Merry Christmas!

Here are Strider and Shelby on Christmas morning - hanging out with us as we opened our presents. Shelby is Russ and Kanae's dog and we get her with us every Christmas as they travel to Japan for their annual ski trip.
The next few photos are of the Whispering Palms Holiday performance of the Christmas Carol. The performance was done completely by 5 through 8 year olds (K5 - 3rd grade) and the kids did an incredible job.
Max was one of 5 scrooges - it was his first performance on stage where he needed to memorize lines and act out those lines. He did a fantastic job. The hardest part for him was understanding how to "act scared when I'm not scared".
Tayah was one of the 5 narrators - the narrators basically 'carried' the play along and were in charge of all the scene changes. She is amazingly confident on stage and, being one of the oldest, helped to keep it all in order.
Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday. We are sending you wishes for a safe, healthy and peaceful New Year.

The Christmas Carol

Scrooge (Max) on the floor in front of his bed - frightened by the ghost of Jacob Marley who is warning him of his ways and that 3 ghosts will be visiting him throughout the night.
Tayah as the narrator Holly - singing one of the many Christmas Carols that were sung throughout the play.
I included this photo of the girls because it shows how long Tayah's hair has gotten.
Today, while out running errands with Nate, she decided that she wanted him to take her to get her hair cut into a short 'bob' style. No more long hair for Tayah for now. Sera Ann, as well, got her first 'professional' haircut today.
Here the girls are sitting on the floor in front of the stage watching the 4th - 8th graders perform their Holiday Wizzard of Oz show.
Max drinking his Christmas Cocktail with Sprite and cherry juice - plus a candy cane.

The Christmas Carol

Max as Scrooge...
Tayah brought her good friend Kiana with her to watch the performance...
Max on stage as Scrooge - 'Jacob Marley' in the picture frame is beginning to frighten Scrooge...
Scrooge (Max) in bed (on stage) right before the ghost of Jacob Marley visits him.

Holiday Photos

Tayah giving it her all at her school Halloween party (on Halloween night). There were tons of fun things to do at the party - including a pinata for each class.

Holiday Photos

Our little black cat...

Our 'big' black cat...
And our scary Grim Reaper...
Sera Ann with her buddies Alisia and Jason;
Trick or Treating to our crazy friend Russ/Popeye...

Holiday Photos

Happy 4th Birthday Sera Ann!!
Grandma with Tayah and Sera Ann...
Sera Ann wearing her first ever 'nightie' on the night of her birthday...
she loved the way it 'swished'
Max really focusing and concentrating 100% on his soccer game...or not...

Holiday Photos

Grandma Sara was here visiting for a month -Yeah!
this is Sera Ann's Thanksgiving lunch at her preschool
Here is the photo from my 4th annual Christmas Party / Ornament Exchange...we had three mothers (or mother-in-law) and one sister visiting from off-island...they were a great addition to my party!
Grandma and Tayah are off on a date to the ballet - Swan Lake...
Max's first swim meet! He was so nervous before the race...but ended up getting second in the 50 meter freestyle and was very proud of himself.