Random pics from the winter break

Not much in photographic proof but we had a nice last few days of break with our college girlies before they headed back early for rush. 

We opened our Christmas gifts, although Allie said she would be happy traveling over Christmas as a gift every year.  I agree 100%.  

We went to Winterlights with Juliette's bestie, Shruti and her awesome parents, Saravanan and Ramya. There was a severe thunderstorm warning and even a tornado watch that evening.  It was 60 degrees!  We rushed through the lights right before the storm hit.

Allie and Isabelle did some skiing with some of the small group church friends.

Some quality time with my girls and watching some awesome IU football wins!  Go Hoosiers!

I also spent some quality walks with my sweet baby when the weather didn't freeze my face off.

We arguably have the best furry gang in all of the midwest!

MAUI DAY 7 Whale tour, more sunshine and goodbye

Another sunrise in paradise.  We boarded a boat to do a whale watching tour for our last day in Maui.  Humpbacks come to the warm waters of Hawaii to give birth in the winter.  Thousands of whales migrate here to birth, nurse their calves and mate. They would lower a microphone into the ocean to hear the singing and calls, but it was audible above shore as well.  You can often see them breaching in the distance just from the beach.

They estimate that more than 10,000 whales go to the Hawaiian waters from November to April and then travel back to the icy waters of Alaska to summer and feed. 

Amazing! 

The Hilton beach club was a great place for us to stay in Kihei.  It was very central.  We got a pass for the day so we could spend some time relaxing before our 10 pm flight out.

Family pictures on the beach in Wailea

 We were able to get a quick family photography session by Jess Fernandez photography in Maui.  It was a busy day at this particular beach, but she made it look like we had it all to ourselves!  The last time we were in Hawaii was in the summer of 2016.  I took a family session myself with a timer and a tripod and had to include a picture of us back then too and compare it to now.  9 1/2 years has passed in a blink of an eye.  My family is everything, and to have it captured in a place with such beauty is such a gift.  

Then and now...