Maui: the middle saga

So everyone's been asking about our trip and it was fabulous. Here are the rest of the details. (Warning: long post, lots of pictures!)
roll:
In case you don't already know everyone (from left to right): Grandma & Grandpa, Meredith & Steven (mike's brother & his wife), Morgan (mike's sister), Mike, Riley, me & Emma

the siblings

so excited to go to the coolest kid pool ever

Riley had so much fun at this pool and so did we!

First day at the beach (well first beach away from the hotel):
"I'm about to eat sand...is anybody going to stop me?!?"

"Don't stop me now"
This is her first sand experience and Emma is all in. After mere minutes in the sand, she dumped a whole bucket of it over her head, so we went for a swim.

This beach was just southeast of Lahaina, Maui, and it came with it's own built in kiddie pool. Full of salt water, just about 3 feet deep, sheltered from the surf and waves.
(we even saw a 1 year old boy surfing with his dad. Yup, standing up on a surf board--naked!)
But it also had great waves. Riley was hesitant at first....

then once she got used it with grandpa's help, she LOVED it!!

Thanks to Karen for staying with girls so we could have a night out.

We were pretty excited!

Morgan & Ron had a daddy-daughter date. We're really sad her husband couldn't join us on this trip, but he just started dental school and is in midterms and couldn't get away. Mike can sympathize. We're lucky Karen could schedule the trip when we weren't in school too! Not an easy job.

We went to Warren & Annabel's Magic Show and had a blast! His tricks and card skills were amazing and Steven and Meredith we participating the whole time (pick a card, remember your card, etc) and he really picked on Steven the whole night, relentlessly. But Steven took it well and made the show that much better for us.

Steven & Meredith with Warren.

Another day at the beach:

lots of sand burying

brave Daddy!

Riley was in sand heaven!

Later at Roy's (one of my favorite restaurants we go to every year)

pictures too cute, not to post!

We tried giving Emma some Poi, she struggled and squawked like this at most restaurants, but it's a lot to expect from a baby.

We even tried the Melting Pot for the first time--so much food!

love these pics!

Lots of swimming. We've had Riley in swim lessons for a few months without any improvement (or even match) of Riley's water skills she's displayed in Grandma's pool, but after a few minutes with Uncle Steven...

even under water and closer and closer to really swimming!!

Uncle Steven made everything seem cool and Riley would do things for Steven she wouldn't usually do for just Mike and me. even try new foods. Thanks Steven!!

Meredith played and swam with the girls a lot and they LOVED IT!!

One evening when getting ready to go out to dinner Riley was surprisely cooperative when I started to do her hair so we had fun giving her a fun hairdo style for the evening.

Feeling pretty picture with Auntie Morgan.

The grandparents that made our trip to paradise happen.

Thanks for bringing us along and planning such a fabulous trip. We are so lucky and grateful! Thank you!!

The last night in Maui. Great times.