March 5th, 2014

• This week Todd and I went to Maui!! The company Todd works for took and paid for all the employees and their wives to go for a total of 18 in the group. You really can't pass up a free trip to Maui Since my Dad was back in the hospital the kids stayed at Uncle Dustin's and Aunt Kate's house for the first couple days, then Grandma and Grandpa Bassett  took them for the weekend and the Tongi's finished up the week for us. We were so sad that my parents couldn't come and stay with us.
• On Monday some of the wives met up to get our nails painted. Although I know all the wives from our previous company trip to Disneyland it was nice to meet up and talk

• Our flight left early Thursday morning. We almost missed our flight because who would have thought the United counter at SLC Airport would have a massive line. Luckily they let a few of us though and we made it. Since we got such little sleep we were a little tired on the plane. Whatever it takes to get some sleep:)

• We landed in Maui at about 1pm but by the time we got our rental car, made a stop at Costco for some water and snacks for the week and checked into the hotel we only had about ten minutes to get ready to meet at the Old Lahaina Luau so pardon me not having my hair done:) (The company planned a few activities but besides that there was no pressure to hang out with anybody else) The luau was one of the planned activities and we have a great time there. It was gorgeous and it was a great start to a Hawaiian vacation. 

• They unearthed the pig that had been cooking all day. Fun part of the traditional luau.

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• The next morning we got up, went running, and took our sweet time enjoying the beautiful beaches by our hotel. We finally walked down the beach path to have brunch at the Hyatt. Their brunch overlooked a little lake and waterfall.

• Todd had a muffin on the table and the birds had no problem coming up and eating it themselves. It was pretty funny.

• After brunch we hung out, laid on the hammocks, and tanned in the sun.

• Friday night we had reservations at Mama's Fish House. This turned out to be our best meal of the whole vacation. It had rave reviews and now we know why. They make their menu daily and list the name of the fisherman and where they caught their catch that day. Since Todd loves seafood he was in heaven. I order steak but after trying Todd's mahimahi stuffed with crab and lobster I should have ordered that dish too!

• Saturday morning Todd met up with three of the other guys to play the famous Kapalua course. This was definitely a highlight of his trip to Maui. Later Todd drove me over to the course and it really is that beautiful. Perfectly manicured and looking out over the ocean. What more can you want?

• While the guys were golfing I went with the other golfing widows to breakfast. We later found ourselves tanning on the beach until the guys got back...hours later. Gosh, golf takes forever:) But at least they were great ladies to hang out with .
• Once Todd returned from Kapalua we headed into Lahaina. It turned out to be a great little surf town that is perfect for the tourists. We ate at Cheeseburger In Paradise. The restaurant sits right on the ocean with sea lions in the water and all. It was so pretty.

• The famous banyan tree in Lahaina. It covers 2/3 of an acre and have over 10 trunks. The picture does not do it justice, it is pretty amazing.

• That evening we met up with three other couples and had a Japanese dinner. Good company and good conversation.
• Sunday morning we met up really early for a snorkeling tour out to Molikini Crater. (Another company sponsor activity) It was not nice weather. Todd decided he was going to snuba dive and learned all about it on the hour long boat ride out to the crater. We saw lots of whales on the way which was totally amazing! My pictures aren't great because by the time the picture took the whales were already going back into the water but so very cool in person. The weather got worse and worse on the way out to the crater. Lots of wind and rain. The waves were so big at the crater that the crew said it wasn't safe to anchor and turned around and took us back! We were so sad, especially Todd since he was going to snuba dive.

• Once we got back to the dock we had lunch at Zippys and headed back to the hotel since Todd was knocked out from taking Dramamine. While Todd took a nap that afternoon I went and got a massage. One of my favorite things ever!
• Monday morning we got up early and headed to the Gazebo for breakfast. Seriously, it's a Gazebo complete with picnic chairs and right on the ocean. So Hawaii! We had to wait in a line for it to open (it opened later than we thought it did) but good thing we got there early because a huge line had formed by the time we got seated. 

• I ordered pancakes stuffed with macadamia nuts, pineapple, bananas, and white chocolate chips. Pretty much dessert but it was so yummy! Todd ordered an omelet complete with rice and toast. Great way to start our day.

• Todd and I went zip lining at Piiholo Ranch next. It was on a completely different side of the island and in the rain forest. That side of the island rains more but it was still beautiful. We did five zip lines with the last line being the longest zip. It was over half a mile long and we were 600 feet high. We got to zip side by side and had the best time. Such a great memory together. 

• After zip lining we drove the famous Road to Hana. It is crazy curvy and is famous for dozens of one lane bridges. We actually only drove half of it (17 miles) but it took us a few hours. We stopped for a hike to a waterfall and had to walk through the bamboo trees. We also stopped for fresh coconut and to see the killer waves. The whole day was awesome and Hawaii is so gorgeous.

• Tuesday was our last day in Hawaii since our flight left late that night. We spent all day at the beach getting our tan on. Almost all the other couples had the same game plan that day so we all laid out together talking and laughing. Todd was like a little boy in the waves. The perfect last day in Hawaii.

• Todd even went snorkeling near the hotel and saw these huge turtles and fish. Very cool!

• On the way back to the airport we stopped for dinner at the Hawaiian restaurant. We were the only tourists there. Todd got the Sumo Loco Moco. Complete with Spam. (He ate a lot of Spam on this trip...ever heard of Spam Musubis? 

• View from our hotel room.

• Kaanapali Beach, where our hotel was located. Voted best beach in the US a couple of times. 

• Our trip was amazing! All we did was eat and play!  We had such a wonderful time together. (Although we're not use to spending SO much time together..only got a little annoyed with each other here and there:) We missed our kids tons and were eager to get back to them but we definitely miss the island life.