Our Ohana/Family: September 2013

In September we shared the joy of welcoming Sunny's new cousin, Arie. He was a much-needed ray of sunshine and love - We also shared the heavy sorrow of saying goodbye to our sweet, strong, and wonderful Omi. She passed away from cancer on September 10th, with all her kids and Papa around her, holding her, and telling stories about the incredible life we got to share. It was terribly difficult and incredibly beautiful family experience. We're so thankful to have kind, loving, good-humored family. Here are a bunch of the cousins together at Omi's service - I'm sure she'd be smiling to see this crew together! From left: Sebastian, Lucca, Sunny, Noah and Halle. The simplest things remind us of Omi every day, and we continue to talk about her with Sunny to help her remember her special relationship with Omi, too. Sunny understood that Omi was getting sicker, and seemed to accept the fact that she's gone. Kids are so resilient - her happy attitude helped get Max and I through very sad times.

Here Sunny has spelled "Helo Kitd" with the letter cards that I made from online clip art.

Sun-Kitty, would you like some shave ice? Polar bear, how about some ice cream?

Just another day in the living room. That painting's days are numbered, I swear.

Max built a huge outdoor bunny hutch for Timothy. But we love that bunny so much that we all wanted to get in and hang out. So it remains vacant, with the bunny enjoying her home in the kitchen. We do use it when we're having big parties and don't want to worry about someone stepping on her or letting her out.

Art with Daddy - so proud of their masterpiece!

Investigate! Sunny has a dead spider, the spider book, and her magnifying glass.

Another amazingly bright, happy and sparkly play date with BFF Olivia.

Sunny loves to help cook - she's so proud to help make pancakes!

It's Fall - so it is Halloween yet? I like to decorate for the holidays, but and putting up the spiders prompted Sunny to try out a bunch of costume ensembles.