Wishing you a...

We don't have huge plans this year, but we are celebrating by watching fireworks at the park tonight. Olivia was so scared last year, she hid under a blanket the whole time. We'll see what happens this year. She doesn't like to be left out, but I think it might be a repeat of last year if she comes.

Today I'm so thankful to be living in a country that gives me so many freedoms that millions around the world don't get to experience. All by God's grace.

Alright, have fun, be safe!

xoxo,
Tanya

Lately

These are a few things we have been up to lately.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Catching up with a friend. Could've talked for hours.

2. That balsamic glaze makes the pizza. My fave.

3. My new niece Adele Marie.

4. They all want to hold her.

5. Adele and her big brother.

6. Lucky magazine and Pero.

7. Breakfast with a friend.

8. Croque madame and country potatoes.

xoxo,

Tanya

Exploring South Kihei

Today I want to share some random photos of our time in Hawaii. We decided to attend a local church on Sunday, which was a good experience. But hot. Most buildings in Hawaii are built with huge windows and open areas--a lot of the time you can't tell if you're out or in. Their church building was built this way for breezes to come in and go out, with only ceiling fans for circulation. Some days I just craved a blast of cold air. :)

B got me this bouquet in honor of our 10-year anniversary. Love the gesture, and love him.

Scootering around town was one of the highlights of the trip for us. We got these for the day and returned them the next morning. We basically explored the whole Kihei area on them, zooming around back and forth with the wind in our hair. It was fun to see the neighborhoods where all the locals lived. I'm a little bit of a gawker. If your blinds are open, I'll take a look inside. ;)

We were repeat customers at Kihei Caffe in the mornings. Good food, decent prices, good Kona coffee, big portions for sharing, and right across the street from the ocean. And the guy at the counter is so dang happy! And it's apparently not an act, according to his coworker.  He really is always that happy. Take a look at that deliciousness right there. I had to try the French toast with macademias and banana.

On the way to the beach, I hopped out of the car for this. Those patches of bright always made me happy. Just don't stare at my hair too long. I figure, what's the point of washing and styling it if I'm on my way to get it wet and salty all over again? Right? Also applies to the above photo.

The Maui Film Festival was going on while we were in town, so we knew we had to catch at least one movie. We got shuttled to a big grassy field on the Grand Wailea property that gently sloped down towards the screen. So much fun watching a movie outside! We actually stayed for a second movie that started right after, and we basically froze our little butts off by the end of the night. We didn't expect to freeze in Hawaii, that's for sure! We saw People Like Us as well as H2indO, a documentary about stand up paddling. Hats off to them for pioneering a new sport.

A recap of our drive to Hana is coming up next! I'm getting nauseous just thinking about it.

xoxo,
Tanya

Beaches We Loved

There are plenty of beaches to choose from on Maui, and the ones in South Kihei were my favorite--so clean on the sand and in the water, beautiful sand, and very little people, especially on cooler days or towards evening. We always got to pick our own little private spot, instead of lining up next to other people for a square of sand.

Wailea Beach is a popular one, and for good reason. It's really big, with perfect boogie boarding waves, and really wide from the ocean to the Grand Wailea resort behind it. Basically lots of space, and far from any main road.

 To the right where you rent a lounger, towel, and umbrella for $20 a person, and only till 4pm.  We stuck closer to the left.

 To the left.

I don't know what this beach was called, but it's pretty visible from South Kihei Road as you drive, and it's small, but one of the few beaches with rolling waves that are wide enough for surfing. We came here one evening with dinner to watch the surfers for a while. It made me want to learn to surf even more, but I didn't really want to have to go through the learning process on this trip, either. I wanted to relax more than anything this time. I noticed it looks similar to snowboarding, but with more arm action to catch the waves.

We also caught the sunset, which we tended to miss since it happened so early and so fast. It was basically completely dark at 8pm there in the middle of summer, and in Idaho it gets dark at 10. Big adjustment for us night owls. There is a time difference of a minute and thirty seconds between these two shots. You literally watch the sun float down within minutes. If you blink, you might miss it!

We actually found this next beach on our second day in Maui, and completely by accident. There are no signs anywhere to indicate there's even a beach there, and there are actually plenty of signs right in front of it that say "No Trespassing" and "Private Land", though beaches are all public in Hawaii. Only on the far left corner there's a sign with beach hours posted, and a Porta-Potty next to that. Somebody really wants to keep this beach private. We returned to it again and again because it was so secluded. Some days there were maybe three other people there, and this is a big beach! We kind of think this is our beach now. I tried looking on various maps to get a name, but there are so many beaches, and they all look the same on a map, so my best guess is it's called Palauea Beach. Poolenalena Beach next to it has that same reputation as being an undiscovered gem as well.

To the left.

 To the right. It looks like this would be great for snorkeling.

I miss those beaches right about now! Those lucky locals get to be surrounded by ocean and beaches galore every day of the year. Though I have to say, the ocean scared me on East Maui, which is called the land of wind and sun. It's rocky with lots of cliffs dropping off to a very angry sea below. Very different from the ocean you see on these perfectly groomed beaches. That post is coming up soon.

xoxo,

Tanya

Exploring the Island

When we arrived in Hawaii, the first thing we did was drive around and scope out all the beaches. No, actually, first thing was sleeping in to our hearts' content, then driving around. We stayed in south Maui in the Kihei area, which was such a good choice. The beaches are so much cleaner and much less crowded than those in west Maui, and the feel of the area seemed much more authentic Hawaiian instead of "tourist town." Since we were staying in a condo, we shopped for groceries (thank you, Costco) then came back and grilled ourselves a nice steak dinner.

B grilling and talking to the retirees. They've been coming to the same condos for years, and said this was the first time they saw anyone grilling sitting down. We got a kick out of that one.

Our cozy little condo from the outside in.

The view to the ocean, lined by palm trees. I could get used to this.

Now, let's get to the beach and get some saltwater on my skin!

xoxo,
Tanya

Cousins

Our kids are the oldest out of my family's and B's as well, so they are kind of used to being on their own. They know plenty of kids with a million cousins, so stick together and leave my kids out of the loop. Then my sister had a baby boy, and now, three years in, they have three more cousins. It was pretty exciting when Noah was born, and now he's three!

I love that Mila and Noah get along so well, and Mila is so sweet to him as the older one. She's always leading him by the hand and encouraging him about something. That girl is such a nurterer.

Sometimes their relationship takes a step or two backwards, but usually it's all good. :)

I think I'm ready after being home for several days from vacation to get that huge mass of photos posted. It's really hard for me to decide what things to leave out, so it may be a little too much. I'll try not to overdo it. Bear with me. I just had such an awesome time--I'm getting excited all over again just looking at the photos.

xoxo,
Tanya