Xmas in Hawaii

We spent Christmas in Maui with the Shore Family! It was a wonderful week, with beautiful weather, and lots of time spent relaxing on the beach.

Here are just some of the highlights of our vacation:

Family Picture--Lynn, Doug, Boe, Brooke, Mike, Laura, & Makenna
Mile Marker 14 Beach

Makenna loved spending time in the pool with Nana and Daddy

We saw some amazing sunrises and sunsets

Playing at Black Rock Beach

J.T Flemming Beach

Charter Fishing Boat Trip--And I didn't puke!! Boe did though ;) It was a long two hour trip out into the dark, rough seas. I sat in the "fighting chair" the entire time. It was the one place on the boat where I could focus on the horizon at all times. I made the mistake of going to the bathroom down in the cabin and that almost did me in. Once we made it to the first and second buoy, the water began to calm down and the sun started shinning. Fishing was a little slow but we caught a Mahi Mahi by trolling and a bunch of little tunas at the buoys. The 2 hour trip back to land, was much nicer and we even saw a few whales up close!

Road to Hana--We made it to mile 30 something, I think? And, again, I didn't even puke! However, I hogged the front seat and stared out the window the entire way. We stopped for a little hike to some waterfalls and then spent some time at a little beach.

Makenna had just fallen asleep as we pulled into the first parking lot at mile 2, so Mike ended up carrying a sleeping baby for the 3 mile hike. Here he is looking really happy about it. She woke up just as we got to the falls and was able to join in the fun.

Makena Beach--This is where we found the sea turtles. Probably my favorite part of the entire vacation. I've never swam with a turtle before...let alone swimming with six, HUGE ones! Some were bigger than me, Mike guesses they weighed around 400lbs. So beautiful. We all took turns snorkeling and playing on the beach with Kenna.

Before heading off to the airport, we stopped at Iao Valley state park and looked at some pretty neat waterfalls, trees, plants, and a gorgeous view.

What a wonderful week in paradise. Can't wait to plan our next vacation!

Josiah

We were able to sneak in some pictures of my newphew Josiah on Christmas eve. He was only ten days old here and oh so sweet.

Gingerbread House

We seriously have the sweetest friends. Unfortunately, due to a stupid flat tire, Makenna and I weren't able to drive to an amazing lil guy's fourth birthday party. We were super sad to miss his party and were bummed that we wouldn't get to celebrate his special day by making gingerbread houses with all of the other kiddos. :*(

Here's where the sweetest friends part comes, though....Laurina (birthday boy's mommy) brought over our very own house (and all the fixings) to decorate! Thank you so much!!!

Makenna "helped" quite a bit, IF, you consider taking off all of the candy pieces and eating them one by one helping ;) After she had her fair share of treats, she did end up getting into the decorating part. She especially enjoyed putting on the windows. Every time she looks at her house now, she yells "Pretty windows!"

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree...

3 tree farms, lots of tears, lots of smiles, and waayyy too much money later...we finally have our Christmas tree!

After convincing Mike that we NEEDED a real tree this year, we headed out to get one. First stop--Honey U-Cut Farm. First off the placed smelled sooooo bad. Not sure why, but we think it might have been the fields with rotting pumpkins near by. That didn't help make for a pleasant experience. There were many trees to choose from, but they were all a little too short and skinny. Makenna was not impressed either. So we left.

The second farm was off Orting hwy. It looked great, but they didn't take debit (and I didn't think to bring my purse with cash/checks). On to the next farm...So we drove further down the road to the Snow Shoe Tree Farm. My family has gotten our trees from here for many years. It really does have the nicest trees, but they are more expensive then most places.

After three hours of looking for a tree, Mike was done, and told me not to look at the price tags anymore, and just pick the one I wanted. :) Our tree is perfect! Now hopefully I can convince him to get a real tree again next year after all this...

Santa Photo

Well, it just isn't Christmas without the "torture your kid by putting her on Santa's lap" pictures! ;)

We pretty much knew that Makenna would be terrified and cry when she saw Santa, so we asked if he could hide for a few minutes while we took some pictures of Makenna in her pretty dress. All was good, until mean mommy pried little Makenna's gripped hands from my arm and dropped her onto Santa's lap. Mike thought I was the meanest mommy ever....Makenna, however, thinks I'm the BEST mommy in the world because I was the one who rescued her OFF Santa's lap (and opened her candy cane for her)!

::Getting comfortable/warmed up::

::Happy Girl::

::Uh Oh! Is that Santa....?::

::HEEELLLLPPPP!!!!:

And just because it amazes me how much she has grown in a year....Santa Pic 2009

The Countdown is ON!

Makenna's Advent Calendar arrived promptly on December 1st! So exciting! She loves it! She put all of the (re-usable) stickers on the bottom section and then she put on the first tree ornament for the first day of December.

The countdown is super special this year, because, not only are there only 24 days until Christmas, but there are also only 24 more days left until we head to Hawaii with the Shore family!!!