Mele Kalikimaka!

The boy is finally napping, so now's a good time for me to jot down what we'd like to remember of this Christmas season before my memory starts failing me. This was our first Christmas in Hawaii, and our first away from all of our family and friends. While I really missed being with many of our loved ones this year, we did make some sweet memories of our own.

Our festivities started on Thursday night, when we took a trolley from Pearl Harbor to downtown Honolulu to see the Christmas lights and decorations. It was a beautiful evening, and despite some trolley-driver craziness, we really enjoyed soaking in the festive atmosphere downtown.

Looking at how lovely Iolani Palace looked all decorated for Christmas.

Time to get off of the trolley and look around!

Yes, he got his noggin stuck between the slats...

Not phased at all after being rescued by Daddy.

Mele Kalikimaka!

Finally being silly and having a good time.

What a fun night!

On Christmas Eve, we took our first family bike ride - the bicycles were our Christmas gifts from my wonderful parents. After some initial protesting by a super sleepy and cranky AJ (can you believe he didn't want to nap again?), we took a pretty long ride out to Target and back through the base, stopping at a memorial we hadn't checked out yet, before continuing on the long way home. It was so much fun, despite my being a little uneasy at first (I haven't been on a bike in years, and never in traffic). Once we got going, I didn't want to stop! It's safe to say there will be plenty more rides to come, I think.

Such a blast!

Then, in the evening we made a little Christmas ornament that we had been saving for just that occasion. I had seen the idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago, and we found everything we needed to make it at Ben Franklin before we left for Italy. It's been teasing me from inside one of the kitchen cabinets for weeks, and I was glad to finally be able to get a little crafty with the boy. I think it came out pretty cute, too!

Not sure what this stuff is that Daddy's putting on his finger...

Putting his little thumbprints on the ornament.

Helping Mama put the red Rudolph noses on the reindeer.

With our finished product; apparently we only know how to crazy-smile.

Getting our ornament hung up on the tree. He immediately noticed that his little reindeer were like Daddy's Rudolph ornament next to it!

We began Christmas morning with a few verses from the book of Luke before showing AJ that there was a little something under the tree. He got right to unwrapping, pulling the paper off and showing Daddy what he'd discovered inside. No smiles, unfortunately, but he was surprised by each discovery and excited to play with his new toys.

Reading a couple of  verses before AJ decided that reading was not how he wanted to begin our day.

Of course it's hard to tell, but he had a big ol' grin. Probably the only one of the morning.

And then he promptly picked up the box and walked away.

Lots of concentration going on here, boys.

We were lucky to be able to Skype with Mimi and Papa this morning, so we saved AJ's stocking until they could watch him open it.

"Mimi, LOOK! A horse!"

He kept showing Mimi and Papa his new animals over and over again.

We even got to Skype with James's dad later that evening. AJ was so happy to see his grandpa and talk trains with him!

At last, a grin!

Saying "choo choo" just like Grandpa taught him.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Italy Recap: Agrigento

On Friday November 25th, the Laguesse family took us to the town of Agrigento. According to our tour book, Agrigento is known as "the valley and town of the temples." It took about two-and-a-half hours for Joshua to drive from Catania, and when we got there we were greeted by one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The weather was gorgeous, which was perfect because it was quite a hike from temple to temple:

The three littlest had it good, riding with James, me, and Nikki. Best seats in the house!

The Tempio di Giunone (Temple of Juno), which was built in the mid-400s B.C.

Amazing view.

Another view of the Tempio di Giunone.

After reading about the first temple and soaking in the surreal feeling of the place, we walked on and stopped at the little "cafeteria" (the only place to eat there). I was a little bummed at first at the small selection of food and pizza that looked like it had, well, seen a few - and better - days. Then they brought our food out. That pizza? Best I've had in my life. No lie. And can you see the orange trees just beyond the tables? The man serving us went and picked some oranges while we were eating to bring over to us. So nice!

Once we finished - well, once I finished my 100th slice of pizza while everyone waited - we continued on.

Next up: Tempio della Concordia.

As some point, this temple was transformed into a Christian basilica. Those later modifications are the reason that the temple has survived so well after over two thousand years.

How could you not be in absolute awe of a place like this? It was incredible.

And to be able to share it with these beautiful girls? Perfection.

They are going to love this photo when they're grown, don't you think?

And this silly boy... Yes, he definitely makes all of our adventures more fun!

All four of the kiddos together! Talk about a tough shot to get!

Carlee and AJ kissing; so sweet, these two can be!

AJ playing hard-to-get, haha!

Our little explorer.

I'd love to return to this place someday. What great memories we made here!