CHRISTMAS 2007: Open! Open!

Oren’s second Christmas was definitely a magical one – for her, anyway. While she screamed “Open! Open!” as she tore into her myriad of presents, we chanted “No more room!” as the mountains of giftwrap and discarded boxes overwhelmed us.

It started on Christmas Eve at the Nelson’s newly purchased and beautifully renovated home in Kaneohe, where the typical Yuen festivities – pot luck, caroling, and grab bag – occurred. Oren stuck it out ’til almost midnight, playing with her cousins, picking out grab bags for Mommy and Daddy, even following along with the Christmas carols. Stage fright got the best of her, though, when it was her turn to perform at the annual talent show. She was going to “read” from one of her favorite picture books, but decided to bail at the last minute.

The mayhem continued Christmas Day at our house, where days and weeks worth of gift-wrapping labor were shredded in minutes. Oren loved her doorway playhouse facade, and Mommy and Daddy received a surprise gift from Santa – a Nintendo Wii.

The festivities finished off at Lola Mama’s house, where our little car filled up once again with presents, including an Elmo bike from Aunty Maria.

Next year will be another storm, I’m sure. Who knows? Maybe Oren will be writing her own wish list this time!

Bun Bun Attacks!

Well, Oren was bitten a second time in her young life, this time by the newest member of our family, Bun Bun. She was poking at him through his cage and he took a little nibble, well, a big nibble of her finger. Blood was everywhere. She screamed, I panicked, but Mommy came to the rescue and cleaned her up. She was brave, though. After we cleaned up the gash and bandaged it, she went straight back to Bun Bun’s cage to forgive him!

Introducing Bun Bun!
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Oren got an early Christmas present from Grandma this year… Bun Bun! Here they are playing on the patio (as well as with her other pal “Baby”).

CHRISTMAS 2007: Rainy City Lights

Our annual trip to the Honolulu City Lights was a wet one this year. It poured on and off (which makes me wonder about the chances of electrocution with all those lights) but the conditions just made for more fun for our hoodie-wearing girl (see video below)!

After the lights, we braved the crowds at Ala Moana for a chance to ride the Holiday Train. No luck–it was sold out. We’re planing 1 more trip to the mall, so hopefully, we’ll catch it then.

CHRISTMAS 2007: Rainy City Lights
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Oren jumps in a puddle near the big tree, but runs when the Menuhune train starts smoking!

All Pau
The Valdez’s second great not-so-bad novel has been finished! The unofficial title of the new novel is “Art Transplant”… or maybe “Maile and the Boys?” Ok so we’re still working on the title. If anyone is interested in reading this or our other novel “The Yearbook”, let me know and I’ll ask the editor-in-chief (Katrina).