December 19, 2023
"What are you going to do to celebrate your graduation?" People would ask me.
"I'm going to Kauai!"
In the works since last Christmas, our long-awaited Hawaiian tropical holiday had finally come to fruition. The airport at Christmastime feels extra festive. Maybe because of Home Alone. We finally got to experience the new expansion, which includes Auntie Anne's pretzels. While Callie went there, Graham and I got in line for a protein bowl. Just as we approached the register, the prices switched to lunch. Nearly doubled our total for the same meal, sans the egg.
To be honest, I didn't quite know what to do with myself on the flight without schoolwork to do. Did I miss it already?
We had to snap a photo of Callie to prove in the family group chat that she hadn't been left behind.
We made it! Our sweatshirts were already feeling like a bit much.
December 20, 2023
Boy, did we pick a great home away from home! The villa number was even similar to our address, 1108. Best room. The Lagoons will always be one of our favorite Marriott Vacation Clubs.
Whenever we would tell people that we were headed to Hawaii for Christmas, Matt would say, "Yes, just keeping it simple." I had to chuckle because, yes, some things would be easier but taking Christmas to Hawaii is not simple. Of course, I had to bring a tre-eeeee.
Gavin secured us a cabana at his hotel the next day. The weather did not cooperate. At least we didn't have to worry about taking the cabana away from someone else. The wind and rain caused us to shut the flaps, but then we felt like were next to a Kenny Roger's Roasters Chicken sign. It was messing with our rods and cones, so we opened the flaps back up. Gavin stopped by with fancy drinks, which complimented our nachos nicely.
At one point, Matt chuckled at our soggy situation, "And here we have a nice villa waiting for us." Even our Subway sandwiches were soggy. Graham had been walking around with them while we tried to locate the pool. He was soaked to the skin.
December 21, 2023
Hiking at Kapa'a was on the agenda but Graham was not having it. I bought him new leather sandals before the trip and he didn't want them covered in mud. If you hike in Hawaii, you can pretty much say goodbye to the color of your shoes. We hiked to a waterfall that seemed more like a dangerous whirlpool to me. Callie said that not jumping into it was one of her biggest regrets from her last visit. Wha??? I couldn't watch, so I started back, trusting that Matt would be able to lend whatever help was needed. You can't ever be sure how you will act in stressful situations but I seem to just use my feet to walk the other direction. Literally and metaphorically.
She survived!
Due to the slippery hike, I had to concur that Graham had made the right decision. With our lives and sandals intact, we returned to our temporary home.
December 22, 2023
For how wet the first couple of days had been, the next day looked more promising. Mal and Gav still had to work but we usually got at least one of them on our adventure.
After a morning walk, the three of us, Gav chose mini-golf. It was pouring when we arrived so we waited it out in the car while eating lunch. We had plans to go to Chicken in a Barrel for trivia that evening where the theme would be the Greek alphabet. We spent the time studying the alphabet.
We went to the beach afterward where we mostly just chilled for a bit. Mal was off in time for us to quickly grab her and head to the other side of the island for Friday night trivia. It's a good time. Having been before, I wanted this night to be my treat.
December 23, 2023
Anchor Cove Shopping Center was practically within walking distance of the villa where Callie could put in her last-ditch plea to Santa.
We found the ABC store to be a one-stop shop. Graham and Callie got all their friends souvenirs and some for themselves—even though the saleslady warned Callie that it is bad luck to buy for yourself. I was looking at some cuticle oil with flower petals in it when Mal walked up and said, "Maybe I will get those for my Young Women Presidency and Advisors." Considering that two of them are friends from my teen-age years, I said. "Well, if I like them, they will as well."
That afternoon, Ava and Grayson flew in. Yay!
We had charcuterie-type foods for them. Grayson didn't approve. He felt like it was just more snacking and he had already been doing enough of that. There was plenty else for him to choose from. We had been to Costco and Target where we filled our carts both times. I was doubtful we would get through all of it, "This is enough food for a month!" Matt reminded me we were feeding eight people for 10 days." He was right. When we pulled up to Spouting Horn Park there was a lady that looked dead as a doornail. But Matt is sure he saw her fingers twitch, "She's just high." I guess my family is one to snap a photo rather than offer assistance. What could we do.
Decemebr 24, 2023 Christmas Eve be
Reunited.
We stopped at Mal and Gav's before church and Grayson came across Gavin's cowboy boots and asked if he could wear them. They complimented his bolo tie nicely. He was "this close" to wearing a cowboy hat as well. All of this left Matt wondering, "Are we going to church or a costume party?" Callie was wearing the dress she used for her witch costume. Mal was showing off her puffy caterpillar sleeves. It was a good time.
I love it when Christmas Eve or Day falls on Sunday, though I know littles don't always feel the same way. The lady sitting behind us chose during the sacrament to strike up a conversation with her kids, "Are you excited to see what Santa brings you?"
One-hour of church still bled into two-hour church with the chatting afterward. It was so good to see my friend Emily from our Macey's days. It hadn't taken long for her and Mal to realize they had me in common.
We had just missed Elder Uchtdorf who had visited their ward two weeks prior—when Mal was speaking!
Back at the Bakers, we folded boxes for the cookies Mal had baked for the employees at their hotel. She is a baker. The secret to folding the boxes was all about getting a good crease first. We got to see her cute Christmas decorations and her recently painted pink trim.
The kids spent some of the day decorating a gingerbread house which took way less time than I had anticipated but there was a football game on. Some of the kids went to check out the pool. I came out of my room after wrapping presents and Gavin was on the couch taking a much-needed break. He asked what the plan was. I answered, "I guess it's to swim and relax."
He seemed relieved. "That works for me." He and Mal both needed it. They stayed with us in the other bedroom.
Mal said, "I felt like we were on vacation."
The scenery became the focal point of the day. A and Gray had missed the soggy days and were there for heaven on earth.
WOW.
As the lighting became more dramatic, we naturally made our way outside.
Real life.
We couldn't get enough.
Oh, the excitement in the air!
As the day went on, the lighting only got more dramatic.
For dinner we had schnitzel with noodles and apple strudle for dessert.
The menu choice was better explained the following day.
We have turned into quite the reading family. Any downtime we had, the kids pulled out their books or Kindles.
Matt focused on his Dad for the program that evening. He told stories about him and then gave them each an ornament with his picture. Matt even brought the Christmas bells.
Everyone agreed on The Polar Express for the movie. Gavin remembered that his 8th birthday party was Polar Express-themed.
Those first couple of nights are brutal on the island since 9 pm is midnight on the mainland. A and Gray were feeling it. There was a closet off the laundry room that Graham fit a twin-size blowup in. He used the empty cupboards about the washer/dryer for his things and had quite a nice set up for himself.
Santa found us! Ava was tired but not so tired that she didn't hear the rustle and bustle.
December 25, 2023 Christmas Day
Mele Kalikimaka
Everyone agreed to take it easy and enjoy brunch before gift-opening.
The Swiftmas theme continued throughout the morning and culminated when Gav presented Mal with upcoming Era's Tour concert tickets in Singapore!
She surprised him with new golf clubs. Well, as much as she could. She said it is pretty hard to hide something large their apartment.
"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things"
Once all the kids had exchanged gifts with each other, I presented mine. My gifts were in brown paper packages tied up with string from the song, "A Few of My Favorite Things."
It took some orchestrating but all the gifts (and dinner) went with a line from the song in one way or another.
It was time to hit the beach. We haven't done that on Christmas Day before!
We can never not get a stranger's bad bum in the background.
Let's try this angle.
I am sure Ava was wondering if she could pet dat dawg.
Before we left on the trip, we asked the kids for a bucket item that they were most looking forward to or something they felt like they had to do. Graham said, "Play my uke in the sand." Check.
I had to run back to grab something and decided to grab more snacks and the seven-layer dip.
I was glad I did, it all got eaten.
Instead of a snowman, everyone worked on a sandgirl, Sandy./
Grayson would check in every now and then with statements such as, "So this is what we're doing?"
His only bucket item was to not go to the beach. No check.
We swam in the pool when we got back. I was in the hot tub when I felt the bandaid come off my ankle. Oh dang. I kept feeling around for it in the water as we chatted. Everyone wanted to go back to the pool but I stayed behind looking for that bandaid. This was not the kind of place you leave a bandaid floating around! I was able to locate it, scoop it out, and join the family in the other pool. When I mentioned this, the kids said, "That was very responsible of you."
Best pic award below.
We had our traditional lasagna dinner with coconut cream pie for dessert.
The day consisted of gifts, games, and girl math.
Mallerie showed Matt how he could rebook his airline tickets if they were at a lower price and then get credit points for the difference. It seemed risky but he did it anyway. She was getting so animated and dancing around. She told him how much money he had just made. Girl math.
What didn't add up was Mal's level of competitiveness and Grayson's lack thereof.
Wailua River
The kids poke fun at the amount of luggage I bring on such trips. However, it is rare that I don't have exactly what someone needs. When we got to the river, the girls lamented that they didn't have their waterproof phone cases. I pulled out one for each of them. They said, "You could have given these as Christmas gifts." But I couldn't you see. It didn't fit with the song.
Callie collected beautiful leaves.
We lost Grayson and Graham along the way at the tree swing.
The rest of us paddled to the end of the river where we then hiked through streams to the waterfall.
I paddled up the river with Gavin and down with Mallerie. Great one-on-one time. At the end of the river, I took the board out by myself.
My bucket list item was paddle-boarding on the river. Check.
Keoki's Paradise
Can you believe I went out on a limb and bought the girls white Christmas dresses? They went with the line from song, "Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes" (the boys got blue satin ties). I had mailed Katrina and Michael's gifts to Austin. She opened her gifts earlier in the month and questioned why I had chosen to send her a white dress. The girls wore theirs to our fancy dinner at Keoki's Paradise.
December 27, 2023
Poipu Beach
We were sad to leave our slice of heaven to check into the Waiohai Vacation club. It wasn't anything spectacular. Well, it was, if one wasn't aware of the Lagoons. I don't know that I even took a picture. Ava and I attended the aerobic class one morning (we were the only ones) and a Tai Chi class another morning. Both were "eh." But the perk was that the property was right on the beach. Mal came over after work to join us. As we sat there she said, "I just love watching people on vacation."
Callie's bucket list was to get a fancy drink on the beach. Check.
Mal said casually, "There is a sea monk down the beach," "
"What!?" We were all over it.
Look at that basking face.
It is a regular occurrence on that beach to have sea monks and sea turtles.
Snorkeling, Sisters, and the Sea Monk.
Snorkeling was Matt's bucket list. No check.
Mallerie took us to the spot where she used to give snorkel tours. She told us where to get in and out of the water so we didn't get cut by the coral. She pointed out the types of fish we were looking at. She would wave wildly under the water, then pop her head up and say enthusiastically, "That is a box fish!" Though this was my ninth time to Hawaii, I have never been snorkeling! I pictured having to search a bit for fish. I was blown away that the second I put my face in the water I was surrounded. It was amazing! I looked back for Matt and saw that he was going back to shore. He said he couldn't breathe with the mask on.
I was impressed enough that I changed my bucket list from paddle boarding to snorkeling. Check.
Grayson and Graham didn't even get in the water. I know Hawaii isn't Grayson's first choice for a vacation, but I am always surprised by how much Graham says he likes it. I didn't see him ever get in the ocean, he sat out on every hike, and had nothing to do with snorkeling.
On my way out of the water, I was getting tossed to and fro into the jagged rock. Mallerie hollered to remind that there is a certain place to get in and out of the water. Too late, the coral cut me. I have learned that coral cuts are very painful and take a long time to heal.
We went back that evening and saw the monk seal again. Rope is put up so people can't get too close.
We enjoyed a movie night that evening at the villa. We watched Fall. Oh gosh. It is a thriller, but quickly became a comedy. Yes, your hands are sweaty while watching it, but more laughs could not have been had. My dad recommended it and I am glad he did! We had a good time.
December 28, 2023
Waimea Canyon State Park
Having been before, I knew this scenic drive would be something Matt would enjoy.
I needed a photo to write a review for these too-short pants. But what I love is that in the background you can see the girls taking a selfie. And here it is.
I mistakenly kept my phone recording while we walked back. It is sort of sweet. You can see that Matt is holding my hand. The convo is meaningless and poignant at the same time. I was telling him about a beautiful and yet very unusual tree at the villa that I saw while walking to the gift shop with Ava. Also, there was a snail, big as can be, crossing the sidewalk. I wanted to stop and make sure that nobody smashed it. He said that I should have placed small cones and caution tape around it like they do with the monk seal. Funny stuff.
And then magically, the clouds began to disperse and the coast came into view!
These gals love a good shopping excursion. On this occasion, we could not get enough of Poipu Surf shop. We went in the store like three times and came out with treasures every time. Matt went in and came out with an over-sized beach towel and a Yeti cooler. Couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop. Also, we noted that if Callie likes something, the price tag is irrelevant.
The waterfall reminded us of Paradise Falls on Up.
When we got to the Nāpali Coast look-out point, Graham once again opted tostay in the car (Grayson had already high-tailed it back to the airport). Having been on the hike before, I didn't press him. I also knew it wasn't for Matt. He insisted, however. About halfway through he said he was turning around. I wasn't sure the fog would clear for us to see the coast anyway. It is the thickest fog you'll ever see.
The hike gets pretty steep and muddy. On Ava's bucket list was a hike. Check.
A wedding party had made the trek for some photos. The bride-to-be was changing in my same tent! See, it's a genius purchase. I only used it once while on this trip, when we went to the beach after mini-golf.
Gorgeous, and we even got a rainbow.
We started back and at one point, Ava took the opposite fork in the road. When we met up with her, she said that could tell there had been a struggle. The mud was askew. She looked down the trail and saw something brown. She picked up a wallet. Matt's wallet.
Back at the top, the exchange went like this:
(First, Matt was excited to tell us that he was able to see the coast from the lookout point.)
Ava said, "Look what I found."
We told him to reach into my pocket.
I am not sure what he was expecting,
but,
he wasn't expecting to find his wallet!
Ava is the hero of the story.
He went on about what a miracle it was. I said, "You just wrote your Ward Conference talk." He had.
Poipu Surf
December 29, 2023
Ava had originally planned to fly back with Grayson but she kept extending her trip. She finally just decided to stay through the new year. She made a lot of money doing it that way! However, it left Grayson without a way to get to Provo once he landed in SLC. Later he texted that Eliza had picked him up. I was touched. I thought, "Ya know, family is there when you need them. I'd be happy if any of my nieces or nephews called me for help." After the trip when I was expressing this, he said, "No, Eliza from my mission."
I wish I could say that our flight home was uneventful, but we got stuck in Oakland on the runway for 45 minutes due to pouring rain. We saw that some people's luggage was exposed. Other people's luggage. When we picked up our bags in SLC, they were soaked. And here Graham had meticulously washed and folded all of his clothes so unpacking would be a breeze. He was mumbling curses at Southwest. I guess
all the baggage handlers were on holiday or on strike.
December 31, 2023
I had one last gift for the kids when we got home. As soon as they picked up the boxes, they could see why I hadn't lugged them to Hawaii.
Weighted blankets and rice sacks.
Happy New Year, that's a wrap!
My Favorite Things
Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings...
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings...
These are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad...
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
huuuu
...
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad...
I simply remember my favorite things
and then i don't feel so bad
So bad
So bad
