How the other half lives

We finally got to go on the weekend getaway I won back in October, and it was even better than I could've hoped. First and foremost, our family (who rotated visits out to see us) made it ten times more fun. And secondly, the unit itself was quite spacious, luxurious and well appointed (there was every kitchen appliance you'd expect to find in a gourmet kitchen and then some). I also got to use our first Nest, which I fell in love with. And lastly, the views from the clubhouse were so spectacular that even I (a spoiled island native not easily impressed) was taken aback by the beauty and serenity of the beachfront property.

The 2/2 condo unit had more square footage than our own home's 2/2. :-/ 

Everyone tells me we have a large pantry in our home, but the pantry there was about twice the size of mine! It would only encourage hoarding on my part, but now I feel shortchanged. ;-)

The master (our room)

The other room had the same size bathroom and bedroom, so was really a double master bedroom. This was Ryan and Keni's digs for the weekend, complete with their own refrigerated mini bar, filled with Ry's Izze cans and Honest Kid juice pouches. ;-) Both rooms had massive jetted tubs, one of which was the largest one I've ever seen!

The clubhouse (pool, hot tub, lounge and gym) were steps away from our unit, and overlooked A-bay.

Post-swim cousin chill/cuddle time!

There was a 150-yard path from the clubhouse pool to the beach, which took you to an outdoor gym on the beach.

The clubhouse had an indoor/outdoor gym overlooking the ocean

Other than a short walk on the beach, we spent all of our outdoor-time at the pool, hot tub and keiki pond. I had visions of early morning runs along the water, hikes along the ponds...and we did none of that. Central AC is the killer of good intentions.

The complete cousin 'round up

The family reunion lunch at Lava Lava Beach Club, a short walk from our condo

For me, this was the money shot of the trip. Sitting in the hot tub at dusk, with the torches lit, soaking while taking in the beauty of the brackish water ponds and Anaeho'omalu Bay in the distance. Pure serenity.

And no staycation is complete without an uncle treating you to a bowl of sugary, creamy goodness from Cold Stone Creamery BEFORE dinner! Here's to cotton candy ice cream topped with a million other calories of sugar on top of it! ;-)

Since our return, I've spent the better part of three hours trying to find a decent rate to be able to go back this summer for a few days, but holy guacamole...so far, it's not happening. I can fly to Oahu, get a hotel and car and cruise there for a few days for about the same price as two nights in a 2/2 or 3/3 back at Kolea. :-( So I'm thinking this is going to have to be the kind of trip we can only take after we rob a bank.

It was a weekend of family togetherness, beauty and fun, and I'm incredibly grateful we had the opportunity to go. Sometimes life hands you these incredibly generous gifts out of the blue, and this was definitely one of the big ones for me. :-)

This weekend has been equally rewarding, but not quite relaxing. Since Rich's birthday is on a Tuesday this year, we had an early 'Taco Tuesday' birthday dinner on Friday night for Rich (he turns 57) with family and friends. Saturday I made a trip out to Oceanview to visit friends, and tomorrow I drive the opposite direction for an hour out to Waikoloa to support a friend doing Lavaman. I'm happy, but tired.

Hands down, the ugliest (taco attempt) cake I've ever made in my life, on the ugliest Christmas tablecloth you've ever seen in your life. Winning Pinterest awards like crazy tonight. Not only did the taco collapse, but crumbled Oreo 'ground beef' got soggy, but the fruit (strarwberries, kiwi and pineapple) didn't look AT ALL like tomatoes, lettuce and shredded cheese. And I forgot the 'sour cream' (whipped cream) to further cement it's distinction as an epic cake fail. Sorry, Rich. Your wife is impatient, cooks cake from a box, and as Riki eloquently and delicately put it, "It looked like Pac Man ate a bunch of crap." Thanks, kid. Good to know you got my back.

Happy Almost Easter, folks. I'm off to buy a dozen eggs for the bargain price of $3.99 for my son. I'll inevitably ruin 3-4 in the boiling water and need to get a few more, so that I'll spent $8 on eggs that neither Ryan nor I will touch with a ten-foot pole once dyed (cause eggs are super gross, people). They're underdeveloped chicken fetuses and should never be consumed (unless they're baked in brownies or cakes). Truth. :-)