Christmas with the Family

James, Joseph, and Joey watching some television.

Nana and Great Nana

 

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Amanda playing around in the snow.

Here's Poppy playing with his new camera.

Enjoying the Season

One thing that does make me sad about living in Hawaii is that we don't get to see different seasons.  It's usually mid-80's with trade winds year round.  In the "winter" months, it may get down to the low 70's with rain.  In the summer it may get as hot as the low 90's.  Here in Minnesota, the winters are almost always white.  Here are Joey and Joseph enjoying the best of the season!

Snow Day

I'd really like to be a student or teacher in Minnesota about now.  The snow was SO abundant that there were hardly any schools that were open!  Today was actually quite warm; it was about 20 degrees!  Of course now it is about 6 degrees but we're not outside now.  Here are pictures of Daddy and Joseph putting their warm clothes on.

Joseph was a little (okay a LOT) apprehensive about this white, cold substance that was everywhere.  He didn't want to walk on it, touch it, kick it, or even look at it!  When we got the sled out, however, it was a different story!  He really wanted to "drive" the sled.  We went up and down the driveway and it was a ton of fun!

Cookies Galore

Nana and Great Nana made cookies for Joseph to decorate.  He had a great time!  He loves the red and green glitter the most.  He watched them being pushed out through the spritz machine and thought they looked like play-doh!  Hopefully he won't try to eat the play-doh at school!

My Peeps

I'd just like to give a shout out to my KMS peeps!  I love you always, Catalina, Brenda, and Roy!  I don't know how you folks put up with me!  We went to the Hawaii Plantation Villages in Waipahu.  I'm always stressed out when I organize field trips.  Last time there wasn't enough room on the buses for all of the kids... my fault.  This time out bus driver couldn't get the the museum because of blocked roads.  Next time, who knows...

Update on the Peas

The peas are lookin' really nice!  I'm excited about having them for dinner!  Too bad we've left them all alone to go to Minnesota.  I thought I'd show them here before they die so I have evidence that they, at one time, were alive!

Lucky Us

We went to visit Santa Claus at the Navy Exchange before our flight out to Minnesota.  I didn't know what to expect since we haven't ever seen him in real life.  Joseph wasn't too afraid.  He actually sat next to him and told him that he wanted an airplane.  It was so cute I had to fight back the tears!  I feel so fortunate that we can afford to buy Joseph presents for Christmas.  It makes me think about other families who aren't as lucky.

Chuck E. Cheese

Last night we surprised Joseph with a trip to Chuck E. Cheeses.  He had a great time!  Every time we go he is able to do something new!  Last time we were here he didn't have the coordination to play this game and now he does!  He can also now play skiball without having to walk up the lane first.

Cookies-R-Us

Joseph always talks about Ian (of course) and Nadine from school!  It was really great to have them over for a cookie decorating party.  We made 2 batches of cookie dough and 3 batches of icing.  The kids mostly played outside but when Nadine sat down, the boys followed.

The beautiful Nadine and her Papa at our cookie party.
Joseph is running to see the picture that I took even before I've taken it!
Nadine likes to ice the cookies with red frosting!
Ian headed right for the icing knife!  He took a big lick of it before mom could notice.
Nadine likes sprinkles!
Amber is better at decorating cookies than I am!
These were mine before Joseph decided to "improve" them with a whole bottle of red sugar sprinkles.
A masterpiece, Nadine!

Christmas Cookie Monster

We had such a great time planting peas, I asked my big helper to help me make some Christmas cookies!  Don't worry, I totally supervised the food processor part. 

No-Bama?

Here is Joseph looking between the two trees thinking, "Hmmm... Which one should we take home?"

Here I am at the Craft Fair at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall as part of the Flute Society of Hawaii.  It's been about 10 years since the Flute Society was founded.  I remember that we played at Kahala Mall and the entire time I was concerned about someone from school seeing me play with all these little kids.  This time I couldn't care less and it was actually really fun! Playing next to my former teacher.... not so fun.  I forgot how completely amazing she is!  No wonder she was my role model for so long!  As the years progress, the distance of our age difference closes in at each passing of certain critical events.  Graduation from college, marriage, children, beginning of careers, passing of parents... It feels as though we've always been friends.  

Here Joseph is planting his peas.  We visit them every day watering them and talking to them.  I wonder if this will make it difficult to eat them.  

Punahou Marching band has been chosen, out of a pool of applicants numbering over 1,300, to participate in the Inaugural Parade after President Elect Obama gets sworn in.  We'll see if Taryn and I get to go!  I'm so elated at the prospect I could simply fall over myself!