Hawaii...Here We Come!

For many years we have been talking about going to Hawaii when Ashley turned 16.  A couple years ago, after the twins were born (and placed with us), and Tyler was living with us, Ashley said, "Guess we won't be going to Hawaii."  Tim and I talked and decided...lets just do it!  So, we saved and saved and guess what?  We are in Hawaii!

How do you travel to Hawaii with ...
a husband who hates to fly...
a 16 year old who hates to fly...
three toddlers under the age of 4 who either haven't flown or don't remember flying...
and
a mom who always overpacks...

You read A LOT of online suggestions, and ask your experienced FaceBook friends!

I was prepared...
1.  We were not checking bags.  We don't fly often enough to get the free luggage rates, and $35/bag was not in our budget.  That meant one carry on and one personal item each.  (Oh crud!  How am I going to do it?  I started panicing in October!)
2.  I researched Hawaii's car seat laws...good thing too since they are way more strict than AZ! 
3.  Got the ridiculously high rental rates to rent a car seat and decided to take our own!  It meant three bulky items to carry, but we saved $300!
4.  I packed each boy their own backpack with: stickers, paper, crayons, blanket, stuffed animal, pipe cleaners, chapstick, and a ridiculous amount of candy.

Feeling guilty for all the candy...

I mixed Craisins, cashews, and sunflower seeds with the m&ms.

Yep, pretty tricky of me.

Unfortunately, if you sat with Tim...he made you eat the nuts first!

He was less than thrilled with the giant candy bag!

Just a small sampling of what went into the candy bag...

The plane ride was 8 hours!  I wanted my kids happy.  I figured we could get them back on track when we got home.

Here is Aiden...

eating the donut that I got him for breakfast...

did I mention that I was going for "Mom of the Year"?

Tyler...my junk food aholic!  Yep, he's all smiles!

We basically took up residency in one corner of our gate area.

6 people

12 bags

3 car seats

5:am - we really didn't care!

Isaiah waiting for the plane.

So glad I washed his shoes before we left...

sheesh!  Some mom I am...

Did I mention the "Mom of the Year" thing?

Yep...

My Four Kids

with the Hawaiian Airlines Plane!

Yippee!

OK - so he's about done and we haven't taken off!

Always the awesome sister...

not sure if they were looking at pictures,

listening to music,

or reading texts.

My amazing 16 year old being patient with her little brother...

watching planes land and take off is super fun though!

The Boys...

waiting...

Off we go!....