Sorry Mom

I was supposed to be in UT this weekend to visit my family and go to a funeral on CRW's side of the family but, I got sick. When I say sick I mean the sickest I have ever been in my life!! It lasted about two days and I am still trying to get my strength back. I took PeiWei to the park tonight and met up with a friend I had over on Sunday for dessert. She said, "Wow, you have lost weight" and I said, "You just saw me on Sunday, I couldn't have lost that much". She said you look like you have been really sick your skin has a funny color. I thought, I was just starting to feel better now I guess I need to look better too. I would not recommend getting the stomach flu as a weight loss program. Well because it is horrible! The memorial for CRW's Dad went well and I am glad to have it behind us. It was a very hard day. More difficult than I was prepared for. My heart broke for the kids, they let all of their emotions finally come to the surface. It is hard as a Mom to see your kids that upset and know that their is nothing you can do except let time take it's course.

On a happy note LuLu is rocking the Jazz and Hip Hop dance class. Her teacher told her to get more attitude and confidence. I thought why am I paying someone to give my kid permission to have more attitude. She loves it and is having fun and is really good.

Red had another soccer game today and the most perfect fall day ever. We had sunshine and 80

degree weather for the game. Her team tied 3-3. A parent in front of me said it's nice to see an aggressive player. Red stole the ball clean three times from three different players. She also did a drop kick well whatever that means.

PeiWei is her adorable self, she learned to sing a new song. I will try it get it on camera and post the best of... PeiWei tomorrow. That clip of PeiWei is for you Mom and Dad.

R-

School Begins...

Last week was the first week of school. The girls really like their new classes and teachers. I love their school and they have really good friends in their lives. We are getting ready to have CRW's father's memorial and it will be nice to have that behind us.

Last week LuLu was chosen to be the MC for the first school assembly. She had fun doing it and was good at it according to the teacher. She wants to try out for the school play so fingers crossed she gets the role she wants.

Red played in her first soccer game of the season. Her team won 5 - 0 they dominated the whole game. I actually wanted the other team to score at least one goal. Red has never played soccer before so go Red! She came really close to scoring two goals so I hope she is able to experience that at least once this season.

PeiWei is talking up a storm as usual however, now we can understand her. She is one sweet kid and I love having her around with me all day.

News...

Well, after going to Utah this summer for five weeks, to be with my Mom who was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer we have returned back home. Only to bear bad news to our friends. CRW's dad passed away in our home last week due to complications of Pancreatic Cancer. We will miss him and it was a great adventure to have him live with us the last 19 months in our home. We love him very much and it doesn't seem real yet. He passed away very peacefully with CRW and I at his side. We will be having a memorial in his honor to celebrate his life this September 18th. I am calling all friends and ideas to let me know what that might look like. Any ideas on inexpensive table center pieces and how to run the thing? CRW has a lot on his plate and I told him I would plan and run the event. We had a beautiful four days mourning and celebrating Greg and we feel we had a great memorial with his brothers that flew in to say goodbye. However, there are many people and family that did not get that chance and so that is why I would like to plan a nice event. Please Help!

R-

Beach

Beaches can be very unforgiving. The remains of the 100 year old shipwreck is a testament to the dangers beaches pose to those who don't respect the relationship of nature's oceans and their eternal conflict where they collide with earth . . . or more likely, my daughter was just looking for some sympathy. -CRW

Lulu's Jazz Dance Piece

Lulu races to stardom in her recent jazz routine. Check it out . . -CRW

Red's Piano Recital . . .

Red has worked hard practicing piano this last school year for the first time, so without any further explanation I present - Red, playing 'By the Brook'.

Memorial Day . . .

'Hello Darkness' Iris

As summer starts we have decided to get out as much as possible on the weekends. Memorial Day was our start in an attempt to break our rut of staying home due to the rain and ventured off into the country side to visit a local iris farm. A field of irises is beautiful but this farm knows that to really show case their flowers why not plant a flower garden that people can enjoy while shopping . . .

Flower gardens are prime opportunities for photography, and I brought my camera to remember the day and pass the time. The girls got in the spirit of the shoot and borrowed my camera half the time to snap their own pictures.

Peiwei wasn't feeling well and cried most of the time. The only time she wasn't crying was when she found a bare patch of ground and dug in with both hands. When feeling miserable what is better than shoving handfuls of dirt down your shirt to try and cheer yourself up.

After getting home later that afternoon I decided to give the girls their first Photoshop lesson, so that they could play with the pictures they had taken. Both took to the program and have been photoshopping ever since. They both are really good and will probably start posting their own works of art very soon.

(shot and photoshopped by Lulu - no help . . .)

(shot and photoshopped by Red - no help) -CRW