Theme and Variation on a Winter Holiday

Today we were invited by our friends to come out w/ them to the Kaneohe Yacht Club.  We weren't sure if the weather was going to hold off, w/ all of the storms we have had in the last few days, but if you can't play in the rain in Hawai'i, then where can you?

We really only had bad weather driving out to K-bay just past the tunnel.  While the sun didn't quite break through until late in the day it was really nice to get in some sea time.

We had a quick lunch by the pool b/f we loaded up and headed out on the boat.

Here's The Kid ready for her first boat ride.

And The Guy ready for his.  I forget that not everyone grew up in The Great Lake State.  LOL.

Some scenes from off the island:

This one some of you may recognize...

It's where they filmed Gilligan's Island.

There was this tiny speed craft coming up on us as if we were in some kind of James Bond chase scene.  The boys thought it was really funny.

After we rode about a third of the way around we got just past The Chinaman's hat to this massive sand bar where you can anchor your boat and get out.  It is really far from shore, so it looks like you are in the middle of the ocean, but the water is incredibly shallow.  In the morning some people will come out and set up volley ball nets and have picnics, and some of the larger boats will camp here.

The Guy and one of the boys w/ Super Sayin hair.  Ha ha.

It was a really great time.  Sadly, it may have been the last playdate Kid has w/ her friend, but we are going to try to squeeze one more in while we are hotel bound in Waikiki.  Who knows?

They had a great time, and got some more swimming in the pool until I had to drag them out b/c they were PURPLE!  I turned into my father today when I told my shivering kid she couldn't swim anymore b/c her lips were purple.  LOLZ.

Malama Pono!

Scenes from a Winter Holiday

Some glimpses of our winter holidays!

Our Yule:

 

I didn't get a chance to thank Desi for wrapping that one for us b/f sneaking it into the house.

I am not sure that apron fits you, my dear...

I am suddenly rethinking allowing them to bake unsupervised...

Our Christmas Day:

We spent the morning sleeping in (!) and went to lunch w/ our friend, Mazeltov Cocktail, for our second annual Christmas Day Jewstravaganza, more commonly known as going to China town for really good Chinese food.  The place we picked this year was way better than last year.  People never cease to be amazed that The Kid can not only negotiate chopsticks but that she can do it left handed, and she did a beautiful job putting away some spring rolls and chow mien.  She has also developed a bit of a taste for hot tea.  I think she is going to like Korea.  Anyhow, it was also a nice chance to bust out my rusty Mandarin skills, and I managed to stumble through ordering!  Yay me!

After we took a nice walk through town, and got The Kid a Holiday Lei, since it was Christmas and the third day of Hanukkah.  

We got to watch them making lei for a while, which is always fascinating, since it is tedious handiwork.

Later we drove to the Aloha Tower marketplace, which was all decorated w/ lights, my favorite part of the year, and decided to stop by and check it all out.

There is just something about lights at night that fill me w/ such glee.

The Kid got to use one of those viewers to look out over the pier at the lights.

Inside we couldn't resist stopping by the tree in the center for some pictures!

We finally tried out the timer on our camera!

We ended the night w/ a drive through Mililani Mauka to see all of the decorated homes, and there were some stunning light displays (and some not so stunning...lol...we made up our own grading system), and then went home to cuddle up for some games.  It's not too hard to find stuff to occupy our time w/ all of our stuff packed up and gone, even when the power goes out the day after Christmas!

That's all for now!

Malama Pono!

Post 100

I have a bunch of holiday pictures and such to post, but you may have heard a little blurb or so about the power...

So, I will get to those, hopefully tonight, since we are going boating at K-Bay w/ some friends, and expect to be gone most of the day.

Everyone is fine, the island is mostly back on, and we are soaking up as much Hawai'i in our last few days as possible...

Now if it would only stop raining...

And, if you didn't notice the title...this is the 100th post.  Thanks for sharing in this adventure.

Also, please excuse any errors...I am experiencing some major pain in my arms lately and am having to wear my braces again...which makes typing a little challenging.  Lolz.

Stay tuned for more fun!

Malama Pono!

And a Belated birthday wish to Auntie Lynn!

The Going Away Party

Instead of trying to organize our house to fit in a party for The Kid w/ her friends from school we decided to let her have it at the Ice Palace.  I never would have guessed that she would have taken up ice skating in Hawai'i, but there ya have it.  We just scheduled it and they took care of the food and rentals for us.  Whew!  That is a major relief w/ all of the moving and packing and such going on right now.

A great time was had by all, and The Kid got to say good buy to a lot of her friends from school.  We were really touched b/c they got her gifts, most of which can go in her carry on for the plane or in her school pack for the road (her teacher was nice enough to make us a pack of a month's worth of school work for while we are on the Mainland).  Mostly books and word search puzzles, which she loves.

Now, w/o much further ado, what you all came here for:

That blur is The Kid getting her bearings on the ice again.

And that is The Other David getting his.

Here is an amazing display of table manners.  Ms. Manners would be impressed, I am sure.

Of course the master plan was to sugar them all up and strap weapons to their feet b/f turning them loose...

...it worked.  LOLZ.

There's a cute mother/daughter duo for ya!

You can tell the kids of scrappers b/c they are used to being the subjects of the paparazzi.  The flash their best smile as soon as they see the camera.  See exhibit A.

The Kid and our friend venturing out to take a last lap before our friend left.  The ditched the training aide.

Even the friends have gotten used to being under the paparazzi's lens.  HA!  Exhibit B!

The Kid and her Step-Daddy taking a few laps.

Sometimes they even pose.  Exhibit C.  Ha ha.

This kid's mom scraps too, so we have two experts here.  Ha ha.  The Kid was starting to say her good byes, which went better than I could have expected.

We had time for some warm snuggles while we watched them drive the Zamboni.  Despite being a going away party, we had a really great time.  We are so going to miss everyone, but we are looking forward to this next journey.

Malama Pono!