Rosemarie's Memorial

Not too much to say this morning, but just wanted to share a few pics of Rosemarie's memorial (especially for you, sis).  It was a beautiful day, filled with expressions of love and gratitude for a woman who, herself, loved so unconditionally. 

It was shared that she "believed what she received, and lived what she believed." 

So thankful for her faithfulness, and for the care and kindness she has shown our family for many years.  She came into our lives after two of her children had the good sense to move to Hawaii;  her grandsons are our other brothers. :)  Admittedly, I have often forgotten that we're not related by blood.

The beautiful old building where the
memorial was held, at Manchester.
I think a former torpedo warehouse?

The uncles.

Malia girl.

Daniel Jr.

Mini Me.  Who is actually taller than
me, so maybe that's a misnomer.

Getting their grub on.  Unfortunately, I think this is the
best shot we have of the inside of the building,
which was decorated beautifully with many special items
from Rosemarie's home. Wish I had pictures of the displays.

Dad, always looking like he should
have a guitar in hand. :)

Love these boys, and love watching them just be together.

:)

Kiana has mad photo skills. :)

The oldests.

 Trying to stay grounded, hanging onto the huge mass of
balloons I was tasked with helping to distribute. :-9
 (Thank you, Kale, for capturing proof of a jaw
 under all my double-chinnedness. :-9)

On the beach, waiting to release the balloons.

Rosemarie's baby boy.

Handsome Mitchell.

Koral Rose!

Uncle Don.

Up....

....up.....

...and away.

Me ke aloha pumehana, Rosemarie,

until we meet again.

Happy Days

Happy days, lazy post. 

Here is a tiny sampling of our last...week-ish or so around here, in no particular order:

(Photo creds to Kiana, Daniel, and Bethany)

Making good use of Papa's shipping boxes.  (Why do we even
bother buying them toys?)

Afternoon yoga on the back deck.  "We need to meditate so we
can find inner peace," says Kawena (...and KungFu Panda). :D

A well-used family room. :)

Fishing with the uncles, out at the McFarland's/Papa's new digs.

Waiting in line for the pinata.

Birthday girl!

Hiding from Uncle Terry? 
I don't know; I just got a kick out of this one.

Being bullied by Uncle Noah's...backside. A classic "Malia" face.

Love having 92.857% of our family here; missing our mama.  Looking forward to a busy week, getting in last bits of time with my sis and family, getting Dad settled into his new place, and partying at Uncle Josh's house this weekend! ;-D

Happy Monday!

4 a.m.

Just got in from picking up Agents #1 and #4 (and their handler, aka "Mom") from the airport; the Hawaii contingent of the Fabulous Five has arrived. :)  Looking forward to a houseful of happy girls for the next few weeks!

Now, it's time for sleep; the sky is getting light, there is a very enthusiastic bird chirping outside my window, and I know my own little Agents will be awake soon, wondering how long they should wait until attempting to wake their cousins. 

Sweet dreams, and Happy Thursday!

Another YouTube vid

Let's all just try to live in the moment, and not try to forecast any effect living in the media will have on  the future of these two:

You gotta admit:  That was pretty cool. :)
(Can't find your glasses?  Get the bigger picture here .)

Happy Tuesday!

:)

We came home this week to celebrate this guy...

(Isn't he beautiful?)

...and have been enjoying perhaps the best week ever with some of our favorite people on the planet:



Back to Washington today; more pics to come once we get settled in.

Oh, and I'd be remiss not to mention:

Terry turns 30 today!

Happy birthday to the family's younger Haole Boy Twin! ;-D

Happy Wednesday!

Anya's Hippo Birdy

Anya turned 8 on Saturday!



The birthday girl, reading a card some of her classmates
made for her.

Bustin' a move (or two).



Presents.



Yummy cake pops that Toby refuses to be associated with.
(He's Jen's nephew, and works at a real bakery.)

Finnigan, enjoying the fruits cakes of his parents' labor.



Malia, doing the same.



The Dad.



Happy Mama.
(Forgive me, Jennifer, but I happen to like this one. :-9)

The littlest Spotlight Stealer.



Getting my weekly baby fix.



I guess Daniel needed his, too.

Quiet time for the grown-ups after the kidlets went to bed.
Admittedly, we're a rather mellow bunch.

Back to packing--Happy Monday!



Happy Mudder's Day

I'm often a day late and a dollar short, and today is no exception.  I've been hoping to come up with some meaningful thoughts to share concerning the glory and wisdom of mothers, but, alas, 'tis not to be. 

My sister, however, has shared some truths about our mother on her blog, and, really, I couldn't have said it any better; check out her post here .



Our girls with their mamas, and us with our mama... ♥



My lovelies successfully executed Covert Operation:Photoshoot, and had new photos taken to give me for Mother's Day:

I don't know how I got so lucky.

You can find the rest of the shoot, as well as a guest post by Oldest Daughter, on Bethany's blog. 

(Thanks to all who encouraged my children in the otherwise reproachable habits of sneakiness and deceit, and helped this mission come to pass. ;-9)

Hope your weekend was lovely;

Happy Sunday!

Meandering...

Malia in her Happy Place
 (it usually involves fruit and fresh air).

Not much to say this morning; we're looking forward to

a busy weekend of slumber parties and birthday cake x 2--

I guess I should get my workout on. 



Birthday girl, and one of Miki's "BFFs." :D



Birthday twins. :)
aka, some of the cutest 3-year-olds we know.

Also looking forward to a trip home next week;

my brother Kale is graduating from college--so proud of him.

He's a little taller now.

Happy Friday!

Sport Girls

I can't remember which one of my girls coined that term in this household, but I like it. 

So much less intimidating to this girl, who was always best at loping plonking (let's be real here) ungracefully up and down the field/court/whatever, praying that the real athletes wouldn't pass me the ball. 

 (See? Just typing "athlete" brought back old feelings of inadequacy.)

Here are a few pics of our Sport Girls; finally remembered to take the camera.  Miki and Malia just finished up another session of gymnastics, and Kiana continues to aspire to be like her

Uncle Kale on the volleyball court.

Malia on the rings.

Work those abs, girl!



Sloooowwwly....



Her "I'm concentrating" face.

Talking story.

Listening.

Get ready!

Serve.

Breathe.

In other news, today is my baby brother's birthday--Happy 19th birthday, Snowshoes!

Hahahaha. :)   Let's try that again:

Love you, little brother.

Happy Wednesday!