Christmas

Gwen is singing in her pre-school class' Christmas party where she is wearing a macaroni necklace. Our niece Elise came to visit my parents after she returned from her mission serving in Temple Square. Gwen wore a cute red Christmas dress to our ward Christmas dinner. We took a picture of an Elf sleeping with our children. Hunter looks forward each year to having a train under our Christmas tree.

Marianne enjoys preparing Christmas cookies for neighbors and home/visit teaching families. We invited two ward families, my parents and sister Diane to our home for a Christmas Eve dinner. Hunter showed my Dad our current train setup. We added HO track and buildings to the train table. Steve bought used trains from Ebay in 2012 and thought Hunter was old enough to start working with the smaller trains.

Patience got a coat for Christmas. If she loses baby fat, she may be able to wear it a little longer. Gwen got a hair styling doll which Marianne and Gwen will have fun playing with. Marianne put together a puzzle on Christmas day, which Steve purchased at the Boeing aviation museum in Seattle.

Merry Christmas

Halloween, Thanksgiving and early December

We have posted pictures for Halloween, Thanksgiving and early December. Hunter and Gwendolyn had halloween parties at their school and church. We also visited Steven's parents on Halloween and Steven's sister Phyllis and nephew (Wesley) were there.  

The day before Halloween, a bathtub glass door shattered while Gwen was in the bathtub.  All the pieces fell into the bathtub and as Gwen moved, she got cuts on her legs.  We are thankful that it was not more serious.  Gwen thinks the first major rainstorm is a little chilly.

We went to Steven's sister Diane's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  We got a Thanksgiving gift package from a neighbor we are befriending.  Marianne has fun with the children by having elves in the house before Christmas.  Marianne was in charge of decorating for the Relief Society Christmas brunch and chose a candy cane theme. 

School starts

Kathy Lillywhite watched our children while we were in Hawaii

Hunter is looking very big as he begins Kindergarten

He has to get on the bus very early at 6:00am, but it is better now at 6:45am.

Gwendolyn started preschool 2 days a week.

Gwen first day homework

Pictures from Oahu

Coconut grove on the ranch we stayed in for 4 nights on the north shore.

Laie Temple

Haiko Reception Garden

Very windy Pali Lookout

Snorkeling at Shark's Cove

Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Falls

View out of our North Shore window

North Shore Beach

North Shore Antique Store, light fixture made out of shells, neat looking

Polynesian cultural Center

Cap was a funny Samoan comedian

Large Cafeteria

USS Missouri

USS Arizona Memorial

Steve (California) was asked to beat the Tongan drums

Our North Shore accommodations

Relaxing on the Moana Terrace

Waikiki and Diamond Head Crater

Waikiki from Diamond Head Lookout

Residential areas east of Diamond Head Crater