We arrived in Hawaii the night of July 4th. Got off the airplane, and realized our rental car was at a hotel that would cost $100 just to drive us all there (wasn't far away at all!). Definitely more expensive than a Tuk-Tuk!! Luckily Colin found some cheaper transportation through the airport, and we got there for less. We picked up some Chinese food (I was in a jet-lagged stooper so I slept in the car and was totally out of it), then headed to our hotel. Colin took the older kids to watch the fireworks while I got younger kids fed and to bed. Unfortunately, they arrived at the park just as the fireworks had ended. Tall buildings blocked any fireworks they may have seen while walking. Oh well, we had tons of firework time while in Guatemala!
The next morning, we said a prayer to find a house (everything we had checked online while in Guatemala was booked or ridiculously expensive), and felt impressed to head to Laie, mainly because that's where the boys will be during the week of EFY. We began our drive, and eventually pulled off the road so the kids and I could play at the beach, and Colin could continue searching for houses on the I-Pad. He took off at one point, came back a while later, and happily exclaimed, "I found our house!" And that he did. It was listed for over $6,000, but the owner happened to be there as he pulled up, which she told him was strange because she is rarely at the house. The middle-man who listed it was way over-priced, and the actual price was less than our rental in Alpine, UT! Plus, our backyard is the ocean! It's a cozy 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, and it was available to move in that day, and available through Aug as well (very unusual since most places we looked at online were completely booked during the time we needed it!). Colin, Calvin, and Devon headed the 50 min. back to our hotel. They said we could check out if we were back before 3pm, and not have to pay for another night. I stayed with Em and the T's, headed to a very nice McDonald's which was the only eating place in walking distance from the house, enjoyed lunch there (I know I'm very hungry if I'm actually enjoying McDonald's food), and played at the beach until the guys returned. After 1 1/2 days, we got completely settled in, with everything organized and in living order. Let the Hawaiian adventures begin! |
