Hawaii Back Track -- Makapu'u Beach

I have some pictures that I took on the big camera that I haven't added from our first days in Hawaii.    My iphone was so handy to write blog posts from while we were there, but now I have to back-track a bit to add the pics I didn't capture with lady Siri.  The pictures below were taken from day two of our trip.  You can read more about it here.

Tralee and me at Makapu'u beach.  Cammi and Chase were married here (SIL and BIL).  I can see why.  It was a beautiful beach blanketed with lava rocks and soft sand!   In fact, we saw another couple taking their wedding pictures there.

Love this picture!

She was being super silly!

On the drive back from the beach we stopped at a scenic look-out and saw people swimming at a hidden beach below.  We also watched a big blow-hole in the rocks.

 

That's the blow hole

Beach

Mist from the blow hole.

Christmas in Hawaii - 2012

It's Christmas in Hawaii.  The temperature is 72.  It's Christmas, and it's bright and gay, and Santa does the hula for you.  

We heard the above song SEVERAL times while in Hawaii.  Jim heard it the most on his way to and from work.  He heard it so much, he'll still break out in song at the mention of Hawaii, or Santa, or Christmas.

When talking to Tralee and Hunter about Christmas this year, we explained that their BIG present would be going to Hawaii.  We told them that we would give each other a few small gifts, and that Santa would bring a few things he knew we could take home with us.  They seemed more than okay with those plans.

Besides all the Santa talk, we wanted to reiterate what the true meaning of Christmas was all about.  I think Tralee got it, as she made up the following song:

"The true meaning of Christmas isn't about presents.

The true meaning of Christmas is about Jesus and giving and love."

(repeat)

The night before Christmas

Kids on Christmas Eve . . . Tralee seems to be in a dangerous spot.  We moved them to the pull-out bed after this was taken.

Christmas morning brought with it all sorts of magic trimmed with happy smiles, excitement, and traditions.  Santa found us across the ocean, and brought with him gifts and a letter explaining that there were a few more packages waiting back home in Idaho.  I managed to make my Nana's Christmas Crepes and give a nod to her Quiche in my scrambled egg creation.  Jim said they were the best scrambled eggs he's ever had, so it must have worked out.

Hunter asked for a ball and slippers from Santa

Tralee asked for some slippers, a Ukulele, and a Jack-in-the-Box.  The only problem was she decided she wanted a jack-in-the-box two days before Christmas.  Santa had to REALLY scramble and then promise to deliver it to Idaho, instead of Hawaii.

Kids in the morning, waiting for us to give the the okay to start opening presents.

SO EXCITED!

We were excited too!!

Opening their stockings

His face!  Magical!!

Jim reading the letter from Santa

Seriously!  That face! 

Wearing his new slippers

After presents were played with, brunch eaten, and Christmas movies watched, we slipped into our suites --  of the swim variety -- and walked across the street to the beach.  We built sandcastles, played, swam, and even saw a mermaid!

Tralee the mermaid

A few hours later we washed the sand out of our crevices, got dressed, and made our way up to the sundeck to watch the Christmas sunset.

The view of Diamond Head from the deck

Hunter was sad Tralee pushed the elevator button before he could.  Silly boy!

While up on the roof with my family I felt truly blessed.  Our Christmas was full of beauty, magic, and love, and we could truly feel the spirit of our loving Heavenly Father and His Son.  I think Tralee would agree that we felt the true meaning of Christmas -- even in a place where Santa does the hula for you.

December 23rd and Christmas Eve

The 23rd and Christmas Eve were pretty typical days.  The kids and I played at the beach and enjoyed our time together in paradise.  Tralee and Hunter said goodbye to Tallinn (not sure if I spelled that right), their new southern friend.  I think I said his name was Kaelon, but I was wrong.  

Jim was officially done working Christmas Eve Night.  It was SOOOOO nice knowing that as soon as he walked through the apartment door we could play together as a family EVERYDAY!!!!  However, before Jim came home to us that night, the kids and I took the elevator from the seventh floor to the main level, walked through the open-air lobby, down the stairs, passed The ABC store, a surf shop, and Starbucks, turned the corner, and arrived at The Cookie Corner to pick out Santa's cookies.  We each picked out a cookie we thought Santa would enjoy, and maybe a few extras just for us!  Then we sat by the beach, ate a few cookies, looked at the sky to see if Santa would pass overhead, and finally decided to make our way back to our Hawaiian home.  So, we said goodbye to the beach, walked back towards our apartment, turned a corner, passed Starbucks, a surf shop, and The ABC store, climbed a few stairs, walked through the open-air lobby, and took the elevator back to the seventh floor which lead us to apartment 721.

As soon as we were back "home" we changed into our pajamas, laid out Santa's cookies and fruits and veggies for the reindeer, wrote Santa a letter, and went online to track Santa's route.

A few minutes after tracking Santa, Jim came home and our vacation in paradise officially began! 

Tralee and Tallinn

Picking out Santa's cookies

What's a Hawaiian Christmas without a decorated Palm tree?

Tralee and Tallinn

Santa's milk and cookies and Reindeer food.  Tralee and Hunter dictated their note to Santa to me.

Santa's letter to Tralee

After Santa came