You know how I blog and blog and blah blah blah about what a stress case I am over Christmas? And how I try to come up with all these strategies for keeping my cool? Well this year, I was crazy enough to plan a trip out of town to take place only a few hours after Christmas Day was over. Those of you who are mothers, particularly with several children, will understand what a deep, personal, sacrifice this was for me. Taking any trip whatsoever requires ridiculous amounts of preparation and planning when you are moving 6 people. Add in the fact that the car had to be packed by the time we went to bed on Christmas night and it was a recipe for disaster.
Why would I be so foolish, you might ask? This decision laughs in the face of reason. But you see, my baby brother Stuart and his adorable wife Malia were visiting the mainland from Hawaii. And my little family of 6 hadn't seen them since they got married 2 1/2 years ago. Shameful, I tell you.
Thank goodness for blogging, or I would hardly know Malia. I don't think that meeting a bride on the week of her wedding is the best way to get to know someone whom you will call "sister." Don't get me wrong--I do not remember Malia being a Bridezilla in any way (not like I was, at least,) but she was still somewhat distracted and lovesick, which doesn't lend itself well to bonding with anyone but your soon-to-be-husband. Fortunately, Malia does keep a blog (a couple of them, actually,) and through that medium I have fallen in love with her and have no doubts why my brother did the same. Her photography is exquisite (you simply have to see her best of 2008 pictures. The word stunning comes to mind.) and always makes me wish that I could pull a Samantha Stevens and wiggle my nose right over to their island paradise.
Anyhow, by some miracle (but not without a Christmas Day breakdown on my part) we did leave town at 5:30 am on December 26th. We had a wonderful time hanging with many members of the Johnson family, singing songs to the guitar, playing card games, and attempting to visit Griffith Park Observatory along with half of the greater LA area (one of our vans made it to the top. The one with my family in it, however, did not). And the afternoon that we arrived there, Malia and I took my kids to the park, where she captured a few photos. Go here to see them. My favorites are the one of Ian and the one of Bronwen and Henry laughing together.
And guess what? The trip was completely worth it. Even if I did have to do a few loads of laundry on Christmas Day.
14 comments:
Those pictures of your kids are fantastic. I love that style of photography. And vacations are like the wipe-out of motherhood, but we still love them just the same, don't we?
We love Stu and Malia and we so glad that we got to see them over Christmas. I'm also glad that, even though I see you all of the time, you and your family decided to make your Dec 26th trip down to Southern California. The Holidays are always more fun when you can spend them with lots of family!
We are soooo glad you guys came down too!!! Thank you thank you for taking that crazy time of christmas and making it a little more crazy! We loved spending time with you guys and for me getting to know you all a little bit better! You guys are awesome!
we love stuart and malia too! darn it that they live so far!! we do cherish the few trips where we have actually been able to see them or when malia comes to visit!
her photography is stunning! and your kids are adorable in their photos!
Those are some gorgeous pictures! Vacations are exhausting, but worth it!
We love Stu & Malia too!!!
Yay!
Glad you had fun on your trip ... and yes, traveling with little ones is a lot of work!? (Can't believe we were both in LA at the same time ... we should have met up!)
The photos your sister in law takes are AMAZING!!
Malia's work is very impressive. My favorite from her 2008 collection is the one of the lower half of the two people with sand covered legs next to each other. What a great idea and even better image.
WOW! Those pictures are fantastic. I went to her photog blog and kept oooing and awwwing over her work. Thanks for sharing!!
Great introduction to a great blog- photos are great! I am glad that you were able to get out of the house and put christmas behind you!
Those are great picture.I love the picture of Ian. His eyes look so blue. I'm still waiting for you to post your paintings you got for Christmas. Did I mention I'm jealous?
Hey, how are you doing? Hope all is well.
We enjoyed Malia's week with us, but only spent a few min. with Stuart. (long enough for him to drive us to the Airport) What a great family you all are! Congratulations! This should be an exciting year for you. God bless you.
I'll be leaving as soon as I can after labor starts to be with Mahina and family. Aloha.
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