Aloha 2011 -Hele On!

Lucky us, we got to visit Hawaii recently! It was the baby's first airplane ride and he did awesome! Slept almost the whole time. We probably tired him out in our mad dash to get to the airport. Yes, I know. We never learn. See? Sleeping baby and we hadn't even taken off yet! Lady Luck was smiling on us because our flight was delayed almost an hour, so whew! thank goodness, instead of us being late, we ended up hanging around the gate, waiting to board. Works for us!
As soon as we got on the plane, the boys got nice and comfy in their seats. They were pretty stoked to use their new ear phones. They watched whatever was on the screen while it was free then switched to some shows and (I think) a movie we had on the iPad. They were quite entertained. And I'm gonna brag and say, my boys did so good on the plane ride! It's not a lie. We had 2 flight attendants come by and tell us so. Works for me!

When we landed in Honolulu, the hubs cousin was already waiting for us. He had flown in same day, but different airline and 30 minutes prior to us. The plan was for him to stay with us that evening, then check into his dorm room the following day. buuuut! a short call to his girlfriend (who is attending the same college he is) and all of a sudden, plans change. According to her, his RA wanted him to check in that night. No matter the time. Sonofaaaa! It was already almost 10:30p.m. HST, and we still needed to get some essentials like water and milk for the kids. So, off we went to Wal Mart then a quick stop for some noms and then off to the cousin's college. Lemme just tell you, I was pretty pissed at the girlfriend. Turns out, the RA had already gone to sleep and well, the honest to goodness truth? She wanted to see her boyfriend already. Yah, I let her lil -just-outta-HS-butt know that I didn't appreciate it and that she was pretty much on my sh!t list now for lying. The cousin said she's scared of me now. Good.

By the time we checked into the condo I found on flipkey.com, it was already 1:30am. We pulled out the bed from the pull out sofa for the boys, set up the baby crib the owner was nice enough to provide, fell into the king sized bed and called it a night!

The next morning, everyone woke up bright and early (afterall, we were still on California time), took showers and hung out on our lanai to watch the sun rise over the Pacific ocean. The view was pretty awesome. I'll post a pic in the next post.

We decided to have breakfast at Cinnamons. I was pretty mystified as to why the place was so busy so early in the morning on a Friday. Turns out that day was a holiday, Statehood Day - so no school or work.

We ordered Red Velvet pancakes, Guava Chiffon pancakes and the hubs got the Mahi Mahi eggs benedict. So, so, so yummy! All of it. Trust me.

While we were eating, I spotted a familiar face! It was one of the bridesmaid from the wedding the kiddo and I were in 2 years ago. She was visiting Oahu too! The hubs said something to the effect of - you're such an island girl. Never fails you always see someone you know. heh. He's lucky we weren't on Guam. We'd have been stopped about 10 times before the food came out.

Anyhoo, after breakfast, the boys ended up falling asleep on the drive back to the Waikiki area, so we decided to head to Target to get some stuff for the cousin - he's lucky I wasn't miffed at him. I said it last year and I'll say it again - I love Target Hawaii. Love it! I got my niece an exclusive Target Hawaii Hello Kitty shirt and I picked up a whole bunch of stuff in their Hawaiiana section.

The boys were still asleep when I got done shopping, so the hubs and I decided to head over to our favorite shave ice place in Aiea (don't you just love the way that sounds? Aiea..pretty sound, yes?)
By the time we parked, the kiddo and the baby were awake. The kiddo came in with me while the hubs stayed in the car with Curly and the baby.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this last year, that one of the ladies that run this place reminds me of my grandma. When we walked in the store, she greeted us and her resemblance to my grandmother just took my breath away. She kept talking to the kiddo, kept telling him he has pretty eyes....oh man! I wanted to reach across the counter and just hug her.

My bowl of goodness had taro, mochi balls, milk and custard. The hubs opted to get the one with li hing mui and mochi balls.

By this time, Curly was up and he and the kiddo were saying they were hungry. Since we had time to kill (I was waiting for my friends to call me with a meet up time and place) and the hubs was waiting for his cousin to call after his orientation, we decided to eat at the Alley restaurant located at Aiea Bowl. Yes, a restaurant at a bowling alley. But don't let that deter you from eating there! The hubs and the boys still talk about their Tasty Chicken. Me, I'm a fan of their ox tail soup (don't get grossed out!) oh and their lemon crunch cake? yummy to the nth power!

We left there to meet up with my friends and for the hubs to meet up with his cousin. I ended up taking the baby and he took the 2 older boys.

It's been waaaay too long since I've hung out with these girls! My abs got a workout from all the laughing. The hubs thinks that hanging out with them brought back my islandy accent. I'm sure it did. Haha!

The crazy thing is that my girl in black, she and I live in the same state and don't ever see each other! But by chance we were in Hawaii at the same time. I saw her almost every day we were there!

The one in the stripes? The last time I saw her was 15 years ago! If you are looking to buy property in Hawaii, she'll hook you up!

So there you go! day one of Aloha 2011! Hele on!