Sometimes don't you just want to still be in Hawaii...

Since Christmas is almost here I thought I would finally post about our Thanksgiving. I am blaming the "lateness" on our dying computer. (If you want to get us one for Christmas we would not complain. In fact we will post more!)

Over the Thanksgiving break we took a family vacation to Maui. We had so much fun! And we have so many good memories. We were end blessed to have Grandpa and Grandma Cooper join in the fun. (I'm sure they were glad to get away from the cold Canada weather! Cause even us Californian's couldn't wait for the warm!)

I thought I would just do some highlights of the trip.

-Going to bed at 9:30 and not waking up until 8 or 9. (This has never been a problem for me, but I don't think Lee has slept so much in his life!)

-At church there was an Italian lady that Lee got to talk to forever, while Kenzie, Katie, and I waited in the hot sun! Lee was happy to see that he still can speak Italian. And I was happy the sun decided to come out.

-Having it only rain the first day and the last day! Otherwise it was sunny and warm!!!

-Blow hole. Taking the long way to get to it and climbing through "The Land Before Time."

-Snorkeling. Unfortunately I think everyone else who went out saw a turtle. I never did! But I did see some amazing fish. (We just needed an underwater camera!)

-The Road to Hana. Beautiful drive I'm sure, but I was thankful I was asleep for the 2 hours there and it was dark the 2 hours back--I think that the curvy road was not my thing.

-Volcanic Beach (stop on Road to Hana). So pretty.

-Waterfall Hike (stop on Road to Hana). Such a fun hike. Probably worth the crazy road. There was an amazing big tree, a bamboo forest, and then the waterfall. So much fun!!

-Hot sand that you have to run on.

-Waves that carry you in.

-Frizbee on the beach.

-Family Pictures

-Taking naps on the beach. (Like I said...we slept A LOT.)

-Finding glowy things in the sand at night.

-BBQ for Thanksgiving.

-Pizza on the beach. (And yes, Kaite liked it too!)

-Shaved Ice. Yum.

-Running on golf courses and along the "Sugar Cane Train."

-And so much more!!

We wish we were still there! But I guess that is what a good vacation is for...Always wanting you to go back!

Family Pictures

When I'm home alone...

Who doesn't love a little bamboo forest? I know "Lucky' would love to join this forest down in Hana, but too bad I want to keep him with us here in California. So, today, Allie is the one gone to Enrichment and I got to have fun while she was away. I got to do a little Christmas shopping and thought I would sneak a little post in as well. The real Hawaii post will have to be done by Allie when she has some time (BUT more like when our dying laptop actually wants to contribute positively to the bloggin experience). We sure can't wait for Christmas and the chance to have another break from work. It seems like every chance to not work feels wonderful. Well, thanks for tuning in for a minute. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (since I might not blog again for a while).

PS - One pool complete and one to go (we have our fingers crossed for the first week of January).

Christmas

1- What is your favorite Christmas song? N’sync: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Amy Grant: Breath of Heaven. And I like a lot of the Primary Children’s songs.
2- When was your most memorable Christmas? When I was 14.

3- What is your favorite Christmas treat? Chex-mix, Popcorn tins, chocolate covered pretzels…(as you can see I like the salty stuff.) I do love Candy Canes!
4- What do you dislike most about the Christmas season? Ungrateful people.

5- What do you like best about the Christmas season? Surprises.

6- Who is the hardest person to shop for on your Christmas list? My dad.
7- If you could receive one gift without money being an issue, what would it be? A house.
8- What is your idea of a perfect Christmas Eve. Snowing, fire, movie, treats, and family.

9- Which do you like best, eggnog, or hot chocolate? Eggnog. (Just a little, little taste.)

10- Do you prefer a fancy Christmas tree, or one decorated by the kids? Fancy, but the ones decorated by kids are fun.

11- What is your favorite family Christmas tradition? Lining up, in age order, to go down the stairs to open Christmas presents. Oh, and Christmas breakfast.

12- Do you like fruitcake? Nope.
13- Do you prefer skiing or snowboarding? I guess skiing, since I have never snowboarded.

14- Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, or do you say “Bah Humbug” to snow? White Christmas.

15- What was your favorite gift from Santa when you were a child? American Girl Doll
16- What is your favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas.

17- Have you ever eaten snow? Yes.

18- Who do you wish could be with you this Christmas? Well, this is hard because my entire family is going to be together. And we are already a lot of people in one room!

19- When do you put up your Christmas lights and decorations? Beginning of December.

20- Real or artificial Christmas tree? We have a real. I like the smell of it.

Tagging anyone and everyone!

things we've done

So, Ariel had this on her blog and I thought it was fun, so I decided to do it.
I guess there are still some things Lee and I need to do before we die...

Bold or highlight the things that you have done.

1. Started your own blog A&L
2. Slept under the stars A&L
3. Played in a band A (Orchestra-Violin)
4. Visited Hawaii A&L
5. Watched a meteor shower A&L
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland A&L
8. Climbed a mountain A&L
9. Held a praying mantis L
10. Sang a solo A&L (Both under the age of 10)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris A&L
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child L (his second grade class adopted a child for Christmas)
16. Had food poisoning A&L
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (is the top still open? Lee went to the base)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France A&L
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight A& L
22. Hitch hiked L
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill A&L
24. Built a snow fort A&L
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (does the taxi one count? A&L)
29. Seen a total eclipse A&L
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset A&L
31. Hit a home run A
32. Been on a cruise A&L
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person A&L
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David A&L
41. Sung karaoke A&L
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt A
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight A&L
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted L (Lee’s done the carton at DL)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person A&L
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris A&L
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling A&L
52. Kissed in the rain A&L
53. Played in the mud A&L
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie L
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class L
59. Visited Russia A
60. Served at a soup kitchen A
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching A&L (Didn’t see any, but were watching)
63. Got flowers for no reason A
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma A&L
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check A
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy A&L
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial L
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt A
73. Stood in Times Square L
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone L
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican A&L
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper A&L
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Lee says: “sick”)
88. Had chickenpox L
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous A&L
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake A
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone A&L
99. Been stung by a bee A&L