Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional

April 3, 2010

Mr. B is getting a little bit older. We celebrated all weekend, cuz birthdays are a big deal around here. We went to get his first ever pedicure... and while he says it was okay, I doubt he'll be going back ;) Then to the range, it was my first time!

The next day we went to a massage parlor in Carson and had tiny, but very strong, little Asian women pretty much beat us up... Seriously strong like Mighty Mouse! Dinner at one of our favorite but reserved ONLY for special occasions restaurants... Roy's Hawaiian Fusion. They were so great that when our party of 6 showed up (Thanks Maga and Tutu by the way for babysitting) Mr. B's menu had streamers and curly ribbon on it, there was a special birthday wish inside the menu and everyone that came by the table acknowledged the special day!

After an AMAZING dinner (!!) a special birthday treat, guava chiffon cupcake with a liliko'i filling, yum!

Happy Birthday Babe, you're the man of my dreams even on the worst days. Love you the most of anyone in the world. Thanks for being an amazing Dad and Husband, Brother, Friend... and just for being my guy. I can't get enough of you.

Unable are the loved to die, for love is Imortality- Emily Dickinson

Dawn March 17, 1982 - Twilight March 20, 2010

Justin Alexander had a larger than large spirit.
But even fighting the good fight, he lost the battle to cancer. We were so honored to attend his memorial service last Saturday. The tone throughout the service was one of celebration. The large church and over flow areas were packed to the hilt full of people that this amazing man had touched. Some people we knew and many we didn't but we were all there, together, bound by the esteem in which we held him and the love that we had for this man.

He and Mr. B were tight in school. Stage crew guys just had this thing that knitted them together. Justin had Mr. B's back when he got jumped after the Indian show, countless midnight Denny's excursions, late night BBQ's in Anaheim after football games... The night before their HS graduation, they took bolt cutters to the gate at the football field and attempted to bleach 2000 in the grass. It didn't show up until a few days after grad ;) They worked with each other at Mendenhall for a bit a few years ago and I'm sure at times gave in to "boys being boys" and got in their fair share of mischief. There's so much more between the two of them that I can't attempt to have Mr. B relive for me right now. He's got a life time to think back privately and remember his friend. I was proud to call him my friend too. He was Uncle Justin to our son JT (who still talks about his Uncle that used to let him "drive" the forklift).

He stood up at our wedding. Wearing Blue Chucks, just like everyone else, since he was such a good sport. We laugh still when we remember how he had taped the soles and lined the insides with plastic so he could return them to the store. He'd never wear 'em again.



January 26, 2002 - Our Wedding, David Starr Jordan High School Theatre


2004 Las Vegas, Kamae Family Reunion
I regret us not being more present for him near the end. We both do. There are simply no excuses. Raising a family and starting a business might make you feel like your hands are full but in retrospect... your hands are never too full to hold the hand of a friend.
An amazing spirit was called home to a Heavenly Father who loves him and knows him by name.
Justin Alexander was the epitome of what a friend is. He was a very good man and this world isn't the same without him although the stars seem brighter now.

March 17th 2010 -28 years old

Take me out to the (T)Ball Game

So JT is in full swing of his second tball season at Heartwell Cal Ripken. This year, he's a Dodger!!! Seeing as how we just might be Ginormous (yes, that's what I said) Dodger fans, this was a great excuse to expand our LA gear!

Before he got his jersey, Coach asked what number he wanted on the back and he says (without missing a beat...) "24, cuz that's how we roll". He said this because, well look for yourself... All the Imbachs are number 24 in football. Haha!



As it goes, they decided to only do single digits for our team and JT ended up number 2. He's still excited to be a Dodger though.


Our opening ceremonies were postponed twice due to the rain and we had a little scheduling confusion but things have since worked themselves out. We volunteer in the snack shack too, I've promised Jack that my next scheduled evening shift (we're required to work two but it's kinda fun so we're donating more time) that he can come and help out too. So we're spending our Saturdays at "the Field". You're welcome to swing by anytime and start a wave... It'll happen. One of these days ;)


Go BLUE!

JT's biggest fan... Hea Baby.

she's reaching new heights!

Our niece Nai turned 12 a few weeks ago and she had THE COOLEST party at The Rock Gym in Signal Hill. It was soo much fun. The adults were belaying (in our obviously flattering harnesses)



for the 10 kiddo climbers and Mr. B and his brother Schlarb even got in on the action.

It was SUPER fun and J.T. did great! Yana Mama brought salad and homemade (!) croutons, pizza was delivered and the custom red velvet was beyond delicious.


I still can't believe this is the same little girl (well young woman now) that I bonded with over chap stick and lip gloss when she was 18 months and I was 16! *did I just date myself?* She's beautiful, smart, funny, talented, creative and amazing all rolled into one! Thanks Nai for letting us be part of your special day! We LOVE and ADORE you sweet girl!

Snow days

Mr. B. had a site survey up in Lake Arrowhead so we decided to make a day of it and take the lillo B's to the snow. It was Hea Baby's first time and J.T. was excited!
Armed with pb&j and pringles, we drove up (in the truck of course, it has the dvd player already installed) and watched Lilo and Stitch while Mr. B. took measurements at the Blue Jay theater.
after the work was done, we played for about an hour and a half before toes got too cold.

Before heading home, we put Hea Baby in this cutie pie bear suit to take some pictures. We took pics of J.T. in the same suit in Yosemite when he was about 11 months.

Hea baby 11 1/2 months Jan '10--- J.T. 10 1/2 months Oct '05

Birthday Sush

The plan was to go out to one of our spots Fusion Sushi for Craig's b-day but he and Mr. B ended up working super late and kiddos were getting ready for bed by the time they were heading home. Do we let that stop us from some Birthday Sush? Heck No!
Called it in, sent Maribug and Bean to pick'em up, put the kids down and got our grub on. They even gave us cute little disposable wasabi trays!


Nothing says "official birthday" like a candle ;)

Off with her hair!

So call it crazy or experimental or even desperate. Poor Hea Baby had NO hair... so I waited until after her birthday party and her blessing and I decided that I was going to shave what little hair she did have in hopes that the old wives tale would yield some type of result. I figured it wasn't such a deal at all since she had hardly any hair to begin with but MAN did I feel the judgment! (Go ahead, you probably have already.)

It didn't help matters that J.T. felt it was his duty to tell EVERYONE what I'd done. Plus, Mr. B. had no comments until AFTER everything was said and done. Ugh. You know, when she grows up and has amazingly dark, thick, beautiful Hawaiian girl hair... You know Mama B will be givin' herself a lillo-pat on the back.

Here's her before and after Mommy got to her with the clippers.


and after a month of growing back.

SIDE NOTE: She has more headbands and bow/flowers (Thanks Auntie Lia) than any other girl I know.

Roll Dawgs

Mr. B has had his motorcycle for a little over 2 years and I have barely started riding with him. I used to be really scared and then I was pregnant and then I had a brand new baby and then I ran out of excuses. I LOVE riding with him now.
Although... as a side note: No more riding in Church Clothes when we're going to meet the missionaries and no more getting off on the same side as the exhaust pipe. The scar on my leg is the perfect reminder :/