Unpacking!

Here we go...just put one thing away and then the next...

My new table!!!

A tree growing on our roof.

This was the first day we stopped in the evening since

we had arrived to check out the ocean, we had to!

We went to Kahana Beach or "Our beach" as named it.

We used to live across the street from this beach, Bobo's

first home.  This beach on opposite ends was the first

beach we took each of our children to when we brought them

home from the hospital.  When Deveraux was born we

lived at Kahana Reef, on the opposite end.

A definite highlight of the first week was seeing Andrew run and

dive into the water...it was a moment!

 

Bobo got a little cold.

Deveraux was learning how to body surf.  She loved being in the water.

It was just wonderful being in the water again. 

A Hawiian monk seal was on the shore resting, they

are an endangered species and it was a treat to see one.

Kimberly came over and dove into both Bobo's room and

put it together for us with all his clothes neatly folded. 

And then she joined us in Deveraux's.  The help was

very much welcomed!

Bobo was so excited when his room was completed.

He thought his room was very cool.  I found him in

his room, door closed, playing his guitar!

Auntie (an endearing term in Hawaii) Catherine stopped

by to say Aloha and of course brought us some yummy

drinks and almonds...we cut up a pineapple and took a welcomed

break on our lanai to catch up!

Our friend Sandy came by that morning to greet us and say hello.  She

was headed to the other side and said she would keep an eye our

for Christmas trees.  When Catherine left, Andrew started to call

around for trees....there were none to be found on our side of

the island and we weren't sure if we were going to have to drive

to the other side of the island or take matters into our own hands

and go find one to cut down (not in a designated area).  Then Sandy

shows up with the most beautiful Christmas tree!  It was truly

Christmas magic!  We were so excited!

Thank you Sandy and Wyatt.  Sandy has been a friend on Maui

since our babies were babies!

Deveraux had hung their Christmas Eve

outfits in our closet, couldn't resist the picture.

That evening, we headed to the Ritz for some pool action.

This was a pool we have frequented too many times to count!

It is so wild taking them to places they have been so many times

and wondering what they will remember.  To Bobo it is pretty much

all new.  Deveraux remembers a lot but not everything.

A favorite at the Ritz is always the white lights on all the palms!

Back home for tree decorating!  I was so tired.  I love our tree

decorating evenings. But there was a point that I was so tired

I just wanted to close my eyes for just a moment.

I believe Bobo felt the same way!

"Ta da...the most beautiful tree!!"

Our tradition is Bobo gets to hang the first ornament

and then Deveraux gets to hang the angel at the end.

The nativity

Mom was the most tenacious of the bunch of us!

In moments it was a bit overwhelming to bring out all

the Christmas boxes when we were still in the midst of

moving in.  This was the first time we have had all our

Christmas ornaments and décor in one place since Colorado.

Deveraux wanting some outdoor lights.

We tried hanging the angel first like this....

He was a goner!

Drew's face is pretty funny in these shots....

We were so happy with our Christmas tree magic tree!

They love opening the advent doors...

The same door mat as when we left 28 months ago....

A new mat

Kimberly hanging out with Deveraux as we unpacked

the downstairs....making a Christmas craft!  Kimberly

was so kind as she took the kiddos for two days...for unpacking and so

we could travel to the other side to pick up Christmas goodies!

Books!  Glorious Books!  This was an overwhelming room.

The soon to be homeschooling/play room!

This is my mother, I do claim her!

She was being so silly one night unpacking!

We would just laugh as the hours wore on....

Thank you mom!

I somewhat enjoyed these days of purpose and focus.  All of us

working together, in the house together.... building a home.

As Andrew later said when we grew weary, that we

were "subduing" our home!