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.