Final Favorites From Christmas...

just some random favorite photos from Christmas 2014

so that I'll always remember this amazing holiday season

Crackers and Dinner...

we changed things up a little bit this year with dinner...

Terry made a turkey the night before and sliced it up and

then we made a ham also.  Not quite as much work.  It was really 

a great dinner.  How do mashed potatoes taste so good?

my friend Roxie, from school, is studying in London for a year and a month ago she sent

me a set of "crackers".  We used to do these years ago with my in-laws.

The kids loved them!

I don't know if it was because these actually came from Great Britain or what it was, but these

were great!  The prizes weren't made of plastic, but metal...a mini screwdriver set, yoyo, bottle opener, etc.  The kids all wore their crowns.

Thank you so much Roxie for sending these.  I think they need to be a new family tradition!

Christmas Performance...

Last Friday we got to go to Miss Emerson's Christmas performance at her

pre-school.  She was so darn cute.  She knew every single song and all the hand motions.

it was so cute when she spotted her cousin Jack in the audience and gave

him a big smile and a wave.

she was so cute when Santa came in.  She doesn't really care for him and

was trying so hard not to cry.  We were so proud of her.

proud parents

Emme and her BFF, Luca Bella

Mrs. Smith and her sweet little class.

so glad that we were able to be here for this.

We love you Emme!

Oh Christmas Tree, 2014 edition...

One of our family traditions is the decorating of the 

tree at the MH.

Our tree here is just a smallish, artificial tree with multi-colored lights.

What makes it so special is that it's decorated every year by the grands.

All of the ornaments are unbreakable, so there isn't any worry 

about spoiling anything.

We noticed this year that now the tree is decorated all the way to the

top because the kids are so much taller, they can go all the way up.

Emme got to help poppa put on his "cherished Mexican (ugly) ornament"

it was Laurens turn to put the star on the top...they take turns every year.

these four are the most cherished things of all

(yes, even Chloe got into the picture)

We love this four and love this tradition.

Up On A House Top...

Grey and Emme decorated  gingerbread houses the other night.

Quite a lot of work went into these creations...

all by themselves.  Miss Emme even told her parents to leave

them alone!

they're quite the works of art

and each show the personality of their designer...loads of sweet candy and perfect precision.

and they smell pretty good too!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Sunday after church hubby and I went to our storage unit and got our

Christmas decorations out.  We were there with a lot of other folks doing the same

thing, which just goes to prove...my next life, I'm going to own a storage

facility in Hawaii! Money maker for sure!

In previous years, the Adams girls that lived across the street from

us always came over and put the tree skirt down for us, since it involved

climbing around on the floor.  This year hubby had to do it (after saying we 

didn't really need it).

I started collecting the "Honolulu City Lights" ornaments years ago. Every

year there is a different theme to them and this year it was the

Hokule'a and the World Wide Voyage.  I think this is one of

my favorites.

We have a lot of these glass ornaments that are so pretty

sparkle in the lights.

palm trees and surfers are some of my favorites

 we still have 1 ornament from our very first Christmas tree

in Corona del Mar, 48 Christmases ago.

the gold paint inside is chipped and it's not very shiny, but

we love it just the same.

here she is all completed.  

love this tall, thin tree.  Just the right size!

still put garland on our tree (just gave up the tinsel when we moved here)

We don't have a real tree anymore...it's just too hot and besides we aren't actually

here on Christmas so this is much easier not to worry about a dry tree.

As soon as we got her up and turned out the lights, it felt like Christmas!

Mele Kalikimaka

Father's Day 2014...

we met everyone (minus Billy) early at SC Cafe for a

little breakfast before they all headed out to other places.

the grands are getting so big, now they have their own table...

the girlies

the boys

two of the best dads around...

love these two

Oh poppa...

we were lucky to get one shot because he was making everyone

goofy!

seeing the grands like this, we realize how big they're getting.

This year Father's Day was the same day as our anniversary, so it was a busy day.

We love our family so much and were glad that we were here for this special day.

A Moment In Time...

hubby and I drove down to Haleiwa Beach Park after dinner.

We were sitting watching the turtles and paddlers, just talking about nothing.

We knew it wasn't going to be the spectacular sunset from the night before.

Just as we were leaving, I held out my iPhone and snapped 3 quick pics.

I took a quick look and posted one to Instragram ('cause thats what I do).

Now when I look at it...I really like this photo. Not sure even why...

it's a little off in the composition and dark.  That's probably why I like it.

here and at the MH, we've used a lot of my photos as art on the walls, 

this one I just might have to use too because it's...

just a moment in time.

Christmas Day, Part 2...

after a little afternoon rest, we met up again.

There was hair-curling going on

Geoff and family arrived where there was more Legos

little princess dolls,

a new CTR ring and earrings,

 and more Legos!

the boys each got a harmonica…Poppa and I couldn't resist

the table was set with the good crystal and china

she loves olives

the boys had their own spot and felt very special

and she was still rocking' the curls!

after yummy Sprinkles cupcakes…after Lauren was diagnosed  with Celiac, 

I tried different desserts, some were good and some were very good. A few

years ago they opened a Sprinkles in Newport Beach.  They do a great

GF red velvet cupcake. Now it's turned into the perfect Christmas dinner

dessert…just the right amount after a big dinner and everyone can choose their

favorite flavor.

So another wonderful Christmas has come and gone…

Legos and Princesses are still HUGE, and a sure sign of growing up…face cleaners and

curling tool!

We love our family so much and they mean the world to us.

Until next year….Merry Christmas!