Pre-Christmas Celebrations and Piano Recital

Here we are heading over to the trolley pick-up by Longs. We walk over there, catch the trolley and ride it over to the tree lighting ceremony at Castle Hospital. The kids like to make the crafts, get a flashlight, drink hot chocolate, eat popcorn and mini apples, and hear the bands and performers. This year, we went early (we actually left before the actual lights came on), but we had a great time and avoided a bunch of the crowds.After Taylor's hula class on Saturday, we went to Savers to look for a stuffed animal and a few other Christmas items. April Alexander asked is to look for an ugly Christmas sweater or a turtle neck. Here were some of the contenders.Jimmy has started a tradition of making ugly Christmas sweater-t-shirts. We all wore the one we made to the ward Christmas party 

The girls had their second piano recital. They played wonderfully! I could watch them all day. It makes me such a proud mom. It's wonderful to see how all their practicing and work has helped them to play pretty music. First, Taylor played "Oh Christmas Tree" then Carley joined her on stage where they played "Hungarian Dance" and then Taylor stepped down and she played "Carol of The Bells". We also got to see a bunch of friends there. The Gibsons, the Speeds, the Thorntons, the LaDukes, the Tyaus, the Morses, and others were there. Unfortunately, while we were there, TD's sister who has been struggling with cancer on the mainland passed away. Poor TD. She said last night that she hasn't worn make-up for two months because she has been crying for two months. It's hard to see her hurting. All of us friends were crying with her while people started the pot-luck after the recital while we were in the chapel. All of us have sisters too and can't imagine losing ours. What an unfair deal.

Pre-Christmas Celebrations and Piano Recital

Here we are heading over to the trolley pick-up by Longs. We walk over there, catch the trolley and ride it over to the tree lighting ceremony at Castle Hospital. The kids like to make the crafts, get a flashlight, drink hot chocolate, eat popcorn and mini apples, and hear the bands and performers. This year, we went early (we actually left before the actual lights came on), but we had a great time and avoided a bunch of the crowds.After Taylor's hula class on Saturday, we went to Savers to look for a stuffed animal and a few other Christmas items. April Alexander asked is to look for an ugly Christmas sweater or a turtle neck. Here were some of the contenders.Jimmy has started a tradition of making ugly Christmas sweater-t-shirts. We all wore the one we made to the ward Christmas party 

The girls had their second piano recital. They played wonderfully! I could watch them all day. It makes me such a proud mom. It's wonderful to see how all their practicing and work has helped them to play pretty music. First, Taylor played "Oh Christmas Tree" then Carley joined her on stage where they played "Hungarian Dance" and then Taylor stepped down and she played "Carol of The Bells". We also got to see a bunch of friends there. The Gibsons, the Speeds, the Thorntons, the LaDukes, the Tyaus, the Morses, and others were there. Unfortunately, while we were there, TD's sister who has been struggling with cancer on the mainland passed away. Poor TD. She said last night that she hasn't worn make-up for two months because she has been crying for two months. It's hard to see her hurting. All of us friends were crying with her while people started the pot-luck after the recital while we were in the chapel. All of us have sisters too and can't imagine losing ours. What an unfair deal.

Triathlon

It was stormy as very windy the night before. I didn't sleep well. When Jimmy and I got up in the morning before the sun was up, I was not looking forward to having to get into cold ocean water! Everyone was dancing around when we showed up at the beach because everyone was cold! Luckily, I wasn't cold while I was swimming.The contenders with our bikes ready for the transition after the swim I don't have any pictures of the bike, but I felt great and i totally could have done the run if it weren't for my kneeHottubbing after the race at the Speed's houseI wouldn't have been able to do this triathlon if it weren't for Jimmy. He totally trained me, biked and swam with me, watched the kids for me, set up people for me to run with, etc. Thanks Hunny!

Triathlon

It was stormy as very windy the night before. I didn't sleep well. When Jimmy and I got up in the morning before the sun was up, I was not looking forward to having to get into cold ocean water! Everyone was dancing around when we showed up at the beach because everyone was cold! Luckily, I wasn't cold while I was swimming.The contenders with our bikes ready for the transition after the swim I don't have any pictures of the bike, but I felt great and i totally could have done the run if it weren't for my kneeHottubbing after the race at the Speed's houseI wouldn't have been able to do this triathlon if it weren't for Jimmy. He totally trained me, biked and swam with me, watched the kids for me, set up people for me to run with, etc. Thanks Hunny!

Thanksgiving

It was fun to get together with family this year. We, of course, had Jim and Lynda, but we also, Liz and John came down with their family and John Sr. and Deanne came too (John's mom and Dad). We got to eat in the back yard under the Ez-corner. Cousins togetherAnd the whole gangAunti Liz and her kin spent the night so we all got to eat beakfast togetherand then we went to the mall to try to do a small amount of shopping. We stopped by the pet store and the kids held a puppyplaying games up in Laos

Thanksgiving

It was fun to get together with family this year. We, of course, had Jim and Lynda, but we also, Liz and John came down with their family and John Sr. and Deanne came too (John's mom and Dad). We got to eat in the back yard under the Ez-corner. Cousins togetherAnd the whole gangAunti Liz and her kin spent the night so we all got to eat beakfast togetherand then we went to the mall to try to do a small amount of shopping. We stopped by the pet store and the kids held a puppyplaying games up in Laos

Turkey Imu

The ward put on the Imu again this year so we were able to bring Jim and Lynda cook our turkey again this year.The girls were determined to help this year, so they helped pass the turkeys Carley was also able to go early with Jimmy and helped chop banana trunks with a machete