With Shaun being gone for so long I put out an SOS to all my family and friends, and Sarah, my sista, answered my call. She was able to get an airplane ride out for just herself, and leave her four sad children behind with her husband, for one of the best week ever!
MONDAY: Sarah arrived at 2:30pm, leaving behind a snowstorm and entering a warm tropical paradise. Gave her the tour of my home then took her to Ala Moana Mall to look at all the fun stores and get some things at Macy. Then grabbed some food to go so we could sit out on the beach for her first sunset. Missed it by a few minutes, but we still enjoyed our food (Hawaiian for her, Panda Express for me), and listening to the ocean waves.
TUESDAY: Sarah was up bright and early (time change) and headed out with me to do my Stroller Strides. She did an amazing job for a girl who hadn't exercised in a long time. So amazing that her body just wouldn't let her keep up with her enthusiasm (she threw up like a princess, very quietly and off to the side. I didn't even know till I caught up with her. In her defense the time change, plus the heat wasn't making it easy.). We went to my local recreation pool afterwards for a much needed time in the sun. After a clean up, and rest at home we picked up Isabel and went on the Waimea Falls Hike. Very lovely, sunny and quiet. Sarah was even brave enough to take my kids out for a swim at the Falls.
On our way back we enjoyed delicious Sno Cones (w/ ice cream of course), and a sandwich at Maui Mike's. Best place ever!
WEDNESDAY: We took Ian to Gymnastics, and did a little shopping till Isabel got out of school. Its so much fun shopping with Sarah. She likes to take her time and look at everything and just stroll along. I always just run around and grab what I need and out I go.
Izzy got out early so off we went for our first day at the beach at Waimea. And guess what!? It was overcast, and windy. The waves were huge and crashing on top of our stuff. We debated whether or not to just leave or stay. We stayed. While I took the kids exploring along the beach Sarah, brave girl, swam out in the ocean, saw some whales spouting out water and enjoyed a bit of tumbling around head over heals as the waves dragged her back in the ocean. Had pizza for dinner and watched Off The Map, a TV show I like watching.
THURSDAY: Today was souvenir shopping. First I took her to the Fabric Mart where there is row upon row of Hawaiian fabric. Next door was the Craft Store that sold foam mold Hawaiian flowers (the kind that you see tucked behind every Hawaiian girl's ear). Next I took her to the NEX so that we could get a good deal through the military. She got lots of fabulous stuff to take home. Once Isabel got out of school we headed downtown Honolulu to explore the Hilton Village and walk along the beach boardwalk. We were able to stay just long enough for another beautiful sunset. I decided I wanted give Sarah the Genki Sushi experience. She was such a good sport. The service was horrible and the food for the first time was very sub par. Not how I wanted it to go for her. She did like the spicy endame I picked out for her!
FRIDAY: I kept Isabel home for school so we could try once again to get a day at the beach with out the overcast, windy, rain following us. We choose wisely by beaching at Ko Olina. What we weren't wise about was our sunscreen. We got horribly burnt. Sarah and I had a very well cooked stomach and thighs, while my kids had ruby cheeks and noses. The sun felt good at the moment! We just are still suffering for it now. Before we headed back I wanted to see if the Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean was still moored at the docks next to Ko Olina. Avast, matey! Ther' she blows! Argh!
Later I got a babysitter for the kids so Sarah and I could have a girls night out. We headed back to Honolulu, but due to traffic didn't make it in time for us to eat at this restaurant, instead we ate at a food court and headed back the other way to catch a movie. We had to stop at this store first that makes Hawaiian quilted purses and bought a beautiful blue purse for Sarah. We cross over to the theatre only to find that they were sold out. We race back to Aiea to see if they were sold out there, and luckily they weren't. Unfortunately the movie stinked! (Beastly was the name and it was beastly to watch).
SATURDAY: I took Sarah over to the Kaneohe side to show her the beautiful mountains and scenery. Couldn't see them because of all the rain!! I did show her the stairway to heaven though. After a long lovely beach drive we finally make it to BYU/Polynesian Cultural Center area. We got a delicious shakes at the same MacDonald that we went to as kids last we were here together. The Laie Temple was next, and as we walked around it felt wonderful, peaceful, and calm with just being there. We had to visit the Turtle Bay Resort since we stayed there as a family when we were little and wanted feel the memories again. Yep, it brought back a load of memories. We enjoyed a dinner over looking the ocean with some surfers out on the waves while we were there. The day wasn't done yet. We stopped by the Dole Plantation next. We didn't feel like spending money on the tours so we just walked around the store (bought a big bottle of burn lotion that's supposed to decrease your burn by 68%, it worked pretty well I think). Sarah bought pineapple ice cream for the kids, and I got some cinnamon roasted macadamia nuts. Oh! Was that stuff good. So, so good! Mouth watering now.
We did take a walk around the grounds and found a koi pond that were jumping on top of each other just to get the food you could throw in. Crazy! Sarah made this hilarious interpretation of a koi fish eating that had me cracking up so hard I had tears running down my face. She is the funniest girl I know.
After a few fun pictures we finally headed home, and watch Miss Congeniality.
SUNDAY: Enjoyed a moment of rest and some aloha spirit at my ward. I started crying in Sacrament because I forgot just how much I missed singing with my sisters in church. And also that this was my last day with her.
Because it was her last night I took her back to Ko Olina to enjoy one last beach sunset. It was beautiful and sad all at once.
MONDAY: Super sad! I really didn't want her to go. To take our mind off of her leaving we thought we'd check out Pearl Harbor just to walk around the grounds, not the boat ride. It has changed drastically. Very different from when we were here last as kids. Way cooler. I took her back to the Fabric Mart and the Craft Store for some more flowers and fabric. Then off we went to the airport. We were a whole hour early so I sat with her for awhile and we talked about many things; how much fun we had, what are plans are at home now that things are back to normal, and plans for our next trip to be together.
Thank you so much for coming out to be with me, Sarah. You are a fabulous, brave, and hilarious woman. I am super proud to have you as my sister. Love you to bits and pieces!!
