Happy Birthday Gabriel

One year ago today I talked to Jason on the phone just after he arrived at the hospital in Eugene. Very shortly after he called back to announce that Gabriel had arrived. Time flies.

The birthday boy with his cake.

Yes, another quilt. Oddly, I made this quilt top very shortly after Naia was born and well before Gabriel was on the way. When it was done I thought that if Kel and Jason had a boy this would be for him, and so it is. The Karma of the quilt.

Kiera on Ice

Saturday October 17, 2009; Kiera's first skating competition.
The Aliso Viejo Ice Palace 14th Annual ISI Open.

Kiera entered in two events, Compulsory Moves, and Freestyle Level 3. She took a tie for first place in Compulsory, and a Fourth place in Freestyle.

Kiera on the Ice for Compulsory Moves:

Kiera's freestyle program was a minute forty seconds skating to a music number called Le Grande Souplesse, which she edited to the proper length herself using an online music editing website. It is a musical number from a moved called "OSS 117" which is a french film and a parody of the James Bond films. Kiera found this music searching online when she got the idea to use the theme from "Get Smart" but found the music "too repetitious".

Kiera's first two trophies for skating competition.
The day started early with a 7:30 AM appointment at the rink with The Braid Ladies, who are credited for her wonderful hairstyle. Her first event was at 8:50 AM. Britney, Kiera's coach, arrived before 8 AM also and she prepared Kiera with floor warm ups and lots of positive coaching. Kiera was nervous, but once she got onto the ice she was good to go. The second event, Freestyle, took place at 12:45 PM. By this time Ryan and Jess had arrived along with Kiera's original math and science teacher this year, Amy Benson, her one year old son Tyler and Amy's mom Lisa. Amy is a former competitive skater and she and her mom relived some fond memories watching Kiera at her first event.

Britney was the perfect instructor/coach. Supporting and encouraging Kiera, reminding her of the details to pay attention to. And afterwards asking her the good tough questions about how Kiera felt about her performance and encouraging her to continue to make her program stronger. And while certainly Britney performs her teaching and coaching duties as her job it is obvious that this effort goes beyond that and we can't thank her enough.
Working to get the video copied and online.

Mother, Daughter, Sister Time

Last week my mom June, and my sister Carolyn visited us from Casa Grande, Arizona. My sister loves Disneyland and my mom had not been there in over forty years. Thursday we were off to the Magic Kingdom. The weather was perfect, the crowds were not too thick, mom consented to be wheeled about in a wheelchair (she's 90 after all). Events like this have been rare for the three of us and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Disneyland, all decked out for Halloween, looked awesome. The Haunted Mansion is converted over to the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. I liked it, but Carolyn prefers the traditional setup.
Outside the mansion:

Mom and Carolyn on the riverboat.

A truly terrible shot of me in our group shot at the end of a long day.

Mom on Main St after the fireworks display.

Hanging out on the patio on the weekend.

Thursday was Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Boat, Tiki Room, Submarines and the best 3D movie I've ever seen at the "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" show. Great fireworks and then I started the slow process of dragging Carolyn towards to the exit.
Friday we rested up from the Disneyland adventure, and watched Kiera skate.
Saturday we relaxed around the house. Mom enjoyed the mild day on the patio with a book.
Sunday morning they were up and on the road.
My mom was born on June 19, 1919 and is an example of the longevity of that Norwegian branch of the family. My Grandma Holman, her mom, died about five months after her 100th birthday. Throughout this visit I was reminded how fortunate we are to have a our mom who is a spry little woman whose sense of humor has not aged a day.

Kiera's party slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Birthday Party Sleepover

This year's chocolate with chocolate fudge filling cake from our favorite Ontario Bakery. Kiera's design with green colored frosting on top and purple on the sides. Kiera's choice of flavor. (But I didn't argue!)

The birthday girl getting ready to blow out the candles. We had gone over to the pool for a night swim and yes her hair is wet. Wearing her newly painted shirt.

Party activity; painting tshirts with glow in the dark fabric paint. Keeping with the party's "Glow" theme. The backyard decorations included a large black light fixture to best show off their creations.

The party crew (or is that Cru?) Posing with intentionally bizarre expressions. I'll post the normal happy pose later.


Friday afternoon we picked up Annie, Sarah, Hannah, and Katherine at the rink. Ciera joined us at the house, and Ellen came after her drama practice was over. The girls painted shirts, ate pizza, went night swimming, painted shirts some more, ate birthday cake AND made smores. Technically they went to bed at midnight, but some were cold about 4 AM and ended up in the living room. This left Hannah and Ciera in the tent with ALL the blankets sleeping like logs.

Pictures

How cute are these? Jason, Kel, Naia and Gabriel hiking some amazing ruins in Bulgaria.

Sometimes Life IS a Day at the Beach

Saturday morning we loaded up the beach stuff and headed down to the Odom's, from there over to Carlsbad for a relaxing afternoon on the beach. Umbrellas, chairs, surf rafts, surf boards, boogie boards. Snacks, sandwiches, drinks. And no other agenda. I had a sort of a plan to have someone snap a new shot of the three of us for the blog, but what the heck that was apparentely way beyond my abilities while reading in the shade.

We had picture perfect weather, nice waves, sunshine all day. As this photo shows.


Elise laying at the edge of the surf, while Kiera was jumping over her. No, we don't know why, but it entertained them for longer than you would think.


We left just before sunset and made our way home. A fast stop at In-n-Out for burgers as our dinner. It was great.