christmas eve spectacular

For Christmas Eve this year we had the Nadigs and Standage families over. We had a fabulous dinner and the kids just went wild. For some strange reason the Standage family has a tradition of breaking a pinata on Christmas Eve- and we were happy to keep that tradition going! What kid doesn't love a pinata- hmm well Braden I guess since he refused to hit it. But all the other kids took many hits to no avail and Troy finally broke it with his pick axe. Way to get things done Koch! :) We followed up the sugar in the pinata with some sugar cookies for Santa thanks to the Nadigs. With the kids wild, heavily sugared, and Santa on the way we chalked it up to another fabulous Christmas eve.

a day on the train

For Playgroup we decided to ride the Christmas Train and meet up for lunch at the mall. Braden was up for riding the train... we bought our tickets, were ready to head in and then he decided that no, he would not be riding. i convinced him to sit on it maybe test out his seat see if he wanted to ride. But nope. Still no. So Camiron rode alone while Braden hung out on the DAD sign. What a goof! Camers had a great time.

a few moments in time

Our first family encounter with Santa. Braden wanted to see him, but was totally unwilling to utter a word. So we were able to convey on his behalf his absolute need for a "side loader garbage truck". And Camiron was totally terrified of Santa. Maybe next year :)


The family catching a sunset. Sometimes I just love living here.

While helping me put away the groceries, the kids actually came up with a new game. Ugh! the completely emptied my lazy susan cupboard. By the time I noticed what they were doing, it was of no use and i just let them have their fun and used it as an opportunity to clean out the cupboard. They thought it was the best idea ever!

A few friends and faithful "twilight" readers headed to the opening weekend of Twilight. We had a great time. Not my favorite show ever, but enjoyed it!

exhausted

Our friend from DC. Donna Clark was here this past week for a visit. She has long dreamed of coming to Hawaii and had a list of things she wanted to do while she was here. She has a sight impairment, so we had to take her all around and phew we are exhausted. But I do think Donna was able to do a lot of what she wanted...

Here she is at Turtle beach, there is a seal and a turtle on the beach behind her.


On the train at the Dole Pineapple plantation


Ko Olina beach- we hit this a few times!


We caught some great surfing at Pipeline. they were about to start a competition when we had to head out.


We caught a session at the temple

A day at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Donna and the boys!


We also went to the Pali Lookout, the Swap meet, hanauma bay, blowhole, caught a great sunset and i'd say relaxed, but we didn't really do any of that. :)

The Holy Trinity

Braden: "mom I love you" while giving me a hug.
Me: "Thanks Braden, I Love you too"
Braden: "I think Heavenly Father, Jesus and Santa would be so proud of me".
Me: What could I do but laugh.


The day after Christmas... let the decorations begin. I love Christmas decorations!




This is just a random picture for my mom and dad of the new picture we have over our couch.

giving thanks

A little behind on this post I know. But I couldn't miss the holiday all together. We had a great Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with many good friends and our little family. We had so much to be grateful for, starting off with Troy not getting killed playing in the Turkey Bowl with all the Hawaiians, Samoans, and Tongans in our ward. He made it out alive the little Haole the that is! :) And then we headed to our friends Jennifer and Jason to share dinner with them and many others. Followed by a night of dessert and games with the Ohki Family, whose home has become a tradition for us. We love them for opening their home to us every year. The kids just ran wild and had such a great time. Thanks to all of those who made our holiday special.

camers

Camiron has become obsessed with the "potty". She has only actually used it a few times, but spends a good amount of time hanging out on it. Anything that leads in the direction of no diapers is fine with me! Read and Sing all you want!


Camiron had her first haircut at a little kids haircut place. It really was time to get rid of the not so flattering mullet she had been sporting. So here are a few of the fun time she had, and a few of her soft curly hair. My mom did not believe me that her hair was anything but a rats nest after being in Utah. (It looked horrid when we were there!) but in Hawaii she has some natural curl and it doesn't get lots of static. So here she is :)