Christmas Pics

Holiday Traditions

Every year Mike and I go back and forth about when to open Christmas presents: Christmas Eve Night or Christmas Morning. I won this year! Growing up we always opened the presents in the morning. Since this is the second year in a row I won't be home in Hawaii for Xmas, I'm glad we decided to wait till the morning this year. Plus, the Chargers are playing on Christmas eve, so I don't want to be opening presents while watching a football game.

We made Mikes favorite Christmas cookie today- another tradition. Mike has to have this cookie frosted with Wilton cake frosting or else it doesn't taste the same to him.

Cutting out a cookie
frosting the cookie

Other traditions that we have:
* I used to want to shop after Thanksgiving with all the sales going on but now I can't stand the crowds so we try to get our Tree the day after Thanksgiving and put it up that day and decorate all that weekend.
* I Have to watch "LOVE ACTUALLY" every year. I Love that movie! "Love Actually" and "It's a Wonderful Life" are my favorite Christmas movies. I'm sorry but I can't stand "A Christmas Story".
* On Christmas Eve, we go to the Children's mass in the evening then come home for dinner. Usually a ham dinner. Then, we open the gifts (BUT not THIS year! we are gonna do the stockings instead)
*I always have to have hot chocolate (made by Mike) when I wrap presents. And listen to Christmas Music of course.
*I always wrap the presents in the stockings- I just think they are more fun that way. Even if its just a candy bar.
*Mike likes to have LAGAVULIN scotch every year.
* I like to have a fruit platter on Christmas morning then we have a nice Turkey Dinner.
* I LOVE to go to any kind of Christmas festival. Even though Mike hates crowds, Ill drag him to any Christmas thing going on in town. I also love to drive around and look at lights.

A pic of Shane just because he is super cute

steffen and claudette visit

Makenna had fun visiting with Mekayla when Steffen and Claudette came to visit us on Thursday:

Victorian Christmas in Thomasville, GA

We went to Thomasville, about an hour away, because they had a cool Victorian Festival thing going on. Here are the pics:

Christmas Letter

No cards this year- I'm too lazy.

This past year has been a good one for us. In March, we took a trip home to Kauai – it was so great to see family again, to be on the island, and Makenna and Shane had so much fun playing with her cousins Kaedin, Shaestin and Wrena. We were there for Shaestin's 1^st birthday party, and it was a lot of fun.

Makenna is doing great. She is really smart- She can count to 20, knows all her shapes and colors, and does really well with the alphabet. She can even tell you what sound each letter makes. She still has some trouble putting sentences together, but is trying really hard.

Shane is always so happy and sweet. I can't believe he is already 1. He isn't walking yet, but loves to climb everything! He is always laughing at Makenna and he loves to roll the ball around and play with cars. He is starting to carry around a giraffe toy just like his big sister.

Mike is an evaluator navigator now and flies about once or twice a week. He just got promoted to Major! We celebrated our 8 year anniversary in Las Vegas, NV. As for me, I'm just a stay at home mom trying to deal with the kids everyday. My everyday life goes like this: Feed the kids, clean up. As soon as Im done cleaning up, the kids want to eat again. Try to clean up again, turn around and toys everywhere. Pick up the toys, then kids want to eat again! Makenna and Shane are a handful but I love being with them everyday!

When we found out we were being stationed to Valdosta, GA, in October, we were shocked. Especially after living in Tucson for 7 years. It was hard to leave Tucson- We loved it there and we miss our friends very much, but hopefully we will like living in Georgia too.

So far Georgia isn't too bad. It is gorgeous here and the people are friendly. I love our new home. I'm still trying to navigate the streets of Valdosta- it can get confusing here. Mike and I have been having fun figuring out this state!

Mele Kalikimaka e Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Things I am thinking of right now

1. I can't believe Christmas is in less than 2 weeks.
2. I wish we had some more money right now.
3. I wish I did my online shopping last month.....
4. My kids must be so bored.
5. When will I go home to Kauai again?
6. When is Mike coming home from work so I can have a break from the kids
7. I really really need some new shoes.
8.I really really Really need to start working out again
9. I can't wait for the pay raise next month. woot
10. I miss Tucson! I miss Andrea and the twins! I miss Joe and Sara and Eli, and Andy and Carey and I miss Trader Joes!
11. I can't wait to go back to Kauai to meet Ikaika, my brother's girlfriend and new baby, see Cathy again, and just be home with my Family!!! :(

Tony Visit

Here are some pics of our visit with Tony:

updated home pics

There's nothing like a visitor to force you to clean house! Ha, I wish.. I just stuffed the junk in the closets. Our old friend from Kauai, Tony is visiting us- He lives in Tallahassee now so he's only 2 hours away about. I haven't seen him since the couple days after Mike and I got married.




Looking out to the front door from the living room.



Foyer



Looking into the dining room from the foyer




Another view of the dining room





Living room



Kitchen





Another View of the Kitchen




Yet another view



View of Breakfast nook turned kids eat and play area




Bedroom- We definately need new bedding and stuff on our walls




Opposite view of Bedroom




Our Bathroom



The Lone Loo


Hallway going to the Garage

Laundry Room

Bathroom next to Laundry room

Office/spare room

Another view looking out to hallway

Main Bathroom- Thanks Andrea for my christmas present!
I LOVE the towels and Sandcastle and rug!

Workout Room

Shane's Room-gonna eventually

turn this to a football room

Makenna's room