Hawaii July 2008

So yes, we went to Hawaii again last month. What could we do? Our tans from the last trip were fading. Just kidding. Tom and Jenni got a killer deal on a condo in Maui and we had the hookup on flying so we really couldn't not go. We know, we know. We really don't deserve friends. That said, here are a ton of pictures. Starting with Clayton walking along the Westin property. They had three killer pools and the most amazing snorkeling right on the doorstep of the property. We saw eels, turtles and a billion of odd looking fish.


Here is our niece Allie with my brother Tom in the kid pool that has this huge pirate ship in the middle. Pools are way more fun with kids.


Allie learned a new trick.


On Sunday we drove up from the Ka'anapali area to the Ritz. On it's ocean side area are these really cool lava formations called the dragon's teeth. Clayton and I had been there on our first trip to Maui and wanted to show them to Tom and Jenni's family.


Walking back up the Ritz golf course, also a sacred burial ground. Originally the hotel was going to be built closer to the ocean but they found this spot and had to move it back. However golfing on burial grounds is ok. Whatever works for them.


On the beach back at our hotel Clayton made a masterpiece in the sand. Take that Borglum.


Allie (or Allen as the Siverts have named her when she wears her super suit. It's floaty.) loved to play in the sand. Tom and Jenni stopped by a yard sale on the first day there and bought a bunch of buckets, pails, shovels, towel mats, and a boogie board for just a few dollars total. We think the yard-saler was a hotel maid. I'm glad she's recycling that way.

Tommy got buried. Someone has to so I'm glad it's the teenager. However should the grown up men be having this much fun doing it?


Allie, Allie, Allie. I know. But she was our little shining star whether she wanted to be or not. I love her swimsuits.


Clayton and wife. I packed like two shirts. Ever do that? Think you are being so smart by packing light until you see in your pictures that you only have proof of one shirt. Oh well.


Megan and I got Henna tattoos on our feet. Megan also got a cute butterfly on her wrist.


Here we are with our designs. When we got back to the room Allie noticed first thing and started asking where her flower was. So we drew on her ankle too. Start 'em young right? Megan's foot is on your left and mine is on the right.


One day we drove up to Hale'akala crater. It was really cool. The entire vegetation changes and you are suddenly in this moon-like area. Here is the gang at the visitor's center.


Inside we found Tom a button that expresses his true heart's devotion. Saving wildlife. Ok, sarcasm aside, he really is a decent human being, but the joke is that he had to stop super hard on the way up so as not to hit two Nene birds that were crossing the street. In the visitor's center they have these Nene crossing buttons for sale. Tom is modeling it here.


At the tippy top of the area there is a ledge that overlooks the top side of the island with the vast ocean and sky beyond. Megan got the idea to jump so it looks like she is just in the air. We copied her and all took turns trying to jump. The shots of Tom and Jenni's family are fantastic. The shots of Megan are gorgeous. The shots of us are... awkward. My dancing days are far behind me sadly. Enjoy none the less.



I told you I brought one shirt. Here are Clayton and Tommy giving Allie a lift.

The graceful gazelle Megan.


On the other side of the mountain.



Clayton and I took a long walk one day and revisited the Eldorado Hotel where we stayed our first time. Here he is on the grounds.

And here I am in my other shirt in front of the beach of the Eldorado. Our Westin hotel is actually just up the beach a few yards.


Lovely Megan with the boogie board, heading to the beach.


This was our surfing day. Tom rented a board and some stuff to try. He and Megan did really well. Here we are watching him. Tommy Megan and Allie.


Clayton and I and our friend. For some reason whenever we posed for a picture, if Allie was near, she ran over and got in the shot. I have no objections with that. All in all we had a fantastic time. This should be our last big trip for a long time. I know I keep saying that, but we really mean it this time.