Hawaii - Days 1 & 2

Well, we made it. We are in Hawaii. Traveling with 4 kids was a daunting task but we had prepared well and were ready for the challenge. We knew what type of plane we'd be on and all the snacks that would be available. We knew where our seats were and what movie would be playing. And had purchased snacks and activities to fill in all the gaps. But of course the best laid plans...

The trip out that was supposed to take about 8 hours and 1 quick layover was "extended" to a 27 hour trip with 3 layovers and a hotel room without any luggage.

Our original Phoenix -> Honolulu leg was canceled after having been delayed multiple times and an extra long wait in the airport. Finally they individually re-booked every passenger (thankfully they took families with children first) and we ended up on another airline going through San Diego. We waited another 3 hours and hopped on a flight to San Diego, got ourselves to the Holiday Inn, and set out to find some dinner. Apparently it is uncommon to see a family of 6 roaming the streets of downtown San Diego at 9pm on a Monday night, so we got a lot of awkward stares. We were looking for chinese, but ended up at TGI Fridays, but even they were unwilling to seat us anywhere but the way back corner of the restaurant. After a mediocre meal, we found a cab and made it back to the hotel and our two double beds.

Huck was fed up with the whole situation, and ultimately kicked Scott out of bed to share the floor with June.
For a 6am flight with special circumstances, we were advised to arrive 2 hours before and believe it or not we made it. We got ourselves onto what we thought was a direct flight, only to find out that we would be laying over again in San Francisco. We kept having to tell poor June "one more plane" and putting off pulling out all the new toys she was excited about. She did her best but there's only so much a 3-year old can take, so a major meltdown at the beginning of the San Diego -> San Francisco flight was rather predictable and unavoidable. Both nasty and understanding stares from nearby passengers were shared, as well as plenty advise to give her valium or whiskey, and reminders from the flight attendants that we can't take off until she has her seatbelt on. Good times.

Salt Lake City -> Phoenix -> San Diego -> San Francisco -> Honolulu isn't the most direct path, but we rolled with it and now we're here and it was totally worth it.

And miraculously, despite the last minute re-route and airline change, all our luggage made it too.

We're staying with long-time friends Chris & Renae with their cute kids Gunnar and Paloma at a beautiful home right on the beach in Waimanalo. The views and constant ocean breeze are breathtaking. The scent of tropical flowers in the yard and humidity in the air are invigorating. Not to mention the great hospitality and how priceless it is to arrive on vacation to a stocked fridge and beds made and ready for naps.

Hawaii is 4 hours behind Utah, so when the kids woke up this morning at 5:30am we figured we might as well go out and enjoy the sunrise.
We went in for breakfast, and were back out by 8am for some boogie boarding and sand castle building. I even went in and did some body surfing, much to the boys surprise and June's chagrin.
After a much needed nap, we headed out to a nearby lagoon to test out our snorkel gear.

This location was a huge hit with the kids since there were no waves and it was super shallow for a long way out.
After a quick lunch and dip in the hot tub, we headed out to Sandy's beach to watch some hardcore boogie boarding and to fly our kite (thanks Julie!). Vietnamese food for dinner and the kids all fell asleep in the car on the way home.

I can't keep my eyes open any more. Real snorkeling tomorrow.
Aloha.