and then go back inside"

Elliot goes for some extended hang-time at the pool with Grandma Chris.

Lia and Grandma Chris wrassle in the pool.

Elliot frolics in the water at Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali.

"Lia, don't squirm around! We can probably make it out of here with all those candies I stashed under your butt... but you have to sit normally."

Lia places her order at Cheeseburgers in Paradise in Lahaina.

Grandma Chris and Elliot stroll the beach in Kaanapali.

Grandpa Ross, Grandma Chris, and Elliot work on their "tans" on Black Rock beach in Kaanapali.

Lia starts to fall asleep in Mom's arms. The time-change makes it hard to keep track of nap schedules...

Lia hams it up in Lahaina Town before dinner at Io.

The Sugar Cane Train!

Lia surveys the former sugar cane fields, now a golf course, who'd have guessed!?

Lia and mom try to remain calm amid all the excitement of the train ride.

Grandpa Ross, Elliot, Grandma Chris, and Lia ridin' on the Sugar Cane Train.

"They call this the 'Sugar Cane Train' for a reason Boy-eee"

The waves were blasted by the wind, but we found a cove where the water was calm. (Thanks to a helpful park ranger)

After an extensive survey of the undersea world, we walked out of the water in our tight-fitting clothes, as you can see here.

Chris and Nicole smile before enjoying the feast at Io in Lahaina.

The resident tiger shark at the Maui Ocean Center.

Elliot tries to stare down the tiger shark.