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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas with the Hanamaikai Ohana

Our Christmas Eve Celebrations began
with the short Luke 2 video, after which
the kids ACTED out the nativity as Dad
read it aloud.
We knew Nalu wouldn't ACT the
part of baby Jesus, so we opted to
have a doll instead and let him be a
Wiseman, and a cute one at that!!
(those India costumes continue to come in handy)
Ame took her MARY roll VERY serious!

After the play, we did our LOVE STOCKINGS,
(an Asplund tradition that WE have continued)
in which we write a special note to each member
of the family. Then the kids watched
Mr. Krueger's Christmas while mom
made homemade eggnog and set out the
NON-homemade cookies (no time, energy OR
desire to make cookies this year, plus I am just
NOT very good at making sugar cookies).

Ame wrote this cute note for Santa,
to leave with his cookies and milk.

The kids opened their new jammies
and got ready for bed.
Then the last thing before hitting the hay
was to spread some REINDEER food.



A Christmas Story in bed and
then it was LIGHTS OUT.
Surprisingly they all went to bed
with not too much of a challenge,
thank goodness cuz there were last minute
preparations to be made!?!
Bright and early the kids were up-
6AM, but mom said no presents
until at least 6:30.
Then the gift giving began.......

Ame got the neatest gift from
GRandma Frankie. It was this
pretend butterfly in a glass jar, and I am not
even sure how it works (some sort of
magnetism). But it flutters, flies and
looks just like a real one.
REALLY COOL!
Quinn and I loved our homemade
gifts the kids made at school, they were
the best by far (although I am very much looking
forward to using the
massage gift certificate Quinn got me).
One of the many unexpected gifts
(we may attempt to set it up in the basement
or the garage for the winter)
the kids did get some COAL
in their stockings (thank goodness it
was only bubble gum)
grandma and grandpa joined us for breakfast
well after all the presents and craziness
were over! But they did bring some of their
own Holiday cheer, with a cute book
which they had recorded their voices reading
Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Grandpa Kimo also gave us a recorded
book of him singing Frosty the Snowman.
Wonderful treasures to have for years to come!
I think the kids wore grandpa and grandma
out just telling about and showing all they got!
But we were sooo thankful to have them
here this Christmas, and already know
we will be missing them next year!!
This awesome gift was inherited
from Jason and LeAnne when they moved.
It is awesome and Nalu is already
LOVING it!!
Ame's SANTA gift was
Biscuit
the interactive dog.
She was dying to have it!
She knows this is the closest
she will get to the real thing for
a LONG time. But seeing her
interact and play with this
thing does make me feel a little
bad she doesn't have a real dog
(but NOT bad enough to get her one)!
Kaipo got his #2 choice
Motor Skooter
#1 was a DS, but mom just wasn't
down with that one, and glad Santa decided
against it as well, since Kaipo is already
addicted to the Wii, I-phone, computer.
He just doesn't need anything else electronic
to waste time with!
Getting the skooter worked out perfectly
since his push skooter broke just a few weeks ago.
Since it was SNOWING outside he
was trying the NEW one out in the basement...
as was Ash and his new basketball hoop.
The hoop will stay here all winter
and bring him (and the others) hours
of exercise and entertainment. We
will have quite the players come summer time!!


And there you have it...
a peek at Christmas with the Hanamaikai's.
We did join my parents and sister (and her family)
for a WONDERFUL dinner, dessert and more
presents later in the evening.
My parents also shared a beautiful short video
of Christ that I had never seen before,
but definitely want to find (they got it from
neighbors as a gift). It was the perfect
ending to our CHRISTmas day!!
We definitely had a grand day and are very thankful
for the generosity of our families. They
truly made this a WONDERFUL Christmas
for our little family. Not just for the gifts (and money)
but for the love and memories made!!
And most of all we are grateful for this Season
we have been able to reflect on and grow closer
to our loving Savior. We really tried to help our
children focus on HIM this CHRISTmas!
WE are truly blessed to know of HIM and feel of HIS love.
Happy New Year to all!
Hope YOU have found the same happiness this Season.




















PRE-Christmas FuN

The kids were out ALL week from school,
so mom had to find some things to entertain them
before we all went stir-crazy!!
Since we hadn't made gingerbread houses,
that was first on the list.
Mom picked up a few things at the store,
but we also tried to just use things we already had
1/2 eaten around the house.
Ame wanted to do a BIG house

but Ash got my vote for the BEST LOOKING
house (maybe cuz mom helped just a little)

Grandma took us GIRLS one day, for
a little spoiling. I was pampered with
a pedicure (something I have only been
treated to a few times in my life; never
just done it on my own)
And Ame got her NAILS done. They were soo
cute (for a FEW days anyway), painted all Christmasey!
******
Didn't get any pictures of it, but Ame, Kaipo and Quinn
all went and saw Narnia with Grandpa Asplund
on Christmas Eve (day). The showing they saw
was actually in 3D and Ame got sick part way through
so Dad had to take her out for walk in the mall for a while,
but Kaipo LOVED, LOVED it. He has seen the others and
is very into that series. Ame even reads the chapter books to him.
Dad said he was soooo into the movie that
he kept yelling things out like: No! don't!! or watch out!!
I am pretty sure it was high light of his Christmas Break.
Ame on the other hand, I don't think so...
its funny cuz originally Ame wasn't going to go because it was
a BOYS outing, but Kaipo really wanted her to come,
so last minute she did?!
At least it wasn't a total waste of $$$ for everyone!!!
So FUN has been had, with
many more Christmas memories
and times of Joy on the way!


Sunday, December 19, 2010

Lots of Celebrating

Last night we had our annual neighborhood Christmas Party.
I was gabbling and enjoying myself WAY TOO MUCH
and didn't take one picture (even though I did have my camera).
LOTS of yummy food, LOTS of playing and LOTS of good conversation!
We were there for almost 3 hours, and still had to drag everyone away,
so we could get up, bright and early, for church this morning.
**********************
Then tonight we had our
Hanamaikai Family
Party and gift exchange.
This was suppose to happen on Christmas
Eve, but because of too many conflicts
we moved it to today.
We ate AND ate, exchanged gifts, watched
The Grinch, ate Yummy Peppermint
Chocolate Snowflake Cake, the kids the
played with their new gifts, us adults
talked & talked and had LOTS of laughs.
Just what family time is all about!!

Ash was sooo thankful to Olivia for
the gift she gave him!

Amaya is such a cutie, walking all over
the place (wish she would teach Nalu a little of that)

Nalu loves opening presents!

I think Kaipo was happy about his gift?!!
(he's pretty easy to please)




We were sad not everyone made it.
Some live out of state and others just had conflicts.
But fun WAS had by all who came!!










Wednesday, December 15, 2010

It's out!!

A few weeks ago we noticed Kaipo's BIG tooth
growing in behind his baby tooth.
The baby has gradually gotten looser,
and of course the anticipation for
his FIRST tooth to come out has been
BUILDING for the past few days.
Well today with the help of his sister,
it came out.
I don't know how many times he
announced how HAPPY he was
but he has been super excited all night!
The tooth fairy better
REMEMBER to visit our house tonight!?!




Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hayride and Santa Wishes

Yesterday was our Annual Ward Christmas Breakfast.
Of course I forgot my camera, but we had a
great breakfast (oven omelets and cinnamon rolls)
and a surprise visit from an
AWESOME Santa and Mrs Claus
(their helpers of course).
Then last night we went on a Hayride that took
us around the Layton City Park light display.
We chose a great night, because it was quite pleasant
and all bundled up we weren't really cold at all.




afterwards we went indoors for some hot cocoa
and another visit with Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas.
It was interesting to hear the kids express their
wishes to Santa (twice in one day)
and the different things they asked for each time.
Way to confuse Santa and HIS HELPERS!!!

(this a funny picture of Kaipo giving bunny ears
to Ash and Santa catching him being naughty)

Ame is definitely at the age of embarrassment
with sitting on the Jolly Man's lap.
*******************
We are trying to enjoy this Beautiful Season and
remember it's TRUE meaning!







Much Overdue...But none the less thankful

Although this post of Thanksgiving is MUCH overdue,
I feel no less thankful for my abundance of blessing!
We have not been without challenges
(financial strains have been the greatest),
but those we have faced seem minimal compared
to challenges of those we know and love.
Family
(both our own little family and
all of our extended families on both sides)
means so much to us!
We were grateful to spend time with
the Asplund's and the Hanamaikai's during
Thanksgiving (thankfully on seperate days).
We have such special bonds with our
siblings, parents, in-laws and our kids with
their cousins, aunties/uncles & grandparents.
Another great blessing we cherish
is that of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
our membership in HIS church.
We TRY to teach our kids of its importance
and hope that their own testimonies grow
and can one day stand strong.

Life is GOOD and amidst life's MANY challenges, we feel blessed!

Friends, Friends and more Friends

Ame's friend Layla invited her to join their family
to see the Nutcracker.
They got to go out to dinner first
@ Wingers. Ame was soo excited to have
ribs and asphault pie. Man that girl can eat!!
(when it is something she actually likes)
Ame LOVED the show, even though it was quite
long and she didn't get home until VERY late.
She even bought a crystal ornament as a souvenier
(with her own money).
The week of Thanksgiving, when the kids had a few days
off, we decided to let them have a movie night WITH friends.
Kaipo had Campbell over and Ame invited Layla (of course).
Mom tried to find a friend who could join Ash, but no luck.
He didn't seem too disappointed though.
Ramona and Beezus
was the movie of choice
(cute, cute show)!
Complete with pizza, homemade hot cocoa
and lots of treats.
Nalu didn't want to miss out on all the fun

Ash is content just havin' his Mickey Blanket and pillow,
while hangin' out with the BIG kids!

These two are best pals and pretty inseperable.
I am soo glad they clicked so quickly this year
and have become such great friends, especially
since Ame had a bit of a hard adjustment
at the beginning of the school year,
with joining the Spanish Immersion Program
and not knowing anyone/feeling out of place.
Layla's mom teaches at our school
and is the English teacher in the
Spanish Immersion Program for fourth grade,
so Ame and Kaipo will each get to have her.
(Kaipo has the little sister, Marina, pictured in the
nutcracker pic above, in his class this year).