Maui Feast 2012

This year we went to the Feast in Maui, Hawaii. We got there on Spet. 30th and left October 9th to come back home. I was so worried about the 6 hour flight there and how Emma would do. I have only ever taken her to Reno, which is a short 2 hour flight. Well....it was rough! haha, everyone around us said she did really good, but Justin and I felt different...I guess we aren't used to having a baby on the plane and we just felt awkward and bad for people whenever she would cry and whine. But....for having to sit for 6 hours, she did do amazing. Once we got there we had a few issues with renting a car(took about 2 hours because the employees were on "Hawaiian time".) :) But, once we got to the condo, things started to pick up. My parents and sister were already there so we caught up a little and then went to bed since it was 3 hours later our time and quite late. This Feast was one of the best ever! We weren't rushing around sight seeing, or trying to do different things after church everyday. We just took it easy and hung out at the beach a lot and it was just absolutely beautiful! We also met a couple new young families and got together a few times for some awesome fellowship. My friend Britney(who I hadn't seen in like 15 years) was there with her husband and 3 kids!! It was soooo good to see her and catch up. The last time I saw her, we were young kids riding to church camp together - man how time flies!

Emma absolutely LOVED the ocean! She would crawl right into the waves, even when they started crashing on her! I had to stop her from going to far because she was all about it! She also turned one while we were there(on Oct.7th) but she came down with a 48 hour stomache bug, so we didn't really do anything. :( When she felt a little better, we went to the Peal Factory and had Emma pick out her very own oyster that had a Pearl in it. It was her first real pearl for her first bday. Since her middle name is Pearl, it was extra cool! It was funny too because she picked out the smallest oyster and we were all like"come on, pick out the big ones- so the pearl would hopefully be bigger"....but when the lady from the shop opened up that oyster, she was amazed because the Pearl was huge! and....she couldn't find any imperfections on it. Way to go Emma! :) Now that we are home, we feel a lot more refreshed mentally and spiritually. The Feast always tends to do that but this year it was even more so. Being in Maui with the family and sharing it with Emma and Justin made it that much more special. We are already starting to make our hopes and plans for next years Feast 2013. :)