Leaving Paradise

Okay, you can see how happy the unmarried Haddow kids are about the great vacation in Maui, but the flight is leaving and reality awaits in Provo. It is Monday night and life is good.

You can see the sadness written all over Poppy & SugarMom's faces at having to bid the kids a sad farewell -- we have to stay on Maui until Wednesday night. The Poppy is taking Mom to that favorite romantic spot in Maui -- directly from the airport -- WalMart.

The Hot Spots in Maui

SugarMom & Ashley just hanging out on the beach and petting the beach turtle.

The proper way to test if a pineapple is ripe is to . . . well, just smell the dang thing -- or is she kissing it?

The Safeway is better than the beach for people watching. Mac brought Alice to the Safeway as a birthday trip, knowing she would really enjoy it. When we're done at Safeway, Mac is going to let Alice do some laundry.

Hot-Tubbin in Maui

Ashley doin what she does best -- arranging her social calendar when she gets back to Provo.

Kate the Great and Jess just hanging out and enjoying life.


Poppy & SugarMom forced to get in the Hot Tub to keep the kids company.

Birthday Celebration at Hula Grill

Talking with Jami & Lauren on the speakerphone from Maui. Kate the Great is checking out a cool looking dude on the beach.

Jess and Ashley hamming it up and chilling while we wait for lunch. And it was a long wait.

Poppy & SugarMom enjoy the wonderful birthday gift certificates ordered by Jon, Jami, Jack & Lauren at the Hula Grill in Whaler's Village.

Hitting the Links in Kaanapali

The Poppy, Ashley & Jess had a great day on the South Course at Kaanapali

Check out the ball mark on the 142 yard Par 3 3rd Hole where Ashley hit the pin on the fly, had the ball slam to the green (leaving a huge ball mark), and then skidding about 9 feet away. Ashley lipped out the birdie, and settled for a gimmee par.

Ready to attend Church at the Lahaina 1st Ward, it feels just like home.

Poppy & SugarMom heading for Church.


Ashley, Kates & SugarMom groovin at Gump's Shrimp House (I'm not sure of the exact name of the restaurant. Katy had a great hamburger, Jess had some really terrible fish.

Jess and SugarMom chatting it up at Forrest Gump's hangout on Maui.

Off to Maui

Hanging out in the Delta Crown Room on a 4 hour layover in LAX.



Poppy & SugarMom are ready to climb aboard for the grueling 5 hour and 25 minute flight from LAX to Maui.



Jess, Katy & Ash hamming it up at LAX. They don't look like they will mind the flight at all.


Finally, arriving at Maui Airport -- Waiting for luggage for 40 minutes, waiting for rental car for 45 minutes, driving to Kaanapalli for 50 minutes -- the wait: Worth It.

More to come.

Lauren Alexis Taylor Busts on the Scene

Jack is pleased with the new stroller, and the cookie.
Lauren's first kiss, and only just days old.

Lauren is checking out the Poppy, who is taking the picture.


Jami, Jon & Jack welcomed Lauren on Sunday, July 31. Lauren and Mom are healthy and happy.

Katy's Graduation

Most of the family gathered in Bluffton, SC to celebrate the High School graduation of Kate-the-Great. Katy was among the top 10 percent of the 2007 graduating class. The consensus among the family was that SugarMom should walk the diploma line with Katy. It really was a team effort.

Jess wanted to claim some credit for the high math grades, but he was voted down.

The Poppy disavowed any credit of any kind for any math acumen.

Sarah & Wendy Pratt, joined by Jack Taylor, loved being a part of this big event, and they have already started planning their own high school graduation bashes.

Jess, Ashley & Katy immediately left town to head out to Provo. Jess was pressing to make it back to Provo by Saturday afternoon to make a soccer team game (not likely since they left on Friday morning). Ashley wanted to get back to Provo in time for a Ward Council Meeting on Sunday morning (more likely), and Katy just wanted to get on with this new chapter in her life.

The weather was perfect, the company was superb, and the event was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

SugarMom & Poppy can now settle in to being empty nesters.