Christmas, Covington-Style

We had planned to drive, but as the date came closer and the weather less predictable, we decided flying to Seattle would be the smarter way to travel. Besides, flying? 2 hours. Driving? at LEAST 14 in good weather. Somehow, the extra cost of flying didn’t sound so bad. Besides, we were anxious to be with Jenni, Mark, and their little ones. We hadn’t seen them since the family reunion in July and new little Lucy was nearly two weeks old! 

What a beautiful feeling Warners have in their home. It is always a joy to be there. I told Jenni prior to coming that I hoped she would leave some cleaning for me to do. I prefer staying busy and I would be disappointed if their house was spic and span when she was just recovering from a C-section. She responded that it would really have to be Mark’s decision.  And of course, their home was welcoming and beautifully decorated for the season.

Dad and I tried to make ourselves useful by keeping the dishes clean and put away, sweeping the floors, cooking and baking here and there, holding our sweet new grand-baby, and playing with Sadie and Payton.

What a memorable Christmas! I love spending time with our children and their children, experiencing their unique holiday joys and Christmas traditions.

 

Made with love. 

Christmas Eve PJ's

Singing a carol or two before entering the family room on Christmas morning.

Sadie asked Santa for diamonds. We awoke to find them hung all over the tree!

Sweet dreams, Lucy!

 

Sadie had waited for this chance all week long!

With the Help of Two Little Elves

Three-month-old Aiden was having trouble breathing and the sweet babe ended up in the hospital for five days with RSV. I kept his siblings, my little buddies, Evylee and Ethan, with me for much of the time enabling Dez to be with him at the hospital and Michael to travel back and forth to work.

The kids were so good and were such great company. 

It was a great blessing that Aiden was able to return home before Christmas. We made cookies to celebrate!

Lucy Julienne Warner

She was scheduled to be delivered by C-section on December 13, but little Lucy had other plans. 

Jenni called me late in the afternoon on 12-12-12 to let me know that her water broke and Mark  was driving her to the hospital.

Lucy was born at 8:18 in the evening and weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. She is our twelfth grandchild and the twelfth grandchild for her other set of grandparents also! Won't be difficult to remember HER birthday! Twelve has GOT to be her lucky number. 

I am aching to be with my Jenni and her knew little one, but I will have to wait. We are scheduled to fly to Seattle on Dec. 24th. Seems ages away!

Hana and the Black Sand Beach

As I mentioned last trip, the infamous 50-mile road to Hana has over 600 curves and 50 one-lane bridges and takes about two and one-half hours to traverse. In my estimation, it is the most beautiful side of the island and SO worth the trip.  

A waterfall or two can be found at nearly every turn.

We stopped to eat lunch about half-way, and felt a bit self-conscious with the feline audience staring us down. We counted 24 cats!

Wayne arranged for a hotel in town for two nights. so we could take our time without having to rush to back to "civilization".

With a view like this, an ocean breeze, and the mesmerizing sound of the waves -- why would I ever want to leave the room?

We did attend church, however. The branch met in this small chapel less than a block from our hotel. We were met with hugs and kisses and made to feel so welcomed. 

To let you in on a little secret - this branch meets for just two hours on Sunday rather than the usual three-hour block. I think I want to move to Hana! :o)

Hana's black-sand beach truly is BLACK -- with sparkling little white bits of coral here and there.

It really is a sight to see!

Before I close this blog entry and move on to other themes and subjects, our deepest thanks go to Wayne and Marsha for inviting us to share this amazing experience!

What a tremendous opportunity! You are the best!

Slimy!

Ever seen a 5-inch snail? Yup, this guy is nearly actual size (depending on the width of your computer screen.) 

Kaanapali Beach

Love this shot! Nice job, Randy!

Oops!

When fishing boat meets power lines --

Can't go forward...

Can't go backward...

What's a fisherman to do?

Sorry we didn't stick around to see just how he got out of this mess.

Secret Cove

This is such a peaceful-looking spot; a favorite of Randy's to photograph.

Who's to know that it held three weddings, three other photographers and a crew of trevally fishermen.

We watched as one of the fishermen dove with a spear and picked out a small octopus off the ocean floor.  It was split into four parts (that's two "legs" per part) and used for bait.

A kayaker then ran the hook and bobber from the poles seated on the beach...

...out into the ocean as far as the eye could see.

I don't know if they were successful. We left as soon as the sun went down and they supposedly stayed well into the night. I haven't ever tasted trevally before. Have you?

A Familiar Seascape South of Lahaina

You might recognize this seascape from our last trip here in January. Its a black rock and pebble beach off a particular bend on the Honoapiilani Highway south of Lahaina.

I climbed a nearby cliff and unbeknown to my subjects shot pictures on my iPhone of the men shooting pictures.

Here's Randy attempting to protect his camera from ocean spray.

Wayne and Randy chose different vantage points and shoot until the sun goes down completely.