Just a week after November, Moms, Auntie Feather & I packed ourselves up and headed out to Maui where Granny and Grandpa were already waiting for us.
As usual, Moms totally stressed about the flight. As usual, I did great. This time we had a portable DVD/Blu-Ray player. Unfortunately, it only played Blu-Rays (despite its promises to the contrary, PANASONIC) and I only had one Blu-Ray...but I still managed to keep entertained and I took a pretty good nap, too. There was some turbulence, and the flight attendants were a little uptight about Moms not wanting to wake me to properly strap me in, but other than that...no problems...
On the plane with my sweet Tiger Headphones
EAGERLY awaiting Granny & Grandpa's arrival at the airport--mostly because I missed them, but also because I wanted to get to our hotel and watch the first ever PAC-12 championship football game (note I am sporting the green & yellow....)
I think Granny missed me...
Hawaiian-themed Toy Story figures?!?! Exciting, RIGHT?!?!?!?
I was able to change into a short-sleeved T once I was assured of a Duck Victory
Day One: Pool Party
Back at the Pirate Ship, Mateys!!!
Towel Time, warm and cozy
A-splishin' and A-splashin'
Dinner back at the room. Checking myself out in the mirror. Damn I'm good looking.
Day Two: Life's a Beach
I just realized that I have not offered any explanation for the absence of my Dad from this trip...
He started a new job in April 2011 and had other trips planned throughout the year that used up his vacation time...so he couldn't join us.
I was a little homesick for him, but iPhone FaceTime helped a lot with that.
Moms missed him too, though she concedes that with Granny and Grandpa there she barely lifted a finger. I slept in Granny and Grandpa's room, Granny fed me, took me back to the room for naps, bathed me, and so on...Moms found this whole thing quite relaxing as you might imagine.
Helping Grandpa shave on the balcony...
Inner-Tube! (not as fun on the porch as at the pool, but still fun)
I liked the sand, but did not frolic much in the waves this trip
Digging in the sand
Granny & I decorating our "Hawaiian Christmas Tree" at the beach
Job completed
Snack break: sandy apples, yummmmmm
Watering the Sand
Moms took these pix of me in between chapters of "The Hunger Games" trilogy she was reading on her Kindle. If it weren't for Granny, I'd have been really neglected--Moms couldn't put those books down...
Family dinner in Lahaina
My grandparents take almost as many pictures of sunsets as they do of me. It's weird.
A flower? Seriously, Granny?
Day Three: More Pirate Pool
Granny teaches me the basic principles of floating in an inner-tube
I liked it once I got the hang of it
In preparation for our Sushi Dinner, I checked out the Koi pond.
We met up with family friends Mr. Jeff & Miss Melissa for sushi at Sansei restaurant. Usually we go to the one up in Kapalua, but since we were meeting friends we met halfway at the one in Kihei.
Mr. Jeff & Miss Melissa have a place in Wailea. I didn't get to see it this trip, but I hear it's nice. Maybe next year I'll go wreak some havoc over there!!!
Day Four: Whale Watching
On the way to our whale-watching trip, I played with Granny's camera. I think I messed something up, but Grandpa saved the day and fixed it before we set sail.
We got to Lahaina about an hour before we set sail. I played at the Banyan Tree for a while before we went and waited in line. It was pretty cool.
Banyan Tree!
My first self-portrait
It was a hot, sunny day on the boat
Are there any whales back there?
Cutest whale watcher EV-Errrrr
Me and Auntie Feather
Enjoy the following series of whale's tales, sprays & fins without comment.
The sun was strong so we enjoyed the second half of the cruise from the less crowded indoors...
Cooling off...BRAIN FREEZE!
After the cruise, Granny, Grandpa and I headed back to
the hotel while Moms and Auntie Feather stayed behind in Lahaina for a
little lunch and shopping. They met up with Moms' sorority little
sister and her fiance and his family. They said it was fun, though
without me there I am struggling to see how that could be true.
On the way back to the hotel, we saw a FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!
Look at the BIG TIRES!
Bath in
the Sink
Day Five: Christmas Card Pictures and More Pool Time
Mele Kalikimaka: Granny, Grandpa and I pose for about 200 pictures. There was one good one. This is it. Their Christmas Card 2011.
It's hard to say who ran out of patience first
But I was super annoyed by the end
Fighting off melancholia knowing it's our last day in the pool
Playing with a noodle--vid below
Home Sweet Home
Ska-betti Face. Or is it Pas-ketti?
Dad had to work late, so Moms and I had date night. Pizza. I know how to treat a woman right.
On Friday the 23rd, Moms, Granny & Grandpa picked me up early from daycare and we hustled so I could ask Santa Claus for some Chuggington Trains. After that, we headed west to the Zoo for ZOO LIGHTS. This year, we went on the TRAIN at Zoo Lights, which was awesome.
On Christmas Eve we had the annual Amalfi's event. You'll see some family pictures below...
So excited to see Santa I can't HOLD STILL!
Seriously, is it MY TURN YET?!?!?!?
Waiting in line for the Train
Is it my turn yet? IS IT MY TURN YET?!?!?
Zee train! Zee train!
CHEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSEEEE
More like CHEEEESSSY, says Moms
Zoo Lights Carousel, I liked it, but I couldn't ride it. Which I didn't like.
Luckily, I could ride this Lion. ROAR.
From Left to Right....
I'm just kidding! I can't name all these people!
IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHUGGINGTON TRAINS!
Thanks for listening, Santa Claus!
Dinosaurs!
Log Truck. School Bus. Cool.
Gruffalo!!!!!!!!
My bro Maxwell--could not care less.
Christmas Sunrise--guess who took this picture?
FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!!
Grandpa helping me open my present from Auntie Feather and Uncle Bobbob
MEAT. Moms & I got Dad a Traeger. This tenderloin roast was its maiden meal. Uncle Mark & cousins Jordan, Kevin & Katy Jo joined us. It was delicious.
Super-Owen!
Relaxing with Woody, Buzz & my iPad
Our very busy December wound down quite nicely--we stayed around town for the New Year's weekend. New Year's Eve, Moms, Pops & I headed to Oven & Shaker, a new (ish) restaurant close to home. Then we stopped in at Mr. Doug, Miss Stacy, and Parker's house for their NYE party. There were all kinds of kids running around--it was awesome.
Of course, I was asleep before even the East Coast rang in the New Year.....
