Christmas Card

As predicted, the Hughes family didn't get their act together in time for a card this year.  Finally today we had a moment to try and capture how much they are changing!  Both growing up so fast, but we are enjoying those unique personalities as much as ever. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Love David, Jen, Olivia and Emily

EMILY!!

I hate to start a sentence with "poor Emily", because we all know there isn't anything poor about that girl!  BUT...having a birthday so close to Christmas does have some downsides.  No school parties, friends busy or out of town, that kind of stuff.

This year we decided to turn the tables on that birthday and celebrate early!  Emily's school BFF is going to be busy once break starts so they spent the whole day together yesterday playing, decorating, eating, shopping and going to a movie.

Chocolate cupcakes with peppermint swirl buttercream icing. YUM!

Um, yeah.  The dressing alike was a coincidence.  The eyeshadow was on purpose.  Yes, I let them go to the movie like that.

It certainly is!!

Really cute! (and way less trouble than the dolphin cake) 

But don't worry.  She has elaborate cake plans for the neighborhood party.  Oh yeah, you didn't think I could get away with an early celebration and then zilcho on the real day did you?  Ha.

Time for a little shopping at Claire's before the movie.  Nothing silly about these two :)

They had a blast and were both exhausted last night! 

As for me, it was fun to celebrate while I was still in the mood for shopping, baking and gifting.  Our plan for the hood is simple...meet on the playground for cake.  The plan is simple, the cake is not...

The inspiration photos.  Oye.  Of course the inside is yellow, pink and orange also.  We shall see....

Christmas Time Is Here...

It's Christmas musical time!!!   

This is a BIG production at our school, (which means tons of running around, lots of costume pieces to purchase, late nights and crowds) but I have to admit...I just love hearing and seeing these little ones.  They always end it with a Nativity parade of kids singing Happy Birthday Jesus, gets me every time ;)

The hula class performing Silent Night

Two of my favorite angels

The weekend was spent getting the house decorated.  A task which usually falls to me alone, but this year I had lots of help and must say...the place looks beautiful.

There she is!!!  Adorable right?  We scaled back on the lighting this year so NASA wouldn't complain!  

I find myself struggling this week as we draw near to the anniversary of the shooting.  I know that this time last year, those sweet children were decorating their trees, making lists for Santa, performing in Christmas shows, and anticipating parties at school.   Although I'm behind on my gift buying, cookie making and truth be told, there may not be a Christmas card from my family this year; I'm enjoying every minute with my family.  Every ornament hung or dropped, every early wakeup to open the Advent calendar and every request for another cookie!   The joy in their faces is a sweet reminder to me that I'm privileged to have this time with them.  

Enjoy your advent, go easy on yourself, remember the grace that we are celebrating, forgive someone who doesn't deserve it, do something kind.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

December in Hawaii

We really do have winter in Hawaii, this is what it looks like...

No complaints here!

Today was a big day for us.  "Christmas 1st" as Emily is calling it.  The day where we finally get to open our Advent calendars.  I think we are up to 7 now. 

Hope you all are enjoying Christmas 1st and had at least one calendar to open!