angelbirdflies

We had a fabulous visit from a real angel, Angelina Merrielo visited us from San Diego.  She was Shane's Grandma Lor's dear friend and our soulsister.  She flew into town with an expressed interest in throwing her first pot with Shane, which, of course she did with great success. Owen was utterly smitten and has been calling her Auntie Ann ever since, with that love stricken tone of the utterly gone.  We then enjoyed supper together and a long winding chat about sewing, opera (she is a master seamstress for the San Diego opera!!), friendship and ITALY.  I spent the evening falling madly, headover heels in love with her myself.  What a woman!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mama's out there... Here's how mine began, a dislocated shoulder and food poisoning.  The shoulder was the result of too much tree digging, pruning, weeding and stubborn "I can do it myself" working.  As for the food poison, in the middle of the night the whole family, minus Bodhi, awoke wretching and I spent the evening cleaning up after or personally participating in the debacle. Bodhi awoke at 6 AM feeling refreshed and in a hurry to deliver the special Mama's day card that he and Papa had made.  He read it to me, "Dear Mommy, I love you soooooo much.  I really love you.  I love you. Love Bodhi".  Of course, I cried- what cockles are immune to such adoration. I hope yours is off to a good start too! Here are a few mama pictures to share: My Grande Cia My mama Birth A reason to celebrate

SURPRISE!!!!!! The Katz crew threw me the best birthday party EVER and I had no idea that it was even happening...well I had a little leak...but I had no idea it was this elaborate, wonderful, generous and loving. Thirty-six is off to a fabulous beginning!

Last night, Bodhi reached his melting point, a combination of exhaustion, cold and overall overload, he was a bundle of weeping inconsolability. As I tried to read him a bed time story, a rumble began down the hall. Soon Shane emerged in the doorway as Professor Prattle Pink, speaking in a thick English accent and bobbling toward us. Bodhi was transported from glum to giggles and a family frolic ensued, thanks to these cool giant pipe cleaners and the imagination of one very good Papa.

I have so many captured moments to share with you. I will try to edit, simplify and organize them in the hopes of sharing a bit of the sights along the way. On the beach: On the water: In the wind: At the docks: On the land: At the table: Inspiration along the way:

Here are a few captured memories from my recent trip to Arizona with Owen. The most bella Grande' Cia in all the world!! Grandma Oni (aka my mama) and O in front of our favorite greasy spoon. Laughter at 98, I love this woman whose arms held me and now mine get to hold her. Happy Holidays!

We went for a hike up in Evergreen at Alderfer's Three Sister Park and it was LUSCIOUS. The weather was utterly dreamy and the constant visual feast of moss and snow, field and wood was satisfying in a way that only nature can be. Bodhi was dressed in his Pirate best and yelled "ON JARD (close to 'on guard')" to any passerby worth their salt. Owen looked absolutely dashing in Papa's borrowed hat and entertained himself with a constant dialogue of Pokemon sightings and adventures that drove the other members of the party to distraction, particularly those adult members straining for the nourishing sound of silence. Maya(the dog) made it all the way through the hike without serious threat of bodily harm from leash weary parents and Mama and Papa were just happy to be in nature with two happy boys on a brilliant afternoon. "Don't just do something. Stand there!" -Buddhist saying