Just let me squeak this last one in for 2015!

November was a relatively calm, uneventful month (at least in our neck of the woods).  We honestly didn’t do a whole lot.

A long lost camp friend came to Oahu for his sister’s wedding and was gracious enough to meet me to catch up.  We hadn’t seen each other since August 2010 when camp ended since he didn’t come back the next summer.  It was like no time had passed, we picked up right where we left off.  Sure, life had thrown us a few curve balls and we’d both settled down, but we were still able to chat like old times. It’s always nice to have someone like that around to reminisce and enjoy the nostalgia as much as you do!

We had another Thanksgiving with just the Mister and myself (and the fur kids of course) and went to see Mockingjay Part 2.  I really don’t know what else we did all of November. Blame it on the fireworks or the Christmas time hangover, my brain is so fuzzy!

December was exponentially busier and more fun-filled.  At the beginning of this month, work training got under way (and it never seems to end!). I was swamped with meetings and online training courses and more meetings.  I JUST finished up tonight so I can get back to work next week for tax season 2016!

The Mister and I attended our first St. Barbara’s Ball in Hawaii at the beginning of the month. We hadn’t attended before since the cost was so high last year and the previous year, we’d already attended in April.  We’re still waiting on the professional photo, but I’ll update that when we get it.

Later, we went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on opening night–because we are HUGE nerds. We loved it. We even prepped by getting Audie into the spirit too.

On 18 December, my parents and baby sister arrived for a long vacation! I hadn’t seen them since my grandma’s funeral in October 2014.  I was able to watch Nebraska take the National Championship in volleyball with my mom (a favorite for us).  A couple of days after they arrived, my middle sister arrived and my whole family was together. We went to the swap meet (I finally got my Hawaiian quilt!) to kick off the first day all together.

Then I took the family to Makapu’u Light House trail–the same one that Audie burned his feet on the first time we did it.  This time, the weather was much cooler and the trail was freshly redone so no sore tootsies. Since we went before, the trail had been repaved and new lookout points were added. We even got to get up close and personal with the lighthouse itself.

Mom managed to snap a photo of us girls at one of the overlooks, despite the high wind advisory.

On the way home, we stopped at Halona Blowhole.  It wasn’t as impressive as Nakalele but it was still neat.

It was kind of rainy for the next couple of days, so we were cooped up inside.  I did manage to take everyone to Lanikea to see the turtles. They got to see a couple, but none of them were as close as the ones we usually see. Mom even got to see a whale.

On Christmas Eve, I took the family to hike Diamond Head. It wasn’t nearly as hot as the last time I did it.

That night, we watched the original Grinch movie (a tradition dating back as long as I can remember). Once again, Audie dressed for the part.

Christmas came and we celebrated in true fashion. We ate a big meal that my mom and I cooked, watched the Duke on AMC, and did the traditional family photo in front of the tree. All my furkids had their special Christmas attire on.

The day after Christmas ended up pouring down rain, much to the annoyance of the Middle Sister (she had to leave early on the 28th to get back for work).  We salvaged her last day by going to Lanikai Beach. The breeze was really chilly and it was cloudy, but there were bits of sunlight and that seemed to appease her.

The 28th, we dropped the Middle Sister off at the airport and didn’t really do anything else (it’s a theme this time…we just wanted to see each other and not spend a whole lot of time running around. Plus, I had a last minute training session in the middle of the damn day so that kind of killed any chance of doing much on the 29th.

The rest of the family left this afternoon. It was a really hard day, as it always is when we say goodbye. Luckily this time it won’t be nearly as long as we’ll be off the island by at the latest July.

The day before everyone left, we drove to Laie Point. I’d never been but it was on my list to check it out. It didn’t disappoint!

Like I said, today was really emotional. My mom truly is my best friend so it sucks when we have to be apart for unknown amounts of time. Being 5000 miles from home has been rough on us both. I spent the afternoon weepy and sad. It was pathetic….but I love my mama! (and the rest of my family, obviously).

For New Year’s, the Mister and I didn’t do anything. Here it is 11:23pm on the last day of 2015 and I’m on the couch typing this. Audie HATES fireworks, so it’s been a very long night. He’s usually not so bad, but the neighborhood is way louder this year so he’s going ballistic every time one goes off.

As far as a resolution goes, I’m not likely to stick to one, so I don’t really make them. I guess I will make a better effort to get out and see the rest of the island before we leave and I definitely need to be more on the ball posting.

I start work roughly on January 11 (the first week they don’t give us lowly receptionists hours) so the chaos of TS16 will ensue until April 15. We do have some fun stuff coming up in the new year (and if we don’t, we will!). We are kicking off 2016 with Straight No Chaser again on the 2nd. I will be armed with the camera this time.

I will try to be better with posting, so onward to new adventures.

Until next time,

Cheers!

-A. xoxo