New Years Eve 2011

We had a fairly quiet New Years Eve this year.  We got together with a few close friends and rang in the new year about 4-5 hours behind the rest of the family.  It's always an adjustment to receive "Happy New Years!" texts when you still have 4 hours until the ball drops on our televisions.  The kids watched movies until it got close to the ball dropping.  This is only the second year that they have made it all the way to midnight.  We rang in the new year listening to music and playing darts.  It was a relaxing way to celebrate.

My little sweetheart trying to hang on for the ball to drop 

My little man

Kyle, Me, and Gumpy

Us in our silly New Years hats

I can't believe its already 2012.  It seems like the years slip by at the speed of light.  This year our little girl turns 5 and will start kindergarten in August.  Here's hoping that 2012 will be a great one!

Holiday Happiness

This year the holidays came and gone incredibly fast.  One minute I was helping plan our Thanksgiving meal, and the next I was taking down the Christmas tree.  All the days in between flew by in a blur of tinsel, wrapping paper, and twinkle lights.  A few days before Christmas, we went to the office Christmas party.  This year the party even got a visit from Santa.  The kids were in shock that Santa took time from his busy schedule to deliver and early Christmas gift to each of them.

All the children patiently waiting their turn 

Alec got a transformer

Hailey getting her present from Santa

Hailey got a Mulan doll

As quick as old Saint Nick had arrived, he was gone again in a flash.  One of the little boys even tried to hitch a ride on his sleigh!  After the kids got their presents it was time for the adult gift exchange.  After many rounds of passing the gifts back and forth for more favorable ones, I got the movie the Change Up.  It is a hilarious movie and I would have fought someone if they tried to trade me...okay not really but I really wanted that movie!  All in all it was a good time to be had and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Less then a week later, Santa traveled around the world and delivered his presents to our house.  I have started a tradition these last few years of letting the kids open one specific present on Christmas Eve.  Every year it is the same thing, pajamas, but the kids act as surprised at the were the first time.

Hailey couldn't hide her excitement 

All ready to sleep in their new pajamas

Once the kids opened their pajamas and I read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" they were ready to get some rest.  They both went to sleep surprisingly easy.  Then Santa and his elves were able to deliver all the gifts.

I guess the kids were really good this year!

Once they got up we all got down to business and started opening all of these gifts.  The kids loved all of their gifts and had a great time ripping through the wrapping paper.

A new barbie to add to the collection

More Transformers 

Guarding his gift

After everything was unwrapped it was time to take everything out of the boxes.  It took 2 hours for me to open and put batteries in all of the toys.  It was worth it to see how happy they were.  I would say that this was another successful Hawaiian Christmas.