Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Full disclosure: I'm not known for my late night partying or my New Year's Eve festivities.  I made an exception this year though as little girl's birthday hadn't really been celebrated yet and what could be more fun than a 'stay up past midnight, watch the fireworks and make tons of noise sleepover'  

Not much.  Of course, if you're going to do it... 

Ya gotta go all in!

We started the fun back at the outdoor skating rink

Came home for tacos and sprinkle doughnut cake and lots and lots of selfies

General shanagins like glow stick tag, makeovers and a movie that never got watched

Until it was finally time for the real noisemaking to begin!

The fireworks in Waikiki were amazing, lasted almost 20 minutes.  So did the shouting, giggling and horn blowing!

But like I said, you gotta go all in!  May your 2016 be full of excitement :)

It's almost here!

Finally out of school and ready to have some Hawaii fun!

Or we could pretend it's cold, put on a hat and go iceskating. Yes, let's do that!

We got this.

Nothing like a hot cup of chocolate on a 73* day.  Brrrrr

Update on my little guy.  I finally released the noose and laid him to rest.  Next year we will stick to lights on the railing.

Love this show!

And the yummy dinner that follows

 And my goofy crowd

Can't forget gingerbread houses!  Or as we like to call them in the islands, cockroach motels ;P

Cider is in the crockpot

Presents are wrapped

Santa is ready

Now we enjoy the decor, call our friends, deliver our cookies

Worry about the stuff we didn't do, eat too much and wait for the baby in the manger.

Wishing all my friends and family a very merry Christmas.  Love to you all - I am so thankful for you

HO HO HO

They're Back!!!  The cutest trees on the planet.  This time around I had the bright idea to get a little guy for our lanai

Cute as a button.  Until we started with the gale force December Manoa winds that is.  My poor tree has been knocked down, deprived of water, had it's branches broken and is now leaning up against the house hanging on for dear life.  Best laid plans.

Thankfully the star of the show is nice and protected inside the house and is looking as pretty as ever!

Here is my bulletin board at work. Yes, I drew all those people and cut them out.  Tedious work.  Don't look too closely for accuracy.  Pretty sure I have some giants and midgets in that scene.

Work fun.  

I love that our town has this old-timey Christmas Parade.  

They give out candy to the crowd.  Nothing cute about this little one

And what could be better than running into your favorite elf (Olivia's BFF) for a quick hug?

Nope, nothing cute here.  Move on

We finally are off of school at noon today.  One week - we are in the "too much to do, it'll never get done, cookies to be made, presents to wrap, heaving breathing phase," but oddly calm. It'll all happen, it always does.  It'll all be over too fast.  I'm very much looking forward to down time (= no homework time) with my family.  We sure could use the break.

Always missing my family at this time of year, but I'm happy for the technology that keeps us up to date.  Even mom has joined in the texting club.  Now for Dad.....

May your days be merry and bright!!