Christmas Traditions

Joseph donning his weather appropriate garb topped with Santa-inspired fashion. 

Here's Joe holding the pole that ensures our selection will fit through our front door. 

Joseph chose the tree we purchased this year. 

Here is our tree decorated after a three-day marathon of trimming. Dad is always strict.  No television viewing until the tree is complete. Jacob had difficulty with the ornaments at first. It's actually cruel if you think about it. To a toddler it makes no sense to put toys on a tree and expect that they not be played with. 

December is here and I can't seem to keep up with the rapid passing of the days. There are so many things to do and only 24 days or so to get them done:

1.  Buy a tree.

2.  Decorate tree and house.

3.  Hang lights on house.

4.  Ride the Santa Train to tell the big guy what the kiddos want under the tree this year.

5.  Select, purchase, stuff, address, and stamp Christmas cards.

6.  Shop for gifts.

7.  Bake cookies.

8.  Hold cookie decorating party for Joseph, Jacob, and their friends. 

9.  Purchase matching jammies for Christmas Eve.

10.  Write holiday letter for Christmas cards.

11.  Sort through toys and clothes to make room for new toys and clothes.

12.  Watch every Christmas movie we own- Charlie Brown Christmas, Disney's Prep and Landing, Elf, The Santa Clause(s), Love Actually, The Family Stone, Sleepless in Seattle, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Scrooged, and Little Women.  Some are just for adults and others for the family. 

13.  Clean house for Holiday Party.

14.  Take boys to Mt. Ranier for sledding. 

15.  Purchase one Hallmark ornament for the boys' collections. I'm particularly fond of this tradition because it was passed on from Joe's side of the family.  We have all of Joe's ornaments (lots of Star Wars and Star Trek) and it's such a fun way to chronicle the boys' interested through the years. The first ornament each boy gets is one that features a picture of their first Christmas. So far we have lots of Thomas trains and Cars ornaments- just what you'd expect from two boys. 

16.  Drink lots and lots and lots of hot chocolate. 

17.  Purchase advent calendars- the chocolate ones. 

18.  Make fudge, seven layer bars, Indian Christmas cookies, kissy cookies, sugar cookies, and gingerbread cookies to share with family and friends. 

We hold true to these traditions with the hope that our boys, as adults, will enjoy the same activities with their own families.  When we're long gone, our immortality will be secured with the passing of each successive generation. 

Girls Week in DC

Taryn and I went on a week-long girls trip to Washington DC for the University of Hawaii versus US Naval Academy football game.  I don't care for football, but it was the perfect opportunity and excuse to galivant around the city for a week!

The days were perfect!  It was sunny yet crisp weather and it was perfect for walking. We visited Derek Kilmer's office to gain access to the Senate and House chambers. 

Not surprisingly, many of our friends have relocated to the DC Metro area. Aside from being the center of the political world, it is rich with culture and history and is brimming with opportunity. We shared a couple of meals with Tracy who is Taryn's childhood friend. 

Here we are in front of the Washington Monument. We're facing the Lincoln Memorial which is one of my favorite historical monuments. I also like the Jefferson Memorial.  You can't really tell, but there is scaffolding on the Monument. At night you can see it glitter from afar and it is beautiful. It reminds me of our trip to Paris and the Eiffel Tower.  The day we departed, they took the scaffolding off and put it on the Capitol dome and it will be there for a couple of years. 

Here we are in front of the White House. When we arrived, police found white powder on the road in front so they evacuated the area. We waited over an hour until the area was declared safe.  It was a reminder of the scary time in which we live. 

Kelsey is another friend who has relocated to DC. Taryn and I worked with her at Punahou Academy. She graduated from Williams College (despite having appointment letters from congressmen to Westpoint and Naval Academy) and decided to stay in the East coast. Even though it really suits her, she misses Hawaii.  I think we all do. I don't think anyone who was born and raised in Hawaii and who moves away from "home" really ever says, "thank goodness I don't live there anymore."  I think it's more like, "Hawaii will always be my home, but I am happy in [insert new residence]."  

I love cupcakes. Taryn and I foolishly ate an obscenely gross amount of food for lunch at Dean & Deluca so we actually didn't have room in our bellies for cupcakes. I can imagine it must have been delish! 

The Metro. I'd love to have the Metro in Kitsap. I'd love to use mass transit to get everywhere.  It was clean for the most part. I've always really liked the convenience and price of the Metro. It beats driving and parking in DC. 

We toured the Naval Academy before going to the football game. Midshipmen go to school for free in addition to receiving a $1,000 monthly stipend. In return they must serve a minimum of 5 years upon graduation.  It is incredible being there among the 18 and 19 years old babies who are fresh from high school. They have their entire lives in front of them and are already committed to risking their lives in the name of their country. The maturity of these youngsters takes my breath away. I can't imagine making those kinds of decisions at that age. 

I'm big on pajamas so I purchased matching bottoms (in our favorite color) for the trip. Taryn being Taryn wanted to document our twin-ness. 

Dean & Deluca is like heaven...  

We met Maria in Annapolis. She drove down from Baltimore to have lunch with us. Here we are at Dock Street Bar and it was delish! They claim to have the best crab cakes in Annapolis and I really think they do. They may even have the best cakes in the country!  They're so large, moist, and flavorful!  Maria, Taryn, and I went to high school together. She majored in Accounting at the University of Hawaii and joined an enormous firm in Baltimore. She really likes the scale of the projects on which she works and says she wouldn't have that kind of opportunity in Hawaii. 

Hawaii is a beautiful place in which to grow up. The customs, food, vernacular, culture, music, history are like no other and I'm proud to have grown up there. I, like Tracy and Maria, will never not appreciate growing up there, but know that our place in life is elsewhere- at least for now. 

It was an enjoyable trip, but I'm glad to be back home in Washington. I missed my babies, my husband, my bed, my car, my routine... It made me grateful for the blessed life I have. 

Family Portraits

We took our family portraits last week.  They're always a challenge with our little one. Directing Jacob in a photo shoot is like herding a little cat. Even though it was a challenge, I think the pictures came out very nice. I can't wait to order our Christmas cards!

Pumpkin Patching

Joseph, Joe, Jacob, and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to our local pumpkin patch. Jacob was excited to navigate Joe's wheel barrel toward the pumpkins. Joseph chose one and Jacob chose them all. He walked down the rows pointing at each pumpkin, then pointing at the empty wheel barrel. "Get in here" he demanded.  He. Is. Adorable. 

The boys helped us to carve the pumpkins when we got home.  Joseph has always had a difficult time touching the guts of the pumpkin. Jacob is equally tentative. 

I love the crack of the pumpkin flesh as you pull the top up for the first time and the earthy whaft of orange mush immediately following. It's just the beginning of the wonderful holiday season. 

Jakers' First Haircut

I've been dreading this day for months. Joe has been relentlessly harassing me about when we were going to get Jacob's first haircut. I've been avoiding it because Jacob's my last little one and it absolutely pains me to admit that he is growing up. Joseph got his first haircut when he was just one and I recall being abjectly devastated that the cut left him without his little soft ringlets. Jacob has the same honey-colored feathery whisps and I didn't want to lose them. I love using my nails to comb his hair to the side of his face!  I can't do that if there isn't enough hair for me to sweep over. 

Initially Jacob wasn't having any of it. Joe was going to hold Jacob in the seat, but Jacob kept crying and clawing for me. Joe grabbed a lollipop and that pacified Jacob temporarily. I appreciated that the stylist cut quickly. She was also very patient and that alleviated some of my anxiety. He looks great and I'm pleased as pie!  Just in time for our family portrait and Christmas cards!  

Jon's Visit to the PNW

My brother Jon has been talking about visiting my mom and I in Washington since we first moved here over 4 years ago. He finally made his way over here recently and he had an absolute blast. He and Teresa stayed in Port Angeles for a couple of days and did some hiking before making their way south to Kitsap.  They love it here!   They love the rain, the crisp cold air, the beautiful scenery, the nature, the absence of traffic congestion, Olive Garden, Applebee's, the cost of living, among a million other things. It makes me appreciate what we have here when someone from the outside loves it so much. We really live in a pretty cool place!

Angry Birds Fanatic

Joseph and I have been having fun working on puzzles before bedtime. Today after school, I took Joseph to Toys-r-Us to get a new puzzle. I had hoped to find a 500 or 1,000-piece puzzle. We've been cruising through our 100-piece ones and I wanted one that we could spend a significant amount of time completing. We found an Angry Birds Star Wars one Joseph just couldn't pass up. It took us less than an hour to do it, but he had to have this one.

Notice his t-shirt and pajama bottoms.  This young man is obsessed. Absolutely. Obsessed.  At least Christmas shopping will be easy. 

Rub-a-dub-dub

These two are bath buddies. For a while Joseph thought he was too big for baths. Recently he's been joining Jacob in the tub.  They crack me up. They play with their boats and letters.  Jacob helps me wash Joseph's hair.  It's wonderful.  I. Am. So. Lucky.

Tour of Joe's Phone

I was breezing through Joe's phone and I found some pictures that I forgot existed!

Jacob used to have blue eyes like his big brother, but they've turned hazel just like dad's.

Santa at Kitsap Mall. 

Days from delivering Jacob. I was trying on the Mobi with baby Warehouse Mouse. 

Snoqualmie Santa Train ride. Jacob was all bundled up. Joseph's exuding holiday cheer!

Joe and I at Silver City Brewery for a date night. 

Jacob enjoying our favorite spot- Silverdale Waterfront park. 

Joe's Advancement to Chief

Joe has been thinking about his advancement from Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer for as long as I can remember. Every year it feels like the same process- an endless waiting game and supreme uncertainty.  This year was no different.

First, there's a qualifying exam.  Joe always says it is an impossible feat. It's a mental marathon of multiple choice questions and for someone who doesn't best exhibit their skill and mastery in testing situations, it can be a disheartening endeavor.  

After the exams are scored, candidates are either eligible to proceed or not based on their performance on the test.  Joe usually makes it to this point with ease.  Sailors are asked to assemble a collection of documents to highlight their accolades.

After submitting their portfolios, there's more waiting.  Sometime after that, the number of CPO vacancies are released.  This gives the prospective chiefs an idea of the probability of their advancement. One year I recall that the percentage of candidates selected for advancement was something abjectly dismal like 0.5%.  

Around the end of August, the selectee names are published. Joe was elated to discover that he was among the selectees.  He quickly scanned the list to see who else had advanced.  Many of Joe's friends had also made it. 

I'd share my distaste for the various traditions around the transition from First Class to Chief, but I don't want to impugn a tradition many believe in so ardently.  Selectees usually spend this month away from their families, sleep deprived, feverishly fundraising, and enduring desperate humiliation.  Joe's boat was on patrol during this time which I believed to be a blessing initially, but later discovered was just as bad as if he were not deployed.  We didn't have the benefit of being connected and supporting each other during this time. I think it made it harder on both of us.

Ultimately, the torment ends and the outcome is a nicer-looking uniform, a handsome salary increase, and validation of years of calculated sacrifices and hard work. 

These pictures are from Joe's advancement ceremony.  It was a beautiful albeit cool day filled with relief, excitement, and pride. 

Here we are at the Khaki Ball- a formal event reserved for Chiefs.  I've heard about it for years, but obviously had never attended. I love an excuse to get dressed up!

Early Achievers Conference

Child Care Aware of Washington hosted a two day conference at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma and I had the good fortune to attend. With Joe deployed, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go since I didn't have anyone to watch the kiddos. Fortunately, Joe's wonderful parents were willing to travel from Michigan and Southern Oregon to help out!  I know how lucky I am to have their support. 

Here's Ann, Kristin, and Karin.  These women are incredible. They are passionate, intelligent, industrious, and kind. I absolutely love them. 

Here is Fran, myself, and Annie. Annie is the executive director of the organization and my boss. She hired me and I work hard every day to ensure that she has no remorse.  She is calm, knowledgeable, patient, grounded, professional, and committed to the cause. She's a wonderful mentor. 

Here's Jean, Connie, Sokha, and Betzy.  They're very supportive and I enjoy working with them. 

This is my girl Kathy!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Kathy!  The mere thought of her laugh makes me smile!  She's so supportive and nurturing.  I'm so fortunate that she has taken me under her wing. 

This is Marissa and I.  I don't know what I would do without Marissa.  She validates my feelings and helps me to feel confident in my decisions. I'm sad she will be moving soon. She'll be difficult to replace. 

Here I am with Lory. I'm lucky to have her. My boys are lucky to have her. I feel very fortunate all around. 

The Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma

We went to Tacoma to go shopping for school clothes and while we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by the Old Spaghetti Factory.  I recall eating at the OSF at Ward Warehouse in Hawai'i as a child and later as a young adult.  It's such a great deal!  You always get piping hot sourdough bread with butter, a huge salad with yummy dressing, and a mammoth entree.  The boys always share a spaghetti and meatball.  Yes, singular.  It's the size of a fist and I need only cut it in half before the boys tear into it.  I have to take full advantage of how little the boys are especially in relation to their consumption of food.  My dear friend Theresa has a teenaged son named Thomas John and she says he eats approximately 22,000 calories a day.  No doubt that can be a large percentage of one's income so I have to keep that in mind for the future.  Here's a picture of them:

After the OSF, we made the obligatory stop at Hello, Cupcake. More like, Hello, that's why I've gained 5 pounds since discovering this gem a year ago!  I always get their chocolate-chocolate cupcake.  I also got the carrot cake (Jake Lee's fave) and a sprinkles cake.  If Joe were in tow, we would have gotten German Chocolate since its his favorite (bleh!) and is seasonal-only offered in September.  He wasn't present so I had free reign of cake options.

Third Grade

Here's my little, ah hem, BIG third grader on his first day of school.  I love that my position affords me the luxury of working around my life.  I was able to pick Joseph up from school and take him to get his favorite frozen yogurt so we could discuss his first day of a school.

I will likely never get used to my sons growing up.  Just when I think I've got a handle on one stage they transition to another.  That's always how I feel about the beginning of a new school year.  Third grade.  How can Joseph be in third grade if I remember my own third grade experiences like they were yesterday?  Mrs. Kakugawa at Haha'ione Elementary.  Reading about Thailand and memorizing the multiplication table.  Mrs. Kakugawa was actually a published poet, so as you can imagine, we wrote and read a LOT of poetry that year.  I love how each teacher brings a strength and a passion that they can share with their students.  When I was teaching I think my strength was imparting a love for life-long learning.  Learning outside of the classroom is special because it can be about anything you want!  Want to learn about Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony?  Anything is game!

This year Joseph is in Mrs. Meier's class.  It's only been a few days but I think we're both smitten.  She appears very structured and consistent. She is prompt in her replies (yes, I've already emailed her, but in my defense I waited until the second day) and values strong communication between school and home.  Joseph is also one of 22 students. Being an educator, I have an appreciation for small class sizes.  

I have a very good feeling about this year.  I hope it continues to exceed my expectations.