Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We just spent the past two weeks with our little boy Logan. We cannot even begin to express how grateful we are for the time we had to spend together over the holidays. We did a LOT in those two short weeks and took many pictures. We'll do our best to recap here!

We first met up with Logan in his Kindergarten class. We snuck in the back and waited for him to see us. And when he finally did, who did he run to?? "Daddy, Daddy, you're here!" Yes.... Keola got the first hug :) We spent a fun-filled day with him and his class making gingerbread houses, Christmas crafts, and singing Christmas songs. What a fun day! It was special for us to be able to see him interact with his friends and teacher and a memory we'll always cherish.

We spent the next week with Bev's family in California. Bev missed her family, especially Ian & Cameron so much and it was good to be able to spend some time with them. We made sure to fit in some of the Suafoa's favorite Christmas traditions together like decorating cookies, walking through Dovewood court to see the Christmas lights, and of course.... wrapping gifts until 3am on Christmas Eve! We had a great time with everyone and were especially happy to be able to spend Christmas morning with everyone before we got on the plane to Alabama that afternoon.

Getting to Alabama was a chore.... but after many delays the three of us finally made it here! We got to sleep at about 6:30am and Logan woke up at 11:30am just dying to see what Santa had left under the tree in Alabama! We had so much fun watching him open his gifts! He's such a gracious boy- he appreciates EVERYTHING he gets. This year Santa played a little trick on him and he was just too good of a sport! He had a big present under the tree that was in different paper than the rest.... Logan quickly figured out that it was from Santa! He unwrapped the gift so excitedly and found a box for a wreath and garland set! Most five year old boys would be disappointed.... after all.... a wreath and garland were not exactly on his list! But not Logan.... he said, "Look Mommy & Daddy! Santa gave me MY OWN Christmas decorations!" He's such a sweet boy.... He did eventually open the box to find that Santa "remembered exactly what I asked for!! He even got the right color!!" Needless to say, after all of the wonderful gifts he received in California from Beverly's family and from us here in Alabama.... we had one very entertained, excited little boy on our hands!

As usual we squeezed in as much quality time as we possibly could while we were here in Alabama. Logan got to see some of his "old pals" and made lots of new friends too. The Schloemer family came over and even brought Logan's favorite pet friend, "Taz" the snake to see him. He had a blast playing with Kenny & Jessica (and Taz of course) all night. He made some new friends too throughout the week, including our fabulous new neighbors, "Mr. Bill & Miss Mindy". He's such a fun kid- everyone just loves him! We also fit in some fun little day activities... Logan loved touring the USS Alabama Battleship Museum, and was way excited to go fishing on "our" pier, and of course requested a trip to every five year old's favorite place... Chuck E. Cheese! It was a great time!

If you ask any of us though.... the two things that Logan enjoyed the most, and were probably the most memorable for us as well were much more special. We spent our first New Year's Eve together with some of Keola's favorite traditions. Keola's family has chowder on New Year's Eve so of course, he needed that! Beverly gave it her best shot and though it was not as creamy as we'd have liked, the flavor was great! And since it was FREEZING that night- it sure hit the spot! Logan got to go to the GIGANTIC fireworks warehouse to help Daddy put together their first fireworks show together! He had so much fun picking out cool rockets and fun stuff for the night. The finished product was an amazing, beautiful fireworks extravaganza that must have left our neighbors groggy the next morning.... Bev's pretty sure the smile plastered on Logan's face that night was just about as big as Keola's! It was a sight to behold and a special memory our little family is surely never going to forget.

On Logan's last day here with us he got to do something that not a lot of little boys (nor big ones) can say they've had the privilege of doing! Logan got to wake up at 5:30 in the morning and head out to Daddy's boat! When asked if he had a good time he said "Daddy let me drive the ship and I didn't even crash into any other boats!" He's now decided that driving a ship is even better than driving a fire truck... but he's still not sure it's better than flying a jet! :) Mommy & Logan spent the rest of our last night together doing as Logan requested; eating fishsticks for dinner, chocolate milkshakes for dessert, and a Logan vs. Mommy challenge at Wii Bowling (guess who won?).

Letting go of Logan to return to California with his father was tough. It does not get easier each time.... only harder. We're trying to just be excited about his return to us in 6 weeks.

We have truly been blessed this holiday season. Family is what makes the holidays special and having our family together was the best gift we could have hoped for. We're grateful that 2008 brought so much happiness and love into our lives. We look forward to all of the exciting things ahead in 2009 and pray that you and your family will be blessed this coming year.

Much love from the Velascos