Hello all and a be-lated Mele Kalikimaka to you! 

(that's Merry Christmas for all those not in the know)!

     Christmas in Hawaii is different to say the least. For one ... it's warm!!!! For two, they have these giant 'shaka' Santa's and Snowmen in downtown Honolulu that are way cool! We took a ride and got some pics on the move, thus this is just a bit fuzzy. They have this whole Christmas park and we will have to stop in for a real visit next year.  

     Santa was good to us this year, we really are pretty fortunate.  Sometimes he knows just what to get the little one's. G has been complaining since we got here that she didn't have a swing to hang out on and as usual ... Santa delivered.

     For the holidays, we were fortunate enough to have our Grammy here with. She had a great time and on Christmas day, we don't know who was more enthralled with the Tinker Toys ... the kids or Grammy.

     After Christmas, and after all the rain had settled down, we all to time to go to the beach. We spent some time on the North Shore where we found a beach that was almost completely deserted. We took advantage and had a nice long walk, wading in the surf and watching the waves.

     As we were leaving, we noticed a little brown thing bobbing up and down in the surf and on taking a closer look we spied a couple of giant sea turtles. We spent several minutes just watching them roll around in the surf. Way cool for Grammy, and us.

(did you notice the second one that looks like a rock in the foreground??)

     From there we went to Sunset Beach and took some time to actually get in the water and, well ... other things. G took it upon herself to make a sand angel and was so excited about the project that she just started to roll around. Lovely!! ... full body sand-child. Try washing that out before you get back in the car for the drive home.

     We took some time later that week to do some shopping and just see some sights. After a long day at the mall, we stopped for lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp (more shrimp than you could ever want) and some cold treats after. We found this place in the Alamoana Mall that serves frozen cheesecake dipped in chocolate. Grammy and B found it quite delicious and, well, entertaining.

     Grammy and L took a tour around the island. They said one of the highlights of the trip was stopping at the Buddhist Temple. A tradition is to ring the giant bell to clear away all of your bad thoughts and unhappiness before you enter the temple. I think it's also about getting your workout in before you start your meditation.

     Later, we went to the Arizona Memorial National Park. It was our first time there and I would call it impressive to say the least. We did the whole thing; the walking tour, the memorial, the audio tour, the museum (A even got a set of books about the War in the Pacific - signed by the author)

     We took in the actual monument. It is a very moving tribute. The hall where the names of the shipmen that died with the ship were listed was especially captivating. I stood silently, with probably 50-60 other guests, and read some of the names, read what they did. I was moved just to imagine the servicemen and how they were lost in this great tragedy. 

     The National Park is a fitting tribute, though a complete renovation is currently being planned. It appears that main building that houses the museum, theatres, and artifacts, is actually sinking. It seem that when it was built in the 60's, it was never intended to handle the massive # of visitors that come each year. When you go, you have numerous opportunities to contribute to the renovation foundation. We did, it seemed worthwhile.

     Grammy also got to go to a Lu'au. We did the Paradise Cove Lu'au. The dinner was good and the show was very nice. They had a variety of different dances including a wedding dance (the costumes for this were especially excellent) that was really good. As usual, they invited everyone up on the stage for some impromptu hula lessons. Grammy and G decided to take them up on the offer and had a great time.

     All in all, it was a great trip. We had some uneventful days as well and spent the last full day down in Honolulu. We went to Hanauma Bay and then lounged the afternoon away at the beach at Waikiki. Grammy got on the boogie board (no body-surfing here, just milling around in the shallow end) and A and H took some time to go snorkling. B just soaked up the sun.

     After we got home, we all got cleaned up. While H was taking her shower, her best friends were very sad at having not been entertained for an entire day. They decided to camp out right outside the bathroom door to wait her out and to be sure not to miss her when she came out.

Sad, or what!

     We hope you all had a great holiday season.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!!

(Happy New Year!!)