Happy Thanksgiving!!! So this is what it looked like when I woke up Thanksgiving morning!! Was' up with that? Felt a wee bit like Christmas which was kinda exciting I must admit. LOVED being home for Thanksgiving and scarfing down some delish stuffing and apple pie...DELICIOUS in deed. And being with the family was the sprinkles on the cake! Watched us some "A Christmas Story", and oh how we laughed :) Good times in deed. Now the countdown begins for the lovely Christmas season. Went to buy our tree this past weekend and got about a block and realized Christmas is still over four weeks away so we went out to eat instead. BUT soon and very soon we shall make that Christmas tree trip and do us some Christmas decorating like we've never done before!!!!

SwEEt FacES...

It's been fun having my parents here. We've been able to gorge ourselves in a plethora of restaurants which is always a hoot and a few days ago we were able to drive up to the volcano to watch the sunrise. That meant we had to leave the comforts of my parents beautiful condo at 4am and prepare for 40 degree weather and a 10,000 feet elevation. We weren't quite prepared for the temperature drop but the numbness I experienced in my toes was well worth it in the end. The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous! On the ride down we decided it would be a great day to relax on the beach thaw which was lovely. Nice having myself a bit of a tan for a change. Crazy how that doesn't seem to be the case most of the time (AND I LIVE on Maui..what's up with that?!) We also went on another whale watching adventure which was fun but sadly didn't beat our first experience. We saw us some more whales but nothing like the first trip. We then took a little trip to Iao Valley which is the rainiest spot on Maui and ever so beautiful. There is a neat-O rock formation that they call The Needle...

Now my parents are in Haiku with me which I think was an easy change for them since it's so similar to their condo in Kaanapali :) :) We're heading over to Hana later this morning to spend the night in a wee little cabin for the night. We'll get in some hiking and sight seeing along with some swimming in the Seven Sacred Pools. I'm ever so excited to go on a hike since I have yet to experience one here on Maui. Time to work on my calves and glutes :)

( A little Bubba's Shrimp dinner hit the spot beautifully...darn tasty I must admit!)

(My dad's new souvenir...thought it would be better than a Maui t-shirt from an ABC store.)

My lovely parents made it safe and sound!! What grand times to have them here on Maui for a couple of weeks. They were able to stay the night at my house their first night and then frolicked over to Kaanapali the next morning as their lovely condo was then ready. So as they got comfortable I was able to finish up my last day at school (not forever mind you...just for a FIVE day GRAND weekend). SO now I am basking in condo glory at the Kaanapali Club right on the lovely beaches with my gracious parents. We spent the day yesterday beaching it and pooling it.




Saw us some lovely whale sights from shore along with some not so lovely speedo sights from afar. It's so nice being on this side of the island where there is sunshine and warmer temperatures. Haiku as of late is so chilly and rainy.
Last night we had some lobby fun (wink) and then had some delicious dinner. This morning we had to wake up early and prepare for a fantastic whale watching boat ride! OH MY OH MY how grand in deed. We went out and saw us some close up whales. It was AWESOME!
They were SO close to the boat. They actually give off the most beautiful turquise color under the water and you could see them swim right next to and under the boat. I love God's beautiful creativity in his creations! They were unbelievable. We saw many whale fights where the males were fighting one another for the right to mate with the female. BOYS!!! Horn if your honky :)
I am so lucky because in just a few short days I get to go on yet another whale watching boat ride thanks to my parents! Boy I love it when I can mooch off of other's vacations :) THREE more lovely days to go and then I must return to reality but thankfully I get to enjoy my mom and dad for another week on my home turf .

Happy Valentines Day!! As of late, Valentines has reminded me of a vacuum of sorts...it sucks! BUT...what a dandy surprise this past Valentines proved to be. THE Fitt's treated all of us fine single ladies to the most grandest of Valentines dinners. What a riot in deed as we were told to meet up at the school auditorium where an outside waiting area and butler awaited our arrival. Once allowed in the auditorium lit by candle light and a banquet table and lovely array of fine melodies in tow, we dined in style. We had romantic poetry along with an ever impressive menu filled with deleted items no longer being served for the evening. Water was in fine supply as was a grand finale big screen debut of a lovely Valentine "The Office" episode. AWE good times all around. OH how I LOVE those FITT'S!!! Thanks guys :)

Went to Kaanapali Beach today to get some sun and to see me some WHALES!!! Do you see him???? They were dancing right in front of us. How grand in deed. Can't wait to catch more glimpses. Not every day one gets to watch a whale dance!

Only 4 more days until Christmas! Nothing like a fine Christmas goose to get one in the Christmas spirit :) OH how I LOVE Christmas! Been doing my fair share of wrapping of presents (not to be confused with "rapping" mind you). I never could understand when customers at the bookstore wanted me to wrap all of their presents for them. Now I DO understand wrapping paper can be expensive but alas isn't wrapping your own presents part of the process of making your presents more personnal by adding your own flare and style? ANYWAY...I'm a wrapper at heart.

Enjoyed a joyous Jesus birthday party with my adorable neice and nephews. Now not to brag but mine are the CUTEST. We enjoyed some birthday cake, blew out some birthday candles, listened to the Christmas story, made some fine presents for my brother and his beautiful wife (I'm sure they'll like mine the best !!), watched "Narnia" and grew in Christmas spirit. A great time was had by all.

Had some dinner with some lovely friends last night at the ever enjoyable North Peak. Always good times watching one's friend make obscene structures with his napkin. OH DEAR heavens. We laughed, we ate, we drank...all was merry and bright. Now tonight I get to help create some delish pasties with my Mom (quite the process mind you) for their small group Christmas party. THankfully one doesn't have to be a regular to take part in the eating of the pasties. Tomorrow heading to a little matinee with my lovely parents where we'll possibly get to take part in some eating of the over priced theater candy and soda. The teeth will thank you! AND THEN There will only be THREE more days till Christmas!!!! Can you only imagine!!!!???

Home, sweet home!!! Left Friday night and was reunited with my old room 24 hours later! How sweet it is to be with family again. I had a lovely welcome home posse including my wonderful little nephew Cameron and my parents. The next day, Sunday at church, Cameron asked me if I remembered how he picked me up at the airport...and I said "YES, yes I DO remember!!!!" * Was able to decorate the tree with my mom and Christmas music in tow. AND what a beaut of a tree it is. Funny how when I was younger I would hang all of the hand made, not-so-pretty ornaments in the back of the tree and now I find myself trying to find the most front and center for those lovely first and second grade concoctions. Yes I'm so proud :)

*** ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS ***

Awe...THanksgiving in the past now a little Christmas at HOME to look ever so forward to! Had a nice Thanksgiving though with my little friend Kori in tow. Got to have some major beach time, which crazy enough I don't seem to get much of here on Maui (bizarre in deed). Got a little toasty and overdone but grand times all the same. Spent some relaxing days at Kaanapali beach and had my eyes reawakened to all the lovely "sights" here on Maui thanks to my wonderful scenery spotting friend :)

We also did a little house and dog sitting which proved to be....something. Had us some grand luxuries including an ocean view, hot tub, lanai, CABLE TV +, walk-in shower (with a BENCH!!), and of course the company of two adorable dogs. NOW one dog had some hyperactivity issues but alas won my heart in the end. Poor Kori and I didn't get much sleep due to this particular over hyperactive dog who also enjoyed waking up at the incredible hour of 5AM but it twas grand times all the same. AND I got my ole' bi's and tri's back in shape so that was an extra bonus. Nothing like throwing a rubber soccer ball for hours 5 days straight :)

Otter...sweet but deadly....

Also was able to spend Thanksgiving with Kori and some other Maui friends. One of our school workers prepared Thanksgiving dinner for all of us young teachers including ham, turkey (yum!), green bean casserole, vegetables, yams, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, AND tofu casserole and salmon for yours truly. What a sweetie in deed. We were all very stuffed and pleasenly plump by the end of dinner...so we then decided to burn off some calories by doing a little Thanks Day karaoke in Kathy's living room. Awe angelic sounds were created that evening in deed.

We likey Thanksgiving







After saying good-bye to Kori and THanksgiving leftovers I am back at school and working at the bookstore. I actually work everyday until I leave for home for a little Christmas joy!!! So getting sleepier and sleepier each day and yet getting more and more excited for soon being home with family and friends. Shall be grand in deed. Will be hard to leave afterwards I'm sure but my parentals will soon follow my return for their little February Maui vacation...NOW won't that be a hoot?!! For now I continue to count...only 16 more days!!!!!!

How can we possibly begin to understand the unseen world when we can't even fathom the seen world?!!!!