so hard to leave...

After two weeks in Maui, it's so hard to leave, but one thing is for sure...we will be back!

you just don't see this everywhere...

Beautiful hibiscus flowers are everywhere! They are just gorgeous!

it's a toss-up...

It's a toss-up between which is our favorite...french toast at Cheeseburger in Paradise or freshly baked cinnamon rolls at Cinnamon Roll Fair. Yummy!

a peaceful end to the day...

The pools at the Grand Wailea are picturesque...looking out to the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean.

now those bodies are looking tan...

Nearing the end of our vacation, we were sun-kissed and recharged! This is truly paradise!

what a surprise...

Cat surprised me by making reservations for us at the Grand Wailea Resort for the last two nights of our vacation! What a wonderful ending to a great, relaxing vacation!

out to see the whales...

The humpback whales are in Maui during this time of the year, so we went out on a whale-watching trip! We saw a lot of humpback whales and also got to see "false killer whales"! It was amazing and well worth it!

a taste of paradise...

The food at the luau is the best! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

off to the luau...

A beautiful evening for a luau! Bring on the food!

mmm mmm good...

A great way to end a day at the beach...with a shave ice from Local Boy!

another day of hiking...

This time we took off to find the "aquarium"...another great spot for snorkeling. But, not too easy to find! I guess we were determined!

aloha beach...

We were ready to head off to the beach again and stopped to pose for a quick photo!

our sea turtle friend...

We saw this sea turtle struggling against the tide and thought he was so cute! This was the only sea turtle we saw this year!

jump right in...

These pools are right on the ocean, but they are protected by the rocks. It took me a while (along with a lot of convincing by Cat) to decide to jump in from a few feet up, but it was so refreshing after our hike to get there!

it's haystack rock...

It's Haystack Rock...in Maui! This is some of the scenery on the north coast of Maui.

nakalele blowhole...

Last year, we kept seeing signs that said "blow horn" on the route to this place and kept thinking that the signs were taking us to the blowhole. So, needless to say, we never found it! Finally, this year we found the blowhole and it was amazing!

church with the locals...

We actually got to go to church with the Graves at South Kihei Calvary Chapel.

out to dinner...

We actually look clean and dressed up! Amazing!

the fishbowl...

One of our favorite snorkeling spots...we went back twice and even forgot our flip flops there on the black sand beach! Maybe they're still there??

our wonderful hosts...

Sally, Jeff & Joe Graves were our hosts in Maui. One day they took us on a hike through the lava fields to the Fishbowl where we did some awesome snorkeling!

trying to stay awake at ho'okipa...

Cat resisting the urge to fall asleep since we've been up since 4:30 AM!

surf's up...

Ho'okipa Beach is where all the "real" surfers go! A few get eaten by the waves, but otherwise, it's really fun to watch!

early morning...we need coffee...

Cat and I got up at 4:30 AM to go and see the sunrise at Haleakala! At least it wasn't pouring down rain like last year when we didn't see anything! What a beautiful place!

one day down...

The first sunset at Big Beach! Looks like a great vacation ahead!

white, white, white...

Soon these bodies will be tan!

all dressed up and somewhere to go...

pretty in pink for maui!

beach writing...

We picked up where we left off...writing in the sand at Big Beach!

maui, we are back...

Once again, Cat and I spent 2 weeks in Maui enjoying the sun, the surf and old friends! We were met with a lei greeting at the airport by Sally and Jeff!