MORE celebrating

Christmas Eve was full of fun and craziness,

with the Hanamaikai crew.

We ate AND ate, talked, laughed, played, and

even had our own little Nativity Play

(with Joseph & Mary, an Angel, Shepherds, and

Wisewomen-you do what you gotta do when the girls dominate)

we opened presents and
loved what we got!

Ash does NOT leave mommy's side, except to see Uncle Clint

Quinn's brother, Keaka, took all the kids sledding Christmas Day.

They all had a BLAST!

We were so grateful to all our loved ones for their thoughtfulness, love and generosity. We love each and every member of our families, near and far, and are so thankful for the ways in which they touch, bless and enrich our lives! Most importantly, we LOVE our Savior for His life and His sacrifice. May we always remember him, and strive to keep him apart of our lives each and every day, is OUR goal, this coming year! Happy New Year to YOU and hope you have had a Christmas Season filled with much Aloha!!

An early visit from Santa

Because we were going to be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Quinn's family, in Orem, we decided to just spend the night (also because the weather was suppose to be stormy) down there. So, mom and dad decided it would be a good idea (thx Jme) to have Santa pay our home an early visit. When I brought up that idea to Ame, of course she had NO PROBLEM with that, cuz it really meant Christmas lasted even longer!

So we did our Christmas eve stuff, and I decided to start a NEW tradition of Navajo Taco, so here is my fry bread. The family seemed happily impressed, so I think this one is here to stay!

We enjoyed some of the MANY yummy treats that have been graciously been given to us, and some sparkling cider.

We watched this wonderful video...to TRY to put our focus in the RIGHT place.

and did our LOVE stocking.

Ame would not let us forget to leave cookies for Santa. She left a cute note for him as well. I guess he was pleased, cuz this is the note he left in return.

Ame got a BIG surprise from Santa. Not what she had asked for, but she has been happily cruzin' her new scooter around the basement (since it is way too snowy outside), with NO complaints!
Ash is loving one of his new gifts as well!

Kaipo was more than ecstatic with his new Mega-blocks castle. He is a TRUE knight now!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Asplund for the great gifts you got us (via mom)

We're hoping this one helps Ash say a few more (or ALOT more) words.

This one is a BIG HIT too.

Daddy liked his gifts
And mommy too
I made monkey bread last year and everyone thought it was just OK.

I thought I would try it again, and see if there were any opinion changes.

As good as I thought it was, I think I will be looking for a NEW Christmas morning breakfast.

Quinn and his family LOVE spam, eggs, rice, and the whole bit (which is what we had this morning), but I want something that is OUR tradition. (Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated)

One of our neighborhood friends brought this over on Christmas Eve (day) and I thought it was such a creative & fun gift idea.

*I may just have to borrow this one*

So the early visit, although it was a LAST MINUTE decision, actually worked out quite nicely. A LOT less stress on the REAL day, but I dont' think I want it to be a permanent thing. It still felt a little wierd! But our Christmas was still VERy Merry and Bright!!!

SOME are enjoying ALL the snow

As all the Utahn's know, we have been getting A LOT of snow and my kids never tire of wanting to play in the white stuff! Ash doesn't go out very often, but he did this day. Ame being such a great BIG sister!!
Kaipo would stay out all day, if I let him!

Ash quickly decided he wasn't fond of being IN the snow.

At least not where it was soo deep!

Because we have been getting SOO much snow, Quinn and I take turns doing the shoveling. It is just soo much fun, we don't want to deprive each other of the good times!

oh so cute...enjoy grandma and grandpa

Some cute kids all dressed up nice for church!
A proud mom, with her pretty girl

And some good lookin' boys

making houses

We made gingerbread houses today.

The kids (Ame especially) have been anxious to make them

all week.

Today was finally a day we didn't have a million other things going,

so we could devote our morning to some more holiday fun!

(PLEASE ignore the messy house)

Ame's work in progress
Kaipo in between in candy eating
And the finished products...one will stay and one will go
(for our 12 days of Christmas treat tonight)

Luckily they both didn't cave in!

This mom is definitely NO EXPERT in the

house building area.

The kids don't seem to care.

It just means they can eat away

at the poor little house,

without feeling the least bit guilty!

(as if they would anyway)

It was fun while it lasted!

Isn't it all about the moment anyway?!

decoration favorites

I've been meaning to do this for a while for my mom,

who wanted to see our Christmas Decor.

It is hard to get a look at the whole house, so here is a glimpse mom,

of some of my favorites around our Holiday home.

The wreath (as you know) I made last year, but the little tree is NEW.

It has different settings that allow for various lighting and songs.

It is s fun addition.

I have had this picture

(which has a beautiful thought on the opposite side)

for years, given to us by my always inspiring Mom.
I got this nativity last year, which I LOVE!

Here's is my wanna-be Hawaiian addition
to the tree, made last year as well.
Can never get enough of this reminder!

I didn't make a lot of new additions this year

...just didn't have the motivation.

although I do have some ideas for next year-

which could very well change in a year from now!

But I have TRIED to fill our home with the

Spirit of Christmas,

and hope that my family is enjoying it

...because I surely am!

Cousin exchange...missing a few

We got together last night with my brother Jason's family & my sister Karli's family, for some present exchanges and some good Holiday cheer! My brother Jason and his family are going to Oregon for Christmas so we got to have an early Christmas with everyone (minus my brother, Aaron and his family-who we really missed, AND my parents of course).

Here's all the munchkins doing their VERY best picture posing!

This is what you get with mutliple parents taking pics-feet & other cameras in the way, and no eyes on you while YOU are trying to get a picture. But they were good picture takers, anyway! (LeAnne and Karli must have been the place where the kids focus was)
Each of the kids got their turn on the LITTLE Christmas chair, to open THEIR present.
(youngest to oldest of course)
Ash got a beginners art/doodle set...just right for him

Kaipo got a Batman Chopper

(which as you can tell he LOVED)

And Ame got a design your own flip flops/slippers set and more art supplies

(which SHE can NEVER get enough of)

Thanks to our great friends the Robinson's for their gift in the mail,

which supplied great entertainment.

After presents, we had several roaring game of

DON'T EAT PETE...the kids had a blast with this one!

Thanks to all our family for their love and generosity.

We are overflowing with gratitude!

LeAnne, thanks for the yummy dinner too!
Our Christmas Season just keeps getting more and more Merry & Bright!
**************************

I just had to throw this picture in there.

Have a seen a cuter reindeer than this one???
Our little Ashy boy is growing up WAY TOO FAST.