The first few weeks in December were relatively uneventful. Daddy had a lot of studying to do for his finals, and Mommy and I laid low after such a long time away from home. And just as I got back into my routine and sleeping schedule - they throw me back on a plane - this time all the way to HAWAII (Not that I am necessarily complaining)!
I should mention that the ride to the airport itself was pretty eventful. The cab driver who picked us up was possibly the worst driver on the road, and almost got us into a number of accidents. He also couldn't hear anything so when Daddy told him there was an accident in front of us and we had to switch lanes it didn't really mean anything and we were stuck in that lane for quite a while. Mommy and Daddy were pretty traumatized (whatever that means) - and were very happy to see Aunt Leez at the airport when we finally arrived. The first leg of the flight was pretty fun - I read some books and played with some toys. We met Grandmom and Sabba in Phoenix and caught the longer flight to Maui. I was awake most of the trip but I had a good time watching Mama Mia and listening to some music.
We landed at around 6pm Hawaii time, and luckily everyone's luggage arrived (mommy and daddy were not looking forward to a repeat of what happened on their honeymoon). After a bit of hassling to get the cars we were finally on the road to the villa. We stayed at a beautiful place - and the views of the oc
ean, mountains and other islands were incredible! All of us spent a lot of time sitting out on the lanai (Porch). Mommy had arranged with a company to deliver a stroller and toys for me, so I felt right at home in our villa. Sinc
e I was asleep by the time we got to there, I did not get a lei until the next day - but how cute do I look?!
I should mention that the ride to the airport itself was pretty eventful. The cab driver who picked us up was possibly the worst driver on the road, and almost got us into a number of accidents. He also couldn't hear anything so when Daddy told him there was an accident in front of us and we had to switch lanes it didn't really mean anything and we were stuck in that lane for quite a while. Mommy and Daddy were pretty traumatized (whatever that means) - and were very happy to see Aunt Leez at the airport when we finally arrived. The first leg of the flight was pretty fun - I read some books and played with some toys. We met Grandmom and Sabba in Phoenix and caught the longer flight to Maui. I was awake most of the trip but I had a good time watching Mama Mia and listening to some music.We landed at around 6pm Hawaii time, and luckily everyone's luggage arrived (mommy and daddy were not looking forward to a repeat of what happened on their honeymoon). After a bit of hassling to get the cars we were finally on the road to the villa. We stayed at a beautiful place - and the views of the oc
ean, mountains and other islands were incredible! All of us spent a lot of time sitting out on the lanai (Porch). Mommy had arranged with a company to deliver a stroller and toys for me, so I felt right at home in our villa. Sinc
e I was asleep by the time we got to there, I did not get a lei until the next day - but how cute do I look?! Since I thought it was morning around 4:30am, I woke up Grandmom and she played with me so mommy and daddy could sleep. After a while I was exhausted, and since Grandmom did not want to wake anyone, she put me in the only place that was empty - the giant jacuzzi bath tub!
Uncle "whistler" Mike and Aunt Tovah arrived and we had a nice time catching up with them. Since I was not on Hawaii time I woke up the following morning at 3am, and it was a perfect wake up call for the family so that we could all drive up Haleakala (a non-active volcano) and watch the sunrise. It was freezing up th
ere but it was worth it to see the constellations - while I have never been to a planetarium I was told that what I saw that morning was unbelievably better. We watched and waited for the sun to come out and wow was it a sight to be seen. We stood above the clouds - and it was if we could reach out and touch the sun.
On the way down the mountain we saw a huge full rainbow - it was breathtaking. We also saw
bikers riding down the mountain and realized how crazy mommy and daddy were for doing that just a few years ago. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sun on the beach. This was my first time touching the waves and playing in sand - the ocean was a little loud and the sand a little strange - it took a while to adjust. But by the end of the trip I realized how fun it is - and wow did I have a blast (not to mention ate a little sand)!
The next day was filled with adventure, as we went out onto the high seas with the Pacific Whale Foundation to go whale watching. Both Grandmom and Sabba went on the boat prepared with sea sickness bracelets, while the rest of us figured we could weather out the boat ride. Or so we thought.... Well slowly but surely Daddy, Aunt Leez, Uncle Mike, Mommy and Aunt Tovah all ended up in the back of the boat where you have to go if you felt sea sick and were likely to throw up. Only one of us on the trip did (but I will never tell who!). I was fine (at least I didn't verbally complain) and remained at the front of the boat with Grandmom and Sabba.
ere but it was worth it to see the constellations - while I have never been to a planetarium I was told that what I saw that morning was unbelievably better. We watched and waited for the sun to come out and wow was it a sight to be seen. We stood above the clouds - and it was if we could reach out and touch the sun.On the way down the mountain we saw a huge full rainbow - it was breathtaking. We also saw
bikers riding down the mountain and realized how crazy mommy and daddy were for doing that just a few years ago. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sun on the beach. This was my first time touching the waves and playing in sand - the ocean was a little loud and the sand a little strange - it took a while to adjust. But by the end of the trip I realized how fun it is - and wow did I have a blast (not to mention ate a little sand)!
The next day was filled with adventure, as we went out onto the high seas with the Pacific Whale Foundation to go whale watching. Both Grandmom and Sabba went on the boat prepared with sea sickness bracelets, while the rest of us figured we could weather out the boat ride. Or so we thought.... Well slowly but surely Daddy, Aunt Leez, Uncle Mike, Mommy and Aunt Tovah all ended up in the back of the boat where you have to go if you felt sea sick and were likely to throw up. Only one of us on the trip did (but I will never tell who!). I was fine (at least I didn't verbally complain) and remained at the front of the boat with Grandmom and Sabba.
The next few days passed by quickly. We did some shopping in Lahaina, went on a plantation tour, and played on the beach and in the pool. I built sand holes with Uncle Mike and Daddy (they kept hogging the pails) also saw a lot of neat fish and even sharks at the aquarium. Everyone had a great time - it was a perfect vacation for some R&R.
The flight to Phoenix was a bit hectic, as the US Airway computers were down and they had no record of where people 
were supposed to sit on the plane or who should even be on the plane - eventually though we had to say goodbye to sunny Hawaii, and a few hours later, a hurried goodbye to Grandmom, Sabba, Uncle Mike and Aunt Tovah. It was time to head back home to snowy Chicago. I slept most of the trip and got home safe and sound. Mommy and daddy really enjoyed the time zone changes on this end, because on my first night back I slept until 10 in the morning!
were supposed to sit on the plane or who should even be on the plane - eventually though we had to say goodbye to sunny Hawaii, and a few hours later, a hurried goodbye to Grandmom, Sabba, Uncle Mike and Aunt Tovah. It was time to head back home to snowy Chicago. I slept most of the trip and got home safe and sound. Mommy and daddy really enjoyed the time zone changes on this end, because on my first night back I slept until 10 in the morning!Now that we are back I am adjusting to the cold weather and having to stay indoors. All the flying and weather changes finally hit me, and I now have my first real cold. Hopefully it will be gone soon.
