Beaches and Christmas Lagoons

 

What better way to celebrate the day before the day before Christmas Day than to go to the beach?! Lady and I took Lucky to the  beach for his first time with his cousins. To quote Goldilocks: It was a perfect day, not too hot and not too cold…it was JUST RIGHT! Oh yeah, because we are in Hawaii! Of course it is just right.

Lucky was happy to have the waves hit his feet. When he saw one coming his body would tense up with excitement and they had would dance until it had gone all the way out. When Lady said he had been in long enough Lucky went to sit with Grandma and the dragon came out…poor Grandma.

In the evening we stood in the REALLY long line at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the Christmas Lagoon. They did really well with the Lagoon, telling the Christmas story, complete with live animals and fake snow. We had a good time seeing old friends from our BYU-Hawaii days. Laie is truly a special place.

So bring on Christmas Eve! First item on the list is….drum roll please…THE BEACH!! 

the line...so long

 

Back in the Land of Aloha

After more than a year of being away we are back in the land of ALOHA! Leaving Washington, D.C. and then Salt Lake City, we went from some really cold weather to the balmy warmth of the Hawaiian Islands.

It is amazing when you return to the islands what aspects of being here sick out. The first one I noticed was the lingering smell of flowers in the airport because people were wearing leis. Then it is the fresh feel of salt in the air and on the light trade wind. The drive towards the North Shore is always breathtaking. The lush green mountains, capped with long white clouds, meet the blue green of the ocean.

Waiting on the curb for our ride...

late night games with the fam

Lady Hiva and Lucky with Grandma and Grandpa

Tau'aho and Grandma Felila

I had to fight the urge to stop and take a photo every five minutes. Total tourist.

Some of our first stops were just to see Hukilau beach, then to introduce Tau’aho to his sibling’s at the Laie Cemetery.

It feels great to be back and we have a whole list of places we plan to see while we are here…don’t worry, we will take photos so you feel like you are her with us too!

Christmas Shops in Old Town Alexandria

 Around the DC area there are several “old towns” that have been refurbished and beautiful. Georgetown and Alexandria are some of the most popular. We always take time to visit both of them. Today we went with some friends to see the Christmas Shops in Old Town Alexandria.

The shops in Alexandria are beautiful old row houses that have been converted into stores. That alone is interesting and fun to see. But then they fill each of the unique shops with eclectic goods. Displays are gorgeously arranged and festive. If you have time you could just walk around and enjoy the treasures you find in each of the stores.

Plenty of ways to enjoy  the beauty of the world and especially had this time of year. If you have a few minutes during the season, catch yourself in a cozy shop! They have a vibe you don't get from big box stores with neon lights and wide aisles.