Maui 2010

Our Top Achievers Club (TAC) trip this year was to the beautiful island of Maui. As I've mentioned before, Maui is one of my favorite places in the world, and the Grand Wailea (where we stayed) is the premiere property on Maui. So it would be pretty difficult not to have a good time - even though technically I WAS working - and I did.

The first thing we did upon arrival (well, after sleeping the first night) was a drive to the beautiful Iao Valley. Almost completely perpendicular mountains that are green from top to bottom, amazing flowers, and some pretty cute birds. Gene and Kristine (company founders) went with us, and we ended our trip with dinner at Bubba Gumps.








This is the view from my balcony. It's not a great picture, and you can't tell that the white area is actually the ocean.

After a formal welcome to the participants, we went to the Maui Tropical Plantation, where we also had a helicopter ride and received Maui Jim sunglasses. These are friends from Mexico.

We had three helicopters going in and out of the MTP field (a special arrangement - you usually have to go to the airport). Everyone seemed "wowed" by the helicopter ride.

When not on the helicopter, getting sunglasses or eating lunch, participants went on a tram tour ofr the Plantation grounds.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Because Gayle is on my team, I now actually get to have "off" time during an event (we alternate on that, as well as getting up early to make sure the breakfast is set up and going). So on Saturday, Andrew (UK General Manager) and I took the Road to Hana. We left at 10 am and returned at 8 pm, and definitely didn't stop at all the stops. In fact, there were only a couple that I had stopped at before - the rest were all new to me. This wasn't the main black sand beach, but pretty nevertheless.

This picture was taken with a flash in a pitch black underground lava tube. It was pretty cool.

One of many waterfalls.

We continued on the road, rather than turn around as most people do. The road wasn't too bad, though it narrowed even further. At one point, I wondered if we had made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on a bike path. And I almost hit a goat. Goats and cows wander the road everywhere. We stopped here to take a few pictures of the rainbow.

What a view ... no matter where you were.

Here's Gene in his funny hat that he bought in Lahaina.

My new boyfriend. At least he's tall!

A longtime TAC participant and friend, Cecilia from Ecuador. We don't speak the same language, but we understand each other.

One of my most favorite friends of all, Maria Sara from Ecuador. She is an absolute angel.

And of course, we have to end with a beautiful sunset, taken at the Old Lahaina Luau on the last night.

Fishies

On my way to the airport to go to Maui, I stopped by Gramp's house to see how the kids are progressing with their swimming. Oh my land! Kaiya and Teague have turned into fish! (Well, actually we decided that Kaiya has turned into a mermaid, so we're calling her Arial; and Teague is half monkey/half fish.) Kaiya, who has advanced to Level 3 in swim lessons and is by far the youngest and smallest in her class, swims without a vest, dives, does underwater flips ... everything! And Teague is as fearless as ever in the water. It will be good when he's finally old enough for lessons so that his abilities will match his courage!

Here's Kaiya in the midst of one of her underwater flips.

... and doing an awesome backstroke.

I don't have a camera that's good enough to really catch the action, but the splash you see is Kaiya after Mom chucked her half way across the pool. The other shot I didn't get but should have is Kaiya holding on to Dad's back as he swims across the pool under water. She can hold her breath for a very long time!

What a good Dad!

Drying off ...

... and enjoying a poolside picnic.

July 24th

On the weekend of the July 24th holiday, in addition to trying to get ready for my Maui event, we had a sleepover (Kaiya and Teague) on Friday night, a barbecue, and Karen, Mike and Hunter stayed over on Saturday night. Busy, busy! Kara and Johnny and gang also joined us for the barbecue, and it was nice to have a chance to visit with everyone.

So, sleepover - the morning after out on the patio. Teague sure likes all the rocks in Grammie's back yard!

And Kaiya sure likes to color, whether it's inside or outside. Too bad we forgot the crayons outside after we were through and had them melt all over the tablecloth!

A good percentage of the play food in the playhouse is from McDonalds ... so here's Teagie enjoying some MickeyD's fries.

Not sure what this solemn face is for ... we really do have fun at sleepovers. Really!

Teague likes the Leap Frog, even if it is pink.

This was just too darling of a shot to miss. They were helping Grammie make stuff for the barbecue, and taking a break to enjoy some fruit.

Mmmm good!

Here's our baby boy Atticus. Still so little, but growing like a weed.

Backyard project

The backyard project is finally done! Well, I guess there's still stuff to do, like a new fence (the bank account will need to recover a bit for that), but the majority of it is done.

So ... the before pictures:

By the way, the lawn wasn't always in THIS bad of shape (although it was installed improperly and so always had been lumpy, etc.). I decided to let it die since I was getting rid of it. Oh, and the chairs are lined up this way because this is the way we play train (or cars, as the case may be).

And, once again, the infamous "Swing House" before it got a new life as a playhouse. Pretty ugly, wasn't it? (Sorry, Brock - but it's true.)

And the new ...

Including the new playhouse, proving once again that ugly ducklings do indeed grow into beautiful swans.

Of course, I personally did very little of this work. I seldom pull the gender card as a reason I can't or won't do something ... but of late I am pulling the age card. As in, I have worked too hard and too long to be doing this too. But with the help of a couple of professionals, and ESPECIALLY with the help of my darling daughter Stephanie (plus Alex to help us with 5 TONS of rocks), I finally have the low-maintenance, water conserving backyard oasis I dreamed of.

Atticus' Welcome to the World Party

We were finally able to have our baby shower for Atticus. It was originally set for the last weekend in June. We thought that would be okay, as he was due on June 12. However, he ended up making his debut a week late, and then he landed in the NICU for a week with pneumonia. Thankfully, he was okay. But of course we postponed the shower, which we had today.

So many attended, and we are grateful for everyone's support and love. Kris and Sterling have traveled a long road to become Mom and Dad to this beautiful boy. One thing's for sure ... he will be truly loved and cherished. Welcome, Atticus! We're wondering, though - will your nickname become Attie? Or Cus, as some speculate? Or just Parker, which is Krissy's vote?

This boy is going to be styling. Is there anything more fun than shopping for baby clothes?

My grand-niece Marina (the redhead in the photo above) and my nephews David and Kevin (below) were going directly from the party to the airport to spend time with Karen and Mike in Phoenix (I know ... crazy, huh?). Marina was a little nervous about her first trip without Mom.

This apparently is Teagie's standard photo-posing smile.