In early December, we went to the Manoa Christmas Parade. I don't think we've ever been to a Christmas Parade before. It's always been too cold.
The kids got tons of candy and we had a great time. Even with the passing showers.
Santa was walking...actually dancing his way through the street
The day we went to the parade was Aunty Britty's birthday. They went to see Wicked earlier in the day and we had a nice dinner at home. Finished the night off with a Chantilly cake from Liliha Bakery. Yum.
I love my Mika Chan. She is the cutest thing and I love when she wears the hat and bandana.
The girls have been really bored, especially Mika. She asks about preschool every day. She misses it. We just got the the call this past week from Tutu and Me. It's a traveling preschool and it's FREE! Both girls get to go and they start Jan. 10th. Mika is so excited.
The kids finished school early here. Their last day was Dec. 14th. About a week before Dane mentioned I should go to his cousin's wedding in Vegas. He said I could fly into Utah and see my family and friends. I bought my ticket the next day. I don't think the kids missed me much. Dane kept sending me pictures and they were having some fun.
Mike and Sherene arrived the week I was gone
Even though I was only gone about a month and a half, I was pretty excited to go back. I took baby with me since she was free and she did pretty good. We were suppose to have two layovers but when the flight from Oakland was delayed, they had my fly directly from LA to Salt Lake instead of stopping over in Oakland too. Unfortunately, my luggage went to Oakland still and I had to wait to get it in the morning. The next day I went to American Fork and spent time with the gals. I met up with some friends for lunch and we went shopping at the new outlets. Wasn't too impressed but I did find some things. That evening I had plans to get together with my mud run girls. Ginny was in Utah for a wedding that week too. We had dinner at Mimi's and exchanged gifts. It made me really miss Utah. No one bought each other a serious gift. We were laughing and having so much fun together.
Nancy and I got Kat this furry, warm hat. I hope she uses it.
We spent the rest of the night shopping at TJ Max and Old Navy. I love when the stores close late during the holidays. I had a lot of shopping to do. Kiele hung out with the kids back at the Evan's house. She was right at home with everyone. Like we never left.
I sent this picture to Bray that night. He told me I was mean to torture him. All my kids were so mad they didn't get to come with me. Sorry kids!
The next day I went to deliver gifts to Ani and Bray's old teachers. They both told me how much they miss the kids. They even had gifts for them. Sweet Holly arranged a girls lunch with the ladies in my ward for Ginny and I. She bought us Cafe Rio (I really miss that place) and her awesome, seriously cool, husband took all the kids (including babies) downstairs to keep them entertained. It was great.
I miss Andrea! Come visit me...
Before heading back to Springville, I went to meet the new family in our home. Kiele walked in like she owned the house. They had taken out all the carpet and flooring on the first floor. It was definitely really weird to be in my own house and it not be my house. I left American Fork wanting to cry. Good thing my brother guys came in that night. They always cheer me up! Kiele was struggling with jet lag.
They got in pretty late that night. The next night we went to meet up with the families at Burger Supreme. It's our spot.
Sachi was sick, but Matt came. We were so glad.
I was suppose to leave for the wedding the next day but my family didn't want to travel down with me. My dad offered to drive down for the day but that didn't sound fun to me. I texted and called everyone I thought that would be interested but it was the busiest weekend for everyone. No one could go so I stayed back. Instead of driving down Friday, we ran some errands, and did more shopping. That night we went to Blue Plate diner in Salt Lake for dinner. It was delicious. We went to check out Scheels after. My parents offered to take all the kids home and put them to bed. They are the best. We went shopping at Old Navy and spent a really long time there. Then we went home and stayed up late watching pitch perfect. It was so fun to just cruise with my family.
That Saturday my dad got sick with the flu so he didn't go out with us the next day. We had an early dinner at Chili's. When we got the kids to bed, my friends wanted to meet up at IHOP. My brother went with me so I didn't have to drive home by myself. We didn't get back until three a.m. Thanks, JO! He fit right in with us. I really wanted to go to my old ward for church the next morning but after talking to Dane, I decided against it. The new family was going to the ward for the first time (the mom and kids arrived that week) and I thought it would be weird. I got some flack from Nancy for not going but we did go over to say goodbye to them. My brother guys came with me. Jamie and Andrea came by to say goodbye too.
That evening my dad and mom made us a yummy prime rib with crab legs dinner. It was soooo good. I finished packing and washing my stuff. In the morning it was pretty bad weather and we left the house early. Everyone came to the airport except my mom. Not enough seats. ha ha. I actually got there early and got through security pretty fast so we had a lot of time on our hands. We ate breakfast and were almost the last to board the plane. One lady was arguing with the gate people and they wouldn't let her board. It was crazy. I wanted to tell her to just keep her mouth shut because if she delayed my flight or made me miss Christmas with my family, I was going to be ticked! Seriously. The flight was a little delayed but it wasn't too bad. Especially since we were on the direct back to Hawaii. Baby did well again. Thank Goodness! Dane and I talked about how this trip was good for me. I was pretty homesick and depressed. Although I love Utah, I missed being with my own little family and realized Hawaii is home now. The make it home for me. I couldn't wait to get here. Plus, I was over the cold weather! Dane and Mika came to pick us up. She was out cold in the back seat, so I guess only Dane. Soon after we got to the house, we drove out to Kahala to have Christmas Eve dinner at Dane's cousin's house. The food was ono! She even had games with the kids. The panty hose and balloons was a hit with the kids. We had to bring it home with us.
We also played some ping pong and foosball. It was a lot of fun. We left a little early. I was super tired and Kiele actually fell asleep in the car as we reversed out of the drive way. We had hours of wrapping since I bought all the gifts in Utah. We quickly got the kids to bed. The kids made sure to leave out cookies and milk for Santa.
The kids were also able to open one gift before going to bed. I use to open the smallest growing up but Dane's family does it differently. Ani opened her gift from grammie and papa Ing.
Bray opened one of the gifts from Papa and Grandma Panee
We were up early facet timing the Evans. They had just gotten the news that David bought the whole family tickets to Hawaii for spring break. It was such a hard secret to keep. Never again, David. We're so excited they are coming. We can't wait.
I think we made waffles for breakfast and didn't start to open gifts until 9. The kids were good sports for waiting so long since they were up before 7.
Miss Miks got some mega magformers, clothes, watch, books, and fun toys. She was so happy.
Kiele got a new pillow pet. Her last one was the one we bought her in Switzerland, a cow. I'm not sure what happened but it was lost in the move. Along with Mika's lady bug one. She is really into Panda's and was so happy to get a new one. She also got a pink hello kitty (she is always trying to steal her cousin's) and some cool toys, including elmo stuff.
Ani got the one thing she was begging and begging for. Actually I think she got everything she asked for. She didn't seem all that surprised but was very pleased to see her American girl doll under the tree. She has her papa and grandma Pane'e to thank. Of course she wondered where her matching clothes were. Sorry, kid, mommy barely had christmas taken care of. Maybe for your birthday.
Bray got everything he asked for except his ipod touch. Daddy said no in the end but I think regretted it after Bray watched his cousins both open one. I'm pretty sure he might be getting one for his birthday. Hmmm.... He was still happy to get all the games he asked for and very happy to get his BYU sweater from Santa. Santa sure knows him.
We had to hurry and get ready to head to Kaneohe for the Pane'e family Christmas lunch. They always do it at my Aunty Tamar's and we always eat steak and shrimp. Yum.
I love Mika's face in the this picture. It's classic Mika smile. AND she never looks at the camera.
After we ate, they have their annual gingerbread house competition. We have never participated and I don't think we ever will. They mean serious business and it's very competitive.
They have rules and everything. Aunty Lani votes on the winner. I think the theme was Hawaii Landmarks. They had Iolani Palace, Makapu'u Lighthouse (which crumbled when they had to move it to the judging table), Arizona Memorial, China Man's hat, and Mauna Ala. Surprisingly, Mauna Ala won and there was some arguments on facebook. I actually think Arizona Memorial should have won. If you were to think of a Hawaii Landmark, all the other places are more known than Mauna Ala. One cousin said it's because the Judge is a Kamehameha grad and that's the reason it won.
Iolani Palace
China Man's Hat
Mauna Ala
Arizona Memorial
The kids were oblivious to the tension
We came home to have a nice dinner with the Ings. We had shrimp and steak. Ha ha. Dane really did cook the steak to perfection, though. The next day we met up at Moanalua gardens for lunch with Mike guys and his extended family. We did it last year and had such a blast. It was great to see Clarke and Lia. Last time I saw them was the first time I ever met them. I think Dane and I were dating. They have 5 beautiful girls and the baby is a chubby boy. So cute.
All the kids
I got her to smile for the camera and actually look at it too!
We brougth koi food to feed the koi and then they went to observe the fish in the river since we didn't have nets this time around
The women
The couples
The babies fell asleep in the strollers
We played portagee horshoes. It reminded us of corn holes.
I lost but it was because my partner was junk... Just teasing
The next day we took the kids to the beach. They were so happy. It was nice and hot!
I think my sunglasses are pushed up. It looks kind of weird on my face.
I went to dinner with my friends Corie and Makee that night. First time seeing them since I moved here. It was fun to see them. We saw Les Miserables after and although I really liked it, I also didn't love it. I don't know if I would watch it again. Anne Hathway did an amazing job. I was surprised. It was also very well done. Marius and Eponine were my favorite. I loved their voices. I don't know, maybe it was because I didn't know they sang the entire time.
Saturday we had dinner with Dane's family and did some shopping at Ala Moana after
Today was New Year's Eve and we spent the day at my Grandma's house helping. My family has a tradition of making lau lau for New year's. They make around 300 so it's a lot of work. Britt was feeling sick and we still had to buy our stuff for dinner tonight and tomorrow. Dane went food shopping with JT and Tiff. I took all the kids (minus Kiele since she took a nap) and went to my grandma's. They did so well. They played play doh for most of the time.
Everyone was late so I didn't get to help too much. They started wrapping the lau lau after I left. Amy and Brennen came by to say Hi. I haven't seen them since we moved down here. I think the last time we saw them was at least a year and a half ago.
Jonny, Moku, and Josh washed the leaves
Grandma cutting the butterfish
Dane said Kiele was fabulous without the other kids
That night we had gourmet burgers (add your own topping), sashimi (sooo good), and noodles. We had dobash cake. Dane got a massage. We face timed my family. We popped fireworks.
Kiele was a on a tight leash
Kiele ended up falling asleep before midnight. Half off and Half on the chair.
Bray was happy. It was the first year we let him pop firecrackers
We toasted with the family. Everyone helped sweep up all the fireworks and I collapsed into bed. I was so tired!
