A Few Malihinis: January 2024

We love dropping off Roxy to Diane. Roxy wags her tail and cannot stop shaking in anticipation of all her love.

Diane sent us nearly daily updates, including new toys and sleeping positions throughout their home.

Robin, Rick, Michael, Casey and kids were staying in our home and using the truck, so we had to identify the car location. I always think our family is such a spectacle at the airport. It is so easy to travel with older kids but we look like a lot of bags and people!

Layover time! Getting in our steps.

SLC had the airport decked our for Christmas. I kept wondering where they are storing so many giant nutcrackers, wreaths and trees, and realized that is such an island mentality. They probably keep it in their basement like all Utah people.

The entire C&K family (minus missionary Rach) was up and greeting us after midnight when we pulled in. We stayed up another hour or two chatting and catching up. It was lovely staying on Hawai'i time the next morning, sleeping instead of our brutal, more common red-eye flight routine. When we finally emerged, Kristen and I ran and the rest of the fam worked out at the gym. There are so many enviable elements in their home--the kitchen, spacious living room, giant windows overlooking an acre of well-manicured yard, and a grand piano. But the gym is what really kills me off. So jealous of this space!

Get it, O.

We spotted snow flurries and told the kids it was the last time they would see it snowing on our trip if the forecast was accurate.

Secret Hitler!

Cory and Kristen raved about La Casa de Tamale and were most enamored by the cheese.

Zachary has talked about this taco at least 3 times since the experience.

We walked around Salt Lake lights in the chilly, early evening temps.

Zachary and Blake dressed alike and look alike from quite a few angles.

Canadian Goose Coat: my first purchase if I ever move to Utah.

Cousins!

Then, for the evening's big event: The Nutcracker by Ballet West! New York Times voted it It was voted it the Best Ballet in the United States. We did not tell Kate about it until the morning of the show, keeping our toy soldier ballerina in the dark for a sweet surprise.

At the very least, it was the world's hottest Nutcracker. By intermission, it had to be 80 degrees in the theater and climbing. It was a magical, sweaty experience.

That night, we came home to play Occulus games with Blake's friend, laughing at 5 Nights at Freddie's until at least 2am.

Christmas Eve church service. The only thing better than Christmas Day church is Christmas Eve church. I loved the musical selections. We arrived tardy to Cory and Kristen's ward after going to the wrong building. #utahproblems

Angela and Paul plus family and Mom and Dad came down mid-afternoon for Christmas Eve festivities. After frantically wrapping presents for hours, we walked the neighborhood in the surprisingly warm weather, visiting members of our Kauai ward who live there part-time.

We also went to Smith's on Christmas Eve and I don't recall every being in the midst of such a large grocery crowd. What amazed me was the kindness of everyone there, even parents with a bunch of crying kids. Everyone was tolerant and all-smiles until I got out to the cutthroat parking lot, where battle over parking trumps all patience.

I forget how much I love season and then I walk and run in the cold and want to walk and run in the cold every winter. I think if we move back, I will never have to wash my running clothes because I never sweat outside.

Reading "The Night Before Christmas":

Zachary was all-smiles delightful the entire trip--it helps to have mostly healed bones!

We emphatically sang hymn after hymn. The Ritchies are such a party. Kate, Brady, Elise, and I all took turns accompanying.

The Target Christmas jams that we accidentally had matching Cory and Kristen's family. Zac claims he never told me he wanted any, but I did ask. Promise. The jams are a bit super-sized.

We finished wrapping and I was shocked it was only midnight. The kids were downstairs playing and amidst their giggles and gaming, we noticed the questions they had to Santa. 13 of them. 13. ELISE! 13 questions?! I want you to know there will be sweet payback someday. Your kids will beat 13 questions with the help of Aunty Karen. It took us an hour to answer, but it laughing late into the night with C&K was one of the highlights of the trip. We also poked fun at Kauai Santa's one-sided letter to the kids--definitely written to Kauai kids and not as much to the Utah kids.

CHRISTMAS morning! My favorite part of this picture is always-the-good-sport Blake taking up the rear of the kid-train.

Yeah, you better read all those answers! All 13..............

We learned that their family opens one tiny item (chocolate piece by piece) at a time. My kids were five pieces into their stocking when they realized their error. After 2 hours of stockings, we gobbled up Kristen's cinnamon rolls and Cory's bacon.

We found some of Santa's beard hair on Sunny!

I am over the moon that this Sunny-girl was reunited with her family after her 10 day adventure flying solo. I come away from these trips and want a golden retriever in a bad way.

I always thought Kate and Walker looked the most alike of all the cousins, but Owen wins that prize this year.

Kate was so worried about having a 2022 Christmas Day Vomit vest repeat that she barely slept. She was so relieved to join the cocoa and cinnamon roll party without pukes this year!

Zachary's reaction to a new watch.

...and his new Triad boogie board. (His reaction muted a bit when he saw it was green...but Santa surely did try.)

Doing boogie board tricks--ha!

Kate and Owen bought each other robes.

Spending Christmas Day with Mom and Dad Edwards is so much better than opening up their incredibly thoughtful 12 Days of Christmas gifts annually.

A baseball card album, ballet turning device, and books from Grandma and Grandpa Nufer!

The boys gifted each other Legos and spent the afternoon building.

Afternoon walk after gifts. We saw a lady get a brand new SUV with a giant red bow. It was like a commercial. I did not know people did things like that in real life.

Christmas dinner and games at Paul and Angela's.

Brady and Ryan's gift to Mom and Dad.

The Minute-to-Win-It games were so cute. I was grateful to all the family who included Owen so thoughtfully. He is the youngest in all our friend groups and is often brushed aside.

Bryson and Ashley announced their pregnancy to us at dinner. They showed us all tiny blue and white Nikes.

Mom and Dad were able to collect some of Mom's parents' family artifacts. They talked us through Mom's memories of each item. So happy they have them now!