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In the heart of the Oregon Caves

While visiting friends in Cave Junction (Oct. 23, 2010), Jeff and I took Andrew, Gwen & Leah to the Oregon Caves. Our GREAT friends watched Luke & Naomi while we enjoyed the short hike through the heart of the mountain. The above rock is termed drapery: my personal favorite.

Andrew really enjoyed the different cave rooms we went through- "the Ghost room" was his favorite.

Leah stood next to a column in the darkness- she is in a lot of pictures because she walked next to Mommy.

Jeff liked this formation that looked like a set of jaws.

We were all brave and climbed a VERY steep ladder to "Paradise Lost"- my favorite room filled with drapery!!

Here we emerged from the cave... we had our picture taken by some nice people who said, "perfect picture for your Christmas card!" Little did they know we were missing two of our family members.

After the inside hike, we did an equally long hike outside- to the top of the mountain. Leah stops for a quick photo-op.

Gwen poses in the Cave Coffee Shop. We enjoyed hot chocolate, fries and cinnamon rolls- FOR LUNCH!! It was fun eating side-by-side on the swivel chairs.

17 Days in Paradise to Celebrate 10 Years!

For our 10th anniversary we went to Maui, Hawaii for 17 days (10/31/09-11/17/09). We took Andrew, 8 (who would remember the trip!) and Naomi 10 months (still nursing). My parents, Scott & Sue Goetchius went with us for the first week. Gwen, Leah & Luke enjoyed a vacation with Uncle Brian & Aunt Teresa in CA.

One of the best times Andrew enjoyed was boogie boarding... Dad, the pro, shows Drew how it's done.

Our first condo (Polynesian Shores) had a salt water pool. We were assuming it would be fresh water & a little chlorine, but to our surprise it was salt/chlorine water. My Mom loved to hang out with Naomi, even in the pool.

Here we are coming back from our first snorkel trip to Black Rock (in Kaanapali-we took two trips there). Grandpa, Andrew & Mom jumped off a 15 foot cliff into the ocean. Andrew landed wrong... poor guy. We saw 2 white spotted eagle rays (& got there picture!) Dropped the camera to the bottom of the ocean and Grandpa dived down 30 feet to fetch it. My hero! While trying to figure out the underwater camera, I wasted the battery life just in time to miss a turtle 3 feet away from us. He just floated there looking at us for over a minute... Jeff and I were in awe. He was up to catch his breath, then he dived down and hid under rock. After that, we were on a mission to get a good turtle picture.

On the winding path to the blowhole.

Andrew relaxed in a pool by the blowhole, waiting for the shower to come.

Cute little gecko on our lanai (patio). Another gecko was not so fortunate... he lost a tail by Andrew. We got a great little video of the tail... it was still moving after separation from it's body!!

Dad & Naomi take a stroll to the tiki deck.

Mommy tries on a plumeria flower for size... beautiful smell. We had a tree outside our condo.

Like Mommy like daughter... cuter behind her ear.

Dad steps out of the condo... a low-stress Jeff.

Downtown Lahaina outside Bubba Gump's

We met a cool Hawaiian dude (trying to get us to go to a time share presentation). He told my Mom & I we had our plumerias behind the wrong ear... we were single until we met him.
Our first snorkel/sailboat trip was with Paragon to Lanai. We snorkeled in a bay, had a picnic lunch on the island and sailed back to Maui (Andrew helped steer). We also jumped in the blue water on the way back... beautiful!
Here's the happy crew, ready to shove off. All except my Mom, she got sick during the trip.

Here's the captain... Aye aye captain Drew!

The blowhole... not in full force.

My good-lookin' hubbie of 10 + years!

One of my personal favorites, the Olivine pools. Pools not directly connected to the ocean and protected from the strong waves. We jumped off the rocks on the right. Andrew gained confidence snorkeling here.

Naomi & Mom happy as can be!

Jeff, Grandpa & Andrew... The Three Amigos!

Iao needle... here a bloody battle was fought.

Still in the Iao needle looking down into the valley.... we went from beautiful sunshine to fog inland.

Naomi's new boogie board diaper changing station

Took a trip up to Haleakala... Andrew hangs on for dear life.

The crater on Haleakala. People go camping inside the crater (CRAZY! It was cold and dry).

The whole crew close to the Haleakala summit.

Dad snorkeling...

Mom snorkeling...

Andrew's first time snorkeling... with the help of a boogie board (he got more experience in the Olivine pools...pictured before).

Here are those white-spotted eagle rays. I was following one ray when I lost sight of it and two more were coming from the opposite direction, right at me. I freaked out and almost did not get the picture. I wasn't sure if they were aggressive.

Here is a lovely sunset outside our condo...

Here is a nice daylight shot... pool right out our door!

Great picture of my Mom!

Naomi samples a big rock, then a little rock, then back to the big rock... so many rocks so little time.

Gotta love this shot of Naomi... she must be waiting for some flies.

Grandpa & Grandma gave us a Luau date night. Here our children sport our leis from that evening. We enjoyed the show, food and the comfortable chairs (we felt sorry for those on the ground with nothing but a flat pillow). Jeff bought me a beautiful shell necklace (made into the shape of a plumeria).
Here we are at our second condo (Worldmark Kihei), thanks to Uncle Brian & Aunt Teresa! We waited by the pool before check-in.
Road to Hana- we boulder hopped to our own private waterfall! Naomi in the Ergo carrier on Mom's front... I felt like a gorilla with babe in tow (using my arms and legs to maneuver).

Andrew poses before a lava tube (road to Hana). The tube led to the ocean.

Here we are on a black sand beach (Road to Hana).

Inside our condo... Andrew plays so nicely with Naomi. They have a wonderful relationship.

The Kamaole III beach park. Drew being a good big brother.

Dad let me try the Ergo carrier on him... it's nice to have a break from being the pack mule.
Here we had an amazing experience watching a hawksbill turtle nest being excavated. The park services people make sure all turtles have exited their nest & not suffocated to death. Here we got to see one little guy left behind. Really cute & little (resting on her blue glove... not a great shot because no flash photography was allowed).
Andrew & Daddy snorkel @ White Rock. They were following a big turtle when a turtle the size of a small car caught their attention... I talked with a native & he said he had seen the VW beetle-sized turtle.
Here is the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (the state's unofficial fish)... say that 10 times fast!
Our second snorkel/sailboat trip was with Paragon to Molokini. As you can see the water is soooo clear. It was beautiful! Jeff was disappointed we did not see a shark... I did not mind one bit! Although, to live through the experience would have been awesome.

Great fish shot... don't know what kind.

Dad & Drew boogie board @ White Rock (Wailea)

Naomi & Mom hang out in the white sands of Wailea... I was protecting Naomi from an aggressive crab (the little guy was 2 inches wide!) while she crawled on the beach.
I found a gigantic cowry shell... the size is great compared to Naomi's hand.

There is a rule in Hawaii... don't remove the shells from the beaches. I should have listened... some crabs died because I thought they were uninhabited.

Naomi sends a shout-out to all her peeps back home!

Cute snorkel hair dude!

The BEST turtle picture! Jeff was relieved to get it. He wished it was the car-sized turtle.

Dad treated us to a very nice dinner @ the Five Palms. Very pricey, but great food and atmosphere (right on the beach... open windows next to our dining table).

We thought about moving to Maui, but there were no jobs available. We'll have to wait until our 20th anniversary to visit again.