Christmas Celebrations

We decided when we moved to Reno we would be staying in Reno for Christmas.  This was one of the best decisions we made.  It was amazing to wake up when we wanted to-not having to be somewhere for breakfast at a certain time.  We opened gifts, then ate breakfast then finished opening gifts.  We fed our local missionaries and let them skype with their family.  We stayed in our PJ's all day.  Hannah got to play with her toys all day..It was just amazing.  

 Stu made the neighbor gifts from family recipes.  Popcorn crisp and toffee.  YUMM

 I was craving caramels.  Okay maybe it was the baby..

 Xmas eve pj's.  I wanted to get her some she could wear all the time and she LOVED that they were Ariel

 Heading downstairs to see what Santa brought

 The haul

 She enjoyed opening gifts

 This stack was Hannah's...and she already opened quite a few before this picture

 I think she will be a good big sister

The family on Christmas morning

Leaving Hawaii

Oh how much fun we had in Hawaii.  Such a recharged vacation.  We were however very excited to get home to see our baby girl.  Next time we will take the kids (since it will probably be years before we go again) and enjoy the sun, sand and water with them.

 We had to check out of our rooms so we hung out on the lounge chairs.  Here was our view before we left the hotel.

 Thankfully it was overcast when we left-made leaving even easier

Our sad faces

Funny story:  We arrived back in Reno at midnight.  Stu's bag was lost, but thankfully we were at home so it wasn't that big of a deal.  We got to the car and got in and we both commented on how sweet it smelled in the car.  We sat there heating up the car and we both were perplexed on why it smelled so sweet in the car.  Stu all of the sudden realized what the smell was. He had a rather large can of Red Bull in the cup holder on the driver side door.  It has exploded with the cold temps in Reno.  We were smelling the Red Bull.  We scooped out what we could (it was still slushy) and here is the picture of the can.  Ripped from top to bottom!  CRAZY

Random pictures in Hawaii

 Stu is Mr Forrest Gump

 Even though it was Christmas Time, it sure didn't feel like it

 Pretty cute couple

 Dinner on the water-its dark but trust me is the ocean behind us

 Stu could not get enough of the Hawaiian Shaved ice

 Dinner time-one of the yummiest dinners we had

So cute!

Last Day in Hawaii

The last few days in Hawaii we just hung out on the beach and chilled in town.  It was a relaxing vacation, but we were anxious to get home to our baby.  All week Stu had been waiting for some big waves to body surf.  He finally got his wish the last day.  
We didn't get any pictures, but Laura was kind enough to lend me her snorkel gear and Stu and I went snorkeling, we saw some pretty fish and we even saw a sea turtle!

 Last day on the beach

 Body surfing Stu

Sunsets in Hawaii

The sunsets in Hawaii were beautiful.  We tried to capture them anytime we could.  Here are some of our best shots.

Haleakala Sunrise

I am told, when in Maui-see the Haleakala Sunrise.  The only downside to this..you have to make it to the top before sunrise.  We found out sunrise was 6:40AM.  It takes a little over 2 hours to get there.  We got up at 3AM just to make sure we made it on time.  We switched our bathing suits and flip flops for jeans and sweatshirts and headed out.
Apparently many others had the same idea as us and they closed the summit since it was full already of people.  Oh well, we got the lower part and still had some great views.  It was packed with people that wanted to see this magical gift Mother Nature gives you.  Oh let me explain:  You drive up the Haleakala Highway to the summit (or close to) which brings you 10,000 above sea level.  You get to see the sunrise above these beautiful clouds that cover the crater in the National Park.  It was breath taking and I am so glad we did it (although we were zombies the rest of the day)

 Brr its cold outside

Proof we were actually that high in elevation

 The sun is thinking about coming

 So beautiful

 She is getting ready to peak

 There she is

So peaceful and magical

Whale Watching

Who knows when we will be back in Hawaii during whale season, so although whale watching season doesn't officially start till next week, they were still taking people out.  They just couldn't "guarantee" you would see whales. 
Of course I hoped for the best.  We didn't see any whale breach (that would have been awesome) but we did seem some tails in the distance.  That was neat.  The best part was that when we were going back to shore, there were a pod of dolphins called Spinner dolphins that were fascinating to watch.  They would literally spin in the air as they jumped up.  It was amazing to watch.  And they are only found in Hawaii.  So the trip wasn't a totally bust.
**the last few days we spent in Hawaii were on the beach and we saw whales way out in the ocean.  Who knew I could have the same whale experience from the comfort of my lounge chair!**

The Ladies: Sarah and Laura

 See the whale fin...way....out....there??

 The guys: Scott and Stu

 Sarah and Stu

 Spinner Dolphins

Coming up to the boat to say hi

Helicopter Ride and the Road to Hana

Why not take your first helicopter ride in Hawaii, so we did.  Stu and I had never been on a helicopter ride, but Laura and Scott go on one every trip they take.  As we waited for our time get into the helicopter, I had to wait outside.  The 'Christmas' aroma they had burning in their establishment was about ready to put my prego nose over the edge.  
As we boarded the helicopter and took off, what fun it was.  Until....we hit winds that took us up and down and my stomach started to protest.  I had to grab one of the barf bags.  Although I am physically not able to throw up, I still have the same sensations and movements ones has when they are throwing up.  How embarrassing!  Not only did it happen once..but twice on the hour flight.  BOO!
The scenery was beautiful from the air and I am glad we went, just wish my tummy liked it.

 Sarah, Stu, Scott and Laura.  Our fashion accessory was our life jackets

 We got a full front shot as a take home, but this was taken on the side

 So excited.  No idea what is in store for me

 In the back ground on the mountain is a water fall

Ocean view

The Road to Hana---

Since our hotel was about an hour away from the airport and the start of the Road to Hana was about 15 miles away from the airport, we decided to hit it up the road to Hana after our helicopter road.  

Here is a little back story about The Road to Hana:   Hana is about 68 miles from the airport.  There are approx 620 curves along the State Route.  You cross over 59 bridges with 46 of them are one way.  

Here are a few shots of the road to Hana that were taken from the helicopter

 I knew this trip would make me sick and since I was already sick from the helicopter ride, we figured...lets go for it.  It was pretty.  We stopped to check out the sights and a few waterfalls.  We went to a place were there were black sand beaches (which was awesome).   There was one spot we wanted to see but with road construction taking us a different route, we missed it.  And with all the twisty, turns...I did get sick...again.. and again.  It was a rough day-but glad we got it all in. 

We pulled over and watched some wind surfers.  And we got to see some sea turtles in the ocean 

At the black beach 

The sand was black as night.  Doesn't really come through in the picture.  

Stu + Sarah + Hannah

Such a pretty view