What a great two weeks it has been having my parents here from Hawaii! We loved all the things we were able to do with them while they were visiting! Trips to Biloxi, shopping adventures, church meetings, road trips to wherever the freeway took us, and lots and lots of memories! We love having family visit! It always makes us feel closer to "home"! 
The Hard Rock Cafe was scheduled to open in 2005 the week Hurricane Katrina hit. It was completely devastated by the storm's waters so they remodeled, renovated, and restocked all the fancy furnishings. Oma and Appa took the kids there for a tour of the memorabilia while they were visiting! I love how Kenny and Jessica got into the whole "rock nation" thing! And the Bon Jovi jacket...I think I might've owned one of those myself in high school! Oh boy do I feel old!
My mom loved the Christmas decorations at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. She took the kids there for a tour and they had a fun time enjoying all the festivities. I get a kick out of seeing Kenny ham things up a bit. He's our quiet child but once in a while he let's his "hair down". Especially when he's around the camera!
Tux couldn't help but get involved with all the Korean Seh Bei action! We just laughed and laughed at how he had to be right in the middle of all of it! Oma and Appa just went with it and proceeded to talk to Tux about his responsibilities this year and how he was suppose to "bless" the family for 2010. He even got a dollar bill for his "bowing" technique which he quickly proceeded to eat...so I rescued it just in time! What a fun addition to our family he has been!
Each New Year our children have the opportunity to participate in a Korean tradition called Seh Bei. Its a tradition I remember doing as a child growing up in Hawaii as well as seeing many of the Korean college students come to our house to honor my parents on this special day. We have continued this tradition with our own children and it was so fun to have my parents here to participate! 
Each child starting from the youngest to the oldest took turns "bowing" in a traditional Korean stance to my parents. As they did so they recited in Korean a wish for many blessings for my parents in the new year. After the "bowing" is complete they wait for my parents to respond giving them blessings in return as well as assignments for how they can bless the family for the New Year. If all goes well...money is handed out as gifts for each of the children. The tradition is for my parents to give each child money equal to their age. Lisa was in teenage heaven! Jessica wishes she would grow up faster! All is in all it was a great activity!
For New Year's we always have lots of fireworks, roman candles, and glowsticks on hand for the Elders who come to our home to celebrate with us. This year was no exception! We've decided that lighting them was so much easier with a blow torch than with punks, candles, and lighters. It did however come with a little anxiety on my part...these are safe to use right?
Lots of fun and fireworks with the elders for New Years! Group Roman Candle burning (Disclaimer: Rules were set to ensure the safety of all those involved.), glowstick wars (Only casualty was an ornament knocked off the Christmas tree when an elder ran inside the house for 'cover'), and lots and lots of fireworks! (Yes..those are burnt marks on the backs of the elders white shirts but I can explain...) What a great way to ring in the New Year! 
Breakfast in bed this morning! Lots of yummy food all day! Elders over for a fondue dinner and fireworks! What a great way to spend New Year's eve! Welcome 2010! 
Jessica and Lisa made cookies for Santa and set them out for the night. I fell asleep and didn't get up until right before Arnold got home. I found this note and plate of cookies all ready to go for when the kid's woke up. I thought it was fun that my parents still enjoyed Christmas eve like they used to when I was a kid! It sure has been fun having them here! Merry Christmas!
There's nothing like having Oma and Appa with us for the holidays! Lots of food, fun, and adventures! Glad that my parents were able to join us for Christmas and New Year's this year! Even Tux has enjoyed having my parents around! He got a bag full of goodies just for him for Christmas! Notice his head all the way in the gift bag sniffing out his stash?
Christmas Eve with Oma and Appa. Tux enjoying his "spot" on the couch (Arnold was at work so Oma let Tux get away with anything!) Kenny told the Christmas story about the Three Trees. The kids picked out their one present to open for the night. I love the look on their faces! Oma and Appa having a relaxing night with the kids! (And tux!)
