New Year's Eve

Yippee, I've made it to a 2009 post! At least the blog is updated to this year.


Michele & Maya

Pyros...


How many people does it take to throw a rope over a light post? lots! This was the funniest part of the night! They got the rope over & were able to hang the long string of fireworks before midnight.


Granny didn't want to wear a hat

Stace & Ryan getting their midnight soba soup.

She's going to be just like her auntie when she grows up! No Marleys were harmed in this picture taking.

Iolani palace

Iolani Palace is typically not open at night except for on Queen Kapiolani's birthday.

While we waited in the line we listened to Palani Vaughn play Hawaiian music on the steps of the palace. Very cool...

Inside the palace our guide pretended we were there for the birthday ball, it was kind of weird. The youth symphony played some of the Queen's favorite songs in the music room & ballroom. It was pretty spooky to be in there at night.

Merry merry!

Christmas at the Stinson household always starts off with a toast & mimosas. Santa was very good to us :) Miso wouldn't pose for the family photo, she got coal.

Josh was so happy Santa got him the 50th state commemorative quarter set & collector's book.

Christmas dinner was at my parent's house with the fam. Auntie Nina brought over old, old,old, family videos of my Dad & the family as kids.

Christmas eve

Christmas eve with my Grandparents & most of my cousins.

This year we decided we wouldn't exchange gifts since we've all become so mature (>30). Instead we played a crazy game of dice to exchange & steal grab bags.

My papa opening their new flat screen TV!

My Grandmother requested we sing Christmas carols, which we thought was really random. We are NOT a singing family! It was pretty hilarious...

My Grandparents are SO cute, especially Papa.

2008 Stinson Christmas card

Not as funny as previous years...

What's wrong with this picture? Snowmen don't surf & get that hot Christmas light away from you know where, ouch!

Carson is # ONE

My nephew Carson turned 1. The famous LOST baby had a fun birthday party for kids & grown ups. The Petersens are so organized, the food was amazing, the wine & beer selection was endless, the games were fun & the cupcakes were yummy!

Happy birthday Carson!

Carson mingling with his party guests & making sure everyone was having a good time.

I had just missed the pidgeon show, aren't they weird?

Josh & his sister Kirsten hanging out

Jack the air hockey champ!

Shane working the pinball machine.

Macie Birthday party

Macie had a belated birthday in early December & she requested the theme Hello Kitty cookie decorating. Marc designed Macie into a Sanrio character & put the invite design onto her birthday cake. So cute!!

Marley let the biggest kid barrow her apron.

One of Macie's favorite animals is this cat that used to meow, isn't it sad looking? Despite it's fractured arms & tattered whiskers, she loves it very much.

Christmas party

Josh's company Christmas party is always pretty wild & this year was no exception!
We sat at the cool kids table which just happened to be by the bar.

Josh is SO lucky to have such a good & festive wife. Check out his awesome Christmas tie that plays music & the light on Santa's motorcycle lights up!

We then hit up Level 4...


Thank God we had our own bottle service...


It poured all night & the dirt from the park spilled into the ocean. This was the gross view from our room the next morning.

Movie night

We had movie night at my parent's house which we hope is a new family holiday tradition. Josh & Marc geeked out & rigged together equipment so that the movie projected on the wall. We watched Horton Hears a Who & some stayed up to watch It's a Wonderful Life (Marc's favorite movie). The kids enjoyed popcorn & hot chocolate with marshmallows.



My sister's dog Bailey named after George Bailey in the movie.