Happy Birthday Kawika!

June 29th is a very special day for a very special young man Kawika. It is Kawika's 9th birthday!!!!

We love you and can't wait to see you this summer!

Mom

Hard to believe that so much time has passed, there are so many memories to share. This is a picture of Mom and me after a 'Girls Day Out' in 2003.

Horray for Big Balls!!!!!

What exactly is it about BIG BALLS, or for that matter - any ball and little children? Give a child a ball and watch the fun ensue. Case in point, Jake, our nephew and Nathan, our grandson. Take a look for yourself!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!

So hard to believe that you are already two years old!!! We love you!

Brayden

John Deere!

Sara and Sheri making summer time memories with Uncle Ronnie and a John Deere!

Honkey Tonk?!

Let's all hope that's what we hear when Robert gets his hands on our latest treasure. Yup, you saw it right here, an upright 1930's Werner - Chicago piano. So we found a place to store it, and now the dilema is actually getting it there since it won't fit in our truck. Stay tuned....


So, the adventure is complete..... Robert was able to get off work by 4pm and I rented a U-Haul truck with two furniture dollys. Picking the piano up was interesting all in and of itself. Four guys including Robert to get it into the truck. (I think Robert was doing most of the work!) Then on to Bobby and Cheryl's, which will serve as a temporary home until early 2007. Robert stayed in the basement and played, while Bobby grilled hamburgers and Cheryl and I drank margaritas. The piano is in amazing shape and by the way - did I mention that Robert can actually play very well?

Isn't he just adorable?

Four days old and cute as a button. Noe and Brayden pose for a fabulous portrait.

Atlanta Jazz Fest 2006

What a treat to live in Atlanta where festivals and great weather are both available in abundance. This Memorial Day weekend found Robert and I at the Atlanta Jazz Festival. Saturday found us partially prepared with two folding chairs and the camera. We managed to get great seats right up front, however the camera lense was not sufficient to get any fabulous pictures. We did get to watch and listen to wonderful performers including The Benny Golsen Quartet , The United Trombone Summit and Carmen Lundy & The New Songbook Artists.

Sunday we decided that we would really be prepared. We stopped by Harry's Market to pick up some sushi, salmon rolls, peach-mango salsa, tortilla chips and bottled water. Since it was Sunday, alcohol is not available for sale, but lucky for us - we already had some in the frig. We loaded up the cooler, brought the folding chairs and the long camera lense. Luckily for us, we were able to claim the same spot right up front that we had the evening before. Now you would think we had it all covered right? Well, we settle in to the music of Grady Tate, open the chips and salsa - Robert hands me a Smirnoff Ice, then proceeds to pull an ice cold Corona out for himself. Whodathunkit?! Seems you need an actual can opener to open it! Well, a nice man named Allen from Columbus, Ohio came to our rescue with a pocket knife that had a psuedo can opener on it. Whew! That was a close one.

The sun was hot (check out our sunburns) and yes you guessed it, we forgot sunblock too. We did however bring small white towels, which when soaked in ice water provide temporary relief. As the afternoon progressed, we listened to Donald Byrd, then to Moncef Genoud and finally Kendrick Oliver and The New Liff Jazz Orchestra featuring Robert Glasper and Kevin Mahagony. The emcee continually reminded the audience about the booth on the hill that was selling commemorative items such as posters and t-shirts. Sooooo... we found our way up the hill and bought not only the 2006 poster, but the 2005 and 2004 as well. The artist who designs the annual poster is Eric Waugh and as luck would have it, he was painting that evening right in front of where we were sitting. As the Barry Harris Trio plus special guest Charles McPherson performed, Eric created another one of his masterpieces. It was a special treat for us that he autographed the three posters we had just purchased. The evening ended, and as we packed our chairs, the camera and bid farewell to our new friend Allen, we realize that music is indeed the stuff that life is made of.

Brayden's Coming Out Party...

was held today, May 25 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Party preparations began at 7:30am with Noelani taking the lead. It was an all day event culminating with Brayden's arrival at 8:06pm. Brayden weighs in at a hefty 8 lbs 9 oz and is 21" long. Mamma and baby Brayden are exhausted and will be resting up for the remainder of the evening.

The season is over .....

And it was a winning one! 4 - 3 - 1!!! Kawika has decided he will re-up his contract with the Comets for the upcoming season. His signing bonus is TBD!





















To commemorate this victorious season, the Parents challenged the younger and very talented Comets to a game. Pope (Comet) and Dennis (Parent) were keepers for their respective teams. Half of the game was played with a regulation size 4 ball, then the last half of the game was played with non-regulation size, 3 foot soccer ball. During half-time, the young and reportedly mischevious Comets 'attacked' the Parents with non-league issued water pistols, which were quickly taken away accompanied by futile warnings of being grounded. The children were then reminded to play soccer, but somehow got the pistols back and went on to win the game.

Saturday Jam with Friends

What better way to spend a warm Saturday afternoon than jammin' with friends? Join us at Bobby and Cheryl's, our wonderful hosts for good food, music and fun. Meet the band, Bobby on lead guitar, John on rhythm guitar, Robert on bass and Rick on drums. You want a peek at the menu you say? Burgers, sausage, potato salad, beans, salad and a fruit tray.

Happy 35th Anniversary Uncle Ken & Aunt Mary Lou

Still crazy about each other after all of these years.

Happy Mother's Day

What a truly bittersweet Mother's Day this will be. You see, I just received the call from Sarah - our Mother is gone. Logically we all know this day will come, but it is never expected. If only I could tell her one more time that I love her and hear her voice. I love you Mommy!

AJs Celebrates First Anniversary!

Robert and I arrived in Atlanta promptly at 4:30pm after a long three segment flight from Hawaii on three separate airlines. (That's an adventure in and of itself) Our three mismatched (don't know why becuase we do have matching) pieces of luggage were coming right off of the carousel as we approached. We took our bags out to the off-site parking bus terminal, where the Prestige bus was waiting. Out of the parking lot, to the Kennesaw mall to pick up a special suprise for our friends and arrving by 5:30pm. I think the stars must have been aligned or something like that.



We met Tony and Andy during their first week of business and have loved their eating establishment ever since. They have authentic muffelatas and shrimp po' boys to die for! When the newspaper article about their restaurant came out last June, we bought two copies just because. We thought about having it framed for them, but never got around to it. A week or so before our vacation, while we were having a po' boy and chatting with Tony - he said they were having a big bash for their anniversary. Live music, free crawfish (for those of you who like it) and all around fun. It was then that we decided to actually get the article framed.

Back to the beginning of the post, the framing was done while we were on vacation and we had such a slim window of opportunity to pick it up in time for the party. All went well, we made the celebration, and Andy and Tony were so happy with the gift that Robert and I gave them.

So if you're ever in Marietta, Georgia, stop by AJ's Po Boys to have some great eats and say hey to Tony and Andy. I promise you will be glad you did.

The Most Amazing Footwear Ever!!!

I have to admit that I am the first one to tell you how UGLY I think these shoes are, but both Robert and I have a confession to make. On Saturday, our last day in Maui, we succumbed and joined the growing ranks of people wearing 'Crocs' footwear.

A pair of fushia and lime green sandals at a kiosk in the mall caught my attention, and before you know it, both of us were trying them on. Ha-ha! I know you're thinking that Robert tried on the pink and green, but they didn't have them in his size (or mine for that matter) so we both settled for black.

All I can tell you at this point is - you owe it to yourself to try a pair of these! And if you like the clogs and choose to wear them, I'll only make fun of your silly looking shoes for awhile because I know you are soooooo comfortable in them.

Oh yeah, the best part about these is that they are very, very reasonable. If we know you well enough or are related to you - watch out if I send an email asking for your shoe size. We promise only to send the cute sandals though!

"Hey Dad"

What a welcome break for Robert to get a call from Kawika on a Saturday between games. This Saturday also marks two firsts for Kawika:

• Yellow card (not a bad thing & can be used as means to 'fire up' or encourage team mates)
  
• Successful 'juggling'
  

Keep an eye on this young man, he may just be the next big soccer star!

Introducing....

two new grandsons! In the order of their arrival are Braydon, due to arrive in May to proud parents Noelani (Robert's daughter) and Dan



and Elijah Victor, due to arrive in late July to proud parents Angela and Mike (Sheri's son) and big brother Nathan.



Tutu Kane and Tutu Pink are sooooo anxious to meet both of you! Welcome to our world precious baby boys! Please see Nathan for references.

It's for a good cause....

and fun to boot! Last night, Robert and I attended the NFL Alumni Texas Hold'em Tournament at the ESPN Zone in Buckhead (Altanta). Bobby and Cheryl, who we met at Darwin's a couple of months ago, invited us to the event and it was a blast.

In addition to the Texas Hold'em Tournament, good food and drinks, retired NFL players and some of the Atlanta Falcon's cheerleaders were raffling off opportunities to have your picture taken with them. Both Robert and I had our pix taken with the cheerleaders, then I had one taken with all of the players.




Because we got there a little late, we missed out on the first two elimination rounds of the tourny, but one of the dealers let Robert sit in for a few hands. Lesson learned; good hand does not necessarily equate to winning. Oh well, it was fun anyway.

There were also several sports memorabilia items being auctioned off, such as Mohammed Ali's autographed trunks for $650. Robert and I perused the silent auction items, bid and won! Here is the pix of the Hank Aaron autographed baseball we took home last night. Yeah!

The entire benefit was held to raise funds for a local charity, the Cavaliers Childrens Home, so going home with a little less green in the pocket was well worth it! One can't put a price on the good times we had or a good cause!

Road Trip to Helen, Georgia

Sunday finds both Robert and I off for the day, which is a very unusual event lately. We decide to spend some quality time together and take a ride to Helen, Georgia, which is about two hours northeast of Marietta.

So what are some of the signs that you are in the country?

1. Piggly Wiggly - when is the last time you saw one of these?
2. Ewes and shetland ponies on the side of the road
3. 9 out of every 10 vehicles is a pickup
4. Abundance of RV dealerships, as well as churches and tanning salons
5. S & H Trading stamps accepted here!
6. Boats worth three times the mobile home they are parked in front of
7. Hot Tubs and Billiards Sold Here!

To fit in with the locals, Robert and I decided to dress the part. He with his Tony Stewart t-shirt and I with my redneck t-shirt that says, 'Ever so slightly spolied' in little psuedo rhinestones. And tennies, which I never wear.

Our finds of the day? Chocolate, t-shirt with basses and a walking cane (for the Living Room decor.)

Fun stuff includes the guy who played a ???????? (check out the pix) and getting out pix as local beer drinkers!

We took a little trip to try out some of the fishing, but to no avail. Don't fret though, I did get some good pix! (You can even see the worms that we set free. It's so clear - you can't even tell it is water!)

You'll have to take a look at our new blog, Robert and Sheri on the Road for more pix.