Electric Beach

mele kalikimaka, hau'oli makahiki hou

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year



New Years Eve in Hawaii is what D-day would have looked like if it were night or a firefight in Fallujah. Laie residents wents nuts buying fireworks especially the fireworks of the illegal variety. I couldn't compete with my 'Foodland' purchased ground flowers which I tried to make more exiting by hitting them with my tennis racket into the water turing this particular firework into an airborn pyrotechnic floosey but it did light up the water for a few seconds with was pretty cool. We got ashley some sparklers which turned out to be just as fun. As we approached the newyear the roads became filled with kids and adults alike using pedestrians and cars and unsuspecting moving targets. The steets eventually just became closed while everyone including toddlers lit off their fireworks. The fireworks were steadily going off from about 6 PM to 3 in the Morning. Now a couple week after the event we still hear fireworks going off. I don't know why but the fireworks show here in Laie made me extremely patriotic.

Getting festively Plump, Christmas in Hawaii

Brandon broke his own personal record by gaining 6 pounds in oune day. It sounds pretty unrealistic but its true. We started the night before by cooking up a big Christmas eve ham dinner. From there we woke up early to open presents (Brandon has been waking up early for Christmas his whole life) we ate some cinnemon rolls. We had a brunch where the two sets of senior couple missionaries in our ward made us a ham and potatoes. About two hours after eating brunch we were invited to a Kiwi/Ausie early dinner where we ate lamb amoung other things. Ashley had a hard time devouring such a cute animal but, when in Rome.... she went all out and even put some mint jelly on it and everything. We eventually ended up playing some games at a family in our ward's house (and when I say play games I mean get shot at by their adorible asian kids while everybody else plays) and were given even more food. Needless to say I had been 'crack skinny' since I can remember and the day after Christmas was the first time in my life I wanted to lose weight. My old roommates have commented on seperate occaisions that ever since I've been married I've gotten fatter while Ashley just keeps looking better and better.....ARRRGGHH! Jerks..... Its sad because its true I'm becoming a 'fat kid' and I think its because I am stealing all of Ashley's food. I have my excuses but none of them are any good. My favorite though is I was one of the few Nephites who stayed here for Christmas and surrounded by polynesians makes me look like skeletor.

2007 a brief review

Concerts Kalai, Kokua Music festival (Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, and Matt Costa)

Ashley turned 24 and had an exiting Birthday party at sealife park. Her friend Megan visited as a roommate.

Some things Ashley has picked up

Ashley bacame a Matsumoto's Shave Ice Expert while Brandon is still working on not wearing his. Ashley also is a rescue dog training dummy, a tandem boogie boarder, and sun tan expert

All creatures of our God and King!

2007 was Ashley's year to save the animals not only did we get a year long membership to the Honolulu Zoo, but Ashley because a cerified expert "Honu Gaurdian" (she loves the sea turtles they are her heart!) Ashley also discovered Gnomes in the Zoo and they were kind enough to pose for a picture.

Familiar Faces!

We were very lucky to have Cari and Ben come stay with us a few days before they took off on thier Cruise around the Islands.... We didn't get to do too much with them as it was Brandon's finals week, and me having to work... But it was still really nice to go out to eat with them a few times!!! Ben and Brandon seemed to hit it off.... Mostly it was just SO nice to have people around that I really know... doesn't happen too much here!!! We forgot to take pics so this is one we snapped before they got on the plane home... ignore my rudolph nose.... I had a cold...

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ok, so it really isn't for us.... thus the basis of my post!!! I am trying so hard to get in the Christmas Spirit... But is rough when you are still wearing shorts (even to work for that matter) and you are going to the beach on the weekends.... It just feels wrong to me... I swear it is even harder to get in the Spirit this year than last for some reason. This will be Brandon and I's Second "Christmas in Paradise" I only get Christmas and New Years Day off so we are stuck on the rock again.... could be worse I guess....So, all of you who are playing in the snow and drinking cocoa to stay warm.... I hate you....

Our first Christmas Married
Our petite tree...

we can't seem to keep that cord from falling down..
Our Fave Decoration...Thanks Frandsen Family!

Fall Ball

A few weekends ago Brandon took me to the Fall Ball!!! Yes, we went to a school dance!! It was at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki! We went with our good friends Nick and Alysha, not to be confused with my sis who is also pictures in this blog!! I only got to see sis briefly, as her date kept pulling her out on the dance floor... It was a fun night of dancing... really the first time Brandon and I have been able to dance...since our wedding of course!!! I started feeling kind of old when we were all ready to go home at 11:30!! But, it was still a lot of fun!!!

Eating Dinner
Nick and Alysha
Sis and I
Sis, her date and I...she had the cutest dress
The dates... I made everyone take pictures like it was prom

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Alysha and I (not my sister)
The Ward stuffing their faces
cutie- patootie
Kamalihi and his cool glasses...
Brandon wanted to try his glasses on!



OK, so I am a little behind on the whole the blogging thing.... but I hope everybody had the best Thanksgiving ever!!! We went to our ward dinner, and I volunteered, I was a little nervous, since people would be eating it and all... but it was D-licious!!! here is proof: