Our Family Chronicles: Christmas in Hawaii 2012

So our first Christmas in Hawaii began with what was called a "snow day", not any snow day like I remember. It was an event put on by a local group that was bringing in snow for little ones to play in. I thought it might be a little crazy, so I decided to head out a little early...good thing I did, otherwise I would have gone home because the line was too long. We probably waited about an hour to play in the snow, good thing Jayden had his friend Sophia in line to entertain him.

Jayden also got his picture taken with Santa. Poor kid did not enjoy it. I wish you could see his face, he is screaming!

Some parents seemed to have gone crazy and bought hats & mittens for their kids. I probably would have done the same if we hadn't been around snow before. Also, the stores are full of winter stuff before Christmas (I think I need to send some notes to these executive because their merchandising skills need some help)

St Nick came to visit Jayden. We waited until Daddy was home from work to open it. JJ got a book, some reindeer ears, an ornament and some charms for his crocks. Grandma Teska also sent some goodies...including the Little People airport.

We also had some more fun with our neighbors. We went to see the Kapolei holiday parade and tree lighting. The night ended with a firework show, it was pretty awesome!

A decorated golf cart...

Mickey & Minnie

Storm troopers

Santa

JJ waving to Santa

Some videos of the floats and the fireworks!

Also, holiday lights were all over our neighborhood in Hawaii. One night we took Sophia & Jayden on a wagon ride to look at lights. It was so much fun to walk outside and see the lights. One house had their lights programmed to music...once again, it was pretty awesome. Our other neighbors also has a huge Elmo & Cookie Monster in their light display...Jayden's favorite. We had to go outside before bed and say goodnite to them every night. I have told him they are now sleeping until next Christmas.

At the house above they had a santa in the window...crazy how real it looked.

Jayden didn't get to build a snowman in Wisconsin so I did the best I could to make sure he had one in Hawaii.

Let's see what else did we do! We went on the holiday train at one of the malls. We actually went on it twice. Jayden loved it! I loved watching how much he loved it. We then took a walk around the mall together....I had a coffee and he had what he calls "fancy milk" (the personal sized milk from Starbucks).

We also made Christmas cookies...Jayden ate them, Sophia was a little bit better at decorating them!

Jayden loves his Thomas the Train Engines...so he kept asking for new ones. I told him we had to write a letter to Santa. Below is a picture of JJ reading the letter.

We spent one night at the Kroc Center in Hawaii for a Holiday event. It was awesome! They had presents for the kids, ornament making, gingerbread house making, singing, massages for parents (awesome) plus much more. It was a great event.

We also got to watch Sophia one night ( her mommy & daddy were rocking out the Journey concert) I love having people that you trust with your children...so important, we are very lucky!!
Sophia & Jayden played all night and had dinner together. Then the night ended with a movie and a bed on the floor. It was so much fun.

What else...we had some fun at the Discovery Center with Jayden's friend Kai and then went to the zoo with Daddy before we left for Wisconsin. We also got to watch our friend Laela for a morning. I think our stairs are her favorite spot!