We are Back from Maui

And it was Awesome! Very different from our trip to Maui 2 years ago, when we camped on the big volcano, and it rained so incredibly hard that they actually closed the road to the campsite, leaving us at the bottom of the mountain, and our stuff at the top of the mountain. This weekend was a short, overnight trip, but it was just what we needed...a little chance to get away and relax...that is if you call waking up at 430 in the morning relaxing! We still aren't quite sure why the girls decided 430 was the perfect time to wake up during vacation. Oh well, it was great anyway.

We started off the adventure on Saturday morning, at our usual weekday wake-up time of 430 a.m.. I decided to get us tickets on the new Super Ferry, so we could enjoy a 3 hour boat road, instead of a 25 minute flight. i just wanted to try out the superferry. It actually ended up being a pretty cool way to travel. It was a little on the long side, but we really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and the boat was very nice. No one got nauseated or puked (although there were at least 4 stinky diapers en route...another mystery).

The Super Ferry!

A rare picture of Nova smiling (just kidding!)

The girls in their Cruise-wear

the Stickley Fam Daddy and his little Bug on the boat (you can tell it's early! the sun is barely coming up!)

mom and NovaJo

Juneau looks a little sea-sick...but she really did fine!

Juneau in the Ergeau

The Hawaii Stickley Girls

We arrived at 10:00 and headed over to meet our friends at the resort

We were soooo happy to get to see our friends, Shabnam and Brant and their absolutely adorable little Ava...
Shabnam and I have been friends, and at various points roommates, since our very first day of undergrad in 1997. We made it through all 3 years of undergrad, and then 4 years of med school together. We have gone from being crazy 18 year old college students to crazy 29 year old moms (happy birthday shab!). Ava is such an incredibly delightful 11 month old. she is so sweet and smiley, and of course unbelievably cute.

Cris, Em, Shab, Brant, Juneau, Nova, and Ava!

Our Vietnamese, Caucasian, and Persian cuties!

Next about the resort. It was pretty much amazing. I half expected to look at the lounge chair next to me and see Paris Hilton sitting there. We didn't get to enjoy the "Serenity Pool", since apparently most people don't find 1 year olds "serene", and hotel policy prevented our brood from running rampant amongst those who were relaxing. But we did admire it from afar. the pool was designed so that if you were standing in the pool it looked like it ended directly in the ocean. It was pretty cool.

the Serenity Pool

We did, however, enjoy the kiddie pool. There were water slides and fountains, and all kinds of things that Cris and Juneau could enjoy while being wild and crazy. Juneau went down the little tube water slide by herself. I can't really say she loved it, but she didn't hate it, and she kept doing her "more" sign.

We pretty much just bummed around the resort and beach, then took an awesome 2 hour nap, and went out for dinner. the girls don't really get the concept of "a good night's sleep", so we were up feeding them bottles and replacing their pacifiers until 430 a.m., when they decided they were ready to hit the beach. We played for a little while at the pool, then headed back to the Super Ferry for the trip home.

Nova showing off her new trick---waving!

Juneau going in for the kiss

cute little sisters

Dad and J enjoying breakfast by the ocean

Not sure if anyone actually made it through the play-by-play of our entire weekend, but here are some more pictures. There are enough pictures here to make it seem like we were there for a week instead of a day. enjoy!

The girls climbing on the Crab in SuperFerry kids play area

We were just a little family of two last Christmas...we are sooo happy to have both of our girls for their first christmas, 2008!

Juneau blowing kisses

J-bug showing off her swimming suit

Nova is excited to celebrate christmas....only 18 days until her cousins come to Hawaii