VISIT OUR FAVORITE WAILEA MALL

Had the "french fry" craving on New Year's Eve (lunch) so the family went to Tommy Bahamas for lunch. Aunt Donnie we had your favorite(extra crispy!).

ZOEY MICHELLE MATIAS KENNEDY

NEW TOYS

Had to take a picture of these funny inflatable objects. Our girls are so loud right now laughing and, yes, screaming while shooting water at each other.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Half way through opening gifts, Makena could not wait to model her princess dress. Kau'i fixes Rupunzel's "Tangle" hair, and Maile entertains by playing Christmas Carols on the piano.




Started Christmas Eve by going to Hope Chapel at 8 p.m. A great service of hula, singing and praising. The next morning the family comes over and we open gifts which would take about two hours followed by brunch. We thought there was going to be an interruption at this annual event because Marie is showing signs of going into labor!!! She is due any day now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SANDY IS COMING TO MAUI

We met Sandy February 2005 when we adopted Maile. We stayed at the Dolton Plaza in Hunan. Sandy worked in the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. There was a mutual feeling that we would be friends forever. We were in China again in 2007 to adopt Makena. Although Sandy moved on with her career, she made time, traveled by train, just to see us again in Guangzhou. At our last adoption Sandy played a very important role. She was like a big sister to Kau`i and they had this instant bond. It was very touching. Long story short, after many tries of getting a visa, she finally received a business visa to visit America! Her last e-mail to me was "Auntie, I only need to pack a t-shirts and shorts right?"

KAI

We e-mailed Esther back and forth last night and then we got an e-mail from our daughter Kai. She said she received our gifts and "thank you." One thing she wrote was really cute. "Dad, mom I have a question? What time are you picking me up to go home? I am really looking forward to it." Kai said she will be good and cannot wait to see YaFang (Kau`i) and her sisters. Kai also attached a picture of herself. She wears glasses!!! Kau`i said "Oh mom! Now we have three people in the family that wears glasses. Maybe she can wear contacts when she goes to school."

ONE YEAR AGO

Scared of the dark, very frightened of being alone in any room, this little 10-year-old girl with a heart condition came into our lives. She wanted a family and she knew her heart condition would be fixed if she was adopted. Well, with God's grace, she was blessed with both. Now, one year later, our 11-year-old daughter has blossomed into a very gifted girl. She is a leader, intelligent, athletic, artistic, hard worker... most of all she appreciates life. She loves her family, always showing her emotions with hugs, kisses and constantly saying "I love you Dad and Mom." We can go on and on about our gift from God. Yes, He has blessed our family with Kau`i!

PEEK A BOO

DAY BEFORE AND BEACH DAY

This is kind of a mix plate kind of post. Don't you think our men look good?!?!

Kayaking with sea turtles, sand castles, and swimming with friends. What a great Saturday!


Oh how did this get here!!!My husband, who works 14-7, decided to go on a very tough mountain bike down hill ride starting at the top of Haleakala. They were not riding down the tourist route, but took the steep back trails. He tried on his gear the night before. Dogs went crazy barking at this guy from out of space. Ryan, his dad, Chris and Dale were very excited about the trek down the mountain. Well it was a disaster from the very beginning. Dale, who decided to be nice and take over Ryan's bike (because Ryan started out with three flat tires and is a more experienced rider) ended up WALKING down the mountain half way down after two hard falls. The other three took off another path leaving Dale with Ryan's phone saying we will pick you up later!!! Long story short, all the men had bad falls so Dale didn't feel too bad thinking he was... you know what I mean.

WINTER RECESS

Tomorrow is the last day of school for 2010. January 4, 2011 our three girls return back to school for five months. School ends May 26! And then summer begins. Okay, slow down already. Talk about excitement in our household. Girls busy, busy writing their letters to Santa. It's nice to see the girls requesting items that are not out of line. Before bed every night our girls each say a prayer out loud. Last night Makena was first. Dear God, thank you for our beds. Thank you for dinner. Thank you for our family... and thank you for Bompa (Dale's dad who is with our Lord). Then Kau`i: Dear God, thank you for Jesus dying on the cross. Thank you for our warm beds and our home. Thank you for mommy working really hard to clean and cook dinner. Thank you for daddy because he works real hard to buy food and pay bills, Thank you for sissy, Ryland, Ryan, Shea, Marie and Zoey. Thank you for my friends. Lastly Maile: Dear God... and then she repeats exactly what Kau`i said because we see how tired she is and can't wait for her hugs and kisses!

KAU`I CHRISTMAS RECITAL

How proud should we be about our daughter Kau`i? There were 34 students in Marti Kluth's Christmas Recital class. Thirty two of her students played the piano and two sang. Kau`i was one. Her song was "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music. Kau`i came to Maui from China January 1, 2010. She didn't know a word of English and standing on stage singing in front of 200 people gave Dale and I an awesome feeling. She had so much confidence and poise. Kau`i did very well and her voice was beautiful!

SURPRISED GIFT

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their three beautiful Elves surprised big sister Des and hubby Ryan with their Christmas gift, a 47" flat screen TV." With all the help we received from Des and Ryan, we could not think of a better gift! Thanks kids!

RAIN !#!@#%!?

What's that? Forecasters called it "a Winter system" going across the island chain. Well we don't remember the last time it rained like this in Maui Meadows, Kihei. Maybe a year ago? And get this, we should have three inches of snow (I call it ice) on the top of Mauna Kea. The girls, except Kau`i, thought it was the neatest thing ever. Kau`i is from Guiyang where it rains often. So off the school with raincoats and rubber boots. They look so adorable!

NOW IT'S MAKENA'S TURN

Dale just got through going over the memory verses with each girls for their weekly Awanas group at our church. Before leaving, the girls were cleaning up the legos they left on the floor. Maile threw one of the legos aiming for the box. It missed and hit Makena's very loose tooth. You should have heard the loud screams coming from 90 feet away. Mom!!!! Makena lost her tooth!!! Instead of Makena being upset, they were laughing and screaming so loud. In a nut shell, we wanted Makena's first tooth out for a very long time. Never thought it would come out using a lego. :)

SHEA N MARIE'S BABY SHOWER

Zoey is due in 3 weeks!!! Getting very excited!!! Beautiful day to spend fun time playing SILLY games and eating with friends and family.

CHRISTMAS TREE #2

Kaui's very good friend Maile spent the night and help decorate the girls Christmas tree. Of course the girls had to take a break for "Hot and Spicy" Soup. Everyone here is very much into the Holiday spirit.