Hawaii - Day 1

Let me just start by saying that this trip would never have happened without cool Aunt Rachel. She didn't just watch my lovely hooligans, she held Cozette while I finally packed my bag at midnight (before my 8am flight). I was just too busy trying to stock my fridge and do laundry to pack sooner...oh, and I didn't want to go.
Seriously. Tony did a really poor job selling me on this trip. It went something like, "I hate this stupid job and might quit any day now, but will you come visit me in Hawaii, while I'm working too much to actually spend time with you?" Not very enticing. It is the "cultivate low expectations, so people will be impressed when you deliver" approach. A very good strategy for Navy families.
Anyhow, I packed light (almost too light - I remembered to pack underwear at the very last second!)and got up early. Rachel drove me to the Kitsap Airporter. Cozette loved the Airporter and the plane ride. Any transportation method where she can be held by Mom is ok by her.
Hawaiian airlines: they charge too much for checking luggage, but at least they feed you! I read a great book on the way there - The Guernsey Island Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I was so excited to find an author I liked (especially since it was a random airport bookstore purchase)...until I read that she was dead...and that was her first book. How depressing.
Tony met me at my gate. I think he prides himself on being able to charm his way past security. He played the military card, and I suspect he played the "my wife is travelling alone with an infant" card as well. It's always so nice to see him! He smiles affectionately and listens to me prattle about books and kids and other inconsequentials.
We got all of our tourist activities out of the way on the very first day. After addicting me to the aptly named "Yummy Korean BBQ", we rushed to the flea market for Hawaiian honey and dresses. Then, I squeezed in a short nap before heading to the "Paradise Cove" Luau.
We drank fruity drinks, made leis, watched the hula show. It was right on the beach, by Ko Olina, so there was a gorgeous sunset out over the water. Sadly, all I could think about was how much Sofia would love making animals out of palm leaves, that Annika would have volunteered to learn the hula on stage, that Anthony would have blushed his way through the hula show...that we'd be pulling Jonny down from palm trees. It's so hard to enjoy anything when you can't share it with the people you love. (Not that Tony doesn't count - he's just lacking in child-like enthusiasm)! Tony said he feels that way every time he travels alone. The San Diego Zoo must have been really depressing. Lovely. Tiring. Collapsed into bed.