Safely Home

We're home. We all had such an amazing trip, one good thing after another. The beach, the sand, the sun, the family and friends, the food and drinks, the scenery and the flowers were all so, well, just so great. We did make such great memories with our boys, I think the only hard part was missng Dan. Fred met someone from Kosovo, we had waiters traveling the world that reminded us all of Dan and just moments that someone would think or say, Dan would love this.
It was probably a good time to head for home since no one wanted to leave yet and Karen and I could still fit in our clothes. We had good eats, folks. The last night I got teary eyed at dessert, such a moment, another delicious meal at a the best table in the house and a dessert to die for, coconut cream cake. My mouth is watering as I think about it now. The dessert was good enough to make me cry and the thought of leaving and all the blessing of this vacation-overwhelming!
I will blog more about the trip...some beach scenes and maybe some stories too.
We were happy to see Hawley and Little Bit today, of course it was bittersweet to come home to an empty house, RIP Victoria.

No Sun, Still Fun

Try not to take too much delight in my plight...it's raining today, still balmy though. Boys just left for the beach anyway. Karen and I went shopping. Earlier the guys visited the Army Museum. It is probably good as yesterday we all got too much sun. I tried to find a tanning bed today to keep up the momentum. Nope, no tanning salons in Honolulu, go figure. Tonight we go to 'House Without a Key' for dinner. It was chosen because when Karen and I asked a chef, who was grilling on the beach last night, he mentioned the magic words, "in house bakery". Last night, so sad. It went way too fast. We have limo service at 6:30 tomorrow night.

Urgent Message

Last night before we went out to dinner Sam came to me and told me that we had an urgent message from Levi-our sitter. What? The thoughts that went through my mind- I can't begin to tell you... So, Sam says, "Vicky died."
Me- "Vicky who?"
Sam- "Vicky who? Icky Vicky, Victoria, your fish, MOM!"
Me- "Oh well, I guess Levi could do something that no one else could do. I thought she was invinsible.
Sam-"Mom, pull yourself together!"
I guess my emotions are on vacation too, I just couldn't get too uptight, until Karen mentioned that Emilyn might be sad. True! I didn't order fish for dinner.

Lifeguard Warnings and Sand in Bad Places

Here's the deal, no photos because if I take the time to figure it out they start happy hour without me and we can't have that!
Yesterday we had a blast, went to the flea market(I found fun stuff for Caleb and Emilyn) and then headed to the North Shore where there were warnings and lifeguards urging parents to get their babies off the beach. Huge waves people! My guys had a blast. Someone mentioned they had sand in bad places, true! We then went even farther north in search of the white shrimp vans. Ooh, we found them and had coconut shrimp, lava shrimp, volcano shrimp, garlic shrimp, well, you get the idea. The boys thought those guys gave auntie Shelly a run for the money with their shrimp recipes. It was a foodie moment by the side of the road. Then we drove around the island, so beautiful and lush.
For dinner last night we had reservations at Duke's, which is associated with Kimo's on Maui, I did not realize this until we sat down to dinner where I had a reunion with their muffins, they are part of the bread basket and Mmmmm it brought back all the great memories of sis Kathi and I on Maui. We had the BEST table in the place and some really good food. We mentioned to the boys that they might like to just go to Subway tonight but they are good little foodies and said NO WAY! They are with us!
Gotta run I can see Karen by the pool with a chichi. Ooh, did I mention our room is by the pool?

Just Another Day in Paradise

It is terrible here, really! Just trying to make you feel better. We arrived in style, Karen and I had reserved a stretch Limo back in September and not told the boys. From there it has been one beach after another.
The hubby is working his way through the happy hour list, I am stuck on the Blue Hawaiians and M & K have found the Mai Tai's. It is our biggest decision each day.
Last night we had dinner at Senor Frog's- that is a party! I have photos.
Yesterday Max mentioned that he hasn't spent any money yet. And we all chimed in with, "and you haven't carried any luggage yet either!" Karen kept asking him, why he didn't have a carry on piece of luggage. Well, the kid is good. He asked each one of us on the sly to carry a little something until he had nothing. When we head out for the day loaded with gear, Max saunters along with nothing! The problem is that the kid may be smarter than any of us. The hubby also mentioned that he had spent a bit of money so far...

Aloha People!

Finish all details at work (frantically this morning). check
Flowers to church for Sunday. check
Pick up waterproof mascara at Rite Aid. check
Laundry, laundry, laundry. check
Change everyone's sheets. check
Get gas. check
Charge ipods and phones. check
Finish packing. check
Deliver a baby gift, a birthday gift and some treats for Caleb & Emilyn. check
Final instructions for Levi-house, horse, dog sitter extrordinaire. check.
Make final decisions regarding shoes. check (take everything, in every color.) check
Library returns. next
Bank. next
Pay water bill. next
Pick up hay and grain. delegate to guys
Blockbuster returns. delegate to guys
Fun in the sun. coming right up.
Aloha!
Edited: Take itinerary from travel agent, so I know where I am going. check