Our Hawaiian Adventure, Pt.10...THE END!

Well, my friends, we have made it to the FINAL chapter! I know you're probably just as relieved as I am, as this has taken much more time and thought than I had imagined. So, how 'bout we get things moving along?

I'm not going to lie. When I woke up on what was to be our last day in Hawaii, I was 100% BUMMED! For 9 glorious days, we had the privelege of spending lots of unforgettable time together as a FAMILY. For those of you who've been with me since I started blogging, you know that has always meant EVERYTHING to me. We were able to explore and experience a whole new place and see it all through each other's eyes. We weren't surrounded by the stresses and pressures of everyday life...we simply EXISTED. To say that it was a remarkable experience doesn't even do it justice. It really was over and beyond anything I've ever done up to this point in my life and I feel so grateful that I got to take it all in with the three people I love the most.

Now, our last day proved to be a LONG one because we had to check out of our hotel around 1 PM, but our flight didn't depart until 10:45 PM. Nothing quite like catching the red-eye home! So, had a lot of time to kill. Chris and Brittany decided to go out for a quick run, so Abby and I headed to the pool for a little while. We stopped on the way and took a couple of pictures of each other.

Chris and Brittany joined us by the pool a little while later. Before we left, I had the girls stand on this bridge for one last picture. Looking through the lens of my camera made me feel sad to think that this moment would never be the same, again. My girls are growing up so very fast!

We raced back to our room, got cleaned up, and went down to the front desk and checked out. As we were pulling away, I felt like I was leaving behind a long-lost friend.

We drove back to Kona and popped in and out of more shops and watched a Hawaiian canoe race. Sure wish I hadn't packed up my camera...it would have made for some great pictures! We left there, then found a Panda Express and had dinner. It really hit the spot! There was a band playing outside and we sat in our car and listened for awhile. The girls got out of the car and danced and twirled around. It's one of those moments I would love to have captured on video...PRICELESS! For a moment, it was as though time stood still.

We had to head over to the airport around 9 PM and it was a good thing because the check-in line was LONG! We sat around and people-watched for a good while as we were, also, fighting falling asleep. We boarded our plane...the girls and I sat in one row and Chris sat in the row in front of us. It was so eerie because when our plane took off and reached altitude, all the lights turned off inside the cabin and it was almost pitch black. You didn't know what you were flying above, for the most part...and it was a strange feeling. I tried to go to sleep, but I didn't have much success. We landed in Phoenix, AZ. about 6 hours later...and we were completely wiped out! We had a layover for several hours before we flew on home to Atlanta.

ALOHA, Hawaii! Thanks for the memories...you will never be forgotten!

P.S. Today is my 21st wedding anniversary! Unfortunately, Chris is away at a company golf tournament and won't be home until tomorrow. Oh, well... I still love him and wouldn't trade him for the world!