Rain... again

We were planning to go to Kailua beach this morning but changed our mind due to the rain. Instead, the girls played in the backyard in their swimsuits!

Boy

Uncle Russ and Auntie Kathy's dog "Boy".

Making mochi for the new year

We went to a mochi making/pounding event in Waialua today to celebrate the upcoming new year! I certainly learned a lot about the tradition of making mochi without modern machinery. Here are some pictures and a video of the actual mochi pounding!

On a side note, President-Elect Obama was also visiting a friend in Waialua (near the North Shore) today. Christine thinks that he is following us around the island ;)

Sunday morning breakfast

With food in front of the girls, all is well and quiet.

Hmmm what to eat?

Jamie(left) and Mattea(right) trying to decide which sushi plates to eat. It's all so yummy :)

Still without power

It's about 9am here in Kaneohe but we are still without power... Christine is busy calling her friends around the island.

Darkness overtakes Hawaii

Can you see anything clearly in this picture?? Rather dark? Well, lighting caused a statewide power outage on Oahu this evening. It's been out for over 2 hours now and it won't return soon either...

Ice skating in Hawaii

We all went ice skating today! Kelly's friend Kathryn (from Irvine) joined us.

Family girls

(left to right)Kathleen, Christine, Muriel, and Stacie. Gma Taira in the back.

New Kitchen for Mattea

Kekoa has been working for the past hour to assemble Mattea's new Kitchen playset... almost done... I think.

Christmas day at Stacie's house

Everyone converged at Stacie's house for Christmas to open presents!

On the road again....

It is so much fun sitting in the backseat with Daddy.. (on our way to the Dole Plantation today).

Snorkeling

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay!

Cookie break

Taking a cookie break during our way down Diamond Head Hike.

Top of Diamond Head

Nice view from high above!

Jody's Christmas art project

Jamie's art project

Jamie's Christmas art project at auntie Muriel's house.

Caroling

Christmas caroling at Auntie Kathleen's house.

Arrived in Hawaii safely!

It's been a long travel day for us. We were up very early to head to LAX. But, we made it to Hawaii finally. Here's Jody and Jamie with Gpa Taira.

Jamie's Christmas piano recital

Kelly on unicycle!

Lin girls waveboarding

Visiting the dentist

Nice decorations at the dentist's office!

Christmas Card 2008

OK, Christine is continuing her tradition of sending out Christmas eCards for the past 3 years now. Here's this year's eCard, in case you haven't received an eCard from her yet :)

Just cute and paste the link below into your web browser.

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Si5hU4Vi

Santa visiting Jamie's class

Santa visited Jamie's Chinese class today. All the kids were surprised!

Cold???

Two very cold individuals in Irvine today. A storm is about to sweep through this evening bringing lots of rain and low temperatures.

Kelly's Christmas Piano Recital

Warning!!! It's 4 minutes long........ don't fall asleep :)

Jody's Christmas piano recital 2008

Jody's piano recital last Saturday.

Xmas display

In front of the Mission Viejo City Hall. Kelly is performing her piano recital tonight.

Remains of Kelly's dinner

Can you guess where we ate dinner based on what you can see on Kelly's plate? (hint: affordable pasta, meatballs, salad, and Lingonberry juice)

Cousins

Cousins Sascha(6) and Mateo(3) visiting us!

The Lin grandparents visiting

Gma and Gpa Lin attended Jody's piano recital this afternoon at the Yamaha music center.