Maw Maw

Sad Day

Some really sad news today - our beloved Maw Maw (my paternal grandmother) passed away this morning. We had a tough talk tonight with the kids and if there is nothing more you can say for a 3 year old - they do have a way of lightening up even the most somber news. Jack kind of gets it - and Livy was really upset. We are all heartbroken and sending lots of love to BP, Paw Paw and Tudi, Uncle Ron and MJ, and my cousins.

RockingOwen

Hanging with Owen

Got to hang out with Owen this morning while Kristen took Jack and Olivia to some appointments. He got into the eggs...



...and then proceeded to ROCK!

HappyBirthdayTudi

Carhole of Scariness Part 2 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween was a big hit this year - the haunted tent was magically transformed into Frankenstein's castle. The kids were totally into it - here are some of our many helpers posing with the creepy tombstone...



Here's a shot from the front of the tent - that lantern is a classic...



The "Science Lab" room - complete with sizzling black light, Electric Pickle station, bottomless pit, brain in a jar (carved melon), reanimated eyeballs au jus, and the restless severed arm.



And Dr. Frankenstein's infamous "Reanimation Chamber" - complete with power plant, fog machine, electric globe, strobe light, and giant 8' reanimation table equiped with restraining chains and jumper cables...



Not shown: the haunted graveyard (Pepper's ghost illusion) and Baron Victor Von Frankenstein "seeing eye" portrait. Mila took a lot of pics - so hopefully she'll have some good ones. More soon.... Bawahahhaahaa

Pumpkin Carving Night at Enchanted Lake Elem.

Good fun tonight - Kristen was in charge of the costume party/pumpkin carving night at Liv and Jack's school.

Soccer Action - Jack

Jack is having a lot of fun this year - he has a great coach and a really nice team (with nice families). We were able to catch a few good pics...

...including the rare "GOAL!" pic...




And check out Liv's short hair


Even Owen is getting ready - gotta love those hand me downs

Carhole of Scariness 2008 - part 1

The theme this year is Frankenstein's Castle... here is Brad doing some late night painting 3 days before show time. Bwahhahahaaa

Extreme Surfing

My buddy Ben surfs the Great Lakes - they scored some waves recently - check out these pics and then put on a sweater and a parka and drink a hot chocolate. These are devoted surfers.

blog silence BROKEN

I can't believe we haven't posted anything for over a month - shame. We've had lots of birthdays and all kinds of good stuff going on - including a nice visit from Grandma Karen. More soon...

Kids Say The Darndest Things...

The kids have been cracking me up lately. Thank God for their distraction through all of life's crazy seriousness.




Owen and Zachary are constantly playing Star Wars dress up and dueling with light saber swords. Here are some of today's snippets I've over-heard.

"I'm Obi-Ta-Nobi."
"Dude, we're going to California, get your light saber sword."
"You're the best mom, will you put this coat on me." (It's 90 degrees in this house right now and Zach and Owen are in full dressup gear including, but not limited to overcoats.
"Aunty Kristen, we have none rocket ships can we use this?" (pointing to my recliner in the living room)
"I'm gonna put you in the hot wava (lava) Zachary"


Other sweet quotes from the boys:

I made Zucchini bread last week and the kids were eating it and Jack asked for more Boo-kini bread. You know it's made with Boo-kini.

Owen asked to sleep naked the other night and I asked him why he wanted to. He replied cause Daddy does. So I told him he might get cold during the night and in his precious little 2 year old accent he said, "that's ok, I wike cold and I wike hot too".

Another night I was reading a Thomas the Tank Engine book to Owen and there is a Henry train in the book. So I told him that's your name too. You are Owen Henry Lemonds. And he looks up at me with tears in his eyes and says, "no I not Owen Henry, I Owen me-going" (we actually call him Owen be-going as a nickname)









The kids get a kick out of my wig. I never felt right in the wig. It looks way better on them.

Major Milestones!

Today is Jack's first day of Kindergarten (actually Kindergarten camp) and Owen's real, no-kidding first day of Preschool! We are very proud of them. Here they are dressed for success and ready to take on the world...



And we couldn't resist taking a pic of the yard - which, under the loving guidance of zoysia master Brian Felix, has taken on an Augusta-like splendor...

Ho'omaluhia

We had a blast on Sunday with the Blanchettes at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden. The kids caught so many fish it was amazing. Olivia wins for catching the biggest fish of the day....

More pics from the relay

The "Team Kristen" kids had a blast raging around the beach park that night.

This is my friend Peggy who I met pretty soon after I was diagnosed. She is also a survivor and has been an inspiration for me seeing how great she has handled everything.


Dave's mom Susan was on Team Kristen too. I love this picture.