I realize that it is already February, but I have left you in the dark about how holidays go around here...
Well first, a holiday Christmas party goes a little differently. Instead of the ugly Christmas sweater parties and bundled up white elephant games, we go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather God made possible for us on our warm island. When I first moved here, and still, these Christmas festivities still don't quite feel like Christmas, because I connect holiday spirit with time of cold, rain, fog, iciness, and my immediate family, none of which I see here on Maui. But I try as I may to accept that it is already the end of the year and truly Christmas time.
Pineapple Grill's Christmas party was on the beach. With potluck style local grinds (food), swim suits, football throwing, bonfires, snorkeling, kayak racing, random hikes, and beehive viewing. I apologize for the lack of photos from this day, all I have is a picture of a 3 foot beehive we spotted on a 20 foot high limb off of a tree.
Hula Grill took the staff up to the Kapalua ziplines for unlimited ziplining, free yummy food prepared by our chefs, a small amount of alcohol, a sound system playing local beats, a dance competition, random other games, and a good time with the staff. The after party continued at Flemmings Beach with lots of rainbows, dancing, and playing around.
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| Pre-party |
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| Van ride up to the zipline |
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| It was as if we were zipping straight into the ocean! |
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| Action Shot. Tandem line |
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| Too much fun |
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| The highest, tallest, and steepest we were allowed to go on |
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| "Look how pretty :)" |
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| Messing around |
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| Ride back |
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| After party |
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| And see! I wasn't lying about the rainbows |
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| Leading the dance party in some Zumba shaking |
I co-hosted a Christmas themed Zumba party. I made some Christmas routines to Santa Baby, Little Saint Nick, and Mele Kalikimaka, handed out Candy Canes with Fitness motivational quotes, and wore Christmas gear. There was a great turnout and lots of sweaty fun!
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| My festive outfit |
To get in the spirit, Jon bought me "Ninja Bread" cookies cutters and a Gingerbread house making kit to start our own little Christmas morning tradition after exchanging small gifts. Also, my best friend Toni and her boyfriend Bradley, and Jon and I went out to continue a little tradition we partook in last year called "elfing." We "elf'd" up people's houses by bringing Christmas to their doorstep-- sparkling garlands, tinsel, ribbons, bows, make-shift fake snow,popcorn strings, and a bag of "reindeer poop" created by sticking some snickers bars together :) The night was madness of course, with memories that will last forever.
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| The materials |
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| Jon made a nice dinner first |
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| The elves hard at work to prepare |
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| Snickers did the trick |
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| We got caught at the first house we went to... but got invited in for a drink... um yes please! |
On actual Christmas Day, most of us are far from our family and traditional get-togethers so most are somber and a little bummed. Us orphans try to get together to have some fun and be a family for each other. This year we hung out and played volleyball at the beach and ended up cooking and having a potluck at my best friend Toni's poolside, we ended up with about 30 people, thinking we were only going to have like 6 people haha.
I took a very quick side trip to meet my parents and brothers and sisters in Disneyland, where they were celebrating Christmas together this year. Here are a few shots from that :)
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| I Surprised my brother Josh and sister in law Christie and their two girl Sienna and Chloe |
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| The girls getting a princess makeover at the Bippity Boppity Boutique |
And a montage of our rides via ride photos:
New Years Eve doesn't involve fireworks, or major flashy parties, just small events put on by different restaurants or house parties. Jon had to work so I spent my night with my really good friends Toni, Bradley, Kristin, Ola, and a little time with Cathy and Bill. Nah, I wasn't the 7th wheel, I was more Toni's date on the dance floor than her boyfriend so it all worked out haha! There was an awesome live band. Letting loose and enjoying yourself, no matter how the people around you are looking at you funny because of your seemingly outrageously stupid dance moves, was the theme of the night. Toni and I tried to out do each other with stupid dance styles the whole night, she always won. And we got to dance with the oldest cutest couple. I enjoyed a dance with an 80 year old man light on his toes bouncing around with me and Toni swayed a sweet step touch dance with the 80 year old wife next we us. Precious moments.
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| Cathy's birthday. I thought Toni was also kissing Bill on the cheek, but I was wrong and no one told me hahah |
As I've said before, friends are our family during the holidays
Maui No Ka Oi
