I am doing this silly 30 day photo challenge on Instagram. Basically you get a list of 30 pictures to post over 30 days (one per day). I thought it would be fun, and I saw a few people were doing it so I made Colt and my sister do it with me. It’s been fun (some days more fun than others) Colt is convinced it’s a girls challenge and has almost quit a few times but he always comes through in the end with the best picture (typical). The reason I am even bringing it up (minus the obvious that it has kept us entertained and added to the holiday fun) is because of the photo challenge we got yesterday. I pulled up my list and the photo you were suppose to post was of a gift you are giving. At first I was a little annoyed thinking I can’t really post a gift I am giving since most of the people I am giving gifts to are on Instagram but as I sat and stared at all the gifts under our tree it suddenly all became clear.
The gifts we are giving this year (and we are giving some really awesome gifts) don’t compare to the “gifts” we have already shared since the beginning of December. I can honestly say that every weekend so far has felt like REAL Christmas to me with the gifts of love, laughter and beautiful memories.
The first weekend of December we spent with my family in Oahu, we got my mom and dad tickets to see journey in concert (floor seats) they were just a little excited.
They were pretty stoked and we were pretty jealous.
Dad decorating the tree
My sister, Mom and Me getting ready to hit Waikiki for the night
My Mama and hubby sharing a beer and holiday cheer
The second weekend we spent playing games with the Vernon’s and going mud bogging it was silly family fun.
Mud bogging (local style)
Khlo & Colt best friends.
Just chilling with my entourage on a Sunday..no big deal.
The third weekend on Friday we spent ice skating by the sea (yes you read that right) it was probably one of the coolest things I have done in Maui since it was so different. Now granted it wasn’t real ice and it wasn’t cold but we had real ice skates and because we got there so late (they were closed when we arrived at 8:35pm even though the hours said until 9pm so I threw a small hissy fit) and they let us on and it was like our own VIP ice skating rink. I skated with Khloe and Caylee for a good 15 minutes and it was a blast. We laughed and fell and tried to show off our special “moves” while singing our favorite Christmas songs. Katie also came out and joined the girls and it was good old family fun.
Sweet Sisters
catch me if you can!
weee we’re skating!
Mama Katie out on some skates!
The Vernon girls ice skating by the sea
we had a slumber party after skating and the girls opened one early Christmas present each
Christmas PJ’s.
This past Saturday we had a pre-celebration birthday dinner for Anu at one of the local pasta places and later did our gift exchange. They got us the game apples to apples so we broke it out and drank way to much champagne. It was an amazing night that ended at McDonalds and that’s all I want to say about that.
While we were waiting for Joe & Anu for dinner Colt looked at me like this. My heart honestly stopped beating as I thought he was having a stroke.
nope…his flip flop just broke! I never laughed so hard, I mean it was his favorite pair but the reaction was a bit much.
just rolling with it, like my friend Chelsea would say “real men only wear one shoe” hahaha
on our way home from dinner Colt decided to wrap the broken flip flop and give it to Joe as a present, I didn’t get his reaction but we did get a really good laugh.
going on our little family adventure
sweet and sour sauce, you had to be there
This week has been full of WORK. So many events and holiday parties has forced me to work 6 days straight with some really late nights. It’s been one ass kicker of a week but still in the midst of the craizness we managed to fit in some cheer with the Vernon’s on Wednesday and then Anu’s 26th birthday last night.
My new Christmas wine glass from Katie.
The girls some how got to open another “early” present! They are getting so big and extra beautiful.
World Famous Jell-O shots for Anu’s birthday
Happiest Birthday Anu (our December baby) we LOVE you.
I am so happy it’s Friday. It’s been a long week and I am really looking forward to what I know is going to be an incredible, magical and unforgettable Christmas weekend.
Until next time, love each other.
Chasing the Maui Son ✨ 