Christmas 2014

Twas the night before Christmas...

Our tree looks a little wimpy with our tall ceilings now.  Coolest gift from 2014 pictured above: the longboard.  Natalie and Scott helped us out with that one.  Thanks, guys!

The kids woke up after 7am (!) and obediently waited at the top of the stairs.  We sang the traditional "Christmas comes but once a year and now it's here, and now it's here," took a couple pics, and make the trek downstairs.  I love that Zachary made Olaf give us the shaka.

The kids immediately noticed the trampoline outside, and Kate shrieked when she saw her new bike.  It took them until breakfast to notice Santa's note.

She rode it around the house until I couldn't stand it--I waited a whole 60 seconds--and told her no way. 

My very favorite Christmas picture from this year:

I made crepes for breakfast, but they were gross.  Oh well.  Kate's other gift from Santa was her Elsa doll, seated next to her plate.

As soon as she opened that doll, she immediately changed into her Elsa costume from Halloween.

A little while later, she opened her Anna dress, purchased right in front of her a few days before Christmas.  After she changed into Anna, she said, "Now my heart is frozen, huh?  I wish I had my two braids in RIGHT NOW!"

Zachary's enthusiastic expressions stole the show again this year.  He is so grateful and excited about gifts, even though Santa didn't bring him "a robot that can talk and move and clean up for me."

A gift from his cousin, Tanner:

Noticing the trampoline for the first time (which made the late night set up so completely worth it):

Kate opened her new ballet tutu in her favorite color and said, "Look!  A dress for one of my babies!"

I wrapped up and opened my gift to myself, purchased all the way back in October.

Brady, opening up a book from his parents:

Saying goodbye to our elf, Ralphie, until next year:

I spent an hour talking to my family, including Eric, on Zoom.  It was awesome seeing everyone's faces  and listening to everyone take turns talking.  I felt like I actually hung out with my family that day.  I also saw Brandon and Jason for the first time.  Cute babies!!  

We both went running and then had to convince ourselves to get out and go to the beach (when all we really wanted to do was sleep).  We met up with Jennie and Justin and their kids and had a beautiful, crowded beach day.

Brady and Kate paddle boarding:

Christmas Day family pictures:

I got in my 3rd surfing session of the week, paddling out with Jennie.  There is something ridiculously awesome about surfing on Christmas.  I do realize it sounds like I do it for bragging rights only, and that is possibly the appeal.  Not sure.  All I know is surfing on Christmas is a step above surfing on any other day of the year.

Brady even caught a pic of me (I'm standing on the left).  No, the wave didn't close out on me and the guy in better position didn't catch it.

The boys gathered a small crowd watching them do tricks.  I love boogie board tricks.

When we first arrived at the very crowded beach, there was a lady doing full blown yoga poses on her paddle board.  It would be one thing if there weren't hundreds of us there to observe, but there we all were, watching her make a spectacle.  In honor of that lady, I pulled my own stunt on the way in.

Seriously adorable Owen.  Brady loves this kid so much.  Zachary and Kate regularly say, "I wish Owen was in our family."

Kate and Ava:

Kate becomes a sand mermaid:

And Ava is a sand unicorn:

Friday night, we made up the previous weekend's camping disappointment and headed back to Polihale for a campout with a different group of friends.  Brady took the day off, so we arrived mid-afternoon rather than barely in time for sunset.

The water was too rough to swim, and the beach was covered in Portuguese Man-of-War.  I was stung by one of these guys this past summer.  Youch.  They are so beautiful, though.

When boys can't do boogie boarding tricks, they fine other ways of entertaining themselves.

I love that we can have radically different experiences at Polihale--sometimes with sand so hot it burns our toes, and other times with clouds and chilly breezes--but it is still my favorite place on the island.

Jennie snagged a picture of us with her good camera, cueing a whole new wave of camera envy for Brady.  Soon enough, babe.

 The night was chilly and windy, but fun.  The kids woke up at 4am and giggled until they could barely breathe, then immediately went back to sleep until 7am.  (Yes, another 7am!  My kids finally sleep past 6am!)  In the morning, it was more creative sand play and running around.

Sand art:

 I love that Kate is accepted as a playmate with Zac and his friends.

 We lasted until 1:30pm, then headed back home to clean up and go to the see "Big Hero 6" with the kids.

This Christmas brought so many feelings of gratitude.  I loved celebrating in our own home.  I loved that we have kids at what feels like the perfect age for the magic of Christmas.  I loved that they enjoy stories about Jesus and stories about Santa.  I loved the expressions of love we received through cards, phone calls and emails all season long from family and friends.  The holidays were happy and Christmas was merry.