Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

December 2025

Jane spent months trying to lure Fancy Pants into being her own cat. She was finally able to pick the cat up and walked home, but unfortunately, she didn't like that and wriggled away. This made Jane very sad. I told her that when we move, she can get 2 cats. That made her day. 

Kate started doing crochet animal orders for my work as well. 


Jane singing their Christmas Performance in Waikele. She and Liana had a solo part and they did so well! I'm so proud of her bravery!

Jennifer came into town for the Honolulu 10K/marathon. First things first, a yummy breakfast with kimchi fried rice, spam, and eggs!

Beautiful sunset at Kahanamoku Beach Park.

Picking up our packets at the Convention Center.

Laying wreaths at Punchbowl National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America.

The boys traveled to Lanai and were able to bring home some deer meat.

The wettest race we have ever participated in! We stood in line for the bathroom at mile 2 for about 30 minutes. It started raining buckets about 30 minutes before the race began and just kept coming. Jennifer's friends completed the marathon, while we just did the 10K. It was a nice little jog through town.

Hanging out with friends while we waited for our marathoner to finish.

The next day, we were supposed to go to the sandbar in Kaneohe. However, with the storm and rain they canceled our excursion about 20 minutes before our arrival time. So Bryan and I did an island tour with our new friends to some of our favorite spots. Apparently we did a pretty good job- we got tipped!

Anne Miller- a favorite of ours.

We traveled to Maui over winter break for a Christmas Party with the eye clinic Bryan moonlights. They always put on a great work Christmas party and we usually end up taking a prize home.

 This is a pretty cool spot on the west side of the island.

Watching the sunset at Haleakala. Quite the crowd for the winter solstice. We made sure to dress appropriately and hydrate!

Above the clouds. 
Also, this is Bryan and mine's 20th anniversary! We will have to plan something later... without the kids, of course! 

I took the girls on a short hike up Iao Valley. I'm not sure if they were impressed...

Howie protecting our Christmas tree. 
This year the girls received gifts that were a little more practical. I feel like they are at an age where toys and games are not something they immediately choose. Books, clothes, electronics, and self care items are more appropriate choices. I can't believe I don't have any more pictures!
I remember why I don't have many pictures- I was having issues with my cellphones storage. I was deleting pictures/apps/messages to try to increase my space. It was quite the nightmare!

Howie loving on his favorite human, Miles.


Friday, May 16, 2025

December 2024


Christmas Carnival Games

Christmas Parade

Beach Cleanup with 808

Gingerbread contest winners at Bryan's work.

Wreaths Across America- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)

6th grade Christmas Party

19th Anniversary in Maui
Snuba/Snorkle Molokini Crater

Hiking Haleakala, Waihee Ridge Trail, and Iao Valley

Christmas Party with Aloha Eye Clinic
Bryan works 2-3 days every month at an eye clinic in Maui.



The girls had a blast staying with our dear friends, the Chambers.




When we got back from our trip, we went Christmas caroling.



After we celebrated Christmas in Hawaii, the girls and I flew to Utah for a week. The girls were super excited to be cold, touch the snow, visit cousins, and open presents from grandma and grandpa.


We drove up to Bear Lake with Kim and her family. Kate and Jane couldn't wait for grandpa to pull them behind the 4-wheeler like they saw their Koplin cousins do last year.




We enjoyed 2 days of skiing at Beaver Mountain. This was my first time skiing here and I absolutely loved it.


Friday, May 17, 2024

December 2023

Christmas in Hawaii is a bit different than we've experienced in our other locations. Mostly, it just isn't cold. The people here do know how to decorate their homes and have a good time thought!

The first weekend, Krist came over for a girl's night. We made gingerbread houses, watched a movie, and pampered ourselves (Bryan even took in on the festivities!).



Bryan's best friend Marcus was visiting Maui, so we decided to tag along and enjoy their condo's nice amenities. I can't wait to go back and visit more of this beautiful island!



Bryan's brother Adam and his family came to visit over Christmas break. We went to the Polynesian cultural center for the first time, and it didn't disappoint. Lots of activities, lots of food, and great entertainment to the very end!




We took his family to Secret Beach

and went on a sunset cruise on the south side of the island. 

We took the girls on a hike up Tripler Ridge and found the Christmas tree 

and swing!

The girls had a Christmas recital and performed very well. We had a hard time finding a piano teacher, after 2 trials. We are so glad we found Zui! The girls are happy and practicing often.


Of course we got in the Christmas spirit by traveling around the island to the most decorated areas. Ewa was amazing! We even saw Santa walking around the neighborhood in his swim trunks!


Christmas Eve

Christmas Day: Kristi spent the night, Santa brought way too many things again, and we did a cold plunge with our new pool. 


Then we headed over to White Plains for some beach time and surfing! So fun to see all the surfers wearing their Santa hats.

On New Years Eve, we hike Makapu'u for the last sunset of 2023.