Diamond Head Hike - January 2011

I'm going with the assumption that anyone who reads this blog knows me fairly well. So it will come as no surprise that I balked at hiking Diamond Head. I don't like exercise, sweat, or anything that involves me getting out of my pajamas and into tennis shoes. However my loving husband was SUPER excited about hiking Diamond Head. It was also brought to my attention that Dave's Grammy hiked Diamond Head the year Dave and I were married. So I reluctantly agreed to go with Dave and the kids on this difficult and demanding hike (only difficult and demanding because of the amount of Christmas cookies I ate in December).

This is about half-way up... I was DYING!

It's all worth it for the fabulous views. Sidenote: The nice guy taking our photo apparently didn't realize I had a 23 pound baby strapped to the front of me and took several photos where Max cannot be seen. I mean really?

This is Waikiki. Dave and I got engaged on that beach down there.

Hiking down the mountain was in fact just as bad as hiking up.

1. It was a fun hike
2. Now I can say I hiked Diamond Head
3. I never have to do it again.

Oh Happy Day - Christmas 2010

Sophie and Max had a GREAT Christmas! It was so nice to stay home and open presents and then have friends and family over for dinner in the afternoon.

Sophie was still under the weather when she woke up, so she mostly sat on the couch and watched movies and opened presents. Her favorite presents were her talking Woody and Jesse dolls (from Toy Story) and a floor puzzle (both from her Grammy and Grandad in Texas). Next up was a child sized table and chairs from Marer and Pop (my parents). We've had tea parties several times and Sophie loves sitting at her table working on her puzzles. She also loved her Prince Philip doll and Aunt Lissa and Uncle Danny gave her.

Max was pretty easy to please this year. A box, a little wrapping paper, some tape that he could eat... although he also really likes his new dump truck.

Sophie and I both received Ugg's from Dave which we already wear. It might be Hawaii, but Ugg's are always in season =).

Dave and I decided that our traditional Christmas dinner would be Standing Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding. The food was great (although my Prime Rib kept mooing at me). We also made homemade horseradish. We were very adventurous with cooking this year. I like to think that every year I become a better cook, maybe I'll take some cooking lessons in the coming year, then I won't give Dave food poisoning periodically.

Christmas Eve - 2010

We had grand plans for Christmas Eve this year. The kids, Dave, and I were gearing up to head over to my parents house for dinner and gift opening. Unfortunately Sophie woke up in the middle of the night with a fever so I decided we would instead have a relaxed evening at home. As relaxed as one can get with a three year old running a fever and hacking up a lung all over the house. I was sad that I didn't get to spend my last Christmas Eve (for awhile) in Hawaii with my parents but Dave and the kids and I all had fun at home.

Sophie and Max got to open one gift on Christmas Eve. It is always new (and now matching) pajamas in anticipation of photos on Christmas morning. I tried to convince Dave that we should all wear matching or coordinating pajamas but he said "No way!". At least I got to dress the kids up all matchy-matchy.

Sophie and Max hung out on the couch for a while. Sophie insisted on holding Max, which is when I realized that he might be bigger than she is, or at least close. Max isn't wearing any pants because he is quite the messy eater now.

Sophie and I getting ready to bake cookies for Santa Claus.

Dave's turn to help Sophie bake cookies.

Max wanted to help also. By help I mean eat raw cookie dough.

Waiting with bated breath for Santa Claus cookies.

Putting the final ornament on the Advent Tree that Missy gave us last year. It was Dave and Anne's when they were little.

We can't wait for Christmas morning!