Aloha, Christmas Vacation!

For Christmas this year Annie went to the Heavenly Pet Resort in Upland where she hung out with  pup buddies and the wonderful staff that takes such good care of her.

Santa pups at the Heavenly Pet Resort

Annie, on the Resort's Insta page

While we were sad to say aloha to little orphan Annie Dan and I had an amazing vacation destination of our own to get to! On December 23 we flew to Kona, Hawai'i where we met up with my Dad and sister and her family. Kona, and our vacation, was a tropical paradise. Dan and I both successfully did zero work while away and we spent much more time watching sunsets and counting stars than we did worrying about what time it was.

Christmas Eve dinner was inspired by David Baird's Cioppino (Italian fish stew). Ellen was the head chef and I her sous. Our stew included Alaskan King crab, scallops, mussels, and Hawai'ian white fish. It was outstanding!

The children each made beautiful name plates for everyone at the table and we had fancy bubbly drinks all around as we toasted the night and discussed, excitedly, if Santa would be able to find us on the island  . . .

Ellen, Audrey and Mary on Christmas Eve

The gorgeous home we were staying in was in the Captain Cook area of Kona and owned by Hawai'i Kim and her lovely family of 9 and it had plenty of room for our crew. Kim had many thoughtful and special touches like a fully decorated Christmas tree and a plate for cookies and carafe for milk for Mr. Santa Claus. Audrey and Julian were thrilled to help their mother put together Hawai'ian coconut cookies topped with strawberries and whipped cream for Santa (and his helpers) to enjoy.

Cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and a note for Mr. Claus

Christmas morning was a happy blur of presents and hugs and delightful tropical fruit salad including passion fruit (lilikoi), bananas, and starfruit from the garden. The children were up with the sun (and the roosters!) and us adults slowly followed suit. Santa was very good to all of us and the chickens on the property even left us a Christmas present later that day when one of the hens laid an egg in the coziest chair on the lanai.

Julian and Audrey collecting the farm fresh egg

Christmas morning with the Hawai'i explorers