No Empty Chairs
"...so choose you this day, whom ye will serve"
Sunday, October 30, 2011
A "Super" Pittsburgh Halloween
Here it is.....the end result of 5 days of straight up sewing and nothing else. My house could definitely attest to it! The boys had a great time at the Trunk or Treat. We will head out tomorrow for one last hoorah but it has been fun.
As for Hawaii....I know we were supposed to post something. I totally forgot. But we did do some research. I think for us we mostly want to go to the beach. We would love to do a few significant things, but don't want to be too scheduled since my kids are going to have a 6 hour time difference:) There are a few beaches that are better for kids (not so many waves etc.) which would be fun to check out. We also looked into the submarine. We think it would be fun although the babies cannot go on it. We also want to go to a Luau- the best one is at the Hyatt- it is the best for kids- it looks like it will be about $93 per adult. Kids 5 and under are free and if you have two adults paying you can get one child in free so that would mean it would only be adults paying. Also, we would like to have french dip sandwiches with soup and or salad.
We can't wait! Love you all.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Pics and Video
HAWAII....
KAYAKING!
The Bendheims Two Bits
From the West Coast: We are happy to be the first post. If I can find my cord I might even post some pictures of Rock. Hold your breath and we will see if it gets done. Here is what the Bendheims have came up with.
I found this itinerary specially for Families: It has a lot of great ideas. But this might be kind if intense. We will probably want to take a couple days at the beach and we obviously don't have to do all of these things. We think it would be fun to do stand up paddleboard, its super big out here, Redge has done it once and he said it was fun and easy. We can just rent those from the Resort. Also we checked into Fishing it would be about $150 per person and the boat usually holds 6 people.
For our meal: Its a toss up between Hawaiian Hayshacks or pulled Pork Sandwiches. Put in your Vote.
Your itinerary is going to depend on the ages of your kids. The number-one rule is don't plan too much, especially with young children, who will be fighting jet lag, trying to get adjusted to a new bed (and most likely new food), and possibly dealing with excitement to the point of exhaustion. The 7-day itinerary below is a guide to the various family-friendly activities available on Maui. Pick and choose the ones everyone in your family will enjoy.
Day 1: Arriving & Enjoying Pool Time
If you have young kids who are not used to the waves, you might consider taking them to the swimming pool at your hotel. They'll be happy playing in the water, and you won't have to introduce them to ocean safety after that long plane ride. Plan an early dinner, with food your kids are used to. If you're in Lahaina, go to Cheeseburger in Paradise; if you're in Kihei, consider either Shaka Sandwich & Pizza or Stella Blues Cafe. Get to bed early.
Day 2: Going Up a 10,000-Foot Volcano & Down Again
Your family will likely be up early, so take advantage of it and head up to the 10,000-foot dormant volcano, Haleakala. Depending on the age of your children, you can either hike in the crater, speed down the mountain on a bicycle, or just wander about the national park. On your way back down, stop and tour the upcountry communities of Kula, Makawao, and Paia. Plan to visit the Surfing Goat Dairy, stop and look at the strange flowers at the Kula Botanical Garden, or take the 40-minute narrated tram tour at Maui Tropical Plantation. Grab an early dinner -- try A. K.'s Café in Wailuku.
Day 3: Seeing Sharks, Stingrays & Starfish without Getting Wet
After a lazy breakfast, wander over to the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea so your kids can see the fabulous underwater world without having to get wet. Plan to spend the morning immersed in the 5-acre oceanarium. Eat something fishy for lunch. Then head out to Lahaina, where you can take the kids underwater in a Jules Verne-type submarine at Atlantis Adventures; or, if they are too small, hop aboard the Lahaina/Kaanapali Sugar Cane Train, or rent some snorkel equipment and hit one of the terrific beaches in west Maui. Book ahead for the Old Lahaina Luau in the evening.
Day 4: Sailing to Lanai
Now that the kids have seen the underwater world, take them sailing to Lanai. Trilogy offers the best sailing/snorkeling trip in Hawaii, so don't miss it. In the afternoon, wander around Lahaina and see the giant Banyan Tree, the old Lahaina Courthouse, and the old prison.
Day 5: Driving the Hana Highway
Pack a lunch and spend the entire day driving the Hana Highway, the world's most scenic tropical road. Pull over often and get out to take photos, smell the flowers, and jump in the mountain-stream pools. Wave to everyone, move off the road for those speeding by, and breathe in Hawaii. Plan to spend at least 2 nights in Hana.
Day 6: Spending a Day in Heavenly Hana
You have an entire day in paradise and plenty of things to see. Take an early-morning hike along the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park; then explore the tiny town of Hana. Be sure to see the Hana Cultural Center & Museum, Hasegawa General Store, and Hana Coast Gallery. Get a picnic lunch and drive out to the Kipahulu end of Haleakala National Park at Oheo Gulch. Hike to the waterfalls and swim in the pools. Splurge on dinner at the dining room at the Hotel Hana-Maui. Spend another night in Hana.
Day 7: Seeing the World from a Dragonfly's Point of View
Check to see if the road past Hana is open; if it is, continue driving around the island, past Kaupo and up to the Ulupalakua Ranch and the Tedeschi Vineyards and Winery. Stop at Grandma's Coffee House for a cup of java and head down the mountain, with a stop for lunch at Haliimaile General Store. Spend the afternoon at the Hawaii Nature Center and the Iao Valley State Park next door. If the road past Hana is closed, go back along the Hana Highway the way you came, stopping for lunch at Haliimaile, and then follow the rest of the itinerary from there.
Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/maui/0015020799.html#ixzz1beNJWJlQ
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Ririe Lake/ Henry's Lake
- Claire's Justin Beiber dancing and singing. May the song that can not be named get out of our heads. Even little Millie knows it word for word.
- Porter and Hudson's first waterskiing runs.
- Swimming on the dock, Hudsons Cannon Balls and Belly Flop Dives
- Tate's vocabulary "me way cool", "just me size", "me Tate, I'm Hungry"
- Millie's Sugar Highs- love her sugar waves and energy. Never seen sugar work so good. And hearing her sing at the top of her lungs in the tent- Do a Deer.
- Lukers wandering into all the strangers tents. Giving that little smerk on his face. And eating everything except food he could get his hands on.
- Redge coming back to camp after wake boarding and not remembering what happened for the past 3 hours. That was fun. A huge concussion wiping out everything that happened before and after waking boarding. Let's never do that again. It's good to remember life in general. That was scary.
- Dutch oven cookin, us never winning any ward cooking contest ( nobody tried our chocolate cherry dessert, except for Tate who sat on the top of the table when dinner was all done and ate right out of the Dutch oven saying "umm so good, me like this" At least one person liked it.
- Tyler got scalped. From the sound of Ericas scream I thought someone had died. I didn't see the scalping in action but a little church B-ball with a slam dunk and a head dive into the court will get you a big chunk of hair missing on the back of your head.
- Taily pole Story and The Vindow Viper stories around the camp fire.
- Joni skied and Dad didn't even have to yell at her to get out there.