Christmas on Oahu 2008

I couldn't stop laughing while reviewing our attempts to take a simple family Christmas picture.


When I saw the picture below, I just died laughing. I was leaning towards James thinking that he would be leaning towards me as welll, but we ended up leaning the same way so we got a "leaning" picture.


This was probably the best picture we took... Merry Christmas everyone!!!


We always look forward to watching the Waipio Christmas parade at Mom & Dad Miyamoto's house.

This Christmas I thought it would be fun to get everyone matching shirts. It was funny seeing everyone open their shirts one-by-one anticipating what color shirt they were getting.


All the sisters. Tere, Crystal, me, Des, & Lena.


Thank you family for all the wonderful, and useful gifts.


James got me a kitchenaid mixer for Christmas. My eye has been on getting one for a while but I didn't think he was getting it for me. When he brought the box home wrapped so beautifully (thanks Des) I knew what it was:) I think I'm the official cookie baker for the family now. The mixer has been just wonderful.


James loves his new remote control helicopter. Thanks Shem & Tere.

Happy Birthday Mom Tanabe

We were lucky to have Mom Tanabe over for her birthday. To celebrate, we had some of her favorite food. James cooked one ono 6lb. prime rib roast, we had crab legs w/melted butter, of course poke and poi, garlic-butter shrimp, salad, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on top of yummy ice cream.


We are very grateful for mom in our lives and all that she does for us. We love it when she comes to visit us. She is a woman of great faith and we are so thankful for her example. Thank you mom for everything you have taught and continue to teach us. We love you so much. We hope you had a wonderful birthday and many more to come.


The Tanabe Family


Grandma Teshima gave all of us matching pajamas for Christms. I love pajamas. We had fun taking pictures in our pajamas. Thank you Grandma.

Christmas on Maui 2008

Christmas on Maui was relaxing, fun, and filled with da Hawaiian grinds as usual.


We had many, many beautiful beach days. James fished and played with all the cousins. I relaxed and took lots of pictures and videos.

James and I went to look at all the Christmas lights at the Grand Wailea. They also had a gingerbread house village that was really neat to see.

James loved playing football and leg wrestling with Siaosi, Philip, and Kaulalani.




The grandchildren home for Christmas 2008.





The missionaries were invited over for Christmas dinner. When I first met Sister Mulipola, her name caught my attention. When I taught the ESL missionaries at the MTC, I taught Elder Mulipola who I remember served in Jamaica. I asked her if she knew of such Elder. I found that I taught her brother. I was so happy to meet her and hear that her brother is doing well. I love the missionaries. They are so humble and filled with the spirit.



On Christmas Eve, before eating our Hawaiian food dinner, the children put on the Nativity and sang many Christmas songs from the Children's hymnbook. It was wonderful to hear the story of the birth of Christ and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.



James had so much fun scaring Benjamin. He's not used to us since we only see him when we visit Maui