Last day - Hapuna, shave ice, souvenirs, Kua Bay at sunset

 We spent the morning at Hapuna beach.  The kids never really got sick of the sand, and sealife, and water.  I think we saw turtles at every beach we visited but one.  Such a great experience I hope they never forget.  After the beach, we hit up the shave ice truck again.  Just as delightful and refreshing.

 Mallory and claire got chocolate cream.

 Tyce had ice cream with a little of Jaren's rainbow.

 And the rest of us had Strawberry Shortcake I think.  Wowsers was it so good.

 We ran to the mall to grab some last-minute souvenirs and then headed to Kua Bay to end the day.  We wanted to catch a sunset when we weren't driving and just be able to take it all in.  Aubrey and I ran to Costco for some pizza, and we just ate and enjoyed good company and the beautiful show mother nature put on.

 So cute when I found Miss Haylie with her towel draped around her and Tyce.  Then she asked if Tyce could have a sleepover when we got home.  That girl is just such a doll.

 Although we weren't quite ready to have this experience end, it was time.  But not without a quick stop on our way to the airport by the "donkey crossing" sign.  These signs provided endless conversation during all our hours in the car.

 Maui in the distance.

 You get to walk on the tarmac to get to the plane and enter from behind.  Kinda neato.

 Jaren was in no smiling mood to be leaving Hawaii.

 Luckily his grumpy face didn't last long.  I sat in the middle of Tyce and Jaren during the flight to San Diego.  Tyce slept for 3 off the hours and Jaren was very well-behaved. Blessings from heaven!

 One last look at the island. Awwww....

We had a 3-hour-layover in San Diego.  Not the most fun ending to our journey but we survived.  Some people made forts on the disgusting floor in between the airport seats to pass the time.  So thankful we had this opportunity to experience such a place with our kids and friends.  Memories for a lifetime.

Day 6 - Luau at the Veloria's

 After a quick beach run in the morning, we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up for shaved ice on the way to Marci's friend Rena's parent's house to where they were holding a luau for our group.  Thankfully, Rena also tipped us off to this shave ice truck.  Oh my goodness.  I don't think I will ever be able to eat shave ice again without being disappointed. This stuff was fluffy, and creamy, and divine. The line was soooo long the first time we went...and it was blistering hot.  Very worth the wait.  We went back a second time :)

Libbie's pineapple cream.

 When we arrived at the Veloria's we were greeted with kindness and love.  Such giving, sweet people.  Uncle Earl put the everyone right to work preparing our dinner on the imu ( underground oven).  Even the kids got to participate.  So fun. One layer of banana leaves on the bottom.

 Then the meat (pork and chicken), corned beef, and taro.

 A good layer of more banana leaves.

 Then quickly cover the leaves with burlap.

 And finish off the burlap with a layer of dirt.  Then we waited three hours time for it to be all ready.

 So we checked out their beautiful property.  Can you imagine that view every day of your life? Heaven.

 Trying out the swing.

 Tyce bossing Zeus around. Little puppy.

 Uncle then had Nathan and Ben knock a few coconuts out of the tree.  He then taught them how to open the coconuts.  Nathan ended up with a bruise on his hand from all the slamming and tearing he had to do to shell and husk the puppy.  At last we all got to sample the water.  Not too many coconut water fans I'm afraid.

 Jaren loves to pretend he thinks it's delicious.

 After the first hour of the imu cooking, Libbie was on duty to check for escaping steam and cover those areas with dirt.

 Auntie Audrey was perhaps the sweetest woman I have ever met in my entire life.  Some people just have such a light in them and she is one of those people.  She taught us how to make head leis and spent time telling us about her experience making leis when she was a little girl.  So fun!

 Tyce eating the plumeria.  Boys!

 Auntie showing Libbie how to start the lei.

 Working hard.

 Uncle getting Claire's lei to be the right size for her head.

 Hawaiian beauties.  These two are such peas in a pod.

 Time for the big reveal.   Just wet your hands and go to town uncovering layers and pulling out the food.

 Before dinner, Uncle taught us the proper way to start the gathering with the blowing of the conch shells.  It was a great thing to witness the beauty and the culture of such a ceremony.

 Jaren and Wyatt doing "hang loose" with the elders. So cute!