Christmas 2009 Santa brought Sarah an "indoor only" kitten for Christmas! She was THRILLED! He could have brought her nothing else, and she still would have been happy!

Duchess loved her new sweater.

The kids each got a bing bag chair, made with love during a few late night pre-Christmas hours.

Isaac got his first real lego set. All the legos at this house up until now have been garage sale legos--this new Star Wars set was much more expensive and I've kind of turned into Nazzi mom about them...

Emma got a keyboard she'd been dying for. I didn't really think she'd use it, but with the light up keys, she's entertaining us with all sorts of impressive tunes.

Sarah's pretty happy about her bing bag. Those late nights were worth it.

Emma's eaten almost that entire box of Chicken in a Biscuits sitting to the left of her.

Luke in his new cowboy sleeping bag and Beatrix, the kitten.

Luke cleaned out his stocking in record time.

Jake's pretty happy about his new race track. It's great. Totally fun and easy for a 5 year old to handle. We slam dunked that one!

Isaac's sharing his legos with Daddy.

Isaac and Jake got remote control helo's--tons of fun!

And our biggest Christmas present came 2 days later.................HOT WATER!!!! Our boiler went out 3 days before Christmas. We got bids to get a new one put in from $4800 - $6200. Adam got that look in his eye, and decided to take it on himself. We showered at the Truscott's house, ate on paper plates, and the laundry piled up. I hung sheets to close off rooms, and kept the kerosine heater burning. It was a cozy Christmas! Really, I don't think the kids even noticed! Adam finished Sunday night. He spent about 2 days working on it, Sat/Sun, and spent only $1400. Sometimes those little things, like hot water, we take for granted!!

Thank you Adam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's the last day of the year, and I'm taking it easy with my leg elevated, so figured I might as well catch up on the abandoned blog. First I'll start with HAWAII.

Adam had to teach a course in Hawaii, and he insisted that I come along. You'd think it wouldn't take too much insisting, but being 2 weeks before Christmas, and not knowing who I'd get to watch all 5 kids, I was a little hesitant. I talked Gigi into watching the kids, and used some miles we had saved up for my ticket. I was not at all ready for Christmas, but went anyway!

We visited the Polynesian Cultural Center:

We ran/hiked around the top of the Haumana Bay Crater a few times. After we'd get done all hot and sweaty, we'd dive in and snorkel. It was a good time!

We also ran up to the top of Diamond Head 4 times. The view of Waikiki in the background was amazing.

View of Haumana Bay from top.

The private beach on K Bay, the Marine Base. Who wouldn't want to live there??????

Waves on the North Shore.

The LDS Temple, which we were hoping to attend, but was closed for rennovations.

A RADFORD Dr. SIGN!!! How cool is that?

The USS Arizona Memorial.

Walking along Waikiki beach.

The sunrise from the top of Haumana Bay Crater.

The USS Utah.