January 29th

I was glad to see you posted on your blog already! Here's some photos from the last couple of days in the life of the Smart(est) Family. We're really going to miss you! I made your bed with clean sheets so if I get real lonely for you, I can sleep in your room. I'm also in the process of stealing your computer.

January 28th

You've just sent us a text that you've arrived in Lima. I was waiting up for it because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing. I'm so glad to hear you're there. I know you're still emotionally fragile, but remember you've had no real sleep in a long time so you'll feel better when you can catch up on your sleep. Plus, make sure you try to eat healthily and drink lots of fluids to help with your adjustment. I've been practicing my texting but I'm not really used to it. I'd prefer to use this blog. Today we all went to Punahou for work and school. Then, I coached at the club while Sierra had piano and Jay froze his butt off at swim practice. We had pasta and red sauce for dinner and played a few games of Blokus before putting Sisi to bed and waiting to hear from you. Tutu and Papa have just walked in the door. They've just returned from their trip and wanted to spend the night here so Tutu could go to yoga and they could shop tomorrow to stock up for their return to Molokai tomorrow. I might have to sleep in your bed tonight because I miss you so. KNOW that we love you and that we're so proud of you. You are really an inspiration!

December 10th & 11th

Let's face it, were just counting down the days until you come home. It's the school, swim team, eat dinner, do homework, maybe wrap a present routine. I fixed your shades in your room (they had fallen apart) and will wash your sheets tomorrow. We'll save the tree trimming for your arrival. I did go into Teddy's yesterday and remind them that you'll be coming home. We are going to go to Molokai right after Christmas so you can't work during those days. You can talk to the jamba people when you get home. In 24 hours you'll be back on U.S. soil.... kinda surreal.

December 9th

Honolulu Marathon day. Dad's band is playing at Triangle Park for the whole thing. It's been raining off and on, but it's cool so it's going to be a fast race. Sierra and I walked down to watch at 7-11. We'll spend the rest of the day getting Christmas stuff going (wrapping presents, etc.) and then I have a staff party at the Oahu Club tonight. Tutu is going to come hang out this afternoon.

December 7th & 8th

I had to sub Japanese today. Kinda fun. After school, I had to go straight to Oahu Club to coach in the POURING rain and then right back to Punahou for Jay's swim meet. He swam 100 fly, 100 back and 50 back in the medley relay. Dad had a gig at the Yacht Club. We watched a lot of Scrubs re-runs and the 2 newest episodes too. The HP references were funny! On Saturday we had to do some clean-up from the heavy rains. The yard is a mess and the mud is everywhere. Kelli and I took Misty on a walk and in the afternoon we went to the Oahu Club for a Christmas party. We stayed late and had a great time. Then, Sierra went to the Fitter's for a few hours while Dad and I went to the Hayter's for a Christmas party. So, lots of party-ing to get into the spirit of the season!

December 6th

You just called! It's good to know you're safe and the trip sounded AWESOME! Dad worked after school and Sierra and I went to Wal-Mart while Jay had practice. After picking him up, we went to the new "Taco Del Mar" near Costco. It's not at all like your Mexican food but for us it will have to do. When you come home you'll have to tell us what you think. SOSOSOSOSOS love you.

December 5th

I forgot that I wanted to tell you this:
I think we're going to go to Molokai on Christmas afternoon and come back on the 29th or the morning of the 30th so we can have a 18.25 birthday party for you. Tell your friends so they can come (to Molokai and/or the birthday party) and they should try to get the cheap fares on Pacific Wings at:
http://www.pacificwings.com/pwexpress/
Spread the word.
Oh, and today would have been Grandpa Ray's 93rd birthday. I really loved him.

December 4th & 5th

Tuesday and Wednesday: regular school and work days EXCEPT we had a HUGE storm last night and this morning and half the island (and the state) is without power, etc. It rained SOSOSO hard and major flooding and the wind was so strong that trees blew down and crushed cars and more. Most schools were closed today, but Punahou was in session, although plenty of kids couldn't get to school because of the roads being closed. We all went to school and even had swim team after school. The traffic was kinda light because so many people stayed home. I still haven't had a chance to watch SCRUBS. Maybe I'll save it for when you get home. Also, I'm distracted because I am hoping that you got back to Guadalajara safely from MEX and that you had a great time at Teotijuacan (sp??) We still have yet to decorate the Christmas tree but will probably get to that in the next few days. Oh, one kinda big thing that's happened whileuweregone is that the bus route has changed and now it doesn't stop right in front of our house. In fact, it only goes in one direction through our valley (clockwise) and you have to catch the number 1 from in front of 7-11. It's causing Yui hassles. I can't believe you'll be home in just over a WEEK!!

November 29th-December 3rd

I've talked to you quite a bit in the last few days so when I didn't get to the blog, I wasn't too worried. However, there are still some things that happened "whileuweregone." In no particular order, they are:
* Dad went to San Diego to a Social Studies Conference * Sierra and I went shopping briefly at Old Navy in Ala Moana * Jay's slipper broke * We went to a craft fair at Punahou on Friday * Jay swam a 50 free and a 50 fly on the relay at his swim meet on Friday after school * Sierra, Jay, Yui, Isabelle, Cole, Kelli and I went to see "Enchanted" at Koko Marina... it was hilarious! * Misty got a bath * I finished the tile project * We went to the Ai's to watch the UH vs. UW Football game * UH won the game in a HUGE come from behind fashion and went UNdefeated for the season * On Sunday, UH was given a bid to the Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia- this is BIG TIME football * Sierra, Jay, Yui and I went to Home Depot to get our Christmas tree, some new lights, and some pointsettias * We spent much of the day Sunday putting up lights and "decking the halls" * Monday morning we had no traffic going to school- can't explain it * Dad came home today (Monday) and picked up Jay from swim practice * Sierra had piano * You called to say you'd just seen Beauty and the Beast and that you must stick with your BROADWAY goal * We had soup and salad for dinner * We love you and can't wait for you to come home in TEN DAYS!

November 28th

A normal Wednesday with school, swim practice and a MAJOR thunder storm. We had super heavy rain and cracking loud thunder and lightening. It started right at 8am and after school Sierra said that she was worried about us and thought that the lightening might hit our house. By mid-day all was quiet and the rain had stopped. Dad is getting ready to go to San Diego for a workshop. He leaves tomorrow. We miss you and hope your trip to Mexico City is fun. Call us before you leave, if you can. Be safe and have fun.

November 27th

It looks like the Cold Stone is open near Safeway. I think it may have opened yesterday, but I'm not sure. Today is Tuesday, and I'm subbing for Mrs. Crabb and she's got a morning class at 7:30 and then a 1:30pm class so I'm home between classes to finish washing the sheets from the beds that the Baird's used and maybe tackle a little of the grout on the steps. I wish I had remembered that it was Yui's birthday during the day because I would have made the cake then... as it was, I remembered as we were finishing dinner. It was 6:45pm and I quickly made a traditional yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I was at Safeway buying the stuff for frosting when you called. Thanks for calling again so I could talk to you. Made my day.:)

November 26th

G'pa Kimo, Katie and Andrew went back to California on the red-eye last night. When I got in the van to drive them to the airport, the van wouldn't start. The battery was dead. We re-loaded in the small car and this morning I called AAA to get a jump start. It worked but it wouldn't hold the charge. Battery dead. Had to re-call AAA and have them bring a new battery and install it. I didn't sub today so I was able to get that done and I spent the rest of the day catching up on laundry, house and yard work, and attacking the tile project on the front stairs. I got a lot done but still need a couple of more days to finish it. Dad, Sierra and Jay had a regular school day. After coaching at the Oahu Club I went to pick Jay up from swim practice at Punahou while dad took Sierra to piano lessons and then the Oahu Club for a swim. We had ravioli for dinner and Simeon came over to hang out with dad for awhile. G'pa Kimo said he'd pick you up from the airport when you get there on the 12th and you can spend the night with them and he'll get you back to the airport on the 13th!! WE MISS YOU and now can count down the days until you come home. LOVE YOU!

Still More Photos

More Thanksgiving Photos

November 21-25th

Thanksgiving on Molokai. You know what it's like. Lot's of eats, beach, games, reading, music, tennis, surfing, darts, ping pong, desserts, sand skiing, trip to see the sights, etc. I'll post some photos to remind you.

November 20th

G'pa Kimo, Andrew, Katie and Misty and I hiked the Makapuu lighthouse and then had a Jamba before trying to get some shopping done to get ready for Thanksgiving. Dad took Simeon and Marilyn and the whole Baird gang to Point for sunset. Jay went to see Lion King with the Roger's family. He got home REALLY late and he has school tomorrow, but the rest of us don't. We leave for Molokai mid-day. Pictures of this day:

November 19th

Work, school, swim team and heavy rain! Picked up G'pa Kimo and the kids at 7:30pm and we're hanging out at home.

November 18th

Dad took Jay and Sierra to Makapuu and to Sea Life Park and they got to do the "dolphin encounter." I swam the 2K Turkey Swim this morning. I'm trying to get enough energy to go work on the tile project again. I'll probably do about an hour of it today. It's hard work and I'm sore from it.

November 17th

I went to yoga with Kelli at 7am and then as soon as I got home I began a project of putting ceramic tile on our front landing and stairs. Jay helped and it was hard work. We only got about half done on laying the tile. It's a few more days of work. Dad took Sierra to AlaMoana to the Disney store to see/experience the excitement of the new movie "Enchanted." They got an autographed poster of the stars and bought some cute sparkly jewlery. All the little girls dressed up all fancy. Jay and dad went surfing and then to see the movie Beowulf while Sierra and I hung out at home.

November 16th

Yikes, I'm way behind on these posts, but partly because I got to talk to you on Friday, so I don't feel "out of touch." However, you'll still want to know what's going on, and I vowed to share our days with you, so I'm going to catch up right now! On Friday after school and swim team at the Oahu club, Sierra and I picked up Jay at Punahou (after his swim practice) and then stopped at Boston's for a slice. Dad had a gig at the Yacht Club so he went surfing and then to his gig. Sierra ate one bite of her pizza and then threw-up. She wasn't feeling well and was SO tired. We cleaned her up and put her to bed and then Jay and I watched the UH vs. Nevada football game on tv. We won on a last second field goal and are currently one of only 2 teams in the country that are still undefeated! 10-0 on the season and ranked in the top 15 in the country. It was very exciting. There's a chance for a "BCS" bowl game if we win the next two games.... anyway, there's football fever in Hawaii!!