Starting off fine in 09

Aloha and happy 2009!

We are back in the islands after visiting family in Washington for Christmas and the new year. It was a great vacation and Leif was able to meet many new family members and play with a lot of his cousins. So here are the photos to show just a little of what happened.

To start with, we arrived during the biggest and worse snow fall western Washington had seen in decades. It took us three hours once our flight landed to get to the terminal and claim our baggage as they had to dig out planes and the carts that drive the baggage to and fro. Amanda's parents had two feet of snow at their house. The electricity was out the first night we were there and the temperatures were in the twenties!! It was beautiful but Cory spent the first three days shoveling the long driveway and shoveling out cars and trucks that had gotten stuck. It brought back memories of growing up in Nebraska.

Aa winter wonderland at the Packard's

This was Leif's only real outing in the snow. he often said it was "crazy cold."

We then went on the longest drive of Leif's life--a four hour trip to Grandma Great's house in Longview, WA. Previously he had only been in the car for an hour and a half so we were unsure of what would happen but he was great. Though as Cory was driving the Tahoe in a blizzard, and while trying to pass a semi, the wipers stopped working. Leif's Nana had to crawl out the window and manually get them going. It felt a bit like a Clark Griswold's Christmas at that moment.

Hangin' out on the stairs at Grandma Greats with cousin Sophie


Writing our letter to Santa in hopes he will bring us some nice toys

The animal magnets were cool but Santa also brought a lollipop!!


Ummmmmmm...a fist full of lollipops

Christmas day at Grandma Greats. Nearly all of us were there.
We then went back to Amanda's parents place to spend some time relaxing from all the Christmas excitement. This meant the men were lounging and watching football.

Pop-pop showing how to get just the right combination

Reading his coin book...he still loves to read
Leif absolutely loved playing with his cousin Kennon, who is a bit younger. Kennon isn't talking yet but that didn't stop him from teaching Leif to scream and screech at the top of his lungs.

Leif and his "best friend Kennon"

Playing with cousin Sophie

One night we went to perhaps the biggest display of Christmas lights we had seen. There were supposedly 1.3million lights on display but we only counted 1.2 million. We told Leif that we would be going to a really cool Christmas party but he fell asleep in the car. He was still asleep in his Dad's arms for the first few minutes but as soon as he awoke he said, "Christmas party?" While w were there we got to have some awesome fresh donuts (Ric waited an hour for them) and see Bruce the Talking Tree, Leif's favorite part of the whole evening.


Daddy, Leif, Momma, and Bruce


Bruce longs for the beach, too

The Bennetts in the crazy cold weather

Leif excited about giving a walking snowman and teddy bear high five

Cory also got to go snowboarding one day at Stevens Pass with "cousin" Steve. It was a ton of fun with nearly two feet of light fresh powder. It felt great to get back on the board again but he really missed the warm waters of the tropics and being on one of his other boards...the surfboard.

Oh what fun it is to ride a 158cm board on snow. Hey!

We also got to spend a very short time in Bellingham on a mini vacation. The weather was not that great so were not able to stay very long. there were many people that we had wanted to see and soon realized that it was simply not going to be possible. The roads were bad and more snow was forecasted so we had to make our way back to Amanda's parents house. We did get to see some of our favorite places, a couple of our friends, and eat some of that great Bellingham food. Sadly though, our the owners of our favorite pottery place closed up shop and moved to the tropics.


Leif and Momma in Fairhaven

Leif and his monster cookie from the Colophon Cafe...delicious!

Back with Nanna and Pop-pop we celebrated the new year and then had an early birthday party for Leif with some of his Aunties, Uncles, and cousins. His mother mad him a Cookie Monster cake...did you know that blue frosting is really messy and stains? Out of all of this though, Leif did learn most of the words to the birthday song and he sings it from time to time at home now.


Happy birthday to Leif

What a delicious looking "happy cake"

Leif opening his presents...can't let go of the balloons though

Yeah..."whole party"

Blue is the new black

Before we left for the surf, sand, and sunshine we went to the local children's museum with Nana and Pop-pop. Leif had a great time and loves to tell us how much fun the "kids museum" and the balls were.

Going down the fire truck slide

Having fun with Nanna and the balls

Once we got back on island we had a small get-together with Amanda's mommies club and some of Leif's friends. It was very simple but Amanda did make Cookie Monster cup cakes for the occasion.

Birthdays for Leif, as are most days, are not complete without balloons


Leif trying to grow a beard like his dad

Playing with his new baseball set up

We hope all is well with you...wherever you may be and greatly look forward to having you come visit. While we were in Washington we learned one thing...as much as we love and miss our family...nothing compares to life in the islands!

aloha

Cory, Amanda, and Leif

Ho-Ho-Ho...Merry Christmas!!

Mele Kalikimaka!!

showing that Christmas spirit

They might dig the smile but the yogurt covered face won't do it for them

Christmas is right around the corner and that means we will soon be on a plane to go visit family and friends in Washington. We are greatly looking forward to this trip for many reasons: Leif gets to play with many cousins close to his own age, Amanda gets to check out some of her favorite sewing stores, Cory gets to go play in the snow (snowboarding!!!), and everyone gets to visit with family and eat delicious food. We are also looking forward to visiting our friends in Bellingham--our home away from home. We have also been pulling out the cold weather clothing, as there is 4+ inches of snow right now in WA, and even borrowing some clothing for Leif since he doesn't own long pants, long sleeve shirts, or a coat!

Trying on some closed-toe pajamas

Rocking around the Christmas tree on rocking horse Bob

Leif has been loving the holiday season so far. With all of the lights and decorations up he gets so excited he can barely contain himself. Leif and Amanda actually met Santa the other day as they were out for a walk, too. There is an older man who lives in our neighborhood who drives a red scooter (without helmet as there is no helmet law here) and has white hair with a long white beard...all real. On this day, though, he was wearing a Santa suite. Leif was so excited to see the "really" Santa especially when Santa drove over and gave him a lollipop! Leif and Amanda also went to a Christmas tree farm on island. The type of evergreen that grows here is called a Norfolk pine, and while it is a pine, it isn't quite like those nice, fragrant ones that are found in the Pacific NW.

Leif and Momma at the tree farm

A "HUUUUGE ONE!!!"

Counting candy canes

Writing a letter to Santa...I hope he understands gibberish

We have already had a mini-Christmas the other night; we opened our presents from the Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa, and the Bennett's from Kansas City.

The tent and pool were a hit but nothing compares to balloons

Reading some of his new books he got from Grandma

Leif loves his new learning toy...though the "I" is already missing.

Cory also got his new surf board. Yeah...the one that was ordered in July. They say patience is a virtue. If that is so, then Cory was rather virtuous up until a week ago. He went out on it today, though the NW swell was only chest to head high, and had some serious fun--the wait was worth it!!! For those who care, it is a 7'6" quad that can be converted to a tri fin for when things get a bit more serious. Cory has a 6'8" short-board that is a load of fun but it is harder catching waves with that one and it is a bit frustrating when a overhead bomb sneaks in and you are either stuck inside or sitting too deep to avoid the pounding. On the other hand, his 8'2" mini-tanker can catch waves pretty easily but is simply a tank. When you want to get down the line or make a sharp cut-back it is slow and cumbersome. So far, this board is looking like a good happy-medium.

7 feet 6 inches of joy

Leif practicing surfing on his own board using the one shoe method

Amanda got a bunch of fabric and is so excited to start another quilt though she feels a bit guilty as there are two unfinished quilts hanging in her sewing room's closet. She is really holding out for her new machine which she will have this next year (summer????).

Can you say...Moda?

Cory is also done with teaching until next July. No more lesson planning, grading papers, crazy meetings with crazy staff members (not you Terry)! He will be starting his new temporary position at UH in January and it looks to be an amazing semester. It will still be a challenging semester but hopefully one with much less stress.

In case you were wondering what to get Leif in the future this next video might help you understand what his favorite things are. Enjoy!

We wish you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season and hope to hear from you soon!

Aloha

Cory, Amanda, and Leif

Happy Thanksgiving

Aloha and Happy Thanksgiving!

It is deffinetly fall in the islands as we are wearing socks, jackets, and long pants more often (it is dropping down into the 70's you know!!!). We have been quite busy with Thanksgiving dinners, play dates, visiting friends (with a special visit from Auntie Anne from the Big Island!!!), and going to birthday parties. Here is the latest round of photos...enjoy!

One of Cory's friends threw a party for their one year old son and we were all invited. If you have never been to a real Hawaiian first birthday party then you are missing out. A professional band (with many albums), enough food and beverages to feed a large nation, inflatable jumpies, clowns, shave ice stands, along with games and prizes galore! It is the type of party you need a planner for. Leif was happy because there was balloons, balls, "happy cake," shave ice, and a clown that painted a balloon on his arm--clearly the highlight of the whole day!

Leif with two of his most favorite things: Mom and balloons

Parties means "shaaaaaave ice."

One of Leif's new things is taking pictures. He loves to "watch Leif" on the cameras. If he sees a camera...he wants it. That boy can sure throw a fit if he wants to though he gets over it quickly. Here are a few of his more recent creations.

CHEEEEESE

A little out of focus but he's having fun

What would a long 4 day break be if we didn't go to the beach. It was an exciting day as three monk seals were resting and sleeping right next to us. Leif loved watching them and loved it even more when one of them passed gas; we heard about it for quite some

time.

Building a fort with Dad

Simply adoreable...What more can you say

Surf, seals, sunshine, and the sand monster

Mom: "Don't eat that Leif it tastes yucky."

Leif: "Yuck!!"

You guys ready to go yet?

Measuring to find a good place to put the Christmas tree

After Thanksgiving means it it time for the "mickas tree"

We hope your holidays are pleasant and look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Aloha

Cory, Amanda, and Leif

Feeling Like Fall

Aloha everyone,

Fall is here in the islands which means the temperatures range from a morning low of 75 to an afternoon high of 85, give or take a couple of degrees, and it feels great. A lot has happened since our last post including two birthdays and Halloween. We will just cut to the chase and show you some of the great pictures as they often are worth a thousand words. We'll start with a little Halloween action:

Leif picking out his pumpkin at the "pumkin match"

Finding the perfect one

Enjoying the views from on top

Just one year ago...

Out collecting booty on Halloween

Enjoying the spoils with Mama on Halloween night

Amanda has been hard at work making Christmas presents...I'm giving away any secrets so don't even ask, and Leif is getting bigger in size and vocabulary. He is now learning some of his letters and learning to count to twenty. He does eleven and twelve real well but then he just likes to say which ever of the "teens" he likes, the order changes from time to time.

having a "whole party" with friends

Our sweet little rag-a-muffin

Helping Mama blow out her birthday candle

The winter waves haves have officially arrived and Cory has been out a few times, though in nothing too big yet. His new board should be arriving any day now though the shaper and glasser are on Hawaiian time (the board was ordered in July). Cory has accepted an intern mentor position at UH working with students who will be finishing their Master's in Teaching spring semester. He will retain his position for the following school year but for spring semester he will be working with 6-9 teachers at their schools; this means that he will be out of the classroom next semester. This position is part time (though he also retains his full salary through the DOE) which means he will have time to work on other personal professional development which will include finishing his written commentaries for National Board Certification and possibly two additional classes for his PhD course work. It will be tough being out of the classroom but this is an amazing opportunity he can't pass up.

Leif telling Daddy about his day

Asleep on the ride home from the Bishop Museum

Of course, we are still going to the beach. Leif is so much fun at the beach now. He loves to explore around the rocks and look for "lille fish" and crabs as well as climb on the rocks, making forts and castles in the sand and even occasionally going out for a swim with Mama or Daddy.

Loving the beach!!

Life doesn't get much better...surf, sand, and family!

What a sweet ride

We hope all is well back on the mainland and look forward to seeing some of you come Christmas!

aloha

Cory, Amanda, and Leif