And here comes 2009 . . .

Here I sit on New Years Eve, just me and the kids (Brian has duty tonight), listening to the fireworks popping outside, wondering . . . where the heck did 2008 go?

Here we are one year ago tonight, hanging out down in the cul-de-sac by Heather's house (no, that's not Zander in my lap . . . it's Quinn, Heather's son . . . and no, it wasn't really cold enough to have to wear hats and jackets, but we were just trying to get in the "New Year spirit") . . .

Now there is Zander . . .

This year has flown by in record time for me. It's hard for me to believe that this spring we will have been here two years already, and it's hard for me to believe that my babies aren't babies anymore. Where does time go?

In retrospect, this year has been a good year for us. We live in a beautiful place surrounded by awesome friends. We have perfect weather (most of the time), we have a nice comfortable home, and everyone has been pretty healthy this year. We have all adjusted to our new life and our new schedules, and despite the busyness, we still managed to find a lot of time for fun. We had a lot of great visits with a lot of guests this year, and we also found time to squeeze in a couple vacations, to Michigan and the Big Island. Brian is doing well at work and school, and the kids seem to be enjoying all their various activities. And I have had the chance to enjoy the joys of being a stay-at-home mom. Yep, I'd say we've been pretty lucky.

This is not to suggest that this year has been without its disappointments too. Perhaps the most significant event in this category was the tragic loss of the crew of Coast Guard 6505 on September 4th. This was a very difficult time for Airstation Barbers Point and its families, and is something that will remain in our hearts and memories forever. There was also the death of several other family friends this year, including the father of my three and five year-old cousins. And as is the case with most people, the economy hasn't exactly been very kind to us this year either. But hey, we are starting a new year, right?

I'm generally not a big fan of New Years Eve. Off the top of my head, I can only recall one New Years where I had an absolute blast (D.C. 2003, details to remain on the DL). Otherwise, I find this holiday to be rather disappointing, as it usually involves way too much alcohol consumption followed by crazy driving on the roads, too much money spent, and a fairly anti-climatic moment that passes in one second. I know, I know, I probably sound like the New Years Eve grinch, but that's okay, I'm an ol' lady now so I can complain.

So I'll just go curl up on my couch with my girly movies and cookies, and enjoy the arrival of this brand new year. What are you doing tonight?

Guests, Birthdays, and Christmas, oh my!!

Just wanted to drop everyone a note to confirm that we are in fact still alive here in Hawaii, even though you haven't heard from me in awhile.

Brian's dad, Jim, and his wife, Delora, arrived here on the 20th, and we've been going non-stop ever since. Charley had her birthday party on the 21st, and then we spent the 22nd-24th staying down on Waikiki beach. We returned on the 24th just in time to go to a Chrismtas Eve party at the McGinity's house, and then we headed home to finish wrapping presents. Then Santa came, followed by lots of presents and food and exhaustion . . . so needless to say, we have been pretty busy.

But I promise to check back in as soon as I get a chance, post a few pictures, and give a proper update. Oh, and I know this is a little late, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

The Party Train

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. We are completely immersed in the holiday season here, despite the beaches, palm trees, and of course, no snow. We did have a "rain day" last week, where thanks to flash flooding, schools were closed and people were advised not to travel unless it was absolutely necessary because roads were washing away. Does that count for something? I know, I know, it's not nearly as bad as the -10 degree weather that Montana has been suffering this past week. But IT IS something compared to the other 364 days of the year when it's sunny and 80 degrees. So rough here in Hawaii.

Last week we decided to do the requisite Santa photo at the mall, so we met up with some friends early in the morning and were waiting in line before Santa was even ready for pictures. Of course this meant that we were the first ones in and first ones out, so the visit went pretty quickly, which left us time to do other fun stuff. First we rode the Tram from one side of the mall to the other (hey, it's a long hike, especially with little ones), and the kids enjoyed themselves immensely.

Then we hit the holiday choo-choo train, and the kids were thrilled about that one too.

Friday was the Airstation's annual Christmas party down at the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki, which everyone really looks forward to and attendance is always very high. Last year we got stuck in Friday evening traffic and barely made it to the party on time, so this year we decided to head down there much earlier. We dropped the kids off at Matt and Heather's house around 1:30 p.m. and we were sitting poolside by 2:30 p.m. Of course, the weather was not cooperating, so we never actually went swimming, but instead we sat at the pool bar and enjoyed a couple drinks with friends before the party. At 6:00 it was party time, so we got all fancied up and headed to the party.

Here are all the usual suspects that we hang out with, i.e. my momtourage and their hubby's. This is the infamous Brust and Marian Roethler . . .

Patrick and Kathy Murray . . .

and Jamie and Andre McGinity.

The girls were gearing up to hit the dance floor . . .

And we finally made it!
Then they couldn't drag us off . . .


We had so much fun at the Christmas, it wasn't even funny! And we didn't get into too much trouble, I promise . . .

So that was Christmas party #3. Tomorrow night we have Christmas party #4 (Charley's school party) and Friday night we have Christmas party #5 (the Captain's party). And then we switch to birthday parties, as we are having Charley's party on Sunday.

Are three parties in one week too much? :) Nah, it's Christmas.

An eye in the sky . . .

Yesterday, we decided to brave the crowds and hit the Navy Exchange for our last little bit of Christmas shopping. After torturing ourselves for a good hour, we hit McDonald's in the food court so that the kids could have some lunch. The food court is on the second floor of the shopping area, and down below on the first floor is where Santa is posted taking pictures with all the kids. We happened to grab a table right next to a railing with a perfect view of Santa sitting below, so while the kids munched on fries, they kept stealing glances at Santa to see what was going on.

Charley and Zander always split a Happy Meal at McD's, which is generally okay except for the ONE container of chocolate milk. They seemingly always end up fighting over whose turn it is and who got a bigger drink, and I figured this occasion would be no different. For the first few sips, the sharing went okay, but when it got down to the last half inch of milk, I got a little worried. Just to give everybody fair warning, I told Zander that he could take one more big sip and then Charley got to finish the milk. He took his big sip, and then with obvious hesitation, he slowly passed Charley the milk with a crabby look on his face and said, "I want the last drink."

Charley greedily grabbed the milk, and then I saw something new, something I've never seen before . . . she paused for a moment, gazed down at Santa, and then slid the milk back over to Zander and told him he could finish it. I didn't immediately make the connection until a minute or so later when Charley piped up, "Mom, I think I'm going to get lots of presents this year because I've been such a good girl."

Ah, now I see. Santa really WAS watching. Why can't Santa have that effect the other eleven months of the year?

Good Training

Charley: "Listen Dad, all you need to do is follow my instructions and do what I tell you to do, and then you'll just have to wait and see what happens."

That's my girl. ;)

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, my love! Seven years of love, five years of marriage, three states of domicile, and two kids later, I can't imagine any other place I would rather be than growing old with you.

And I promise, I won't tell them all how old you are today . . . :)

And the verdict is . . .

2005: Crisis2006: Crisis and oblivion

2007: Crisis 2008: Success

Christmas Parties #1 and #2

Well, the Christmas season has officially arrived, even here in the land of no snow and palm trees, which means decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and partying. We have done all of the above in great abundance already, and we have a lot more to do in the next couple weeks.

Last week, our momtourage organized its own kids' party, which involved decorating gingerbread houses, baking cookies, and destroying Kathy's house. Everyone had a good time, and the kids were thoroughly buzzed on sugar.

This past weekend, the Coast Guard Air Station held its annual kids' Christmas party, where a fantastic time was had by all. They had the usual Christmas craft stations, bounce houses, and the built-in sand box (the volleyball court), as well as a nice lunch topped off with tons of cookies.
The highlight of the party, however, is always the arrival of Santa in the helicopter. The kids anticipate the buzz of the Dolphin, knowing that Santa is on his way (while is sleigh is in the repair shop of course).


After landing and greeting the kids, Santa takes his place to pass out presents to all the kids. As you can see, my kids actually sat on his lap this year without ONE teardrop, but as you can tell from their body language and expressions, they were still a little nervous.

So, the next couple weeks will include all the normal holiday chaos, as well as prep for Charley's 4th birthday. Tonight I'm meeting up with the book club ladies for the annual tour of important military family's homes, like the Navy Admiral's house. This Friday we are attending the Air Station adult party down at the Hale Koa, so my kids will be invading Heather's house for the evening. And next week we have two more parties . . . Charley's school party on Thursday night and the Captain's Christmas party on Friday night. Then, that Saturday, Brian's dad and his wife will be arriving for the holidays, and the very next day we will be throwing a party for Charley's birthday. Seriously, do you think six parties in one month is enough?

Potty Problems

Charley has been having a bit of a problem lately with going to the bathroom (specifically #2) when her body tells her it's time to go. She' is usually just so busy doing whatever she's doing that she doesn't want to stop to go potty, which I think is pretty common among kids her age.

So this morning I discovered that she had some new skid marks in her underpants, which obviously meant that she needed to go to the bathroom but tried to avoid it instead. I put her on the potty and insisted she not get up until she had taken care of business. I then proceeded to question her on why she had not gone to the bathroom . . .

Danielle: "How come you didn't stop playing to go to the bathroom like we've talked about?"

Charley: (looking up at the ceiling, tapping her finger on her chin) "Ummmmmm . . . . well . . . . Zander poops HIS pants."

Danielle: "Charley, that has nothing to do with what I asked you. Zander poops his pants because he's still a baby. I want to know why YOU have poop in YOUR pants?"

Charley: (thinking VERY hard again) "Ummmmm . . . . because I love you?"

Danielle: (trying not to laugh) "I love you too Charley, but that still doesn't answer my question. I just want to know why you didn't go to the bathroom when your body told you it was time?

Charley: (once again, pondering very diligently) "Ummmmm . . . .well . . . . oh, I know!!! Because I was trying to catch moths!!"


Uh, yeah, that makes complete sense now. I poop my pants when trying to catch moths too. In broad daylight. Inside the house.