May2nd, 2008

We needed a vacation.

Bad.

2007 really did number on us, and I never got to take any time off after leaving Naughty Dog. After a year of long hours on Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, I went straight to Snowblind Studios, right into another set of deadlines spanning 6 months.

All during the the birth of our first baby, the horror of trying to sell the condo, and re-locating the family.

So we really needed this, and it couldn't have come a day too soon.

We know, we know, a trip to Maui doesn't earn us any awards for originality, hardcore adventure, or spiritual enlightenment...

But we needed to decompress, to fully unwind without any complications, schedules, dangerous activities, learning new skills, counting strange money, speaking foreign languages, and having to drive on the other side of the road. We needed our old stomping grounds on Maui.

Best of all, Nicole's parents Ross and Chris were coming!

It was Elliot's second plane ride, and he did OK considering he was having a front tooth come in at the time.

We arrived at the Maui El Dorado nestled along Kaanapali Beach just north of Lahaina Town. Our room was on the 6th hole of a golf course and about 200 feet from the beach.

What we didn't know was Black Rock, one of the island's best snorkel and dive sites was just footsteps from our patio!

Needless to say the first week was full of snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and hanging out on the beach. Elliot learned to eat sand, and he also learned to poop it out.

As the lazy days passed, we started to finally relax and fall into the rhythm of not being busy.

-Rob and Nicole

"This way to seat 21B, Grandma!"

We arrive at the Maui El Dorado on Kaanapali Beach. Our unit is on the right end of the front row. 10 extra points if you can see Elliot sleeping inside.

"Hey, mom! Did you buy tickets to this gun show?"

Honolua Bay is a favorite spot for snorkeling day-cruises out of Lahaina.

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We took Elliot to afternoon tea in the little town of Makawao. Afterward, we got to see the local glass-blowers working in their studio.

.The gang stops for a pose in the town of Makawao.

At his next visit to the beach, he really gets into sand-tasting. This time he finds a stick and uses it like sand-fondue. He's becoming a bit of a connoisseur.

Yes, he put his mouth on the 100 year-old rusty chain after I took this photo.

Elliot and Ross go Puddle-Poundin'

Elliot gets a hug when dad returns from a dive.

Before going to dinner at Io, a very good restaurant in Lahaina Town. We went back a second time with Ross and Chris is was that good.

The famous blow hole on the north shore.

Sunset on Kaanapali Beach.

"Grandma, there's a girl-baby over there..."

"You're telling me this flight's under-booked! Sweet! I get my own seat!"

Elliot's first time in the sand. Within seconds, he's eating it.

Mmmmm... sandy granules of tasty goodness... I hope it doesn't hurt when it comes out the other end..." (It did)

The marine sanctuary at Honolua bay has some incredible snorkeling. Ross and I scuba dove to the outer reaches of the reef, visible to the far right of this 16-shot panorama.

He studies the glass blower dudes. And the flame thrower...

Nicole gives him some swim lessons at the pool.

She gives him reassurance.

WHEN BABIES ATTACK!

Walking the streets of Lahaina Town one evening, Elliot makes friends with this mildly-disturbing drunken cartoon sailor.

Mom and daughter hug at the Mai Tai restaurant in Lahaina. (This place is new, and we highly recommend it.)

Mom and baby enjoying the sunset, flowers, and "Hey, is that dad sneaking more photos of us mom?"

Just up the highway from our condo, around Oneloa Bay, there's a tidal area only accessible by almost killing oneself attempting to scale sharp rocks. Then the ocean comes in unexpectedly and engulfs your camera bag. Total loss: 1 580EX flash, 4 AAA rechargeable batteries for a replacement cost of about 350 bucks. Was the picture worth it? Maybe..

A shot of the lovely mom, before heading out for dinner.