Cache and I spent our anniversary in Jackson Hole, WY. A few weeks late due to Cache being in Beijing on our actual anniversary.  I have to admit I was a little wary about Jackson, I have never been there and it just didn't seem fun in my mind. Well, it was fun and super relaxing.  We hiked to taggart lake, we drove through the Teton national park, ate lunch at a beautiful lodge, searched for bear (didn't find any), and slept-in without any interruptions.  Sleep without any interruptions for 2 nights is complete heaven.

Oxbow Bend-Jackson Hole, WY

The colors were so pretty and I really would love to take a trip up there every fall. The first day we were there it was a little cold and we walked through a few snow flurries.  It was also so cloudy we couldn't see the tetons and I was bummed because we had just driven 5 1/2 hours and I wanted to see the mountains!  The next day waas BEAUTIFUL The air was cool, but not too cool, perfect for sweaters (my favorite), and the tetons peeked out of the clouds.  They are just as gorgeous as they are on TV (as seen in modern family the week before :)).

Taggart Lake

Maui Day 5

Monday

We heard from several people that The Gazebo was the place to eat breakfast while in Maui. You have to arrive early though because a line forms when it opens and lasts until 2:00 which is closing time. We arrived at 7:00 and waited until opening at 7:30. I think we were the 5th group in line. We met some nice retirees, I am sure all the younger families show up later. But we learned about buying Maui Condo's and renting them out until retirement age and having a Maui retreat completely paid for by other people. mmmm tempting very tempting.

The Gazebo-Napili Bay, Maui.

While we waited for our order Ainsley discovered Half and Half coffee creamer. She loved it. She hates milk, but loves half and half, weirdo. Notice it dripping from her chin?

Chillin'

He loves when restaurants have those waxy pieces of yarn (i cant remember the name) to play with while you wait.

This is why you eat breakfast at The Gazebo. Banana Macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. And Tons of their yummy whipped cream. Oh and don't forget the side order of fried rice with egg on top.

Ainsley especially loved the whipped cream and even got it confused with sunscreen and started rubbing it ALL over her legs.

The view from our table.

While you are The Gazebo there are several things to to do. While waiting in line to be seated check out the tide pools. We didn't find anything too interesting, just a rather large colorful dead fish, sea urchins and a few crabs (mostly on the dead fish). Tide pools are in the background of this picture.

After Breakfast walk over to what we call turtle bay and swim with the turtles. A little bit of a rocky entrance, but well worth it.

Turtle Bay

Asher swimming with turtles.

Eden swimming with turtles. they were everywhere! I even went out and got a little spooked because they are so big and just EVERYWHERE. At one point I looked down and saw like 5 right below me and then they started to come up for air and I hurried and swam to the side to get out of their way-I am a wimp.

this is Napili bay which is right next to Turtle bay. We ate here, at the Sea House, on our last night in Maui and it was amazing. We arrived at sunset, there was a wedding on the beach, and the food was so delicious. It made for a great night. I am glad I had taken this picture the day before. I had heard about the Sea House, but didn't know I was taking a picture of it when I took this until right now when I was posting it here.

Thanks Erica for all of your recommendations. I think these were all of yours.

Day 4

Sunday.

Stone Cold Ainsley

Ainsley insisted on wearing my hat even though she has her own that actually fits. I asked her if I could take a picture and this is how she posed. She didn't change her facial expression until I snapped the picture. No amount of coaxing could get her to smile. yes that is chocolate all down the front of her and smeared across her face-it adds so much to the picture don't you think?

Everyone took a bathroom break before we took a short road trip. Ainsley went in the men's restroom with Cache and Asher. They came out and Ainsley began fussing and sayin "me, there" and pointing back at the restroom. She wouldn't stop fussing until Cache had taken her back in and sat her on the toilet. Notice the toilet paper in her hand. Nothing happened, but she had to do it , and she wiped. It is kind of ironic though because neither of the boys used the restroom sitting down. Maybe she will be like her sister and be potty trained at 2 (wouldn't that be great?)

Deep in thought at Iao needle, really she was just bored.

Iao needle is a tall mountain in a jungle type area not far from where we were staying. It was fun to see a different landscape other than just beach. I still prefer the beach though.

at the top of the walk (not so much a hike)

i dared them to get into the water

Eden took the dare to the next step and decided to cross the river.

Half way there.

yeah!! she made it. She slipped and fell in on the way back-hahaha. Actually Asher fell in first and Eden laughed so hard, so you can imagine how hard Asher laughed when Eden fell in.

ahhh, my mouth waters just seeing this picture. If you ever go to Maui, you HAVE to go to Ululani's for shaved ice. We went there almost everyday.

If you go get the Haleakala flavor. mmmmm half coconut, half pina colada with Sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top. Pure Heaven.

the kids got chocolate and blue raspberry. It tasted like a tootsie pop.

Day 3

We attended the Drums of the Pacific luau at the Hyatt Hotel. The kids loved it.

all the juice Ainsley could drink-woohoo!

Waiting in line.

Asher love the fire dance, he though he had seen an actual fire bender.

They had to meet their true life Avatar fire bender.

We had to search this performer down, because I thought he had such a cute smile.

During one part of the show they welcomed people onto the stage to learn a hula dance. Ainsley had to participate......................

Asher too........

Eden was the first to get up.............................

Asher picked up on the swaying hips pretty quick..............

Cache was there too!!

Random pictures throughout the evening (click to enlarge)

the Hyatt has amazing grounds with all sorts of animals. The flamingos were very friendly.

MAUI

Day 1

We loved MAUI!! Our plane landed at 11:50 local time and after making our Costco stop for groceries and lunch, we headed to the beach. We explored for a while and decided that our beach was a little too rocky for swimming so we went to the pool.

The kids loved the pool, Cache and I loved the beach. Lucky for us the pool was right on the beach. The kids could swim and we could stare at the waves. problem solved.

A nice family gave us their boogie boards, which made the kids excited to try them out on the waves. Anything to get them into the ocean! Although, we told them they had to wait until the next day when we could find some better waves.

"Eden stop plugging your nose!!"

She did eventually learn to jump in without plugging her nose, but she doesn't prefer it.

Ainsley loved the pool too, but look at that diaper!! We were so excited to get in our swimsuits and to the water that we forgot to put a swim diaper on Ainsley.

Notice Asher's life jacket? By the end of the trip he was swimming with out it! We need more pool exposure.