A day at the beach…Cloudy, yet fun and fulfilling…A year ago, an ironic visitor on Christmas Day!

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Yesterday, Tracy took this underwater photo using their GoPro camera. She said he was much larger than appears in this photo.

Christmas is over. Santa came and went. Laughter wafted through the air as the grandkids played with the items Santa had placed in their stockings, in our case Santa hats, when the evacuating store in Pahoa was out of stockings.

I put their names on the hats by making block letter cutouts using the cards from a box of $.60 Christmas cards and glue. We attached the hats with the contents stuffed inside with a variety of interesting rocks, shells, and stones in various packages we’d purchased at the Lyman Library.

Tide pools Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo where we spent the day on Christmas.

We included the usual grandparent requisite gift, a Visa gift card so when bored, they can begin looking on their tablets what they’d like to purchase when they return to Minnesota.

Making and packing enough food for 14 for a full day was definitely challenging, to ensure we had everything everyone would like. We did our best and it ultimately turned out well which included.

Burgers, brats, hotdogs, and buns with sliced cheeses
Foil packs with diced potatoes (Tom peeled)
Bacon, Almond, and Raisin Broccoli Salad
Roasted Vegetables
Cut up cantaloupe and pineapple
Sliced tomatoes, onions, lettuce

Tom on Christmas Day at the park.

Then, of course, we hauled paper products, beach towels, lawn chairs (Tammy and Tracy purchased two folding chairs for Tom and me), two small grills, water toys and it goes on and on. Three vehicles were loaded to the gills with people and “stuff.”

It rained off and on all day. Luckily, Sarah kept her eye on an available covered pavilion and shortly after we arrived we were in luck. Being undercover all day made it possible to enjoy ourselves chatting and watching the kids.

We were in good spirits and ended up sharing food with a man sitting near us as, apparently alone on Christmas. He had a boom box playing Hawaii rap music but later changed it to a more mellow variety, adding to the festivities of the day.

With the flurry of activities at the beach, it was tough to get a photo of everyone together.

All of us cooked in shifts for each family. Tom and I usually don’t eat until early evening but the smell of the meat on the grill put us right on track with the others, wolfing down the good food. TJ said he’d never had a burger on Christmas Day. How true it was for all of us.

Many spent hours in the water snorkeling, reveling in the fish, eels, and sea turtles.  Vincent didn’t get out of the shallow tide pools until long after we had lunch. Maisie, Miles, and Madighan, new to snorkeling, couldn’t get enough. Nik and Jayden now with us for three weeks, couldn’t get enough.

Birds at the beach peeking on beach-goers leftovers.

And, of course, Tammy, Tracy, Greg, and Camille, spent time with the kids in the tide pools while TJ and Sarah hung out with us under the pavilion. All of us were in awe as to what they could see, excited to share it with the grandkids.

Home by 5:00 pm to whale watch, nibble on leftovers and snacks, it was a laid back evening befitting all of us.

A rainbow, a perfect finish to the day..

I spoke to my sister on Skype and later chatted with son Richard on Facebook. There were many others I’d have like to speak with to wish Merry Christmas. Time somehow slipped away as it often does.

Last night’s crescent moon.

Today, the kids are leaving for beach activities and a few staying behind with us. We have no doubt it will be another good day.

May all of you have a stupendous day after Christmas. We plan to do the same.

                                          Photo from one year ago today, December 26, 2013:

Mr. Kudu was standing near our carport in Marloth Park on Christmas morning last year. Tom teased me stating, “Here’s your Christmas gift, Sweetie.” That was all I needed!  For details from that date, please click here.

Merry Christmas!…It snowed an hour from here…Welcome to Hawaii, Santa…

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The next-door neighbor’s chair gives a good perspective of the massive size of these waves.

Here’s a link to the news report on the snowfall and subsequent road closing on the Mauna Kea volcano.

Tom says that our kids from Minnesota brought the white Christmas with them. On top of that Tom and I, alone at home preparing Christmas Eve dinner while the kids all went to the beach, saw some of the biggest waves we’ve seen so far!

The pool in our yard is located in front of these white chaise lounges.

In our travels, Mother Nature seems to gift us with something wonderful for Christmas, a treasure she seems to pull out of a hat, a treasure she knows we’ll love.

It almost appears to be a waterfall.

Isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Appreciating God’s wonders, the birth, and life of a son. the birth and life of those we love and the myriad gifts we receive when we put aside the presents, the shopping, the laborious tasks in preparation of the next celebration with those with love.

The wave as it builds momentum.

This year, the gifts we receive are that of our grown children, their spouses, and our precious grandchildren right here beside us. In the past two years, they’ve been with us in our grateful hearts, and today and over these next many days we see their smiling faces, taking a hug, a glance, and a moment, always to be remembered, always to be treasured.

What a beautiful break in this wave.

Oh sure, it’s not all sweetness filled with perfection. But then, who’s family is? For us, we all get along even with our varying views on life, politics, and even child-rearing. But, we choose to keep those staunch opinions to ourselves for other places and other times in order to bask in harmony and lightness. Time and life are too short.

Our yard in the second house, so close to the surf.

Yes, the questions are asked, “Will we settle down in the US anytime soon?  When, where, and if we will we ever settle down.” At this point, we have no clear answers other than the one we cling to whenever we’re asked,  “Health providing, we’ll carry on.”

The aquamarine color of the wave as it breaks near the shore is breathtaking.

Who’s to argue with happiness? I remember as a child, longing to see happiness reflected in the faces of those I loved and that wish continues today for all of our loved ones.

We were curious as to this shape on the left side of the upper portion of this wave. Do any of our readers have an idea as to what this could be?

Today, we reflect on our joy in these photos we took last night on Christmas Eve shortly before sunset. It bespeaks the magnificence of this magical world we live in with all its ills, political unrest, and waning bounty that Mother Nature tries so desperately to gallantly protect.

The variation in the colors of the sea is amazing.

We sign off today wishing each and every one of our readers, our family, and friends the utmost hope, passion, and contentment in the holiday season and year to come. God bless.

                                            Photo from one year ago today, December 25, 2013:

This lovely female impala came to visit us on Christmas Eve while we were in Marloth Park last year. For details, please click here.

Merry Christmas Eve everyone…Events of the past day…More to follow as we celebrate the holiday season…

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Nature abounds on the island.

It’s hard to believe that it’s Christmas already. Last night, for Tom’s birthday, three families were in attendance for dinner at the restaurant except for Greg and Camille and two of three little ones who returned home, exhausted after a long day.

The view through the hearty vegetation that seems to be immune from the ravages of salty seawater.

Maisie, the oldest, joined us for dinner at the Hilo Burger. Tom had spent the day with his side of the family swimming at a tide pool in the rain while I joined Greg and family for shopping and a movie on the heavily rainy day.

Peculiar looking plants growing in our neighborhood.

For Tom’s birthday, Tammy and family had purchased a huge beautiful cake, decorated with “Hau’ oli La Hanua” which is “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian. He and the family loved the moist and delicious cake with more to spare over the next few days.

Beach scene.

Typical from years passed, Greg and I watch a science fiction movie, “Interstellar” while Camille took the little ones to “Penguins of Madagascar.” It was a great day.

Boating could be challenging in shallower waters near the coast with many large and small lava formations.

As a blended family with both Tom and I having two grown children, we’d decided early on, that we’d split up and be with our biological families if activities varied and we couldn’t all be together. Of course, we’re spending Christmas Eve and day together, all 14 of at a local beach park. 

A field of lava on the right side of the road.

They all took off today for a day at the beach, an over two-hour drive from here. Tom and I stayed behind to prepare food for this evening and for tomorrow’s day at the beach in Hilo. Our hands will be full but we’re content to stay home on yet another cloudy day with much to prep.

Yesterday, I made a mistake and purchased a new Acer computer at Walmart with what appeared to have all the specs I desired. Alas, last night, I discovered that “touch” referred to the mouse pad, not the screen.

A field of lava on the left side of the road.

After using touch screens for over two years I’m not about to go back to the old way and will have no choice but to return it in the next few weeks after the holiday return season has passed. In the interim, I’ll order the correct model online in the next few weeks. Oh, the digital drama never ceases, for us, often self-induced!

With varying sleeping schedules, it’s never easy having families together. I’m an “early to bed and early to rise” person. It’s ironic how our own families seem to follow suit on the sleeping schedules. 

A pretty shoreline.

But, we remind ourselves, it’s only sleep, and being together is what matters the most. I need to bite the bullet and have toothpicks hold up my eyelids to stay up later. It will cost me two hours of sleep but, in the realm of things, it doesn’t really matter. I can sleep more in January.

Tom is the proverbial night owl, having accommodated me for over two years. It’s time for me to step up to the plate. Over this holiday season, I will definitely do so.

The raging surf creates many swirling pools.

So now, it’s time for me to take care of Christmas festivities, do some chopping and dicing and get ready for Santa who apparently is going to be able to find the kids enjoying life on the beautiful Big Island, with the lava flow stalled at the moment.

May all of you who celebrate Christmas have a fulfilling and blessed holiday season. We sure will.

                                         Photo from one year ago today, December 24, 2013:

A tree frog croaking within feet of the quickly disappearing white foam nest that had been fertilized by the males a week earlier. For details and our annual Christmas poem, please click here.

A holiday message…

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Merry Christmas to those who celebrate with warm wishes to those who don’t and to those who may celebrate another holiday this time of year.

Comfortably ensconced in this Henderson, Nevada home, from which we’ll leave in 48 hours to head back to Scottsdale for our final four days of organizing and packing. 

The five-hour drive awaits us as a time to unwind after the busy but enjoyable eight days of precious time spent with family reminiscing about the past and dreaming about the future.  It’s all so clear to me now.  More than ever.

The preparations for Tom’s birthday party on the 23rd, again last night, Christmas Eve, and today, Christmas Day flowed with ease for me.  I over-bought food, more than we could possibly need, throwing my cooperative house guests into an eating frenzy when they say so much less would have been fine. I agree.

Never in my past have I ever over-bought food as I have done this time. Perhaps knowing this was my last cooking “hurrah” for what may prove to be years to come, my association of “food is love” was definitely overdone. 

I couldn’t get enough, the preparation or the love, the laughter, the memories, the photos or the stories, old and new, or the sound of Tom’s laughter in the background. 

Saying goodbye.  For us now, it was all about saying goodbye.  A repeat of the sorrowful goodbyes in Minnesota.  As I have written in the past, our choice to embark on an amazing journey doesn’t make us exempt from feeling sad about leaving everyone behind.  It’s now becoming more real as we’re only 9 days away from leaving the US.

Today, Christmas Day is yet another family-filled day, the third in a row with too much good food, an abundance of stories we’ve all heard before, laughter filling the air, and love all around. Sound familiar? Ah, the human spirit gathers to celebrate this joyous time of the year.

Merry Christmas to all of our readers, the people we know, and the people we don’t know, and to the people all over the world as I see in the stats are somehow finding this blog reading it regularly. We’ll see you soon.