merry christmas x 3

This is it.
The Christmas Post.
All three celebrations into one long post.

I sense a pattern developing here with the 3 part celebrations...

Anyway...to start off...let me just say,
Merry Christmas!!

On Christmas Eve, my parents flew in from Seattle to spend Christmas and New Year's with us here in Hawaii.
We were sad that my brother and his family were unable to fly out, but were also thrilled that he seems to be enjoying his new job out there!
Maybe next year, we can have a reunion with the ENTIRE Sakuma family.

As per our annual tradition ( it seems...), my Mom made pajamas for ALL the grand kids. Well, minus the three babies and Jonas (because Jonas got a pillowcase instead of PJ's. Picture to follow)...but still, that's 18 sets of pajamas.

The three babies got outfits instead.

Here's Kaden opening his VERY FIRST Christmas gift of the year!
Or, eating it, I should say...

Yes, very fitting this shirt...

And here's Jonas's pillowcase.
Snoopy and rainbows. Awesome!

Kela and Hugo showing off their new PJ's!

And with SO many kids, my Mom had to find some way to keep track...
Not pictured are the names my Mom wrote with gel pen on each pajama.
Also not pictured are the numerous misspellings of said names.
Hahaha...with 21 grand kids, most of which are pretty unusual names...it's really no big wonder that correct spelling isn't forefront on my parents list of priorities.

I forgot to mention, Christmas Eve celebration was at my house.
At my tiny, little house.
Dinner was pot luck...and NOT a quiet affair.
But I don't think we would have it any other way.

I'm pretty sure our neighbors would disagree...and by way of an apology, we delivered treats to them the following day. :)

Here's the kiddos in their brand new pajamas.
Not pictured is Jolee...who had a MELT DOWN due to tiredness and an unwillingness to don her pajama with the rest of the kids.

To round out the evening of the Eve...we had a bit of caroling by the kids...

Followed by our white elephant gift exchange.

And with so much going on...the kids didn't even get to bed until well after 10 PM.
Which left Santa with very little time to get all the presents ready for "delivery!"

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And then...onto CHRISTMAS DAY!

Poor kids had to wait until 9AM for mommy to wake up to open their presents...but hey, Santa's helper had a late night!

Wrapping presents, that is!

Here's Kaden with his first present of the morning.
Enjoyed playing with the wrapper....didn't quite have enough patience to get through the wrapper to the actual toy inside.

Here's his second present.
Which moves and lights up and makes sounds.
I think he was pretty weary of it...

Jolee's gift from Santa.
Which she LOVED!
And wore pretty much the whole morning.

Anna and Kela got marshmallow guns from Daddy.
Personally, I think Mitch got it for HIM.

The casualties...

Merry Christmas morning!

The remainder of the morning was spent playing bumper cars with their RC cars.
Yet another toy Mitch picked out.

I consider myself forewarned as to the type of presents Mitch will undoubtedly be getting Kaden when he gets older...

Christmas being Sunday...we headed out to Church in the afternoon per our usual time.
This time with Ojichan and Obachan!

Sakumas taking over Pearlridge Ward!

Our family

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And finally...Christmas Evening, we spent it at my sister Elika's house in Hau'ula.

The Sakumas...minus Makoto.

Elika has finished her downstairs and so with the new open plan, there was plenty of space for the kids to run around and play...and ride some toys.

Atau...taking a nap amidst the chaos.

The dinner spread.
Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, green beans and a green salad.
It was like Thanksgiving dinner all over again!

And it was delish!

After dinner, we busted out the Secret Santa gifts.
Well, it wasn't really a secret...more like a gift exchange with everyone.

Jolee was quite happy with her frilly skirt and bathing suit.
Anything with tulle or frilly lace is a winner with this girl.

Anna's gift came in this iPhone box.
Her response prior to opening it?

"I GOT AN IPOD!!"

hahaha...no...it was just the box.

Elika had two of these ride-on scooters.
They were a huge hit with the kids.

...and some of the adults, too.

I've mentioned we didn't put up a Christmas Tree this year.
So, Kaden seemed fascinated with Elika's tree.
Or, more specifically, the ornaments.

WHEW!
Two days and three separate celebrations and we were all beat!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas with their loved ones as well!

As usual, I took tons more pictures that can be seen HERE.