Visitors in December!

About a week after being home from Washington, our dear friends came to stay with us for a week! YAY! I love loveloveLOVE these people. I have come to know them through Chris. They knew him since he was a wee little child. I love hearing funny stories of when Chris was a babe. It makes me happy :) Anyway, the first time I was really introduced to the Silver Beach Community was at the "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" production in Lynden. The moment I walked down the isle to my seat, I felt a million eyes on me - I got glares from several girls younger than me - I was stealing one of their good options for arranged marriage...hah. I thought it was funny - I went to public school, so to me - that kind of thing is totally normal. The judgements before even knowing a person, the assumptions of what a person is like since they never grew up in that church etc. I was an outsider and I was NOT welcome. Kristine didn't care! She was this beautiful light shining with Gods Love and Acceptance. She came RIGHT up to me and asked ME who I was, and was happy to meet Chris' lady :) She was the reason I started going to that church. She touched my heart, and I got to spend a WHOLE week with her and her three eldest Chillins in Maui this past week! Seriously a joy and delight spending time with these four. They all are soo fun and funny and kind and healing. It was like having family home for the holidays. It felt like family. We had some meals together, coffee together, shopped together, played together, laughed together and teased one-another. Ah every moment was just so positive and uplifting. Chris and I both needed that. The talks I had with Kristine and Kaisha I will cherish. The time Chris had with Collin he will Cherish. And the BLAST that we had listening, watching and goofing off with Alissa we will NEVER forget, she is a gem and we love her. Wii games, coffee, pizza, bubba gumps, beach, talks, beach, shopping, beach, pool crashing, hot-tub crashing, beach, coffee, rest. Epic. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.

The Langleys Took us out for Dinner!! As a last Horrah before they go to the Mainland :(

 Darling!!! Love these two. 

 CUTE!!!! Such fun. 

We love these two to the bottom of the ocean and back. 

Christmastime Is here...

Ah so after coming home from a place that actually has a winter..and shops all about Christmas as well as Hot Red Coffee Cups in every hand...I totally became warped into the Christmas Spirit. Last year it was pretty hard to enjoy "Christmastime" here in Maui with the palms and the sunshine. But this year it hasn't fazed me - I'm denying the fact that it's 85 every day and trying to do all the things I would want to normally in this month :) Chris and I had to get our tree from Home Depot this year rather than a farm...it was different but a tree none-the-less, and we are grateful. We picked it up the day Chris got me from the airport, and then we came home for the decor and enjoyment of Christmas in our home. Right away Chris had wrapped the gifts he purchased while I was gone and placed them under the tree. I did my shopping and added my batch to the pile! The Cats are just adorable with the tree. Patrick in the beginning was climbing it to the top. He soon learned mom and dad don't like that :) We often would come into the living room to find them laying together on the tree skirt, pretty picture perfect I would say. Darling :) The bummer is the bows and strings that were on the gifts are now in the garbage due to biting and ripping. We have had to re-tape a bit but at least I got a photo when it looked all nice. We have not watched many movies for the season, or had any seasonal treats - I need to get on that! Ah but It's just been nice to enjoy the house being all festive.

Moms "Thirty Fifth" Birthday :)

Cause you know she is sooo young and hip and AMazing!!! Ahh My mother. I am ever so greatful for her in my life. She is a massive God-send to me. I have never had anyone other than God, Chris and Molly be such a constant person in my life. A dear friend, a kindred spirit. She is my encourager, teacher, best friend and Mother. The best of everything. I adore her and I cannot Thank God enough for her - although I bet he wants her to be with him for her birthday cause she's so fantastic - but he's kind enough to share and I'm sooo greatful. What a gift to be able to be there for celebration. My brother Michael and I baked and cooked for her day - we had a sit-down dinner, decorated the mantels with Christmas Houses and their pieces and did presents and dessert! It was a blast. What a fantastic finish to my time there in Bellingham. I couldn't ask for a better ending. The whole trip was just so relaxing and fun-filled. Happy and eventful. Just what I needed and everything I wanted and more. Praise you Lord, for all the people in my life thats living now an Ocean away from me. Bless their hearts and homes and protect them from harm. I am one blessed girl to have them in my life. Praise you.

a few of my favorite things....

Zuanich in Daylight and Walks by the Harbor

Drinking Hot Coffee while Walking with Mother

Reminiscing and dancing with Her as She Sings

"These are a few of my Favorite things!"

haha...ahh I loved everything about this day. 

Family Game Night and Date with Mom!!!

There is a very rare day at the Adelstein House where a game isn't played at least ONCE! When I was home - and it was just the same as my 21 years in their home...we played games :) Canasta was the main one that we would whip out during lunch. I also made Dad play skip-bo with me - just like I make Chris - cause the boys HATE it for some reason, or maybe just cause the girls ALWAYS win :) hehe. He got me back though by making me play Uno. I despise that game...hah. Ahh fun times. When we have a crowd there is one game that is always on the table...Liars Dice. OH it's fun! It's another type of BS game...so super fun!! I sincerely laugh a LOT - and everyone is trying to read one-another's poker face! It's a hoot. We end up playing game after game and I NEVER win becuase I am the WORST liar ever. I think I got that in an Award. Seriously queen of Bad Liar. hahah it makes a game interesting. Just love the quailty family time spent together - and not in front of the TV - which we do so much of anyway. If you guys havn't played these games before you HAVE to!!!

 dad, michael, bro in law tyler, mama :)

Holiday Traditions!

A tradition in our family is to sting Cranberry and Popcorn to wrap all the way around the tree :) While doing this we watch a Christmas Film! Brie - Michaels girlie and My Aunt Vicki were able to join us for this festive event!! Lots of laughs watching "White Christmas". Love.