Hawaii - Day 1

Today was a great day but a long one! It started at 6am getting ready and then heading to the airport. For some reason I still hadn't gotten "stressed" about flying but I was sure it was still to come. We headed out to the airport around 8am and were SO lucky we didn't have to wait in line for security. They had a family line so that took at least 45 minutes off our wait. Just a mental visual of me and the kids going thru security since Andy was parking the car....4 suitcases, 3 backpacks, cosmetic bag, 2 laptops and a camera & video camera bag! Emily is such a big help gathering everything up...I couldn't have done it without her! Right before it was time to board I took some sleeping medication and some anxiety medication....whoa....that hit me quick! I was asleep before we took off! My kind of flight. The flight was 6 hours 49 minutes....my longest so far but so worth it. I did manage to sleep for almost 4 hours of the flight. It really wasn't that bad. I wish I could get over my fear of flying but only if all flights were this smooth!
We were descending it was so beautiful seeing the island, waterfalls, crystal blue water and even a few whales. I knew this was going to be so much fun!

This picture was so awesome to me.......just the complete white blanket of clouds out the window!We got our leis when we landed...oh they smell so good and are so beautiful. They were actually real flowers! Just like I pictured.While we were waiting for our rental car we saw these awesome lizards. I am sure they have to glow in the dark!
We ran to Costco to pick up some food for the week, checked into our condo (Waikoloa Resort), unpacked, ate dinner and then off to the beach. The sun already started to set so we missed the best part but the kids loved it! The food is definitely more expensive here.....$4.09 for a 6 pack of Coke....$9.99 for a case of water. This makes me appreciate our prices at the grocery store so much more! Here we are eating dinner on the patio of our condo. I would love this set up on my patio!
Off to the shops down the road. Lauren has a LIST and I don't mean short one of things she wants to buy people. She is so sweet and doesn't want to forget anyone. Emily.....always my more practical child. Just something for a friend or 2. Got a few souvenirs tonight and made our reservations for our whale watching trip tomorrow. We are so excited for that.....stay tuned to see what tomorrow brings. I hope we see a whale or two!

The kids were so tired after along day. It was only 9:00pm here but MIDNIGHT at home! Long day for everyone but they were great trooopers!
Andy said to me tonight that he wants to start a tradition of coming here every 6 months to see all the islands and for pure relaxation! I am so glad I asked him to come with us since this was suppose to be a girls trip! I hope sometime soon my sister, her family and JD can come too! Santa comes to Hawaii too right?

Love the scenery here! Flowers EVERYWHERE!! They are all so beautiful and smell amazing! Here was one I saw that I loved! They would be so cute in the girls hair!