This is a long blog, but there wasn't much I could leave out and believe me there was more I wanted to add!
On Wednesday, (June 4th) we flew to Hawaii. We were all so excited and couldn't wait to get there. The boys did great on the plane ride, even Dylan! We arrived around 7:30 p.m. Collected our 9 bags, purse, laptop bag and back backs included and headed for a taxi. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and it was gorgeous! By the time we got all checked in and grabbed a bite to eat it was 10. So we all headed to bed.
Thursday Mick and I woke up early. I made coffee and we sat out on the balcony while the kids were asleep (this became our daily ritual, aaahhh) The view was beautiful. The boys finally woke up and wanted to hit the beach. We went first and walked around to check everything out. Then got dressed and went to the beach. The hotel had a lagoon. They rented paddle boats, the big aqua bikes, kayaks, etc.. And of course the boys wanted to ride them. Mick finally gave in after lunch and did an hour rental. They started off with the aqua bike. But after about 2 times around Dylan wanted to try something else. So they tried the paddle boats. Another 10 minutes goes by and he is bored with that. But Mick told him, you wanted to do this so we are. It was GREAT!! Because Mick got to see what I deal with everyday!! I just laid on the beach and soaked up the sun. Taking the occasional picture of them of course. After our day at the beach we got ready for dinner. We went to a restaurant that was right on the beach, hence the name The Shorebird. (plus I had a coupon!) Kristian quickly began to scan the menu for his usual burger, but they didn't serve them at all, not even on the kids menu. So he went with chicken. Dylan being our more adventurous child, went with Ahi (tuna). Mick and I did too. We love fish. At this restaurant you cook your own food! Which I must admit at first I wasn't too thrilled about, but it was actually a lot of fun. So we took our meat over to this big grill and started cooking. There is a chef there to guide you, which was a plus, since Mick was cooking and that RARELY happens. But he did a great job. The food was really good. We ended up taking a taxi back to the hotel because we were all too stuffed to walk!
Friday was my 29th birthday, AGAIN! The boys and Mick gave me some beautiful cards. We also went on the Atlantis Submarine. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. I was nervous about going out in it, because, well I just think about everything too much. We saw a lot of fish, sea turtles and a moray eel. After the ride, we went back and went to the beach for the day. Mick took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Kristian was happy because he knew that they had a burger! We sat outside and as luck would have it they were having a street festival. They had all different types of dancers, flame throwers, drum players, etc. It was really neat.
Saturday we got up and took Dylan down to feed the animals. There at the hotel they have penquins, the warm weather kind, turtles, birds and fish that at different times of the day you can feed them. Dylan loved it! Especially feeding the coi! After that we walked downtown for a parade, did some shopping, had lunch and started back to the hotel. Amazingly that took up much of the day. We were all worn out from the day, so we ended up walking out to the beach to watch the sunset, grabbing some dinner to go and headed back up to the room to just relax. It was actually very nice!
Sunday we got up and started packing. It was our last day in the hotel. We had booked a limo to pick us up and take us to the rental car company, but we didn't tell the boys. We told them that we needed to go get a taxi. Kristian saw the limo and said man I wish we could ride in that. The lady then came and took our bags and the look on Kristian's face was priceless. Dylan wasn't sure what was going on for minute or two. They were thrilled. After we got our car we headed over to the east side of the island to meet a couple that Mick knows. You know him, we can't go anywhere where he doesn't know someone. They invited us to a cookout at the beach. The boys were thrilled because they got to play in the water, again. Of course Kristian didn't realize that he had gotten a rash from the sand till he got in the water. So he mostly did the skim board that day. We visited with them for much of the afternoon and then we headed to the house, which was on the west side of the island. It was quite funny when Tom and Sophie told us it was going to be a long drive. When we asked about how long and they said 45 minutes. We just smiled. It takes me that long to get anywhere from my house! We started heading that way. Anytime you do something that isn't through a source that someone else has used, you are a little bit nervous about it. That is how we felt about renting the house. You want to believe everything they say to you, especially after you send them the money! We had checked the company out on the BBB and they had good ratings, so we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. We pulled up to a beautiful stone and redwood gate. We looked at each other and punched in the gate code and it opened. We were relieved but also a bit shocked that it was as nice if not nicer than what we thought. We pulled up the house, got the key and unlocked the door. Everything was perfect! We walked around the "grounds" for about an hour just taking it all in. I call it the grounds because it was 2 acres of nothing but lush gardens, with a pond, a huge open area, where we later found out they host weddings. It had a gorgeous pool, a wrap around deck, etc, etc, etc.... We were completely blown away. We unloaded our belongings and headed to the grocery store. Everyone seemed so laid back compared to the people down at Waikiki. And it was more of what we are used to, especially the quietness!
Monday, Mick and I did our morning ritual of sitting outside enjoying the quietness and then you guessed it headed to beach. But not until around 11. We ended up at Sunset Beach. It was great. Not a lot of people, the water was beautiful and clear. There was a place to snorkel, so we were set! We headed back to the house that afternoon and the boys headed straight to the pool. If they weren't in the ocean they were in the pool. We went out to eat that night at Haleiwa Joes. It was very good food and again right on the ocean! Kristian got his burger and the rest of us got our fish!
Tuesday we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We did the World's Largest Maze. OH MY GOSH. It took us 45 minutes to get to all the stations that you have to check off and we had a map! There was someone who had previously finished it in 5 minutes! Obviously he didn't have me on his team! And wasn't dragging two kids along either. We rode the train out to the pineapple fields and listened to a story all about them. Did you know the plants are all hand planted and hand picked! And that it takes 20 months for the first pineapple to grow and 14 months for the second!! After that they have to start all over. No wonder there is a $5000 fine if you pick one! It was neat to find out the things we did, but it was boring to Mick and I. The boys listed it as one of their top things we did! Right up there with the beach and the pool, so you know they enjoyed it! After the pineapple tour we went back to the house and just relaxed. The boys swam and Mick and I just sat and watched. Good times!
Wednesday we decided to drive around the island. I mean how long can it take right? Well we started off around 10:30 a.m. and headed north and then down the east coast. We stopped at all the touristy stops, had lunch and ended up at Diamond Head around 3 that afternoon. I didn't realize as I made my way to the trail just what I was in for! Fortunately they had a sign. It said the trail was .8 of a mile. That is was no walk in the park, that in fact the nice sidewalk that we were walking on would soon come to an end and lead to a very eroded and rocky path that would be steep in most spots. But not only that there would be two sets of steep stairs and two tunnels that we would go through. It was highly recommended to wear the appropriate shoes. I was in Old Navy flip flops, while the guys where in socks and shoes. I told Mick, maybe I shouldn't do this, but he said, we don't have to go all the way, lets just go until we want to stop. I knew I was in it for the long haul. Once Mick starts something he doesn't stop. Before we even left we told the boys, if you don't whine we will get a shaved ice (snow cone) when we get back down. So we took off. Before we even got off the sidewalk, Dylan asked to be carried, funny I was thinking the same thing... He kept asking and I told Mick maybe I should take Dylan to the car, while him and Kristian hiked it. I thought it was a perfect plan, but Mick didn't. He told Dylan we just aren't going to hike it. Which Dylan knew meant no shaved ice. So he started crying I want to go up, I want to go up. These people are passing us looking at us like we are crazy! So again, we laid out the rules for Dylan and we took off. The sidewalk ended and Mick said we can turn around if you want. I just glared at him. Then we made it to the first flight of stairs, again he asked... He got the look again. Every time we came to a new hurdle he would ask and again he would get the look. I knew he was just seeing if I would call his bluff. We weren't turning around no matter how far we made it. And I am proud to say that after a LONG walk to the top we made it. The view was amazing! I felt like Rocky when he ran up the steps in Philly and pumped his fists in the air!! Yo Adrian!! The walk down was a lot faster, thank goodness. As we came around the last corner, Mick and I noticed that the truck selling the shaved ices seemed to be missing! We looked at each other and then the kids, which by the way did a great job! So well that we did a double check to make sure they were actually our kids! Just kidding. Since the shave ice stand was closed we went in search of another one, but unfortunately they only stay open during the heat of the day. So... instead we walked around Waikik and had dinner. We got back to the house around 9:30 that night, with still about a quarter of the outskirt of the island left to see.
Thursday after being gone all day the day before, we decided to just hang out in Haleiwa. We relaxed at the house till around lunch and then walked down town to find a place to eat. When we walked out of the restaurant, it was pouring down rain. Of course it was, since we didn't have a car! Luckily there was a porch we could hang out on while we waited the rain out. The boys, who you would've thought had never seen rain before, played out in it and were soaked. We are used to the rain here where you are freezing once it starts raining, but there it just made you warmer. Once it had slacked off we walked down and got a shaved ice. The place we went to was called Matsumotos. It has been in business for over 40 years. They can sell over a 1,000 shaved ices a day! Considering where it is located that is a lot! There was always a line out the door and up the street when we passed by, but luckily on this day it was just out the door. Mick and I decided to try it like they eat it there. Which is with ice cream in the bottom, then they add sweet red beans, basically pintos with sugar and then the snow cone. It is a very different type of shaved ice, but it wasn't too bad. With that said, I won't ever order it that way again, because it is not my favorite way to eat it, but at least we tried it. We sat and ate our snow cones out in front of the store and then started walking back to the house. We were almost to the house and it became a downpour. I picked up Dylan and took off running. But then I thought what does it matter! We aren't going anywhere, so we just walked. It was actually really nice. That evening we drove down to Sharks Cove and looked at the tidal pools. We saw crabs, sea urchins, hermit crabs, fish, etc... The kids enjoyed that. We stuck around and watched the sunset too.
Friday we got up and headed over to the east side to Hanauma Bay. It is supposed to be the best snorkeling spot on the island and tends to be very busy. We got there around 11:30 and they already had signs saying they were full. So we went and had lunch and then decided to give it another try. Still full. So we drove down a bit and turned around. As we were driving passed it, they opened up. Talk about luck! We loaded our arms with all of our things and headed out. They make you watch an 8 minute video about how to protect the reef and animals, etc. Then you walk down this steep road to get down to the beach. We found a spot to plop down, got all our equipment on and headed out. Right off I was uninterested. The waves were way too big for snorkeling and just being in knee deep water I couldn't see my feet. I like to be able to see where I am walking. I told Mick go ahead, I am going to hang up here with Dylan. So him and Kristian went out a bit and saw some fish. But he agreed it was way too stirred up. Mick tried one more time to go further out, but to no avail. We ended up calling it a day after about 2 hours. Which was a bummer. After there we drove over to the part of the island that we had missed the other day. We went to Ko Olina Resort. They have 4 lagoons to swim in. The boys instead just played in the sand and built a tunnel. Mick and I laid on the beach and relaxed. He was pretty worn out from Hanauma Bay. We went back to the house and grilled out for dinner.
Saturday we got up and cleaned up the house a bit. Tom and Sophie were coming over around 1 to visit and eat. We went to the store for some last minutes things and got a shaved ice too. This time with ice cream and the shaved ice only. That was really good. Tom made Korean Short Ribs and they were delicious! We had some BQ chicken, potatoes, beans and bread too. It was so good! They ended up staying till about 8:30 that night. We had a great visit with them.
Sunday, was our last day.... None of us were ready to go home. I actually half joking half serious told Mick we could switch our tickets! It didn't work!! Our flight wasn't out till 9:20 that night, so we went to Sunset Beach for the first part of the day. Then went back and swam in the pool. We cooked some Mahi Mahi and shrimp on the grill for lunch. After that it was time to start packing. We got everything loaded and then took some last minute pictures. We checked in our rental car, rode the shuttle to the airport, checked in our luggage, made it through security and then looked at the time... It was only 6:30! UUUURRRRGGGG. We still had 3 hours. We are so used to dealing with the Denver airport where there is always a line for check in and security. You easily spend an hour or an hour and a half waiting. So... we totally misjudged that. So when you got time what else do you do but shop!! Actually first we grabbed something to eat. Then we shopped. The first store had travel pillows and Dylan just HAD to have one. Mick told him we are going to look in other stores, are you sure this is what you want and it was. So he bought it. Then we hit the next store. They had soft cuddly sea turtles and you guessed, Dylan wanted one. Mick told him no he already picked something out. We walk out of the store and Mick whispers to me, they are really soft! I knew Dylan had him wrapped around his finger then! I went to a store across the way and I saw the guys back in that store. Mick gave in. All the while Kristian was like a squirrel storing nuts. He was keeping a tally on what Mick was spending on Dylan. Too funny! Kristian didn't find anything he couldn't live without so we boarded and headed for L.A. You know, I thought taking the night flight would be great. It would give us all day there on our last day and we would all sleep on the plane ride. I realized quickly that it was a bad choice. As we are making our way out to the runway, they announce that the movie feature will be Spiderwick Chronicles. The boys eyes light up. They are so excited. I am thinking WHY would you show a kids movie at night!! They need to sleep. Little did I know that would be the best part of the flight. I actually slept until the movie went off. Dylan fell asleep for what I am guessing 30 minutes after the movie. Then he couldn't get comfortable and his legs were hurting him. ( I have to give him Motrin almost every night because of growing pains in his legs and it was in my suitcase because of the stupid 3 oz rule!) So I just kept massaging his legs. He would sleep for about 20 minutes and then be back up. It was a LONG flight! We made it to L.A. grabbed some breakfast and headed to Denver. That flight was wonderful. We sat on the side with two seats and we put the boys in front of us. I was out before we even took off, as was Mick. Mick had given Dylan his I-Pod and some time during the flight I woke up to Dylan singing. I don't remember what song, I just remember leaning up and telling him to not sing so loud. He loudly said OK! I don't even know how loud he had it turned up. At the time I didn't care! We landed in Denver and Dylan was out! Of course!! We waited for everyone to get off and then we woke him up. We got home around 3 that afternoon and tried not to sleep. But that didn't work. Mick and I were out for about an hour. I didn't want to wake up, but Mick said we needed to stay awake. We ended up not going to sleep till around 1:30 and sleeping till 10! Great plan. Oh well!
We had an awesome time on our trip! Mick and I had went to the Bahamas in 2002 and the water there is clearer, but Hawaii still beats it. The weather while we were there was the best. The only time it was humid was the day it rained, but it didn't last long. There seemed to always be a trade wind blowing which kept it just right for sitting outside. I know some people probably thought we were crazy for taking the kids along, but we can't imagine not taking them. The trip is something they will always remember. We only have our kids for a short part of their lives and we want to spend as much time making memories with them while we can.
The pictures are.... The boys on the plane, the boys swinging on vines in Waikiki, the view of our hotel from the water, the boys posing with the statue of the famous surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the boys in the limo, view from the front door of the house, the gardens at the house, our favorite spot to relax, one of the house's porches, us at Haleiwa Joe's (Kristian took the pix), a pineapple split, Mick and the boys at the pineapple plantation, Me and the boys there, Dylan relaxing on the beach, Kristian taking a much deserved nap, the boys in the pool, View of Waikiki from Diamond Head, the boys after the hike, Sunset at Sunset Beach, the boys with a sea turtle, (they are an endangered species), Hanauma Bay, Me and the boys in front of the house, all of us in the gardens.
