Christmas 2009

Since we returned home from Hawaii on Christmas day, we celebrated Christmas on the 26th. It was so great! It was so nice to have something to look forward to when we got home. On Christmas night (our Christmas Eve) the kids opened one gift and, of course, it was jammies! They were all so excited about their new pajamias and were even more eager to leave out the cookies and milk and go to bed so Santa could come. Brock was sure that he was going to stay awake and spy on Santa. But after all the traveling they were all out as soon as their heads hit the pillows.

 

This is the loot after Santa had come. What a haul!

 

And boy was Santa tuckered out!



Anxiously waiting on the stairs for Grandma and Grandpa to come so they can see what Santa brought. They were so excited, even Daxton and MaKelle were getting into the excitement (once they got their sippy's)!



Daxton got all sorts of Elmo toys. He was in heaven. He loved his Elmo trike and didn't get off it forever! He also got this bowling set that he loves to play with! I love this age when everything is so neat to them! He was even into unwrapping the presents!

 

MaKelle got a doll house, a tea set, a barbie, a tutu, and all sorts of new hair accessories. Can you tell she's the only girl, and somewhat spoiled! She loves it though and anything girlie she knows is hers! She wanted to help everyone unwrap their presents!

 

Corbin got a dinosaur set, a candy maker (easy bake oven) cuz he "LOVES" candy! He also got a Superman punching bag and lots of guns! This kid loves toys and he is so easy to please! I think he was more into Christmas than anyone else. And of course he and Brock got a Wii! Corbin loves to box and bowl - he is a die hard!

 

Brock got a new Hot Wheels set, games, a Star Wars blanket, a gun, new snow pants, and of course the Wii. I think he was more excited about the Wii than anyone else! He is growing up so fast and is starting to want all the big and expensive toys now. He is so fun to watch though!

 

It was such a great Christmas! The kids got all sorts of toys! Lots of clothes and books from Nana and Opa, and everything in between!

 

The next day we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's after church to open the presents they got for the kids. WOW! They sure made a haul there too. All sorts of hunting sets for the boys, a construction set for Dax, and all the doll stuff MaKelle could ever want! Can you say spoiled!

 

This is what we gave Grandma! She loved it! We also made one for Nana and Opa and for our house! They turned out so nice and I loved them!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy new Year!

A long overdue - part #2

Friday Dec. 18 -

Today we just hung out at the condo and played on the beach! The kids absolutely love playing in the sand! The kids and aunt Brianna made a sea turtle in the sand and then Brock and Corbin continued to make a crab, an octopus, and shark! They had a blast! Blake and Brock did a little snorkeling and didn't see many fish but found a coconut. It is just so nice to relax on the beach and enjoy the sun! This place will definitely be missed!

 

 

Saturday Dec. 19 -

Today we got up and got ready and went to the swap meet. It was fun to do a little shopping and find some good deals! We bought some t-shirts and trinkets for the kids. Then we went over to the mall, ate lunch and did some more shopping! Grandpa took the kids to the arcade and they had a blast earning tickets and cashing them in for toys! And of course Santa clause was there and the kids sat on his lap. MaKelle was too afraid to even get near him, so she didn't get her picture. And Daxton would only get near Santa as long as Mom was holding him, and therefore we didn't get his picture either. It was so fun to be reminded that yes it is Christmas! Then we went back to the condo for dinner and a movie!



Sunday Dec. 20 -

We had a lazy morning just getting ready to go to the beach. We decided to head over to Makenna cove (secret cove) for some fun snorkeling and fishing. The kids like always had so much fun just playing in the sand and amongst the lava rock. Dana wanted to do some fishing and so Brock wanted to join him. And when the waves crash up on the lava rocks it fills all the cracks and holes with water. Apparently a fish was washed up into one of these small water filled holes and Brock wanted to catch it to show Grandpa that he could fish without a pole. He and I successfully caught it, but when we went to show Grandpa the slippery little guy slipped right out of Brock's hands and down into a crack where the waves washed it back out to sea. We did however find an eel up in one of the cracks that was kinda scary looking so we decided to leave it alone. The guys went snorkeling and were coaching Dana on where to throw his line and how far to reel it in but still he didn't get a bite. Then they found a cinder block under the water and were seeing who could swim the furthest with it under water. It's funny how it's always a muscle man competition with guys. Needless to say it was a beautiful day and we had so much fun!! And of course on our way back to the Condo we had to stop in Kihei at the Local Boyz for a shaved Ice! YUM!!

 

 

Monday Dec. 21 -

Today we decided to head back up past Lahaina to the "jungle." (or if you ask Brock the rain forest) The kids loved running around on the trails and climbing the trees and swinging on the vines like monkeys! It was so green and lush in there, just absolutely beautiful! Then we walked down into the cove to do some snorkeling but the water was so murky that the visibility was horrible and there wasn't to much to see. On our way back we stopped in Lahaina and went to Front Street to eat at Bubba Gumps! It was yummy and fun!

 

 

 

Tuesday Dec. 22 -

Today we left early to brave the road to Hana! it is such a beautiful but long drive! We made plenty of stops though to break up the time the kids had to spend in their carseats! We stopped to look at the scenery and the waterfalls! The highlight though was the black sand beach and the lava tubes. The lava tubes were like a cave in the lava rock that led down to the ocean. The kids thought it was so neat in there, and it really was so cool! Then the black sand beach was so fun too! The kids loved just playing in the sand even though the beach was crowded! We saw some cool arches out on these peninsulas too. Then we stopped in Hana at the beach/harbor and got some food and let the kids run around some more. The second half of the drive the roads turned to dirt roads and got pretty narrow along the cliffs. It was somewhat nerve wracking for me. The island was more desert like on this side and we saw tons of cows in the road that slowed us down but the kids thought it was funny! We even let them get out of their seats for a bit and hang their heads out the windows - they were so thrilled! It was a long fun filled day!

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Dec. 23 -

We wanted to go back to Makenna cove today to get some family pictures. We left early to get some good lighting. When we got there there was a wedding taking place on the beach. So we had to wait till the ceremony was over so we didn't disrupt with all these little kids. Even though the sun started to get high in the sky we still got some good pictures. Those poor kids were so exhausted by the time we were done - they just wanted to play instead of smile for the camera. So we rewarded them with some Local Boyz shaved ice! Then Grandma, Brock, and Corbin and I went back to the Maui Ocean Center since our passes were good for a week. Brock had missed the octupus the first time we went and he really was dying to see it as well as to see the sharks again. We had fun! Then we went back to the condo and hit the pool and the beach one last time! The guys had rented a kayak and the kids had fun riding in it - I think the guys did too! When Blake took MaKelle down to the beach he kicked off his shoes and then took off her shoes and threw them onto the sand near his. He put her down to play and the first thing she did was go pick up both of the shoes and set them upright next to each other in order. She had to have things organized and in order. Blake got a kick out of that - she must be related to me! She is so cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Dec. 24 -

What a sad day today is. :( We spent all morning packing to go home. Then we went to the pool one last time to enjoy the weather. And of course we then had to go to the beach one last time too! We wanted to make use of all our last moments on the island. So we went to big beach again. When we got there we found a snowman made out of sand (sandman). We thought it was so fitting since it was Christmas eve! The guys did some body surfing since the waves were so big and then we had to drag ourselves back to the condo to finish our last minute packing and get ready to go to the airport. On our way to the airport we stopped at Denny's for dinner. We were all so sad to leave, but can't wait to come back! (we are allready starting to save our $) Goodbye Hawaii, we will miss you!