The Trip There

   Are you wondering what it was like to travel with 5 kids?  If you are here's a run down of events, if not then you might want to skip this one.
   I spent 3 days packing and planning.  Friday night the van was all packed and ready to go.   Saturday morning we ate, cleaned and left.
  I drove 3 hours to my parents house.  We stayed there till Josh came in from work (he works near there so this helped).   My parents left to catch their flight.   We hung out at their house till we just got restless and left around 8:30pm.
   Josh drove the first 5 or 6 hours then I took over for 3 or 4 hours.   2 or 3 more hours till we get to the airport, Josh drove. 
    I don't know the exact times, I wasn't really keeping track.  All I know is that it's a 12 hour drive from my folks to the Vancouver Airport.
   We arrive at the airport, park in long term parking, take the shuttle to the terminal.   We wait about an hour or two till my parents land.
   They land at 11:20am.  All 9 of us camp out in the airport.  People sit far away from us, I don't know why. 

  Finally at 2:30pm we can check-in. 
  Madalyn's ticket is randomly selected by homeland security for a full security check.  Josh, the Parents and other kids all go through a different, faster check. 
  Madalyn and I line up for her full check, then I get picked by the machine for my choice of either a) a full pat down or b) a body scan.   I opt for the body scan, thinking that would be less intrusive than a pat down.  It still felt intrusive.
   Finally we get through all that and into the USA side of the airport. 
   Thankfully they have a wonderful play area that keeps Madi busy the whole time we wait to board our 5:35pm flight.
   On the plane! Yay! The hardest part over.  Madalyn seems to do fine with the going up.  The kids all have gum, they're great!
   Watch some shows, play some card games, nap, snack.  6 hours and we are landing in Honolulu!!
   Madalyn is asleep coming down and wakes up screaming.  Her ears are hurting and she's so upset she won't suck her sucky.   I hold her and rub her ears gently and sing to her, she calms a bit. 
   We step off the plane and are hit with the warmth and humidity.....I feel like I'm home.
  Mom and I stand with the children.  Papa and Josh gather the suitcases. 
  We walk out, catch the bus to our rental car.
  Drive to Ko Olina, get our room cards, get all the kids beds made, everyone crashes.  1:00am Hawaii time 4am BC time.
  Madalyn won't sleep, so we bring her into bed with us, she's out like a light in 2 seconds!  We laugh and fall asleep.  We're in Hawaii!!