Family Portrait

Here's a picture of us from Halloween I forgot to put in. In case you didn't recognize him, Jaden's the one with the moustache and beard!!

Diamond Head

The weekend overall was somewhat uneventful, though relaxing and enjoyable. We did however have a great trek on Sunday and hiked Diamond Head - a large volcanic crater. The hike is a perpertual incline to the top where there is an amazing lookout worthy of all the hard work to get up there (which really wasn't all that bad). Except for the crowds, this was a great hike.

Tyson had many sympathetic looks since he was carrying Jaden in our new baby backpack (not an easy task, I agree!). We all three of us made it, though Jaden perhaps had it best. I wonder if they make those backpacks wife-sized? Hmm, worth looking into.

There were so many people at the top that is was crowded and felt very cramped. Everyone was snapping pictures and we were constantly in the way. The plus side however was that there were plenty of people who were willing to take our pictures together - a rare treat for us. One Japanese woman even asked to have her picture taken with Jaden despite the fact that Jaden wanted no part of that.

The last picture I've included this week was Jaden eating a peanut butter cup shortly after Halloween. Pure contentment and a whole lotta mess. He hasn't had another one since, I think he likes them a bit too much!!

Christmas Shopping and Surfing Don't Mix...

I cannot believe it. Christmas shopping season is upon us again! How did this happen? Only this morning, I was watching the surfers at the beach and this afternoon I'm in a panic about getting shopping done in time to send off to everyone. Weird.

I've realized in the last week or two that living in Hawaii is really like living in a foreign land. I work with people from all over the US and other countries - most have been in Hawaii for a couple years or more and they all have the lingo downpat. In a typical day, I have to ask what something is at LEAST two or three times. For instance, Veronica was talking with someone about going out for Puupuu's. In fact, for ono puupuus. What is that I asked? Puupuus are appetizers, and ono means delicious. Now, keep in mind Veronica is from Texas. Very strange indeed. A couple days later, Marvin (from Napa, California) was talking about menehunes with Sharmaine ( a Hawaiian). What's that I asked? Menehunes are spirits, like leprechauns maybe. It's not that the language is strange, it's that it becomes a part of your daily vocabulary, very insidious indeed. I look forward to the day Tyson and I decide to go out for some ono puupuus.

I've recently joined a French club. More for the social aspect, but also because I've spent so many years learning French, I'd hate to forget it all. I've been to two meetings, it's quite the cross-section of people and I really enjoy it. In the next couple of weeks we are getting together to watch a French film.

In still other news, Jaden is taking an interest in his numbers and letters. He especially loves the number 5 and the letter W. We have fridge magnets that we use to make words and Jaden plays with them every day. He's also really into storybooks. We have a whole bunch of Mercer Mayer books (I remembered reading those to my oldest neice when she was young), and Jaden loves them all. I can hardly wait until he's old enough for Robert Munsch and one of my absolute favourite storybooks "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" (my favourite being The Three Billy Goats Gruff, that I still have a copy of).

Well, I'll try to get some more pictures up, I have some really cute ones!