Why sometimes I laugh so hard I cry...

Me: "Ella, why did you put your pajamas on?" (it's the middle of the afternoon)
Ella: "Cause I got hiccups."

Me: "Ella, did you take a sugar cookie?"
Ella: "Yes, it's in my belly, I lost it."

Baby Shower

Christina and I had a baby shower for our friend Sara today. I've known Sara since shortly after we moved here and she has been a wonderful friend. Sara and her husband are leaving next month for the mainland (sniff*sniff) and we are going to miss them!!!
Ella adores Sara and pretends to talk to Sara on her toy phone: "Sara, go for coffee?" Sara, baby Wyatt, Ella and I often go for coffee at Starbucks, often enough that when Ella even sees a Starbucks she will ask, "Go for coffee with Aunt Sara?"

Sugar Cookies

Last week the UPS lady knocked on the door with the box in hand and said to me: "I don't think you're supposed to see this, but sign here please." Ron had bought me the KitchenAid stand mixer I've been wanting for years. Merry Christmas to me! Amazon did not box it, they just put the shipping label on the KitchenAid box and sent it out, oh well, at least I get to really enjoy my Christmas baking this year!

Aloha Uncle Joey

Today was Joey's last day on the island. We headed to Hickam Beach this afternoon but as luck would have it, the beach was closed due to storm drainage and debris in the water. The waters are red and murky and the health department is advising people stay out of the water until it's cleared. This is pretty consistent around the island. Bummer.
We headed into Waikiki for dinner at Duke's Canoe Club before dropping Joey off at the airport. Ella will be so sad to not have her companion when she wakes up. As we were leaving the airport, Ella said: "Oh no! Joey gone. Ella no see Joey anymore." It was cute. (Photo note: This is Ella's smile when she knows there is a flash coming.)

Dear Daddy,

Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoyed your day even though you had to go to work. Mommy and I miss you when you aren't with us and we are very lucky you take such good care of us. Thank you for everything you do for us, and for being the best Daddy in the world. I love you!

Love Ella xoxo

Dear Ron,
I wish you a very Happy Birthday and thank you for always being there for us. Life is wonderful with you by my side, and I wish you many more years of love and happiness. Happy Birthday, my love. xoxo

Rain Rain Go Away

After managing a couple hours at Ko Olina on Friday under overcast skies, it began to rain again in the evening. We've had torrential down pours off and on since Joey arrived. Yesterday, Ron and Joey headed out and climbed Diamond Head Crater but had to forgo Hanauma Bay because of looming storm clouds. It proceeded to monsoon and rained steadily into last night.
Late this morning we headed to Kailua and stopped to view Hanauma Bay. After being stuck in traffic for over 2 hours (Honolulu marathon we didn't know was still going) and bypassing all the big surf beaches, we made it to Kailua just in time for another bout of torrential rain. Yeah, Hawaii! Needless to say, today was another bust. Our fingers are crossed that we can at least enjoy Joey's last day tomorrow with some semblance of a tropical island. Here are some pics of the surfer beaches (and the short-lived good weather)as we continued on our quest to Kailua... We did brave the rain and managed to drag Uncle Joey to Lukas' birthday party last night:

Ko Olina

The weather has been crazy. A severe storm came through Wednesday night into Thursday and the torrential rains have closed roads from mudslides. We stayed in most the day yesterday and once it cleared, we ventured out the North Shore, only to get rained on again. So instead of the beach we stopped at the Dole Plantation for some pineapple ice cream.

Today started out much better and Joey, Ella and I headed out to Ko Olina (Ron had to work again). Spent a while at Ko Olina and did a drive up the west coast. It's been overcast and has started raining again - hopefully it clears up by tomorrow...

Waimea Bay & The Missouri

Today was Uncle Joey's first day with us on the island. The weather cooperated for the most part on our drive to Waimea Bay on the north shore. The surf forecast was good so we decided to check it out. Ron had to work so Ella had Uncle Joey all to herself.

We headed into Pearl Harbor and then dropped off Ella at Emmi's house (a block away) and Joey and I toured the Missouri, a WWII battleship that served as the signing place for the end of the war and also served in the first Persian Gulf War. By the time we got home late this afternoon the storm clouds had moved in. It's windy, rainy and there's a big storm moving in. Hopefully it only lasts through the night and we can hit the beaches tomorrow.

Another Week

When I took Ella to get her photo with Santa, I rewarded her with a Build-A-Bear because she was so good. Here's her creation, Fairy Bear, and the photo she took of it. Looks like we'll be getting her one of those kids digital cameras soon as she is constantly stealing ours to take pictures...We also went to a tree lighting ceremony on the base last Friday and they had all sorts of entertainment for the kids. Ella has no fear and is wildly excited by the large mascots....This past weekend we were at a baby shower. Needless to say the cupcakes were a hit...

Christmas Photos

I picked up Ella's photos today and finished ordering our family Christmas cards... keep your fingers crossed that they arrive in time to ship them out... in time for Christmas! Here's our beautiful little elf...

Dear Santa

Wow! This has been another fabulous year and can you believe how quickly it's flown by?! A lot has changed this year, Santa, and I'm starting to catch on to the whole Christmas thing. I was so excited to see you this year and though I seemed a little stumped when you asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I can assure you I've been an exceptionally good little girl. Sorry, but you are a little intimidating in person and I needed some prompting from Mommy. I am glad I was able to tell you "Daddy is working," just in case you were wondering. Our picture looks great, I knew I was supposed to smile for the camera and tried my hardest, I did, but again it's just being intimidated by you in real life. I'll be over that next year I hope.

Hawaii continues to treat us wonderfully, and we are enjoying our time here tremendously. It's going to be hard to leave next year, perhaps you can speak to someone at Daddy's job and see if we can stay longer. A girl can dream :)

I have worked hard this year, talking up a storm, making new friends and learning to be a big girl. Sleeping in a bed, using the toilet, dressing myself and putting on my own shoes have been huge milestones, or so I've been told. I am looking forward to our visitors over the holidays and this year helped Mommy put up the Christmas tree. Like every little girl, I can't wait until Christmas morning and though my parents keep using the words "spoiled" and "loot", I'm sure they are just as excited.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, Santa. Hello to Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolf.

Love Ella