Christmas 2013...Finally!

Christmas 2013 was yet another thrown-together event as our move was plagued by a seemingly never-ending series of delays.  But Team Monkey made the most of it!

We went to several parties, including the Iolani Gang party, the Cheesie Christmas party, and one of our annual family parties.

The next generation among our Iolani friends is growing larger and larger every year.  Liam was a good sport through the whole picture-taking process.

Note: As soon as I get my hands on the picture from the Cheesie Christmas party, I'll edit this post!  ><

At the family Christmas party, Liam spent some time with Cousin Audrey, who was visiting with her mama from Big Island.  Neither was very good at the sharing thing, but at least they each took sole possession an equal amount of time.  And that was better than what he had done most of the night, which was try to hide from people.  Poor dude, being sick wasn't helping.

As for our little family Christmas, we were treeless again this year, but we made the most of our bookcase while the Christmas Ninja lurked in the corner.  We are so blessed by such generous family and friends.  Since I had already packed away the few gifts we'd gotten him anticipating the move that was eventually delayed, all of these presents were from outside of our little nuclear family.  So blessed.

This is the first year Liam was actually excited about presents.  He couldn't wait to open them.  And now I can't remember if we let him open this one early or not!

But come Christmas morning, he was ready to go!  And contrary to previous years, each present had to be unwrapped, opened, and played with before we could move on to the next.

He did, however, take the time to read the cards.

Here are a few favorite moments from the actual unwrappings...

Yay for the CAT vehicle that plays rock music!

The tiger chair allows him to be the regal monarch that he assumes he is.

He loved the Mickey Mouse utensils!

And he had to try on his new hat as soon as he figured out what it was.

He took his time with what turned out to be his favorite present--a shopping cart that converts to a little kitchen.  Thus far, he's made macaroni and cheese, steak, peas, corn, and pancakes.  He still gets a little frustrated that the plastic egg won't actually crack open, though.

The rest of Christmas day was wonderful, with dim sum in the morning (remind us not to go to the Chinese Cultural Plaza after 9 a.m.) and then had Christmas dinner with the extended family in the evening.  Overall, a wonderful way to close out the holiday season!