Christmas

Gideon loves "Blaze"

Joseph and his Gingerbread house

Austin's gingerbread house, she hid candy in the squares

Betsy and her gingerbread house

Caleb and his gingerbread house

Malachi and his gingerbread house

Malachi made a tower

Gideon keeps knocking over our Christmas tree

Malachi in the pool at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Waikiki at our Marriage Retreat

Daddy helping Gideon swim

Austin ready for her Orchestra concert!

Gideon fell asleep on the bench in the kitchen!

Gideon's birthday cake!

Travis boogie boarding in the ocean!

Malachi playing in the sand

Caleb playing at the Polynesian Center

Hiking the Aiea Loop Trail with Grandma and Grandpa Hardy

Gideon found a bamboo stick and kept holding it behind his back to be prepared to protect us from wild animals!

Malachi made his felt gingerbread house

Gideon and his felt gingerbread house

Trying to get a family photo!

Christmas morning!

hiking to Manoa Falls

Hiking with Mom and Dad

Christmas time was busy and full of fun.  It included the normal school and church activities, and doing the 12 days of Christmas for two families.  We had fun delivering lots of cookies and treats to neighbors and friends, and trying to serve each other with our manager and adding straw with each act of kindness.  Travis, Austin, Caleb and I also participated in a big Stake Christmas Choir production.  I played the piano for a few songs, and sang.  Caleb had a hard time holding still during all the long practices, but enjoyed his time.  Travis and Austin both sang in the choir.  I had mixed feelings about being in it, as the director was difficult to work with, and kept changing her mind about what she wanted me to do.  In the end, though, I enjoyed the performance, and learned to work through my hurt feelings, and forgive her, and still feel Christ-like love for her.  I enjoyed having my Piano recital and love that my students are all progressing (some more than others).  I loved having my parents come and visit, and Travis' mom come and visit.  It was fun to share the holiday season with loved ones.