Kauai Christmas

The Queen's Bath, with Bali Hai in the background

After reviewing last year's holiday post, I realize that the academic calendar leads itself to a massive buildup of photos right around now as we return from family rendezvous and holiday galas. With Tor's birthday thrown into that mix, I'm of a mind to crank out a few posts in rapid succession so each phase gets its own treatment.

Phase one is Kauai--warm, beachy, Mai Tai-y Kauai for ten amazing days. My mom and dad, brother and his wife, sister and her husband, and we three Hansens occupied a house on the south side of the island, at Po'ipu. Our explorations ranged from one of the rainiest spots on earth, Mount Wai'ale'ale, to Hanalei, of "Puff the Magic Dragon" fame, and involved snorkeling, body boarding, sampling the local cuisines and eateries, checking out a hula show, sightseeing, and enjoying lots of time getting to know each other better. I was also tickled to see several of the spots that Lars remembered from his five years there.

Waiting for our view . . .

. . . and BOOM!

Sunset, takeout, and 40 strangers singing "Gangnam Style" on karaoke = magic

Crabbing around

"Hmm...80 degrees, yet the decor says Christmas"

Pulled pork pizza: a new favorite

First coin-operated carousel ride (with Caitlin)

Lars's high-school buddy is now a first-class bartender

Sharing Opa's cone

Typical morning snack position

Back in the saddle for a botanical garden hike

With hibiscus in death grip

With hibiscus reserved for upcoming freakout

Taking the prize for most self-sacrificial Christmas gift, Opa got up with Tor every morning so that Lars and I could catch up on some much-needed sleep. Recall that Tor usually gets up at the crack of dawn (or before), and that Kauai time is two hours earlier than California time. Opa shout-out!

Catching a cloudy sunrise in PJs

With turtle and whale sightings five minutes from the house!

Oma took some serious shifts as well

We celebrated Christmas with a Christmas Eve service at the Hyatt, cookie decorating, Tor setting up a nativity scene again and again and again, a merry unwrapping session on the morn itself, and a lavish buffet  with an ocean view at the Sheraton.

ERMAHGERD POOH STOCKING!!

Thematically appropriate Good News candy bars

A brief flashcard interlude

"Is it a properly fitting shirt?"

Best part of getting a stocking:
the stocking

His potato-and-squash snowman anticipated
our Tahoe activities

How were children successfully photographed before the infinite do-overs of the digital era?

After we mocked this, a girl on the plane had one

Getting Jurassic on it