Ti-ki-koh!

Makana enjoyed discovering her tricyle on Christmas, "Cool! Ti-ki-koh!" She tries so hard to reach the pedals, so we may add blocks to them (or something--any suggestions?) until she can actually reach them on her own. The great thing is that we can steer from behind to help her avoid the crashes (that she really loves!) and from possibly running away from us. :)

Big, Blue . . .

Happy Christmas, Dave! :) Makana calls it, "Daddy's big, blue truck!"

A typical conversation between Makana and me:

Makana: Daddy-o!
Mommy: Daddy's gone holo-holo [or bye-bye].
Makana: Holo-holo--big, blue truck!
Mommy: Yes, where did Daddy go?"
Makana: Work.
Mommy: Yes, where does Daddy work?
Makana: Pa-pel [chapel].
Mommy: Yes, Daddy works at the chapel. What kind of truck does Daddy have?
Makana: Nis-san Ti-tan! (with emphasis)
Mommy: Yes, Makana.
Makana: Mommy, Daddy-o?
:)

Happy Birthday, Jesus! :)

We had a relaxing day in celebrating the first coming of Jesus into this world. :) We sang, "Happy Birthday to Jesus!" and pondered the amazing Gift. After breakfast, we opened the other gifts in the stockings and under the tree.

It was fun to watch Makana during this season, for she enjoyed the tree, its lights, and the many other things of wonder of the season. We tried to teach her of the significance of everything (as we never know what might actually stick). She loved pointing out Baby Jesus on the tree, in the ornament we made with our international friends at the BSU the other Christmas.

It was initially hard to get Makana to move past each gift she opened. Then, she got the hang of things and started flying through a series of gifts, saying, "More! More!" She then lost steam and needed a break. She was wowed by everything she received (except for some of Mommy's boring selections). She embraced her chocolate-colored doll (just like her color!) from her cousins. It was fun to see her "mommy" her "baby." She received another little doll from Auntie Shirley and Uncle Richard in New York and loves its purple dress.

Daddy was starting to wonder if her Elmo book/toy had an off button b/c Makana enjoyed playing with it so much! :) We then decided after a while to save the opening of some of her gifts (even if they were unwrapped) to allow her to process everything better. :) She is slowly discovering everything she has been blessed with. :)

It's feeling like Christmas Eve! :)

Dave and I felt like true parents on Christmas Eve as we assembled Makana's tricycle. :) We waited until our little baby went to sleep after the Christmas Eve service at the chapel and a Ground Floor party.

We were able to get Makana's dress at the base Thrift Store when she tried on clothes for a fashion show. Although it is still a bit large for her, Makana did not want to take it off after she felt the smooth velour and saw its sheen. "No, Mommy! I dress!"

Christmas Eve Tradition: Snow!

We have been able to find snow in Arizona on Christmas Eve, making it a white Christmas, especially for our snow-loving Dave. :) It was actually the 2nd time this season we were able to make a snowman, dubbed "Burton." There is always a charred limb nearby to provide coal eyes for our snowman. :)

Makana enjoyed pushing our laundry basket sled down the hill. These pics depict leftover snow from the actual snowfall over a week ago. When we went up the last time, the mountain was a winter wonderland white blanket of snow. :) (Of course, the other drivers who aren't used to driving in the ice and snow made it a little scary.) Many people were filling the backs of their trucks and cars with snow. :) I guess that is what we'd probably do in Hawai'i. :)

"Y-y-yights!"

Makana loves the lights of Christmas! We are trying to teach her that Jesus is the Light of the world, as we sing, "Happy Birthday to Jesus!" everyday. She thoroughly enjoys the Christmas tree, and she placed our little haku lei from Lynne and Alton Uyema (our first year of marriage) on the top this year.

She is definitely our little elf in terms of helping out. Thanks to the video from Uncle B (aka, Jeffo), Makana has learned to enjoy cleanup time. We sing, "Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere . . . ." I'm sure many of you know the rest! Sometimes, though, she gives us her "side-eye," as if to say, "What are you talking about?!?"

Makana likes to play in front of the tree; in one pic she is doing her tropical fish puzzle (from Rylee), which she loves.