It all started with a dream...

and then the dream became a passing thought. Then we decided a passing thought wouldn't be helpful to either set of parents, so we needed to decide on the dream. The dream was to take our 3 boys, ages 10, 8 and 5, to Hawaii. Could it be done? Should it be done? I don't think logistically I really gave much thought to what it would take to get all our luggage, myself and my bride, and our three sons through security, on the correct plane, bound for the correct destination, safely through a week of water and sun and then do it all over again. I was just worried about airfare. It never occurred to me that it might be like trying to herd cats into a cardboard box.

But it happened. Like SPF 99 going onto a snow-white belly, it was as smooth as could be. Security was a non event. With an autistic child in the group, you never know what to expect. I think I had some visions of TSA interrogation and me standing in my Speedo while the guy wanded the whole family because Nick tried to run through the checkpoint. But he was perfect. Miraculous is a better word. Although once we were through security he looked up at Jodi and asked, "Is this Hawaii?"

The kids had dinner plate eyes at the airport, anticipation of the big flight. It could not have gone better. Nick got a little fidgety at the 3 hour mark when he asked if we were landing, then settled down after Jodi indicated we had another 3 hours. Our landing was pretty windy, but once on the ground the fun really began. Seeing a place like Hawaii again, and seeing it for the first time through your children's eyes is magical. It is soooo green. So beautiful, so incredibly beautiful. So we got our rental car and did the first thing we had all wanted to do since we planned this trip: We drove straight to Costco.

Let me tell you, just because they are selling cases of these babies - Costco on a Saturday is still Costco on a Saturday. It's like McDonald's or going to church. No matter where you are in the world, it is still the same. All those people from out of town, in Costco buying furniture, office supplies and Mangoes. Since I had already had to upgrade the rental car reservation to fit our luggage, coming out of Costco with a cart full of breakfast and lunch stuff seemed like a painstaking ritual of futility. We packed stuff in the back window, behind seats, on laps, and on the dashboard. We looked like the Clampits heading for Beverly Hills. Only we were sitting on the muffin multi-pack.

Off to the west side of the island, to a place called Ka'anapali. On this trip that was Hawaiian for "Windy and Rainy". It normally does rain everyday since the mountain right above us has an average rainfall of 400" per year (Puu Kukui Peak). But this time was a little ridiculous. No matter, we spend mornings shopping in Lahaina or Whaler's Village, and afternoons at the beach. A couple of days we took a drive down to Wailea to follow the sun and played at the beaches down there. We did a lot of snorkeling. The kids did a lot of boogie boarding. With the high winds the waves were perfect for pint sized surfers. Maybe the best part of the trip was just seeing our kids exhaust themselves in the water. One day, on the beaches in Wailea, Brayden didn't get out of the water once. Not even to go to the bathroom. Matt only got out because he needed a half of sandwich. We did spend some time in the resort pool and hot tub. Our kids were like fishes. We saw plenty of whales out in the water. More than we did before. Jumping, breeching. All the time. On Friday Brayden and I were out in the water, I was snorkeling and he was on a boogie board that had a window on it so he could see into the water. We came upon a huge sea turtle. Brayden was so pumped! It was the one thing he had wanted to see. There you go, magical.

We did manage to throw a pretty good birthday party for my niece Hanna. She was turning 9 on Tuesday. We threw her a surprise birthday breakfast in our condo, complete with store bought balloons tied to the ceiling with dental floss (we forgot to buy string) and a breakfast buffet of assorted breakfast goodies. I must warn you that the following story, though I am sharing it at the encouragement of my wife, may contain some graphic content. After a birthday dinner of Pizza Hut pizza and dessert of Costco brownie bites (my new favorite hawaiian dessert) we all sat around to tell Hanna something we each liked about her. The sweetest little girly girl you have ever met, she looks like someone who will wind up with her own show on Disney. Maybe like a Hanna Nevada or something. Anyway, we all circled the room with showers of compliments and praises. It came time for Brayden's turn. Now, having raised 3 boys and 1 girl to this point, I have noticed there are fundamental differences. I have also noticed that boys tend to have a preoccupation with noises that they can make with their bodies. It would seem that "inappropriate behavior" is titled such because it comes not at appropriate times. Well, Brayden took opportunity to say the following, "I've got something I would like to share about Hanna...."

I would like to have you insert the bodily sound of your choice in the "..." section of that quote. The timing of this low rumble was so undeniably perfect, that even the most stoic of adults present could not refrain from breaking into laughter. I guess that could be magic.

On to less offensive material, shall we? Once again, the boys proved that they were old pros at traveling. Never a melt down, never a scene. Tugs and pushes from time to time, but hey, we can give them that, right? They slept through the night, ate everything they could, we were so proud. Then we took them to a place they shall never forget: The Luau. Food, glorious food! We went to the Old Lahaina Luau and the kids were like David Beckham in a silk shirt shop. Free specialty drinks, all you can eat buffet and a big dead pig they pulled out of the dirt! This will gown down in history as the official resting place of childhood dining fantasies. Brayden downed several "Mellow Dramatics" and had several plates of everything. Matt just loved the steak. Nick loved his Shirley Temple's and also couldn't get enough steak. And to top all of this off, our waiter played football at BYU. He really was a class act. The boys loved him. His name was Mosi. But it was actually Jack Dumani. We know that because Brayden got his autograph at the end of the night. He asked for it. Matt actually got a little teary when we left the luau because he loved him so much. Or maybe it was the steak and the sounds of island rhythms. A night we will all remember for a long time.

That's the Cliff Notes version. Jodi and I were so incredibly happy at both the opportunity to go and how the whole trip turned out. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Fred and Mary Ann for taking care of little Allie while we were gone. They deserve a special dinner in their honor. Although, we wont allow Brayden any air time.

Do it again? Absolutely. Next time we will have a little wahine in tow. We'll see how the rain gods react when our island princess shows up and demands sunshine.

For now, thank you mom and dad. Thank you for making Hawaii as a family a reality. Thank you for the "Heavenly Bed", the amazing condo and fantastic company. Thank you for allowing us to watch our children in the sand and waves as we felt the sun on our faces. Thank you for the whales, the sunsets, the rainbows and the memories that will last forever.