Getaway to Paradise

*****warning ***detailed version of our vacation. more pictures to come.


MAUI HAWAII

Day 1:
Left for San Francisco by plane at 7:30 am, and arrived about 8:30 California time. By the time we got out of that enormous airport it was almost 11! It took forever to rent our car, and then just get out. We had to upgrade our rental car to an SUV, and I chose the GMC Acadia. We loved the car, and maybe one day we can afford to own one. It was brand new, all wheel drive, pearl white with black leather interior. They only cost about $40,000 (only, ha ha). Ok, enough about the car I will probably never own.
We headed to our hotel, took a nap, and woke up to watch the Utah vs. Oregon football game. At half time we drove over to Sally's sister in laws house to watch the rest of the game and let the kids play. The game didn't go so well for our Utes, but we tried to enjoy the rest of our day anyway.
After the game, we went downtown, and walked around near Fisherman's Warf, and then had dinner at In N Out. By that time it was getting late, so we went back to the hotel....but on our way, Paityn decided to throw up, all over herself and her carseat. We cleaned her up at the room and then went to bed for another early morning of airports and airplanes.

Day 2: Got to the San Francisco airport with plenty of time to spare, but first we had to deal with Paityn throwing up again, right before leaving the hotel. Geoff experienced the worst of it. Got it all cleaned up, and then we met up with Sally and Maycee and headed to Maui. KC missed the flight because his first flight was cancelled and then the next plane had to make a unscheduled stop because a woman went into labor.
We lucked out and got an extra seat next to me so that Beck could stay in his carseat. I love when that happens. We were all separated though, which didn't turn out to be bad at all. Paityn and Geoff, Me and Beck, Sally and Maycee. I sat next to a local resident of Hawaii and we talked almost the entire way which made the flight seem much shorter than normal. Our flight left at 9:30 PST, and arrived in Maui at 11:00, there time. So, the flight was about 4 1/2 hours.
Once arriving, it was another long wait for the rental car. About an hour later we were on our way, got some lunch at Burger King, and the headed to the local Costco. I was in Heaven. I love Costco anyway, but this one was amazing. It had macadamia nut everything, and more! It also had a really fun collection of clothing that we don't have at our Costco. Of course, like the rest of the Costco's, Christmas is already in full force! Isn't it too early for that? I am still trying to get tan!!
After Costco it was time to pick up KC at the airport. We got him and drove to the other side of the island, Lahaina, where we would be staying. We got to our resort, The Marriott Ocean Club, around 5. We unpacked in our amazing Villas with OCEANFRONT views, and then walked around the resort before leaving to go get dinner in town. We went to Cheeseburgers in Paradise, which is right on the water. Great view, good food, fun conversations.
After eating dinner we went to the grocery store and got some goods so that eating would be less expensive since we had full kitchens in our rooms. By this time the kids were all asleep, so they stayed in the car with Geoff, and then went right to bed when we got back to the room about 9 pm. It had been a long day.

Day 3: The day started at 4:30AM!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. With the time change, Paityn and Beck thought that it was time for the day to start. Paityn woke up, looked outside and said "water, outside?" and then climbed into bed with her swim ring around her waist! I was wide awake too, so I took Paityn on a walk on the beach path. We got back to the room, and we both went back to sleep for a while longer. Geoff then went to workout, and then we went to the pool about 8:30. We played at the pool with breaks for a nap in between, ALL day long. The day consisted of relaxing, water, tanning, eating, sleeping, playing, and more water. So, to sum it up...it was a dream day for ME! After a long day under the sun, we ended it by having a BBQ at the resort and then watching Dancing with the Stars. GO UNCLE DONNY, you were AMAZING!!

Day 4: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SALLY!!! Another early morning, got up, had breakfast, went back to bed, and woke up around 7:30 am. Again, Geoff went on a run while we slept. Still early, but we were all awake. Got ready and headed down to the pool, yet again. Hung around the pool until about 1, and then left to go to the southern part of the island, and enjoy the beach. Geoff and I went snorkeling, while Sally and KC graciously watched our munchkins. We had fun seeing so many fish, and Geoff even encountered some rocks when the water got a little wild. After snorkeling for about an hour, we went to Makena Beach (Big Beach). This was a beautiful beach, with sand like I had never seen. It was an orange color, and SO soft. Geoff stepped on a bee, we saw some naked people, and Paityn and Geoff got pounded by a huge wave that crashed right as they were walking into it (of course this traumatized Paityn). We didn't stay there for too long because it was getting later in the afternoon, like 5:30 by now, so we left to go get some good mexican food to celebrate Sally's birthday. We got to Fred's in Kihei, just in time to watch the sunset over the ocean, and then we ate some really yummy food. After dinner we drove back to the resort, and pretty much just went to bed.

Day 5: more water and sun. We checked out at 10 am and played at the pool until 2. Then we got ready and drove into Lahaina to shop and eat. We spent a couple of hours walking around, and then ordered takeout at Cheeseburgers in Paradise for dinner. We ate our burgers on the way to the airport. One more stop, Costco, because the goodies were cheaper there. About 8, we were at the airport, getting ready to leave our wonderful week of fun. We thought all of the excitement had come to an end, but no. We got to experience our first time in FIRST CLASS on our flight home from Hawaii. It was a red eye, leaving at 9:30 at night, so it made it such a nice plane ride. We got to have a late night snack, (meal), drinks whenever we wanted, and slept so comfortably in our oversized chairs, with adjustable headreasts. Beck even got his own seat, yet again. I think the passengers sitting in economy were a bit envious that 3 children had seats in first class and they had to be uncomfortable all night in their little seats. I shouldn't brag so much, because 99% of the time I am just like them!! It was nice to be spoiled though, and actually sleep comfortably on a plane.

Day 6: We arrived in Salt Lake a little before 11 am, which would have been 7 am in Hawaii. We were all so tired. We got home and slept on and off all day. The kids finally went to bed about 10 pm, and we went to bed after midnight.
Today...back to reality, and trying to adjust to this time change. The kids and I didn't get out of bed until 10:30 am. Now it is 1:15 and I feel like it is morning, and Beck is taking a nap. I think it is time for Paityn to nap as well so I can get some things done.