The few pictures I took on Christmas...

Although we claimed this would be "THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVERRRRRRR!!" we kinda failed. Don't get me wrong, this Christmas was pretty much perfect for us this year as far as Christmases without friends or family goes. But it wasn't, by any means, the best or even one of the best that we've had.

Swaroski Crystal Mickey necklace! By far, my favourite gift from Dustin.

But it was nice. We opened presents, snuggled and watched Christmas movies. Then fell asleep numerous times during the movies that we originally were so excited to watch. Then I gathered up the strength to make a mini-feast for Dustin and I. Dustin actually helped me in the kitchen which was awesome because I almost said, "'eff it! I'm too tired and lazy to cook!". I'm glad we did though because everything was delicious. I made this awesome corn casserole, my sweet potatos, ham, and cream cheese mashed potatos (Mommy O'Brien's recipe :)). Then we ate waaaay too much and got sleepy again.

That's when my mom called. lol. I was able to hear everyone open their presents from us and their excited reactions. That was probably the highlight of the day for me. I'm glad I'm so good at buying people gifts. Just hearing the younger kids laughing with excitement over the things I got them, makes paying the thousands of dollars in shipping totally worth it. OK, I exagerated just a tad. But shipping was a buttload. Next year I'm just ordering everything from amazon.uk.com. Or sending money and gift cards.

Later on we called Dustin's family hoping to get our revenge on them for calling us a bunch of times starting at 7am that morning. I was furious because I had worked until 230am the night before and I just hate being woken up in general because I suck at sleeping anyways. I almost cried when my phone rang the second time an hour later and asked Dustin why his mom was being such a meany head and how come she didn't like us anymore. I tend to get dramatic when I'm cranky. I also tried to convince him to "disown her". You know, normal early morning tantrum talk. Merry Christmas!

So we planned to call Dustin's mom and wake her up super early like she did to us. We called when it was 530am her time, thinking she would be dead asleep and hopefully as cranky as I was when we's scream festive greetings into her ear. Surprisingly to us, she answered the phone and actually seemed wide awake. Let me tell you...that was a HUGE disappointment. But never fear, we will get our revenge some day! Just you wait and see. But, we did end up talking to her and the rest of the family for pretty much the rest of the night. We were able to listen to them open up their presents from us as well and I think we did a pretty damn good job. Unless, everyone's just really amazing actors.

So, it was a lazy day that started off with some rage but I was quite content by the time we got to bed. There are so many things that made this year better than last year. List time!

1) We were in an actual home with all our things

2) We were able to decorate and even had two trees this year!

3) Dustin was able to have his cinnamon bun Christmas breakfast tradition

4) I was able to bake cookies and share them with people at work

5) I was able to bake and make Christmas dinner!

6) Since we have cable, we were able to watch all the Christmas shows and movies that we love

7) We had phones to call family! That's the most important of course!

8) We have a dog to spoil with his own stocking

9) I wasn't suffering from a crazy allergy attack

10) We have so much to look forward to in the new year :)

Pretty Christmas Eve Makeup

So, tonight we went to the Southeast Botanical Gardens (coming soon to a blog near you!) with some friends to see their light display that they do every year. I used it as an excuse to test out my eyeshadow plan for Christmas Eve night since I'll be working till 2:30 and I wanna look as festive as possible.

I was going for very sparkly, icy blue. I could see it clearly in my mind but a lot of times it comes out nothing like I envisioned it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes is devastating to me. This time it was exactly how I pictured it and wanted it. I was proud.

They match my earrings too! I'm planning on wearing my Bumble shirt (from Rudolph) that is white and blue and sparkly also. AND, it lights up whenever I move! It's the ultimate Christmas shirt. I bought it at Walmart last year before we came here. lol

I just wanted to show you my work of art. I'm super into makeup and I'm the happiest person when it comes out just the way I want it to. I was worried too because I realized I didn't have as many blue shades as I thought. I only had four so I used them all!

I used this crazy silvery glitter one too. I got it from England many moons ago and haven't been able to find anything like it since. Also, this picture makes me realized that I really need to do my eyebrows. Ooops.

Yea, I went a little overboard on the close-ups but I was so dang pleased with myself. And I hope you're all pleased with this pointless post. :)

Botanical Gardens at Christmastime

Last year this time, we had just gotten to the island and were living at the Hamagawa Lodge off base. We had no friends and we were a couple of sad Santillans. But we had read that there was a wonderful light display at the botanical gardens and since we're super into lights and sparklies, we decided to go. We went on Christmas Eve and it was packed. We found out why as soon as we walked in.

They had gone ALL out with their decorating. There were lights on every palm tree and bush. It was quite the festive sight. Then there was an amazing laser, lights show that even had awesome fireworks at the end! Fireworks on Christmas eve! Needless to say, we loved it and it was great to do at least one Christmas thing that year. Christmas day we watched 30 Rock, ate cup of noodles and McDonald's, and I suffered from a severe allergy attack.

So when I figured out when the Southeast Botanical Gardens were doing their Christmas display this year, I was all in. And I invited my friend Stephanie Hodge and her husband, Erik(also Hodge...what are the odds?) along for the adventure. I had previously trained Steph at the Banyan Tree Club and we bonded right away. Then she quit the next day. Actually, it was more like 2 or 3 months later but it still felt like the next day. And then I was sad and I missed her.

I was sorry to see that apparently, the botanical gardens did a budget cut this year and they had about half the lights that they did last year. I was super bummed out but the Hodge's still thought it was pretty sweet. Then we found out that they weren't even doing their fireworks show. Then I was even sadder. We ended up staying only two hours cause it was cold out and there was no stinkin' show. Here's some of the shots I was able to get.

Before we left, I modeled to humor Dustin.

Super awesome pose extreme!

We look good together, I think.

Ugh. I always squint. And you can't see it here but we were sitting on frogs.

I wanted to steal that tree topper. But it was probably the size of my tree.

You could have someone take your picture in front of this tree with various props. Like stuffed animals and giant hearts made of tinsel(I think). Then you had to give up your first born if you would like to keep the framed picture in your home. So we passed on it this time. Because we were lacking in first born children.

Who doesn't love penguins?? No really. Find me someone that doesn't love penguins and I will fight them to the death.

Sooo pretty. It matched my makeup that night too. :)

A lot of the lights were out. It was kinda sad. Still pretty though.

Some dude.

He may not look like it, but I swear he was having fun.

Christmas hula. You know...that old traditional gig that we all grew up with.

These little girls were so cute and probably freezing their tiny hineys off! It was in the low 50s but with the humidity it feels a LOT colder. I was shivering after about an hour of being there and I was wearing 4 layers! I have a lovely video for you guys of the hula dancers 'cause it's hard to take non-blurry pictures of swaying hands and hips. Towards the end of the video when the little ones are dancing, the sound gets all crappy. I don't know if it's my camera or maybe I had my finger over the microphone or something. Enjoy the video anyways. I command you!

On the pond...

They still had some pretty sweet lights. Just not as many by far, as last year.

I loved this scene for some reason. I think I called it the "tree of life" at some point and made everyone stop so I could take a picture of it.

I'm still trying to get the hang of not making all my pictures blurry. One day I will be the master though.

Here at the Southeast Botanical Gardens, you can pretend that your entire head (and sometimes shoulder and arm) is Dori's single eyeball!!! I'm telling you...nothing gets me in the holiday spirit like creepy wooden fish.

Steph and Erik had to be Nemo, of course. Finding Nemo IS the best Christmas movie out there. I like how happy Erik looks here.

I was trying to be polite and listen to what Erik was telling me, while also looking glamorous for the camera. I don't think I succeeded on either because I don't remember what Erik said and I have a very pained expression on my face here.

So not ready for this.

I decided Dustin needed to be in more pictures. And we just need more pictures like this of us, in general.

Then the flash refused to work for a little while.

I guess I got scared. Of Dustin's face, of course.

Laughing at Steph (not pictured, duh) doing all this sexy modeling pictures while Erik captured every single one for blackmail later in life. Well, at least that's what I assume he'd be doing with them. If not, he's an idiot.

Checking out the stunning results of her photo shoot.

Haha, I look like the ultimate third wheel here! I should've squeezed in between them. Steph's boobs, I mean. I was cold and I can only imagine how toasty it would've been in there.

I wish I had gotten a better shot of this bridge. I have one on my phone from last year but we need to get the cord to hook in up to the computer. Anyhoots, this is when we started to head back once we found out there would be no laser, light, fireworks spectacular show. Quite the disappointment. But the Hodges had fun and it was a good excuse to just hang out with them so I'm still glad we went.

A look into our Christmas home...or something

Countdown!

Our sad little village. We really need to expand on it.

This one's my favourite, of course.

The toy shop is my second favourite. And yes, I can spell favourite with a "u". Because I'm British!

Other part of the village. The part Dustin assembled. Not as good as mine but it'll have to do, I suppose.

We have two trees this year. Because we can. This lovely white one is from two years ago. It was from Rite Aide. We put it in out dining room.

Here's the new one in our living room. Have you noticed that there are no presents under the tree yet?? That's because you haven't sent us any.

Time to showcase some of our ornaments! This delightful Mickey and Pluto was a gift from me to Dustin. It lights up and it's super cute.

There's a glare but this one says "New Home" on it with the year. We have one from when we moved to Boise also.

I just got this one. It's awesome cause you push a button and you can dance in the delight of Mickey Rooney's voice! I have Mickey Rooney on my Christmas tree people!

Dustin just gave this to me as an early Christmas present this year and I love love love it! Isn't it adorable?

This is the ornament we got for Apollo. Even though he's not a beagle and he really doesn't give a crap about ornaments. But we got one for Ariel 2 years ago so it only seemed right.

MY ornament. Represent!

This one's just fun.

Awwwww!

Our relationship roots are in Idaho so this glittery potato ornament holds a special place in our hearts.

Blurry, but it's our 2007 Disneyland ornament. Yay!

By far, the best ornament I had found for Dustin. Peanuts gang literally playing hand bells. If you know Dustin, you know he loves Peanuts. He also grew up playing hand bells at his church. I found this in a Hallmark store one year and just snatched it up. Then I paid $40 for it. But it didn't matter cause it was perfect. I think I gave it to him that same day because I was way too excited to wait.

So that was pretty much all we got going on since the BX was completely outta Christmas stuff by black Friday. Pretty lame. But we'll be better prepared next year.