Snow again!

My favorite colors are blue, green and white. We got a good heavy snow during the storm, so when the weather cleared this morning, it was beautiful!

Mauna Kea

Mauna Loa
Some into Polulu Valley this morning, some surfing; some golf this afternoon, some beach. Lovely everywhere. If the weather's been lousy where you are, I'm truly sorry! Whit and Jim leave tonight; Rob, Anna and the keikis tomorrow night. The time has gone by way too fast. Merry Christmas!

Day after Christmas

The weather wasn't so great up here -- rainy again -- on Friday, so we headed to Waikoloa so we could watch Lu get shot -- twice -- and she's still smiling.

We had lunch and then down to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historic Park. The weather was overcast but pleasant, and we enjoyed the park and especially the tide pools.

Opihi on the rocks

Lots of hermit crabs for the boys to play with.

Christmas

Christmas morning was lovely. Kids didn't get us up until about 7, so the opening was very civilized!

After the opening, we did the traditional Hawaii thing, and all went to the beach. The afternoon was lovely, and we all had a grand time.

Tucker on the board.

We finished the day off with a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a couple of hours of dominoes.

Christmas Eve with the kids

The weather didn't cooperate on Christmas Eve -- Court apparently forgot to put in the order! So we made a trip in vain to Polulu Valley lookout -- only to find rain. Still pretty though! We then tried the beach, only to find wind gusting beyond acceptable.

With wind and/or rain everywhere, we went back to the house for the rest of the day. All was not lost, however, as the boys and keikis got seriously into making "gingerbread" houses. Serious talent here! The day ended with Christmas carols and the Christmas story (as well as The Happy Prince by Mom for the adults -- Court and Whit wanted their annual cry).

It's a honu world!

We went down to Puako after Church this afternoon. The kids enjoyed looking in the tide pools -- sea urchins and sea cucumbers, a feathery starfish, blowfish and manini, tiny hermit crabs -- plus multitudes of honu sunning themselves on the rocks or swimming close by. Have never seen so many!

After Puako, we went down to Sharks' Cove. Not sure we saw any sharks -- only a turtle or two. But it was pretty, and the kids had fun throwing rocks in to the water.

After we got home, we tried to do an Edelweiss dinner of veal Emily with garlic mashed potatoes. Not sure my sauce tasted like Hans-Peter's, but it was pretty good. We were all hungry!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas?

Is this what you mean by a "decorating party"?

Previews of Coming Attractions

A little dark, but you get the idea ...

They made it!

Anna and the kids arrived safely this afternoon after their long flights. Lu was a bit under the weather, but the rest were amazingly energetic after having been up since 2 am Hawaii time! We're so excited to have them here for the next couple of weeks. Rob will arrive next -- next Saturday. Then the rest come in on Dec. 23rd. We're looking forward to a great family Christmas this year -- first time in six years we've all been together in Hawaii.