Afternoon Artists

The girls received an easel and paint set from their cousins for Christmas; today is the first day I felt brave enough to let them use it (;p) and I'm glad they did:

Malia's piece is an abstract work of art, popping with her brilliant use of primary colors. Her medium was poster paints, applied in long, sweeping strokes, and then filled in with generous "blobs."

C'est Magnifique!

Mikela initially chose to showcase her extensive knowledge of Dr. Seuss's "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"; she then switched over to a more mature "Twilight" theme, after peeking at her sister's work. (And, no, I don't let them read Twilight.) Her combined use of colors adds great interest to this piece; I find the vampire quite charming. :D

Kiana started her piece with a beautiful red apple, and then continued to add elements from "Twilight," despite her lack of knowledge of said theme. She has dedicated this piece to her parents, as her mother has read the entire Twilight series, and her dad reminds her of a werewolf.

Yikes. I had text and pictures aligned differently in the previous post, but blogger doesn't seem to agree. Oh, well. You get the gist.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

And I'm not just speaking as a warm-weather native.

Front Yard

More Front Yard.

Steps to lower deck.

Snow on shed roof.

View from kitchen

Hawaiian snow shoes

Girls decorated-cute, no?

Girls with Uncle Harry!

Daniel measured yesterday--7.5 inches, before it started snowing again. He promises that once he returns home from a failed attempt to get Josh on a plane to Hawaii (flight cancelled! :( ), he and the girls are going to tear up the front yard! I'll post on their snowy fun later!

Happy Winter!

Tiny Dancer

Maybe It's In The Genes?

The songwriting, at least. Gotta work on the music-making, I guess. :)

Letters From A 1st-Grader

Well, envelopes, really.

As timeless as I may seem, I have been known to have a birthday every so often-about once a year, or so. I'd not mention this otherwise, but for the fact that my husband goes to painful lengths to plan "surprise" parties every year. Which, as you can imagine, are no longer a surprise. ;-p

So, my 2nd 30th birthday was a lovely evening spent in good company, gorging on delicious food, and receiving thoughtful gifts. When my sweet Mikela handed me her card, I was beside myself with laughter:

Aren't 6-year-olds "aosom!"? *

*For those not in the know, this word is from another Miki masterpiece, declaring

"Girls Rule, Boys Moo. Aosom!"

Let's Change Things Up A Little Bit Here...

So it seems that there may be something in Vicodin that triggers some unexplainable need in me to post to my otherwise neglected blog; what do you think brings me here today? Hmmm...

That's right, folks; I'm home, and recovering from surgery #3--whoohoo! :-9 As you can tell, I'm in good spirits; could be the painkillers, or it could be the very minor nature of the surgery. Today's procedure was just about removing scar tissue, and exposing the 2 posts that my ear prosthetic will be attached to in a few months (they've been osseointegrating into my bone under the skin.). Anyhow, 'nuff about me.

It looks like my disappearance from Blogville coincided with the beginning of school, which makes sense--it's been an incredibly busy time. Kiana & Mikela are settling into the 3rd & 1st grades nicely, while Malia patiently bides her final year at home with Mommy--wah! :)

(Oops--looks like this will be a words-only post; Blogger is having trouble uploading my files...)

Anyway, very quick run-down:

• Kiana & Miki started school
• September 7th: Aunty Heather came to stay with us.
• September 17th: Malia turned 4!
• September 20th: Uncle Josh turned 23.
• September 23rd: Daniel turned 34.
• September 25th: Aunty Heather turned 31.
• September 27th: We threw a "Welcome, Baby" shower for Jennifer & Finn.
• September 29th: Aunty Keala turned 26.
• October 9th: Miki turned 6!
• October 17th: Uncle Kale is 21! (Can you believe it!?!? 21!!!)
• October 21st: The Campbells are coming!!!!! YAY!!!!!! Check out my sister's blog for your Calista & Kawena fix; she's finally updated! ;-9

Wow. I'm glad that looks as crazy as it felt.

I've also been trying to fill my duties as this year's secretary for Pearson's PTA--keeps me on my toes. We're tying up loose ends as we prepare for our 2nd annual Pearson Pride Auction, on November 1st; I hope some of you will be able to join us that night! For those of you who don't know, it will be held at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo, at 6:30 p.m. If you're interested, give me a call, or drop me a line--we've got some pretty cool stuff again this year!

All right, well, I've had to go back and re-spell about 15 words, so I think I'd better call it quits. Pictures to come, once I figure out what's going on with that. Have a great weekend, everybody!

Cupcake Cuties

Around here, there are a few traditions we try nobly to uphold, the most important one being: Dessert Night! It only happens twice a week, on Tuesdays & Fridays, though during some weeks, we've been known to add a night or two, or seven--you know, in the interest of strengthening traditions, and all.

Another thing we try to do regularly(and regularly fail in, unfortunately), is set aside some time each night to do something fun as a family. I have had the good fortune of bearing children who love to cook, and love to create, so tonight's family time choice was cupcake-decorating!

(Malia had the sad fortune of throwing a fit right before the cupcakes were done, and then falling asleep during her THREE MINUTE quiet time--you'd think she was exhausted, or something... :p So, she's not in these shots, but, rest assured, we saved her some cupcakes to frost tomorrow.)

The Artists' Pallettes

Chef de Cuisine

Sous Chef

Tower O' Cupcakes

My sweet girls, with their sweet treats. :)

A Post Only A Mother (Or Grandmother, Or Aunty) Could Love...But I Post It Anyway. :)

And Baby Makes Five...

In the (modified) words of Stevie Wonder, "Isn't he loooovely/isn't he won-der-ful?"

This is (one of the things) I was bursting about on the last post!

Introducing (sort of; I had to let his parents do it on their blog first)

Finn Xavier Leon (Moczarny, when Adrian is tired)!

If you want all the details, be sure to check out Adrian & Jennifer's blog; I'm wondering how often we'll see them around blogville, now that they have another beautiful time-taker-upper.

And let me just say, I get dibs on being favorite non-blood-related aunty, since I got to be there the moment he was born--thanks, Jen & Adrian, for letting me be a part of that. (I'll pretend that you didn't just use me for my webcam broadcasting abilities. Or lack thereof. :p)

I'll close with a shot of the family;

Congratulations, family!

(By the way, I stole these pictures off their blog. :p)

"I Wish I Could, I Wish I Could..."

So...

You know that feeling, when you have fantastic news that you just want to share with everyone, but you know you shouldn't, because that would be stealing the thunder from the rightful owners of the fantastic news? (Feel free to go back and re-read that; I can't guarantee it'll make any more sense the second time around...)

Anyway, that's where I'm at.

So, instead of posting about what I really want to post about, I'm going to post some random pictures from our summer that I've been meaning to share with you, but haven't gotten around to yet. And hopefully, this will appease my blabbermouth until the rightful owners of the fantastic news get it posted on their own blog.

A Puppy Birthday Party!

Miki's kindergarten class on the last day of school

At the drive-in with their favorite (and only) boy cousin, Matt! :)

Alexia's 2!

The Kids Picture, Olympia 2008

Well, it didn't cure me, but this will do for now. School starts back up again a week from today, and the girls are surely looking forward to that (mom, too!). Hope everyone's had a great summer!

(Insert Contented Sigh Here----->_______ )

Hey, all. Just wanted to mention we're back after 2 fabulous weekends at Olympia conventions-just what the doctor ordered, I say! :) We heard so many awesome things, and were in good company with some of our favorite people, it was hard to leave. But, all good things must come to an end; at least until next year, anyway, eh?

Oh, and I got to see Marla and baby Jack. Neener neener neener. But then, I guess all of you who would even appreciate the "ha-ha" of that were there, too. So anyway...:p

Will post some pictures later--I'm officially wiped out! Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Watch Carefully....

Classic, eh?

A Walk in the Park

Last week, Melanie invited us to join her & Leota at the Silverdale waterfront, for some yummy eats, and lots of sunshine. I surely don't get out and do this enough, so I'm glad for friends who prompt me out of my homebody-ness, and remind me to revel in the gloriousness of this amazing place! :)

Jen & kids were able to join us after a little bit...

Looking forward to doing this again sometime!

The Three Sisters Club

These little blondies are on my mind, as they just became big sisters to Paige Jordyn! They came and hung out for a little bit last week--talk about a houseful of giggling girls!

And since Elena wants to be bashful, she gets a picture ALL to herself! ;)

Congratulations, family! We're looking forward to meeting her!

Shaka, Braddah!

Last weekend, we got together at Island Lake Park to celebrate the graduation of this guy:

It was a gorgeous day, made sweeter by the fact that our entire family was here! Here are some random shots from that day:

Mom, the Hedahls, the Bradys--and I think that's Rudy in the back!

Melanie & Alexia

The Cooks

The Hutchisons, otherwise known as "The World's Best Neighbors." Seriously.

Bruddahs. (And one of 5 very lucky neices.)
Uncle Kale!!!

Cousins! (They're kind of cute, eh?)

I apologize for the rather uninspired posts as of late; I think the doc hit my brain, or something, 'cause I have lost my flow! :) Oh, well; maybe it will come back once the pain meds wear off. Until then, I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Surgery Update

Too exhausted to do a true post, so I'll just share the e-mail update I sent out :


No clever e-mails or blog posts this “evening”—it’s 1 am, and I’m about to take my pain pill and call it a day.

In brief, the surgery went well—I’ve been dealing with considerably more pain than my procedure in June, so I’ve been trying to get a handle on that. A major part of that issue, I think, was the nausea that I experienced this time; it turned into something of a vicious cycle, since I couldn’t take my meds on an empty stomach, but I could not even think about eating without—well, you know. Not to mention, I’m a rather avid eater/coffee-drinker :), so add those associated headaches to the discomfort at the surgical site, and, well, I was not a happy camper.

BUT….I’m doing much better now, and looking forward to finishing this up. 6 weeks for “osseointegration,” then I’ll go in early September for the BAHA fitting. The ear prosthesis will take a bit longer to complete, but no matter; that is secondary to hearing, for me, so I’m good!

Thanks for all the messages and notes of concern; I’m sorry we weren’t picking up, but I was in no condition to talk, and Daniel had his hands full (Miki seems to have come down with something; she’s doing better now, but was experiencing nausea of her own today…poor thing : ( ). Will catch up more later!

Love,
DoRé

Stage II

Good morning, Eager Masses.

I jest--I know I'm not that interesting. In fact, I've been downright disappointing, with my lack of posts; we've had family in town since Thursday for Josh's graduation party, so we've been rather busy, in a good way. :)

Anyway, just thought I'd mention I'm having surgery today. Thankfully, it's not nearly the ordeal it felt like the last time; I guess I'm becoming an old pro, eh? I'll be sure to post, once I've "come around" again; I've actually got a lot of fun pictures I want to share, so be on the lookout!

The Way We Were...

My mom and my sister, in simpler times.

It makes me smile to think of my mom in this moment; I don't know who took it, or even why they chose to capture it, but it is a familiar scene in my memory as a young child, trying to keep up with Mom as she carried the sleeping babies into the house after a long ride home from somewhere. I know her mind was busy with whatever would come next: getting dinner started, maybe putting a load of laundry in before that--the usual, daily doings of a busy mama that I am now so familiar with myself.

Little did she know she was creating a moment precious enough to give her children pause as they come across this picture over 20 years later.

This is where I stop, and take stock,and decide to worry less about dazzling my children with everything I never had,and concern myself more with making sure they get everything I was lucky enough to have.

Thanks, Mom & Dad.

4th of July

Well, we were lucky enough to make it over to the Key Peninsula for some good fun, food, and company.

Turned out to be a gorgeous day!

There was a game of volleyball going when we arrived. The girls wanted to jump in, but decided they could wait a few minutes, since there was a....

PONY! Two of them, actually. :)

"Ah. NOW it's our turn!"

Taking a break

Jene'e, and her doll baby of a daughter
"Jay-dah!" (I love the way she says her own name!)

Mikayla, the 2nd beauty in Brad and Arica's band of redheads...ai-yai-yai. This girl was zipping around on the quad with boys later on in the evening. Her daddy should be very scared....;-)

Sweet, eh?

Sisters... :)

Needless to say, we had a great time. There was a good crowd, and we even got to enjoy some musical entertainment by the workers themselves, accompanied by one of the young men of the house. Spent some quality time with some of our favorite people, braved the fireworks display (Kiana actually enjoyed it this year; the other two decided the bedroom was a safer vantage point :p), and made it home sufficiently exhausted. Thanks Trent & Vicki!