Hawaii Roundup

We just returned home from a fabulous week in Maui.  As much as I dislike the week after vacation, I would do it all over again.  The piles of laundry, empty fridge and stack of mail to sort through, are not going to get me down.  As always, I cannot thank Tyson's parents enough for their constant generosity.  They are continually spoiling us left and right.  I feel tremendously blessed to have been married into such an extraordinary family.

and now without hitherto, some of the HIGHLIGHTS that include, but are not limited to... 

Witnessing my husband and father-in-law being pulled out of the audience, onto a stage and shaking their hips to sweet Hawaiian beats.
Attending Warren And Annabelles Magic Show and laughing so hard it hurt.
Soaking up as much vitamin D as the little one would allow.
Sipping on virgin Lava Flows by the pool.
Family devotional where we shared our feelings on Christ like attributes. 
While snorkeling, witnessing a mama sting ray and her two little ones, as well as a turtle that was so close to me I could have reached out and touched him.
Sinking my teeth into the juiciest steak, as we celebrated Tyson's mom's birthday at Ruth's Chris.
Munching on endless amounts of chocolate covered macadamia nuts.
Falling asleep to the worlds best white noise every night.
Having my hair curled every day, by my sister-in-law Cara.
As previously stated, parasailing, viewing the sunrise from on top of a volcano, ziplining across Hawaii.
Breakfast at The Plantation, while enjoying a breathtaking view of the gorgeous golf course and vibrant blue ocean.
* I started a tradition while at Newport this summer, that I would create a slideshow of our family's vacation.  We watch it at the end of the trip to conclude our vacation.
  Hawaii 2013 from Janessa Parker on Vimeo.

View From The Top

My father-in-law signed us up for the Maui sunrise and bike ride tour, down Haleakala National Park.  This was one activity I couldn't wait to take part in.  We wanted to do it the last time we were in Maui, but didn't get around to doing it.  With the government shut down going on all of the State Parks were temporarily shut down.  When I had heard the news, that we were not going to be able to see the sunrise, I was sadly disappointed, however the timing of our vacation ended up working out perfectly.  We were lucky enough to be the first group up the mountain, since the government shut down.   

Our alarms sounded at 1:45 am, awaking us for an adventurous day.  I had no problem waking up, because I knew we were going to make some memories for the books.  We were picked up from our hotel in a shuttle bus and made the windy trip up the mountain.  I was so nervous the switchbacks were going to get to me.  One of the ladies in our group, luckily gave me some crystalized ginger and it seemed to do the trick.  People warned us it was going to be brisk at the top of the volcano, but I don't think any of us realized just how chilled we would be.  I bundled up in the warmest clothes I could find and zipped into the windbreakers the tour group provided.  The second I stepped out of the van, I was instantly frozen, knee cap shivers and all.  

The view however, was totally worth it.  Overlooking the guard rail was the most breathtaking view I have ever seen.  It honestly made me feel like the heavens were parting and were sneaking a peak of all its beauty and glory.  The colors started out in dark hues of grey, blue, and red and slowly turned to cotton candy blues and pinks with pops of vibrant yellows.  The first sighting of the sun peering over ocean, was like witnessing nothing I had ever seen before.  I have seen beautiful things before but this, this was marvelous. 

After watching the sunrise we raced back into the shuttle.  We couldn't wait to warm are frozen fingers and toes.  We took a short trip down the mountain and parked on the side of the road, while our bikes were unloaded.  They handed us all of our gear, gave us a short safety briefing and sent us on our way.  As we descended down the mountain it took me back to my cycling days.  I don't know if it is the mom in me, but I was a lot more cautious than ever before.  I used to fly down mountains at speeds over 50 mph.  There was no way that was about to happen today.

We stopped a few times along the way for pictures.  The ride continued to get more and more beautiful.  The aroma of fresh flowers and the warm breeze, was enough to make me want the bike ride to last all day. 

After 28 miles we were spent.  We stopped for breakfast burritos and guzzled down ice cold water.  It was such a glorious morning.  The exhaustion was well worth it.  Also, a huge thank you to my sister-in-law Jana for coming to our room in the middle of the night, to watch Penelope. 

Zippin

Tyson's parents have been over the top generous, not only in taking us to Hawaii, but planning a week of jammed packed activities.  Each day we have been able to look forward to something new.  While the boys have been out working on their back swing, us girls and John have been out making memories of our own.  

We all piled into a rattle banger van, covered in red dirt and headed up the West Maui mountain range.  The ride up was half the fun.  Our local native tour guides had a wittiness about them, that I wanted to bottle up and take home with me.  They had us laughing like crazy and had a way about them, that made us feel safe.  I had complete trust in them and knew we were in excellent hands.  Before I stepped off the first platform, I had a few butterflies spiraling around in my belly, however the moment I leaped off the edge, excitement rushed through my bones.  It was all of our first time, which made it all the more fun.  

We started high on the mountain top and made our way down, by switchbacking across eight different ziplines.  They started us out slow and worked our way up to a full fledged ziplining rush.  Half way through we stopped for lunch and had a chance to overlook the lush abundance of greenery that surrounded us.  As the day went on we all got more and more comfortable with the form.  I was able to throw my hands and legs in the air and enjoyed being free of any worries.  We had fun yelling and screaming at the top of our lungs without a care in the world.

 z

^^^ Tarzan? ^^^

^^^ I seriously couldn't get enough of our tour guide. ^^^

^^^ Boys will be boys. ^^^

The only thing that could have made it better, would have been to have Tyson along side. 

Up Up Up and Away

The last time we were in Hawaii, Tyson and I decided that the next time we made it back, we would make sure to get out and be more adventurous.  Now keep in mind the Parker breed comes out highly on the cautious side.  The Brown side tends to tug on the strings of that cautious side.  My family is the live on the edge, kind of sort, adrenalin junkies if I might.  We live for that heart pounding, chest pumping, clammy hands kind of thrill in life.  I like to think I am on the lesser scale of those things, but have been found guilty of skydiving and cliff jumping.   The two sides combined makes for a happy duo between Tyson and myself.  I am grateful Tyson is willing to try new things and expand his risk taking horizon.  I will never forget the moment, my little brother Josh strapped Tyson to a snowboard and had him ride down his homemade ramp onto a rail.  This trip I tried with all of my might, to get Tyson to go skydiving with me.  We are taking baby steps and aired on the side of caution, choosing Parasailing. 

We woke up early and were the first boat out for the day.  All of Tyson's siblings came along for the thrill.  We had  a blast taking in the fresh breeze, refreshing water, stunning view, and jamming out to island tunes. 

^^^ Brandon's face is priceless. ^^^

^^^ Seriously, this guys job is rough. ^^^

Looking down and all around at the beauty of the earth, made me push the pause button and want to freeze time, just for that moment.  In that instance I sat soaring 1,200 feet in the air and did nothing more than smile.  Sure life is rough at times, but overall we are given these amazing moments, that take our breathe away and make all of the rough patches worth it.  Life is tremendously good and I can't help but feel insurmountably blessed.

^^^ Tyson's expression kills me. ^^^

^^^ Pardon the open mouthed, happy face. ^^^

^^^ Best photo bomb yet. ^^^

It was the perfect way to start our mornings.