… the Lord is come!

Mele Kalikimaka!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Daniel was a good sport about the morning scavenger hunt. In fact, after 50 minutes of looking he still refused clues! Yes, 50 minutes. You can almost taste the sweet satisfaction on dripping from his face as he peers affectionately at his loot.

Santa came!

We were famished by the time he found his stocking, so in true Christmas day fashion, we ate too much and washed it all down with coffee and a glass of milk … garnished with some vodka and kahlua.

breakfast of champions: eggs, turkey bacon, english muffin, raspberry & poha jam

Around ten o’clock we dove into our stockings. Favorite presents were …

WICKED TICKETS!

Leatherman Wave multi-tool

aloha apparel (:

head gear – we have really bad teeth

and…star power!

Who am I kidding? They were all great presents; those were just some of the highlights. We missed our families but made it special on our own. After opening our toys, we took a long walk on the beach and met a three hundred and fifty pound seal who was taking a rest on the shore! The imminent threat of rain convinced me to leave my electronics in the car, otherwise I’d have some really cool photos. Oh well – another day!

Christmas day wouldn’t be complete without a special Christmas dinner. That’s why we went out for Japanese food.

me so hungry, miso soup

We thought it was going to be a semi-fancy restaurant – you know nice dark-wash jeans and a dressy blouse caliber place. Upon pulling into the parking lot Daniel even commented, “I hope we aren’t underdressed.” Turns out we were the best dressed in the joint because it was a Japanese DINER. The first thing I noticed (other than the amazing smells consuming the place) was the noise. It was loud. Like middle school cafeteria loud. Come to think of it, the tables and dining room layout were probably hijacked from the same cafeteria. Can’t judge a book by it’s cover though; the food made up for the atmosphere by a landslide.

japanese style nachos with fresh ahi poke

they will even make your sushi with brown rice!

This plate made me feel like I was back in Japan. However, the whole experience was slightly better here because I am not considered obese, AND I can understand what everyone is saying.

another weak attempt at the DIY photo shoot

At half past midnight, I can tell you we were blessed with an exceptionally joyous Johnson Family Christmas! In the words of our priest this Christmas season, “Happiness is a feeling. Joy, my brothers and sisters, is a state of being.”

May there be joy in your heart as we enter the New Year! Merry Christmas.