It's 2014!!!

Aloha All,


Hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday season and I sincerely wish for a happy and healthy 2014 to  you all.


It's been a busy few weeks with Christmas and New Years for us and we've been making the most of our time here. A few things we have done over the last while...surfing, paddle boarding, more hiking and relishing the perfect temperatures and weather. Paul's happier cycling to work most days now too rather than taking the bus. He can take various routes and take in the scenery he chooses now. He said people at work are shocked that he cycles that far!  


This past Saturday we did the Diamond Head Hike and loved it. I am so proud that Natalie hiked most of it herself! Chatting with a local about it who said that his 2 sons weren't able to do until they were 6. (Natalie is 4.5) Girls Rule!


On Christmas and New Years Day we went to Waikiki and dabbled in a little surfing and paddle boarding. We have made friends with a super nice family (of seven!) here and all of them surf and have many boards so we spent Christmas day with them and they kindly gave us some pointers and lent us their boards. New Years day we went back on our own and had a great time too. Oh and by the way the new lingo is "SUP" for stand up paddle boarding...we are getting educated!


New Years eve was interesting - we had our own fireworks show in front of our lanai starting at 5:30 pm until well after midnight - the whole city tends to go crazy for fireworks but this year was especially quiet we were told.


Thank you to everyone who has been sending such kind messages and well wishes for Paul's Dad - many of you have been asking for an update: he is in a rehabilitation unit in hospital getting lots of physio. He is able to talk and has his wits about him, left side paralyzed and he is understandably devastated as are we but glad he is alive. We try to send little videos and audio messages and talk to him on the phone as well.

Natalie's swimming lessons have resumed after 2 week hiatus for Christmas - yesterday she completely rocked at trying to front crawl - amazing to watch her as she tries so hard. Next Wednesday she starts Hula lessons from a lovely, highly recommended Hawaiian woman at Hulamehawaii and can't wait. Natalie's been practicing!


I have a friend! Her name is Kirsten, a mother of 5, great person, we have already had many conversations about our love of chocolate! She's one of the few people I know that has it every morning with coffee just like me - such a bond! In all seriousness she may be a friend for life, she's a gem and I am lucky I met her. Her youngest is also Natalie's age so we'll be planning some play dates.


Well, it's been absolutely gorgeous weather and temperature here. "Winter" is definitely my favorites season in Hawaii, summer is too hot for me here. Sorry Canadian ohana, I know you are having some pretty cool temps back home!


I have met a photographer here too who has offered to give me a few lessons so looking forward to that - I love taking photos but always room for improvement! Speaking of which, I had technical difficulty uploading a bunch to go with this blog entry but have some great shots to show you - hopefully can get the problem fixed asap. Paul I may need you for that!


Until next time...


Aloha!


Lisa