Sunset Sail

We originally booked a sailing trip to do some snorkeling.  After LG cut her knee, we changed our plans and did a sunset sail instead.  We are so glad we did!!!!  We had the BEST time and it was amazing!!  
We were catered to throughout the trip with cocktails, appetizers and entertainment from our hilarious ukulele player.  
Lily Grace quickly made friends with some twins her age from Colorado and those girls had so much fun sitting on one of the nets suspended above the ocean at the front of the boat.  And the sunset....beautiful!
It really was a highlight of our vacation!

Hawaii Fun

Gracie and I loved walking the streets of Old Lahaina Town which is filled with shops and Maui made items like these wood carvings.  

Gracie liked the Maui fishhook.

I couldn't get enough of these tiki carvings.  They totally made me think of the Brady Bunch every time I saw one.  Remember that episode where the Brady's take a vacation to Hawaii and Bobby finds that Tiki idol?  

You really have to see this Banyan tree to appreciate the size and spread of it.  It was planted in 1873 and the entire park has several other trees that have grown off of this one but still stay connected to this main tree in the middle of the park.  It's quite the attraction in the town square. 

Lily Grace got to learn how to make a lei.  She managed to keep it fresh enough to get it home and now has it drying out to save.

Yep! Told you, it's a real thing and it applies to the chickens too.  They may look like regular house cats but they are wild an all over. 

Mahalo Hawaii! We had a great time!

We continued packing in the fun right down to the end.  We had the best time and made so many memories.  Mahalo (thank you) Hawaii for sharing your beauty.  

After the merman tail, Lily Grace thought they could take on an even bigger build so she and Matt set about building a sea turtle.  

I have to say, it turned out really cool.  Now to be honest, Lily Grace did most of the build.  People passing by were really impressed with how it turned out. 

Matt ended up doing this midway through building the sea turtle.  

So I helped LG finish the detailing and we claimed credit.  

Once Matt woke from his nap, he snorkeled out pretty far and got these cool underwater pics. 

On our last night we walked down to the famous Black Rock to sit on the beach and watch the cliff diving ceremony.  Each night right before sunrise, the conch shell is blown, the torches are lit and the cliff diver takes the leap off of Black Rock at sunset signaling the end of the day. It's a ceremony that has take place for years.  Ceremonial Hawaiian music plays, there's a hula dancer and the story is told of how it came to be.  It was really fun to watch.  Afterwards we sat and soaked in the last bit of sunlight watching the sailboats glide by and Gracie get her feet wet one last time.

Climbing the rocks to light the torches along the cliff.

Cliff Diving

We enjoyed one last breakfast outdoors on the beach at Dukes before leaving for the airport.

We had amazing weather our entire stay.  It rained early the morning of our departure.

Happy Father's Day!

Gracie is often telling Matt that he's the BDE! 
He certainly is!
(Best Daddy Ever)

Last Day of 7th Grade

Today was the last day of school.  Lily Grace finished 7th grade with all A's and High Honors for the entire year.  She was also re-elected to Student Council last week.  She ran for Commissioner of Social Activities for the next school year and won. 
This year has also been made up of NJHS, Fidelis, Youth Group, volunteering, piano and golf.  Lily Grace, you put forth your best effort and worked hard at everything you did. Daddy and I are so proud of you.  
You are amazing and loved beyond words!!!!!!!

All smiles as we get ready to head out for the last day of 7th grade.  The kids always enjoy getting to end on a dress down day.

I do believe Molly could sense the excitement because she was pretty excited herself this morning. She wanted to ride to school this morning, but Gracie and I stopped off for Starbucks before school so she had to stay behind and she wasn't happy.

Dismissal: That wraps up 7th grade!

WELCOME SUMMER!!!