Sam and Max go to Hawaii again

Mom, Sam, Max and Dad enjoying the beach

We recently returned from our trip to Hawaii with the four of us, plus Grandma and Baba. We made a similar trip around the same time last year and we stayed at the exact same location. The accommodations worked well for the six of us, and there's a wonderful swimming pool with a little beach for kids, which is perfect for our family.

Baba reading to Sam

Grandma waking up with Max

Sam and Max showing off their sunglasses

Max and Sam looking at baby goats

This year we went to a goat farm to look around and take a tour.

Max feeding a goat

Sam feeding the same goat

Mom and Sam feeding another bunch of goats

Sam!

Sam looks much older in the above picture to me for some reason. It's like overnight he became a big boy.

Max making a silly smile

Sam, Mom and Max enjoying a goat cheese tasting platter

Sam panning for gold at the beach

We went to the beach on two different days, there are more beach pictures later.

Mom and Dad get to go out to dinner, thanks to Grandma and Baba

Thank you!

Max enjoying the "beach" at our vacation rental's pool

Max, Sam, Mom and Dad at an old sugarcane plantation

Another fun activity we did this year with the boys was to go on a sugarcane plantation tour.

Max and Sam showing off their tank tops before the tour starts

Mom gets in on the posing

The boys really liked the tour tram ride

I got a little bit out of the explanations of history and plants on the tour, but I don't think the boys really understood or cared about it. They did really enjoy riding the tram, so we all had fun.

A nice sunset view from our vacation home

Sam and Max at the beach again!

Sam watching Dad doing some boogie boarding

Max plays in the wet sand

Max and Sam posing as a turtle and octopus at the Maui aquarium

One of the days we all felt "watered out" so instead of going to the pool or beach we went to the Maui aquarium. It was very impressive, even better than the Seattle aquarium that the boys have visited numerous times. It was a bit pricy, but the boys really enjoyed seeing the many fish and other animals.

Max and Sam looking at a big aquarium full of fish

Max, Sam and Mom

Max likes the turtles

A turtle!

Dad and Mom sneak off for a drink at the Grand Wailea

Thanks again to Grandma and Baba for giving us a break to go pretend to be free adults for approximately 75 minutes :)

Mom posing like a pro

Max and Sam playing in the secret garden

We often took the boys on an evening walk after dinner, and this evening we happened to find the nicely maintained area tucked off the regular path. It had beautiful views, and happened to be a nice sunset this evening.

Behold

Sam and Max sharing a freshly cut coconut

We made a small morning trip, and along the way we had to stop at a coconut stand and get a freshly cut coconut to share as a family.

Twinning!

Max, Dad and Sam posing at the lava fields

Sam looking into the pools of water

Max exploring the lava fields

Overall this was a great vacation, and having done a nearly identical trip last year, it was easy to compare and see the improvements over the previous trip. The boys were easier to manage, we got out to some more interesting activities, and the adults enjoyed a bit more relaxation at the pool and beach. I don't think I'm alone in looking forward to Hawaii 2025 :)