Our very nearly perfect Christmas

I say nearly perfect for obvious reasons, the only way it could have been better is if Steven had been able to physically be here with us. We were able to have a quiet Christmas Eve with Omi and Auntie Sharon and then we went home so Santa could build a couple of things. Steven was even able to watch the building process and type advice to me via Yahoo web cam IM. Christmas morning I woke up at 0530 and the kids slept in until 0730!I was so worried that they'd wake up and get into it all before Daddy could get online to watch the excitement. So Steven was able to watch and we could even talk with him on the computer while the action happened before his eyes! It almost felt as if Daddy was really there with us helping open the gifts. Auntie Sharon came over to take pics for me so I didn't have to worry about missing anything and I could really be a part of it too. What a wonderful morning! A bit later,after Sharon left, I got to watch as Steven and his Battle Buddies, JP and Mondo were opening their gifts from us. What fun!
Next, the kids and I went back to the Nihipali's for brunch with Omi, Tutu, Auntie Sharon, Uncle David, auntie Leilani, and Ikaia. The missionaries sort of joined in after they had spoken with their own families. We had a great visit and we were a little sad to have to leave to go to the Gold's for Lunch/dinner and our White elephant exchange.
All in all we had a fantastic day!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
Dad
Mom
Sharon
Kenji & Sima & OD
David & Leilani & "Buddy"
Steven & Janell and Aukai and Kali'i
Andrew
No matter what stage you are in in this life and where you are living, God sent his only begotten son for you and for me to obtain a physical body and to go through the trials of this life! The Savior was born and this is the season that we rejoice in this great miracle.

Love, Karen

Hit song...all by myself!

I couldn't help the title of todays blog.
Nathan is in Alaska, finally visiting 2 brothers, his sister and spouse and 5 kids so they have a full house this Christmas season!

I don't think their house is any bigger than what we had in Tacoma. It doesn't look any bigger :o)

Ka'le and I have gone on walks at least 1 time every couple of hours. I was supposed to make Holiday cookies and grub for people here at work but it didn't get done because I have no mula to buy the stuff to do it. I started to make buttermilk rolls last night after talking to mom, added to yeast to the flour and realized that I added WAY TO MUCH flour so I didn't finish it, not only that but I realized that the recipe was asking for HONEY and well, I couldn't find any in the house so I needless to say, I didn't do anything else but cover it all and leave it on the counter, so it has probably gone bad!

Ka'le misses Nathan something terrible, he lies by the door waiting for "papa" to come home and so when he hears a car go by or some extra ordinary noise, is right there and wants to go out. He slept with me on the couch last night probably because it was warmer with mom and the blanket than just him on his little bed by the front door.

Church was wonderful. The spirit was there as I partook of the sacrament reminding me of what this life is all about and what we need to do to have joy and peace in this life. It was a gentle reminder that the Savior was born in a stable among the animals with a humble and sweet mother and peaceful and obedient earthly father.

Just a reminder as well that Joseph Smith was too born in humble circumstances 203 years ago tomorrow (12/23/1805) along with mom not so long ago (whew, who would have known ;o) ). I'm grateful for him and his knowledge and faith and understanding of the restoration of the gospel. I too am grateful for MOM and her testimony of the gospel. I wish that she would understand though that she can't solve all the worlds problems and that she is mortal and that we ALL make mistakes. Any how, all is well.

Have a very Merry Christmas and know that you are loved!!
Be good, be nice, be kind!

Karen

Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to quite a lot of snow, especially for Vancouver, so I decided that after lunch we would try and play outside. Last year Keli'i wanted NOTHING to do with the cold wet stuff around her, but today both she and Aukai had so much fun that I had to bribe them to get them inside to warm up! Aukai even figured out how to make a snow angel but where he got the idea, I'll never know. It was not my idea and I never have taught him about snow angels! What a wonderful day and how we miss Daddy!

(This one is much too cute not to share. Enjoy! Be sure tograb a tissue; I think you'll be laughing so hard you'll cry!)

One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home.

On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odour of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas.

Upon my arrival, my husband seemed=2 0excited to see! me and exclaimed delightedly: 'Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight.' He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call. The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously. Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage. Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signalled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.

My face must have been the picture of innocence when m y husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not. At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: 'Happy Birthday!' I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the joy of farting!