Christmas

We attended Christmas Eve service at our new church, St. George's Episcopal.  

Zach played a shepherd in the Christmas Pageant.  Andy decided to sit out this year.  

We got home and the boys posed in front of the tree.  They were spilling over with excitement and bed time was not far off.   

Luckily they drifted off before too late and we were able to get all the last second preps ready to go.  

Miraculously, they slept in a bit and even forgot it was Christmas morning for a few minutes.  

It didn't take long for them to roar downstairs and check things out though.  

First was to examine the cookie plate left for Santa.  We assured them he would come in the front door since we don't have a chimney.  

They sorted the presents.

And dug in.  

After all the family presents were opened they found their gift from Santa - a bouncy house.  

This was a great gift for both the boys and their parents - they burn tons of energy.  

There they go.  

Chuck gets some bouncy house fun.  

New Andy Video

New video of Andy in action.

Check it out in the right hand column.

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Christmas Shows - 18 Dec

Boys had their Christmas shows this morning.

This is a Grandparent MUST SEE!!!

For Andy's Video click

HERE

For Zach's Video click

HERE

Zach's partner, Nadya, got a case of stage fright, poor thing.  Notice Zach telling her "GO!" after the song starts.  Luckily Nadya had an understudy ready to step in.

Weekend of 12-13 December

Gearing up for Christmas.

Zach finished his soccer season.  We think he thought it was ok, but he didn't seem overly interested.  

Saturday was the mall to ride on the Christmas train, which the boys loved, and a Santa visit.

Trains and Christmas.  There is possibility no better combination for these two right now.

With Mr. Claus 

Playing on the porch.  We're getting excited.  

Hawaiian Christmas Tree

You can get a Christmas tree from the mainland in Hawaii, but most are cut down in mid-November so getting them to last through Christmas can be tricky.  

We did find one Christmas tree farm on the island.  They sell Norfolk Pines, which originally come from Norfolk Island in the South Pacific.  Seemed like a good fit and we got one.  

Trees are cut at about knee height and a new one grows right out of the stump. 

Interesting shape and "needles".  They don't need watering and supposedly last about six months after cutting.  

The top branches are in a star shape, but horizontal.

Andy organizing.

Zach picks out the airplane ornaments.  

All decorated.

Weekend of 6-7 December

Kind of a slow weekend.  

Saturday night we went to Honolulu City Lights - a tree lightning celebration and parade in downtown Honolulu.  

Shaka Santa

Honolulu Christmas Tree.  Despite the weather it still manages to get pretty festive here.

Sunday was church, our Christmas tree (more pictures to follow) and a bike ride. 

December 6 on Ford Island.  

A private ceremony at the USS UTAH Memorial in the background and two little boys ride their bikes by without a worry in the world.

Grateful.

Finishing up the Family Visit

Friday morning Chuck and his parents traveled up to the North Shore to either see some big surf or perhaps go swimming in Shark's Cove.  Unfortunately the surf wasn't impressive, but was big enough to keep anyone from swimming in Shark's Cove.  Instead we drove down the coast, through Haleiwa and out to Dillingham Field.

Taking a look at Shark's Cove

Some gliders at Dillingham Field.

Checking out Waimea Bay.  No forty footers today.

Friday afternoon Kim and Chuck headed down to the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki for a night away.  Been more than a year since a night without kids.  

The Surfrider.   Built in 1901.  The original Waikiki tourist destination.  Great hotel.  Crazy prices, even at the local rate.  

On Sunday we all hiked up Diamond Head.

Heading up the trail.

Kids scammed.  

Just when you think you're almost to the top you get one last set of stairs.

Great views.  

On Monday Grandmother and Granddaddy took in one more of Andy's tennis practices and caught the red-eye home.  Thanks for the great visit!