The Lost Symbol

So let me start off by saying that I have been waiting for this book for about 6 years now. I am a fan of all of Dan Brown's previous books, from Digital Fortress to Deception Point, Angels and Demons to The Da Vinci Code. I ran to the store the day this book came out beyond excited and started to read once I came home. As I began to read I felt as if the story was moving a little slower than his previous books but I pushed forward waiting for that twist to come that was going to "rock my world". That moment just didn't come for me. The biggest twist of the book I foresaw about a hundred pages or so in. It was a decent book but pretty much left me under whelmed. It is possible that I was just expecting way to much but that's what happens when you wait FOREVER for something :o(

<3>

The helmets and waiver are really for the van ride...

Day 7:

Ziplining - COMING SOON.


{Sorry folks, we are exhausted and off to bed! I promise pics though}

<3
Brandie

Journey thru the islands

Day 6:

We really enjoy renting out the beach side cabanas from our resort, they are right on the beach, comfortable, with shading hoods, they come around with water bottles and ice cold face cloths for you and well -- it's great!

So we did a little beach time today and then off to 'The Feast of Lele' a luau in downtown Lahania.

The pics:

Bri doing his snorkling - only 30 feet out from the shore you can see green sea turtles and NEMOS!!
Our first view of a Hawaiian Rainbow right outside our hotel window.

Bri and I when we arrived at the Feast of Lele

Sunset from our table at the luau

Me and one of the local luau dancers :)

The luau and dancing! { I have 5 videos of the 7 dances they did, I will have to figure out how to put them up }

Aloha!

Brandie

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Tiki Tiki

Day 5 :

It was another day spent at the pool and then later at night we met up with a couple, Michelle and Mike {back story: Michelle and I were bff in elementary school, and then she moved :( but we kept in touch here and there thru the years. Mike and I met in highschool, he was a few grades ahead of me but we had the same lunch period. So when I found out these 2 were dating - then got engaged - then got married - AND they were going to be on their honeymoon in Maui at the same time as us!! Well dinner happened!! }
We met up M&M at their hotel about 2 mintues down the road and headed more North on the Maui shower to Kanapi, and Pineapple Grill resturant. Which was amazing.
Afterwards we took our new to the island friends {we got in about 4 days before them} to Front Street, the downtown area of Lahaina, to look around the strip and do some shopping.

Pictures:

Huge tikis that a guy hand craves on Front Street!
Bri and his shaved ice ... they are HUGE!
The 4 of us in front of the Bankoar tree. It's the largest and widest tree because it's branches actually will root into the ground and create other trees, yet it is one tree.

{Mike, Michelle, Bri and Me}

Aloha!

Brandie

10,023 feet on a bike...

Day 4:
Our day began at 2:15am {which is kinda normal for us right now, since that would be 8:15am back home -- still adjusting} Which we woke up to but on shorts, jeans, t-shirts, socks, sneakers, long sleeve shirts, hoodies and a scarf. I know, this all sounds un-Maui like, but trust me there was a very good reason for all of this.

We took a bike tour down Haleakala. Which is a huge crater on Maui. It's highest point is 10,023 feet. So we got picked up at the hotel at 3am and then took a van ride with another couple to 'Cruiser Phil's' office to fill out paperwork {which was just like skydiving} they then distribute to you jackets, gloves and rain gear {just in case} then its back in the van for the 1 hour drive to Haleakala. Then the 1 1/2 drive up to the point where you watch the sunrise.

Here is our day thru some pictures....

2:46am is when we finally left the room to get our butts downstairs.
This is at the top of the lookout where we would be watching the sunrise. This is about 6amish above the clouds, 9,000 feet above the ground. {the black is all the clouds}
Us all bundled up waiting for the sunrise.


The sun starting to peak above the clouds ... this is my favorite picture of the day. Magical.
Sunrise :)

10,023 feet. This is the highest point on the crater. For some reason I felt very comfortable right about here ... :) {skydiving}

This is a plant that ONLY grows on this crater and no where else in the world.

At one of the rest points on the bike tour, you can see how we are all geared up for our ride down the mountain.
Look at him pose on his bike ... haha.

After the ride you end up in a small town call Paia. Where we got breakfast {we got there at about 9:15am) and did some walking around. We were back to the hotel by 11:00!! So we suited up and hung out by the pool all day long.
Dinner that night was in downtown Lahiana at IO's. Wow. Just wow. It was incredible. 100% thanks goes to the resort's activities planner for this reservation. The food was knock out wonderful and sooooo fresh!
After that we were beat! Watched another goregous sunset from our balcony and it was even more goregous with the cresent moon hanging above in the starry decorated sky.


Aloha!
<3 Brandie

Reef Shoes Necessary

Day 3:

Was spent lounging in our rented cabana. We enjoyed a day of tanning and sunshine and ocean. Also, we met the nicest couple sitting next to us, they are here on their 22nd Wedding anniversary. It was there last day on the island and the gentleman left us the boogie board he was using. It was so extremely nice. Mainly it would be too much for them to ship home.

We got our car rental today and we are now looking forward to exploring the rest of the island. :) Then after the beach day we decided to have dinner at the resort resturant, the "Longboard" right at sunset, since the whole seating area is outdoors on the shore.

Well here are our favorites of the day ...
Our little 'baby' car ... It's a Vibe. ;)

The crazy mountain on the otherside of our hotel.

Attempt at a self photo on the balcony of our hotel room.

Our tropical drinks at dinner.

Sunset from dinner, it was goregous. Yet, again.

Aloha

<3 Brandie

Bridal Show

So I apologize first that I've been leaving all of the blogging up to Brandie, I have purchased Dan Brown's new book and it is consuming all of my free time. . . a review will be up here once I finish! But today I had the pleasure to model in a bridal show for something blue bridal at the Chevy theater :o) Along with me I brought some friends. . . Tonya, Alex, and Kathy and we met up with one of the few "nice" knotties Melissa :o) Here are the pics of our fun!