Hello! Hello! This is my last vacation post (well…sort of). Tomorrow, will be all of my #shayeveryday2014 pictures (many of which were taken on our vacation) and then on Friday, my big Shade of Shay highlighting all of the stuff I took on this trip (books, shoes, clothes, travel necessities, plus tips and tricks for beach traveling with your family).
After a week in Maui, we said goodbye to my parents and as they headed back to Dallas, the Shull four headed to the island of Lana’i. I’ve been to the islands of Maui, Oahu and Hawaii, so I was anxious to check out Lana’i.
We’re loaded up on a shuttle taking us to the dock. At this point, Andrew and I are pretty nervous because I basically get seasick in the bathtub. I do.not.like.boats. Cruise ships are different because I can’t feel them move…but I hate boats. And here I am…about to board one.
On board our boat. It was smaller than I had hoped for.
Andrew has been my hubby for 10 years. He knows me so well. Earlier that morning, he bought me Dramamine and a family sized box of Wheat Thins. The only thing that makes me feel better when I’m on a boat is a cracker. He even told me several times that he was really concerned for me. There are only two ways to Lana’i…flying there or taking a 45 minute boat ride…and we were going to boat there and fly out 4 days later.
So…with only 31 people on board, we headed off to Lana’i. And about 10 minutes into our trip, Andrew started getting seasick for the first time in his entire life. What?!?! I’m the one who gets to puke on this boat! He has to be the one who cares for our kids! He cannot be sick. But he was.
After 30 minutes, the boat people said the weather was so glorious (a.k.a. windy) that they were going to cut off the engines and put up the sails. I might have kind of lost my mind at this point.
Why do we need sails when we have an engine?
Why would anyone want to “sail” when there is an option of quickly getting from point A to point B?
I was sitting still with Smith asleep (of course) in my lap and Kensington leaning against me saying “mommy, my tummy kind of hurts”…and my dear “I never get seasick” husband puking off the back of the boat.
Two hours later. Yes. Two hours instead of 45 minutes, we arrived in Lana’i. Thank you Jesus that for the very first time in my entire life, I did not puke on a boat. I seriously would have had to hand my children off to strangers so that their father and I could have been sick together off the backside of that dumb sail boat.
The only plus side to this boat ride is that I saw a whale. Next time, I would rather just visit Sea World.
The three of us after just arriving at our hotel in Lana’i. We were so thankful to be on land!
“I never get seasick.” Famous last words.
While we were checking in, the Director of Guest Services on this tiny little remote island looked at us and I immediately recognized her as one of my friends from junior high and high school. Isn’t that crazy?!? Emily and I grew up together and there she was living on Lana’i and working at our resort. I knew from FB that she lived in Hawaii but I did not know where…such a small world!
Because Lana’i is so small, there is really only one hotel/resort and that’s the Four Seasons. They have a location on the beach and one in the mountains and we stayed by the beach. It was so nice!
Kids at this resort are given an unlimited supply of fish food to feed the fish that swim all over the resort. My kids loved that!
We went to have lunch after we checked in and there were dozens of dolphins swimming and jumping right next to the resort. I have never seen so many dolphins at one time outside of captivity. The waitress at the resort told us that they come up and do that every day…and sure enough, we saw them daily. People were swimming right up to them out in the ocean. It was really cool to see!
The dolphins reminded me of when Kensington was two and she and Andrew swam with the dolphins :).
Lunch with my man…and apparently, it was “green day”.
Smith had been playing outside our hotel room and brought back in flowers for his mama (they were on the ground and scattered everywhere, Kensington said he started collecting them for me). Love this boy.
The resort put these sponge letters in our bathroom 🙂
My very favorite part about Lana’i was the pine trees! On Lana’i, they have more pine trees than palm trees. We went into Lana’i City every evening for dinner and looking around and since it’s up in the mountains and you can’t see the ocean, you really don’t know you’re in Hawaii with all of those gorgeous trees. I loved it!
Sunset in the pines.
And then the next morning, I’m back by the pool lookin’ at dolphins :).
We love the ocean!
Lunch poolside.
Between swimming, I read…in the morning at the beach and the afternoon at the pool. I read three books during our stay in Hawaii.
As usual, around 3:30, we came back to our room and got cleaned up and rested before dinner. I was watching something on Net Flix and Kensington fell asleep on my lap. Love her.
Then, I moved to a chair and lamp to read and looked around at all of my sleeping beauties. One on each bed and one on the floor. Smith had been playing with a truck and bam…he was asleep.
Our last full day on Lana’i! We spent it in the pool!
For dinner, we headed back into Lana’i City for some shopping, strolling and eating.
Beautiful evening for cartwheels 🙂
I love those pine trees (and my handsome hubby!).
We had several people recommend a little pizza place in Lana’i City, so our last night on vacation, we dined on yummy pizza.
I just love spending time on vacation with my family. It doesn’t matter where we go…when I’m with my hubby and my kiddos without the distractions of the world, it is so nice.
Andrew and I really soaked up the kids this trip. We know that they’re growing up so fast and before long, we’re going to be eating pizza across from teenagers. I asked Kensington what her favorite part of Hawaii was and she said swimming and when I asked Smith, he said it was when I would hold him in the pool and take him into the “deep” water. I’m so glad that I put my book down and held him in the pool as often as I did…I had no idea that he would think that was the best part of his vacation.
Hawaii was just one adventure down for us in 2014…right now, we’re almost done building our new house and will (finally) be moving in within a month, Kensington starts kindergarten in the fall and then we will be bringing Ashby London home. All fun adventures and all terrifying at the same time. I am so blessed to share my life with these three people.
On the foodie blog today…Pizza Burritos.
Yes. And they’re so simple too!
Yum!
Renee says
I enjoyed seeing your vacation photos and reading about your trip. Last April we went Maui and did a day sail on Trilogy to Lanai. Since we don't get sea sick, we loved it! We were thrilled to see whales. We spent several hours at a beach near the four seasons. It was a wonderful day.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
POOR ANDREW!!!!!!! That picture of him on the floor is both awful and hilarious. The "green picture" of you guys is too cute! Glad we still get to see some more pics the next couple of days! 🙂
MJ says
I love your blog, it's always so refreshing to see your pictures and your smiles!
What a nice vacation this sounds… a bit far for me though 😉
Best from France, MJ
Tab & Erika says
Those pine trees confused me!!! Why were they in Hawaii, again? Looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!
Elizabeth says
Looks like a wonderful vacation! Which Kendra Scott earrings are you wearing? They look great!
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
Oh gosh, it looks heavenly! How crazy that you ran into an old friend there? I'm sure your kids loved seeing the dolphins!
Michelle says
Relatively new reader to your blog, but this post made me laugh out loud. Had to comment! Your hubby getting seasick made me giggle. Glad you were able to hang in there.
Loved your Maui blogs too. Maui is one of my favorite places on earth! I hope you managed to get to some of our family favorites (Ululani's, Aloha Mixed Plate, to name a few).
And gotta love the FS! They do those sponge bath letters in Maui too, along with cute stuffed animals for the kids and treats! FS is the best!
Welcome back!
Polka Dot Blossom says
You are so kind to share your vacation with us. Thank you again! Your family is the sweetest! XOXO
Anonymous says
Just curious…Andrew is so tan. Is that from only the sun?
Dani {Adventures of a Pharm Girl} says
I'm so glad y'all had so much fun! Your pics are gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing
x Dani
Jen Fisher says
So fun. My husband and I have been to Maui twice and stayed at the Grand Wailea both times. His company has an incentive trip there every 4 years. BEAUTIFUL! We extended our stay both times and flew to Kauai…that's our favorite. Love the island. So relaxing and beautiful. Looks like y'all had so much fun. Cant wait until we can take our kids too.
Melanie says
Yes kids grow up way to fast.
Sara says
Love your blog! I would love to see recommendations for vacations with young kids maybe around the age of two. I am really anxious to start planning a trip (taking your advice and planning for in a year, so we can save) after seeing your Hawaii trip.
Darcy says
I loved seeing all of your vacation photos! Thanks for sharing. (And I had to laugh about the sea-sickness….that must have been awful for your husband, but a funny story to tell afterwards, once everyone was on land and feeling better!)
Dana says
I have loved this series on your Hawaiian vacation! We were just there a year ago for our honeymoon. I would HIGHLY recommend visiting Kauai next. I LOVE that island so much! We usually stay on the north shore, near Princeville. So much breathtaking scenery. Definitely our favorite island of the group (we've been to Maui, Oahu and Kauai thus far). So glad you had such an amazing trip!! 🙂
Laan says
We took a boat to Lanai when we were there, but luckily we had calm seas and it went fast – my hubby gets seasick too! I'm happiest when I'm on vacation with my family – love those times. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Anonymous says
Shay.. Love this post!
Our family want to save and plan for Hawaii, can you tell us.about how much is costs for a trip similar to yours.. Maybe without hopping islands??
What great memories
Wendy says
Oh that poor thing! Sea sickness is the worst. I have a great picture of my husband laying flat out on a sailboat with saltines in hand looking rather green. It's not funny at the time, but looking back, it is laugh producing.
Ashlee says
That picture of all three of them sleeping- the only thing I could think was "I love that they're all sleeping in the exact same position"
Shannon Quinn says
OK, so I have to know what kind of crossbody bag you are carrying in these pictures? It's too stinkin' cute!
Tay says
I love the picture where they are all three sleeping the same way. Scrunched up like a U haha looks like an incredible trip! Loved hearing about it
Mary-Beth says
Hawaii is so beautiful! I'm looking forward to my trip next year. Maybe we'll get to go to Lanai too. I bet you're looking forward to Paris 😉
You're kids travel tips are great!
Anonymous says
"What?!?! I'm the one who gets to puke on this boat!" I laughed out loud! hahaha
Katie @ Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life says
LOVE, LOVE LOVE…all your beautiful pics and your beautiful family!! I laughed reading about the boat trip! TWO hours…yikes! And your poor hubby! Thanks for sharing your vacation with all of us! I will make it to Hawaii…one day!! 🙂
Karen Ward says
I've enjoyed your vacation vicariously!! Absolutely adored Smith's favorite part of his vacation. So sweet!
Anonymous says
Hi! Loved the post and have a very random question for possibly a future post! I have a 1 year old and I am interested in different discipline philosophies, books, etc. The Bible being the first resource I use for everything, I do hope to find a couple of "good reads" and since your kids appear to be so well adjusted I was wondering if there were any books that you recommend? Thanks 🙂
Anonymous says
The pine trees that you love so much are called Cook Pines. You may have seen them planted on either side of roads/driveways – that was an old Hawaiian tradition to signify that the land was occupied by royals (like on the Kipu Ranch on Kauai).
Jenny says
I loved seeing all your pictures! Looks like you all had a great time! 🙂
Anonymous says
I loved the photo of your napping family! Priceless as a mom!
Jeanie says
What a glorious vacation! I can just smell those pine trees.
kristinwithani says
Beautiful!
Smith's ability to sleep anywhere is really amazing.
And, finally, does Andrew eat all his eggs when you travel? Stupid question, I know.
amoveableme.com says
Which books did you read on vacation? I am always looking for recommendations! 🙂
Angie says
What an amazing vacation!
Isn't it so wild what kids enjoy and absorb the most. Out of everything time with his mommy was his favorite. Now that is priceless!
Hayley Chandler says
It sounds like an amazing and much deserved vacay for the Shull family. Thanks for sharing!!! I also noticed how tan you all were by the end!!! Another perk to a beach vacation!
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
It sounds like you had an amazing family trip. I've never been to Hawaii but my hubby wants to take us soon. Poor Andrew getting so sick, but at least you made it through the whole boat ride sans vomit.
Aubrey says
Poor Andrew! I feel his pain!
Love hearing your kids' trip highlights. Smith's favorite was so dang cute!
Jaren says
That looks like such an awesome trip! So if Andrew got seasick, it must have been really rough. I get so sea sick too. My head felt the rocking just reading this post. I would have died when they decided to leisurely get to the island…no thank you.
The Cantelmo Family says
My best friend goes to lana'i every other year! It's their favorite vacation spot! I hope to go soon!
Brittany S says
Loved reading about your vacation! So fun and so beautiful!
Paula says
How do you decide how much to pack for a trip? Do you ever do laundry on vacay?
Mix and Match Mama says
I really try not to over pack. I pack one outfit per day plus a few extra things that I might need for an evening (a skirt or pair of pants). I don't do laundry on vacations, so I really try and pack smart.