16-Month Update

This was the month of TALKING! Our favorite words are oval, fan, doodles (noodles), diamond, elephant, stinky, night night, squeeze, hello, toothbrush, and the list goes on... He can pretty much repeat whatever you say, and I think for the most part understands. His favorite game is hiding the "ocean" (a white noise maker) and finding it. His favorite toys are his cars. It's a toss up between a blue elephant and Pooh bear for his bedtime companion. He has about six teeth coming in all at once right now. Starting to climb up on things and has mastered doors and oven knobs. Starting to get more picky about food, but LOVES beets. Favorite book is probably the book with a bunch of animals that he can point out or shapes. Loves walking down the street to the park to swing, slide and hunt leaves.

Parasailing

On our last day, Luke made early AM reservations for our last hurrah. Thanks Dad for watching Ben! :)

A wee bit nervous.

This is all that is going to suspend me in air?
Yes, I did in fact scream.



So beautiful and peaceful.

We made it, but it was bittersweet. Bye Maui!

Boogie Boarding

Mom, Dad and Luke went boogie boarding at D.T. Flemming beach park while Ben and I hung out on the beach.

That is a genuine smile Mr. Larry.

Some of my favorite Maui flowers.

Honolua Snorkeling & Old Lahaina Luau

The day started off a little rainy; but it made for a beautiful rainbow over our condo! We went snorkeling one last time at Honoluam, which is a private beach. We saw so many turtles there, as well as lots of fish. Sunscreen wasn't allowed in the water- poor redhead mom! That night Luke and I were able to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary at the Old Lahaina Luau while Mom and Dad watched Ben. What a special evening!

That's Luke and Mom out there.

Just kidding! Pic from the aquarium. :)

Our waiter.

Haleakala Volcano & Surfing Goat Farm

We got up at 3:30AM to catch a 6:30AM sunrise from the top of a volcano. I think we all agreed that it is something to do once, and now we never have to do it again. It was cool to watch a sunrise and a sunset in the same day!
The view from the top.

My cold and tired baby.

I believe Ben captured the overall mood at the time.
The sunrise!
Taken for Renee's benefit.
Perhaps the coolest mailbox I've ever seen.
Surfing Goat Farm .

Ziplines!

Luke.
Kristen.

Napili Bay.

Snuggle time. After our Hawaii trip, we started weaning Ben off the bottle. It was sad for this mama!

Dinner at Cool Cats...best chocolate milkshakes; Ben agreed!

Surfing Day

We all went surfing this day, although not a lot of pics were taken. Benjamin played on the beach with coconuts and we took turns watching him. Afterward we used our dinner certificate to go to Lahaina Fish Co where we ordered Benjamin his first ever restaurant meal; mac 'n cheese.