Family time

With the kids out of school we had ample time to play hard.

Saturday: All morning, the boys played tag football with other Honolulu wards, at Makiki Park. In the afternoon, we hiked Diamond Head Mountain. Later, out for dinner and a movie called Bedtime Stories, which both my boys loved.

Top of Diamond Head Mountain. Behind us is Honolulu, where we live.



A more complete view of the city of Honolulu.

The inside of the Diamond head's crater.

On our way down, through the mountain.

Sunday: Church at the Tabernacle and a hike up Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Wendi, Eric carrying Pearce on his back, and Connor midway to the top of Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Pearce decided he was big like Connor, and hiked up part of the way.

Pearce having a break.

Connor hiking down from the summit, descending from out of the clouds. On either side of us is a shear drop.


Connor communing with nature.

I was playing around, trying different modes with our new camera,
and some how this flick was made in black and white
defusing only certain greens here and there. Turned out cool.

After the hike. Connor and Wendi, muddy and tired.
One of Connor's Christmas gifts was a pair of black Keens, men's size 7. Can you believe that?

Monday: The kids and I went to the Honolulu Zoo and later boogie boarded at Waikiki Beach, specifically Walls.

Pearce poses at the elephant yard,
with beautiful Diamond Head Mountain in the background.

Every time I come, these two are getting it on.
Horny Buggers!

The Honolulu Zoo has the best playground surrounded by giant trees.
Pearce likes to play here at least once a week.

The Keiki Zoo means Little kids Zoo.
Pearce likes this part of the Zoo because he gets a lot of interaction with the animals.

Pearce in the fish bowl.

Pearce takes the adventurous route to the goats.

I just love the Honolulu Zoo. It's so open and lush.

The famous painted trees. Gorgeous.

At sunset, we sat on the beach eating Teddy's Bigger Burgers and shakes. They have a pineapple shake to die for.

Tuesday: All morning we played Madden 09' football on our SPS3. Then got off our duffs and spent the afternoon at Sandy's beach on the east side of O'ahu. These waves are legendary and not for the weak of heart. Only a local, like president elect Obama can ride these bad boy waves that can pipe 10 feet right onto the beach. Luckily, today the waves are only about 4 feet.

President Elect Obama body surfing Sandy's break.

Connor working up the nerve.

Pearce taking his afternoon nap.

Eric pushing Connor to engage.

Connor comes back for his boogie board .

Waiting for the right moment to emerge.

Connor flies through the waves all smiles.

And this is how the locals ride.

Wednesday: Star Wars marathon. This took us from early morning till into the early afternoon. I think we only made it through 5 out of 6 movies. I think we ran out of treats. Both my boys were in heaven fighting along with every battle. Then we took the kids to the nearest corner lined with tents selling every type of Firework. Basically, in Hawaii anyone can buy anything you can set off. And it literally turns Honolulu into Baghdad. Pops, and bangs rang throughout the city from 3 pm till 3am. Smoke clouded the air so thick; the large skyscrapers became invisible. Days later, we talked with friends who had completed several tours in Iraq. They told us that all the fireworks brought back a lot of bad memories and anxieties. They drank themselves to sleep to avoid the night. That's sad.

Around 9pm we set off a batch of fireworks, at a local park. Connor was in Heaven while Pearce, our safety boy, stood as far away as possible. We would explain that it was okay to come closer. But without hesitation, hands waving, Pearce repeated " No thank you. I'm fine."

Around 11pm we walked with hundreds of others to the beach walk at Waikiki to watch the State of Hawaii wow us with their fireworks display.

Sitting in the sand at Waikiki beach, Eric, Pearce, Wendi and Connor anticipating the count down to 2009 firework show. The stranger who kindly took this picture didn't speak English, and so gave us no warning that she was taking it. Explaining the weird expressions and my hands around Connor trying to move him back for the picture. So it’s an action shot. Love those.

Thousands in unison counted down 3, 2, 1.... 2009. Simultaneously the fireworks exploded over the ocean and the beach erupted into cheering and kissing. It was exciting. The fireworks were set off from large barges parked a couple of miles from the Waikiki shore. The ocean below mirrored each burst of color. It was magical.

Pearce was so impressed by the fireworks, he would raise his hands up in praise and awe after each pop. I love seeing my kids completely happy. What an awesome beginning to a new year.

Thursday: Early in the morning, Connor and I went Parasailing together off the coast of Waikiki.

Connor and Wendi. Up, up and away.

That plane came pretty close.

Flying 500 feet above the ocean, side by side we flew in the most beautiful silence. Connor was in awe. The view was astonishing. The deep blue ocean turns aqua once next to the sand, hugging a large glassy city, backed by towering green-carpeted mountains. The moment made for sappy feelings.

And suddenly we were being pulled in slowly. We gently anchor our feet to the boat and Connor's expressions exploded with excitement. His words pour out faster than I could take them in. I couldn't stop grinning; this was definitely a happy mom moment.

The afternoon was all about Connor and Daddy time. Eric took Connor and a few of the boys in the ward out to the jungle to play 6 hours of Airsoft games.

Lt to Rt top row: Jason, Eric, Connor and Lewiston.
Lt to Rt bottom row: Soros, Lefty, Al.


Pearce ready to play too.
Poor kid was crushed when we told him he couldn't go.

..........And in *Phillips fashion, the night ended with dinner and a movie called Bolt.

* This term 'Phillips fashion' means we keep going with activities until the city closes down and kicks us out. The Phillips family motto is never stop to sleep. Ever. Especially Jane and David Phillips...for the love get some sleep!

Friday: Back to Sandy's beach until sundown.

Sunday: Thank goodness it's a day of rest.

Pearce's latest

Pearce's latest accessory is from his play doctors bag.

Pearce has insisted he must wear his doctor accessory all day and everywhere we go for the last week now. He also asks that all address him as Dr. Pearce. And he is totally serious about this. Can anyone tell me the proper name for this head accessory? You may win a prize.

Adult holiday fun

Thai food, ice skating and good friends. Life is good.
Thanks for playing with us, Brian and Tammy.

Christmas Present

Our Hawaiian Christmas Eve included all the traditional festivities. We ate yummy treats while watching Christmas movies. Then we ventured to Honolulu's down town holiday carnival and light show. Pearce was in heaven.

Pearce is so funny as he poses for all the parents with cameras.

Frosty and family with Pearce and Eric.

Wendi and Pearce standing next to Honolulu's Christmas Tree.
Okay, its not time square. But it still made us feel bright and merry.

Watch out Mrs. Claus, Santa is hang'n loose.
Now, that's a side of Santa we have never seen.

Home again to put on Christmas PJ's and write a letter to Santa.
This is Pearce's first letter.

And of course we left Santa some home made melt in your mouth chocolate chip sugar cookies.

Because we don't have a fireplace, like 99% of homes in Hawaii, we told Pearce Santa would come through the lani door. So when Pearce dictated his letter to Eric for Santa, he had clear instructions to give... 'Please close door when you’re finished.'

In the morning, Pearce didn't want to come out of his room in fear that the reindeer were still prancing around our living room. Once we assured him that there were no reindeer, he bounced right out of his bed. In our house Santa doesn't wrap his presents, he displays them, out of the package ready for an anxious toddler to freely play right away.

And so Pearce played. So much Joy!

Christmas past

For the first time, in seven years, our little family is on our own for Christmas. And so we have been reminiscing our Christmas's past. They all have been equally full of holiday magic. Here are just few of our favorite highlights.

Finding, chopping, transporting, setting up and decorating a
26 foot Christmas tree.

Opening our Christmas PJ's on Christmas Eve. Connors face is classic.

David (Hef) and his girls.

Nights filled with endless musical talent, singing Christmas favorites.

Sitting by the fire because it's cold outside.
Gandmama and Papa Piller with Pearce.

Driving to the Cabin in Colorado. Todd shoe skiing along the way.

Dining and walking around Telluride at night with snow gently falling, while snuggled next to my honey.

Wendi, Eric, Camille and Todd. Telluride Colorado.

Skiing with our kids. Connor wore his goggles on and off the slopes.

Skiing and snowboarding with no lines.
I was so cold I taped hot patches all over my body. Believe me it helped.
Connor is trailing behind in red.

Defrosting.

Wendi and Connor just playing around.

Hot tubing in the snow, with Camille and Todd.

Ice skating with our family. Matthew, Connor and Kelsey.

Ice skating with our friends.

Finding snow in Hawaii. On the Big Island of Hawaii's highest summit Mauna Kea, which means White Mountain, sits 13, 796 feet above the ocean. The Astronomical community has recognized this spot as possibly the best place in the world to observe and star gaze. And this is why two dozen of the finest telescopes in the world call Mauna Kea home. These high powered telescopes can look at objects over 12 billion light years away, allowing scientists to look through comic clouds and watch stars being born. Now that's cool.

Playing in the first snow fall. Cottonwood Canyon Utah.

Snowball fights.

Looking out the window and seeing a beautiful blanket of snow.
Honest, this is a real picture I took.

Enjoying Christmas lights at Disneyland or at the Arizona Temple.
Kelsey, Pearce and Joci.

Wearing silly winter hats. Pearce.

Opening presents with everyone.
Here Joci's tackling a present with her teeth.

Watching our kids get really excited.

Watching Pearce open his first gift.

Relaxing with our family after the big event.

Hang'n with our family and eating really good food.
Where are Todd and Amy?

Okay, that was more than a few memories. A Big thank you to our family who always make Holiday time one to remember. We are truly blessed. And we miss and love you all.

Stinker

The other day Pearce made a beeline towards me and cautiously declared, " I smell poop." Concerned I asked, " Where do you smell poop?" Pearce leaned in and whispered with the answer, "I think its Daddy." Holding back my laughter, I asked " Are you sure it's not you?" Pearce very serious now, leaned closer " No it's Daddy." Naturally it was Pearce who produced the poop smell that filled his nostrils. But it sure was funny that he tried to pin it on his Dad.

Deck the halls

Pearce decking out the Christmas tree for the first time all by himself.
To hear the movie mute the auto playlist.

Happy Holidays!!!

DTP turns 60

DTP is my father in-law, David Thomas Phillips. DTP was one of the main reasons we went to Arizona in November, to attend his legendary Birthday Bash. Every decade he and his best bud, Wayne Arnett reunite their band 'The Retreads' and rock out all night long with 500 of their closest friends.

Lt to Rt: Sue and Wayne, DTP and Jane.

DTP's biggest fans, Pearce and Joci, hit the dance floor yelling "what I like about you Papa". So you can hear the band play in the movie, go to the very bottom of blog to the automatic playlist and click once on sound icon to mute.

My sister in-laws and I got to join the band. We sang the choirboys parts in The Rolling Stones 'You can't always get what you want'. It was such an adrenaline rush. I always wanted to be in a band. Now I can check that one off. Thanks for the gig DTP.

Lt to Rt: DTP, Wendi, Kelsey, Camille and Camille.

Wendi and Kelsey. Don't we look like sisters?

With my parents, Spencer and Pam Piller.

DTP's 60th Birthday Bash was a hit. And everyone left with smiles and a beat to their step. Not just because they ate well and rocked out to the Retreads. But because, DTP is one of the most generous, talented, adventurous, honest and happy guys who just leaves you feeling good. And I have to add, he is definitely the coolest father in-law I could ever wish for. Love you Daddy-David!

P.S. Back in the day, DTP's band opened for the Monkeys, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Credence Clearwater Revivals, and the Doors! Now that's cool.