over the rainbow

Happy Birthday Analei!

I can hardly believe that Ana is 11 today! It amazes me that she has grown so much and is SO OLD! Where has the time gone? I'm so grateful for this beautiful girl who has blessed my life so much. She is so kind, tender, and genuine in all that she does. Her name was truly inspired, as she lives up to it daily! Leipumehanamae'ole...beloved, never-fading lei... Or Analei...gracious flower. What an amazing young lady.

Thank you for blessing our lives, sweetheart! We are truly better because of you!

Keola "Waiting For Life" from "Once On This Island"

Keola singing Forever Yours

Opening NIGHT!!!

I can't believe how fast time has flown by! The end of summer is fast approaching and opening night of the show is this Friday! WOW! Where has all of the time gone?

For anyone interested..."Once On This Island" is showing on July 30th and 31st at 7:30 and on August 1st at 2:00. The cast has been working so hard and the kids are SO excited to perform! I have to say, I'm a little nervous about that on stage kiss, but otherwise we are good! Yes, my daughter has had her first official kiss from a boy... I am thankful that the boy is a very nice young man, who is a great friend to her and that there are zero romantic ties between them. I guess we'll see just how awkward the kiss is on opening night! So if for nothing else, come for the comic relief of seeing my daughter kiss her friend! Oh goodness!

Okay, love to all! Someday I'll actually use this blog as it was intended, but for now, my lame posts will have to do!

Leading lady won't say she loves the storyteller somewhere over the rainbow...

How's that for a title that encompasses everything?! (Yeah, yeah, ? followed by ! is a no-no, but oh well!)

BIG NEWS:  Holt girls audition for 7th Street Kids production of "Once On This Island" and Keola lands...the lead! She'll be Ti Moune! Miss Analei lands the role of...Storyteller! We are over the moon in this house!

I have to confess...it's a funny story about how we heard... We were outside tying water-balloons onto flip-flops  ('cause we that's how we roll) while avoiding sitting by the phone, when I decided to go inside and check for messages. Lo and behold...there was one! I started listening and then proceeded to jump up and down screaming ('cause I'm loony-tunes)! Robert thought I was dying and the girls rushed in...I was like...she got it, she got it...then started balling! The girls put the message on speaker-phone and then Keola proceeded to jump up and down screaming (she's loony-tunes, too!) and so did Ana (Less loony, more tuney!). I'm pretty sure that KO broke the sound barrier...quite the vocal range on that girl! Anyway, we are over the moon!

The reason why it was such big news is because we (mostly I) thought there was NO way she would land the lead this year. The play is kind of a little mermaid story, where Ti Moune comes from one world and falls in love with the wealthy Daniel. Forbidden love...kinda. Anyway, KO is about 5'9 and the only guy who auditioned who was over 4'7" was about the same height. So we thought they'd cast a shorter girl for the lead. Add that to the fact that there were about 7 really strong girls that the directors got to choose from for the lead, not to mention the countless other semi-strong girls that they could have chosen... I just didn't think she'd have a chance and even questioned if she would get a minor-lead because the auditions had such a depth this year for the girls. Well Mom was wrong and KO rocked the audition! What a cool thing for her and Ana's role is amazing as well! She gets to narrate the story in song! We were going over the song/cast list and it looks like she'll be on stage just as much as Keola and gets to sing about the same, too...not so many solos, but what an amazing feat for a 10 year old who is in just her second 7th Street production! SO SOSOSO proud of these angels...and so pleased that they were blessed musically!

After a fun Saturday, we prepared for Sunday's voice recital. Can I just say that I love my daughters? I am blessed to have them in my life in so many ways! Awestruck for sure! So I'm going to try and post a couple of videos of voice recital because well...videos speak louder than text? Uh yeah... When you listen to the videos, you'll understand why the "leading lady won't say she loves the storyteller somewhere over the rainbow" Although I know she really does! Love to all...enjoy the videos...if they work!

Family Photoshoot

Just thought I'd share some more pics from our day at Salt Creek. It was so much fun watching the cousins play in the tide pools. Old hat for some..new experience for three little ones. Family truly is the greatest. I just wish Maile didn't live so far away or that we all lived closer. I have such fond memories of spending time with my cousins. It's sad when one family gets left out, but such a blast when we can all be together! I'm so grateful for such an amazing family!

Just for Aunt Karen...

Okay, so I am officially a lame blogger...as pointed out to me by my dear Aunt Karen about a million times yesterday! ;o) I thought that Maile was the only one to ever read my blog and since we talk on almost a daily basis, I became a lazy blogger... I was mistaken and apologize to all of those "ghost-followers" out there who are disappointed by my degree of blog-laziness! (Yes, I know that is probably not a word, but if people can turn google into a verb, I can use blog-laziness!)

So here is a post, just for my sweet Aunt! Love you!

I am so happy to report that after a very lazy day on my part, the girls came home from school, did their homework, and then we took off to the Y for swim team and a workout. The girls have been out of the pool since August and it was so great to see them dive back in with enthusiasm. Sometimes we need a break from the things we do just to increase the appreciation we have for them! I love seeing them glide through the water and marvel that they have the stamina to make it more than 100 yards...I think they swim 1000+ each workout. I'm lucky if I make it 25 (the length of the pool)!

Perhaps even more impressive is that I got back on the treadmill and bike while they swam. WOW...I know, I know, don't fall over in shock! I think it's time to get on the healthy train and this is just the first step. It was a small one, but a step nonetheless.

Thanks for reading my ramblings...I was actually just filling space before I posted what my sweet Aunt really wants...PICTURES! Love to all and I promise to do better~!

One Word

This is from my sister Maile, answer the following questions with only one word.

Your Cell Phone? disappointing
Your Hair? curly
Your Mother? Loving
Your Father? Tender
Your Favorite Food? Hawaiian
Your Dream Last Night? Hmm
Your Favorite Drink? Redcremesoda
Your Dream/Goal? Shalom
What Room Are You In? Living
Your Hobby? Photography
Your Fear? Many
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Moved
Where Were You Last Night? Sleeping
Something That You Aren't? Serious
Muffins? Cranberry
Wish List Item? Baby
Where Did You Grow Up? AllOver
Last Thing You Did? Talked
What Are You Wearing? Sweats
Your TV? Mute
Your Pets? Gone
Friends? Companionship
Your Life? Busy
Your Mood? Tired
Missing Someone? Family
Vehicle? Overrated
Something You Aren't Wearing? shoes
Your Favorite Store? Ross
Your Favorite Color? Purple
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Seconds
Last Time You Cried? Days
Your Best Friend? True
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? SouthSide
Favorite Place To Eat? Cafe Rio

If you read this, you are automatically charged with the task of answering these questions yourself. But only if you want to.

Happy Birthday...Double Digit Girl!

Wow! Another year has come and gone and our sweet Analei has turned 10! What an amazing feat! What a blessing! I am so thankful for this sweet, loving girl who has blessed our lives so abundantly! From the moment she came into my life, she brought with her such a calm and loving influence. She loves the people around her and shows them with her sweet smiles and big bear hugs! You know when you are treasured by Analei...it shows in her hugs!

What a treasure this young lady is to our family! We love you, Analei! Thank you for choosing us! Thank you for bringing a new kind of laughter into our home! Thank you for being the miracle that you are! Beeg smooches, Ani-banani!

Yay...Duffy!

We finally received Keola's contract for Tuacahn today, which confirmed that she was part of the orphan ensemble. We were very excited to read through all of the conditions outlined in the contract. What a crazy "mess" of words. Actually, they weren't a mess at all, I just had to read a few things very carefully! So we had everything figured out and were about to go on with our day, when we received a phone call...

"Hey, this is Scotty Anderson from Tuacahn. There is a change that we need to make in Keola's contract. She will be cast in the role of Duffy and will alternate nights with another girl in the same role." WHAT? Crazy turn of events that we are SO excited about! Keola was smiling from ear to ear, jumping up and down, you name it, she did it!

This will present a bit of a challenge in scheduling which performances to come see, but we'll work all of that out when we get the details. Her first rehearsal is at 2 on Monday and then there is a parent orientation at 7. I fully expect the details to come rolling in then. In the meantime...I have a contract to sign! Crazy thought that one! Professional actress here...yikes! Too bad that after tithing and savings, she'll only have enough left for a cute school outfit! Oh well, we are just so grateful for the experience!

Love to all!

Slacker

Yep, that's the only word for my not posting for almost 2 months! Slacker! I'll wear the name proudly, ok so not so proudly!

Many know that the girls and I have relocated to St. George for the summer. Keola did, in fact, get selected for the cast of Annie and will be an orphan all summer long! We are so excited for her! Yesterday we went to have her measurements taken at the costume shop out at Tuacahn. What a fabulous event! Imagine having gone to a theater and seen several big shows there and then having the opportunity to go backstage because YOU have to be measured for your cotume of an upcoming musical...Keola was giddy the whole time! She was in absolute awe and couldn't stop smiling! I have to admit, it was a pretty cool experience for Mom as well!

So we met the costume gals and guy and they were so wonderful! When we got there Wilma said that she didn't know why she called Keola for her measurements, because they already had them and her costume was ready for a fitting. WOW! What a cool thing to get to be the first orphan to try on a costume! Not knowing that all this would happen...Mom forgot the camera! Ah well, next time! We also met Matt, who will be helping with hair. Wait...a performance where Mom doesn't get to do hair? Oh the horror! Not really, it will be fun to be on the sidelines!

We both left the costume shop in awe of what had just transpired. Okay, so it probably wasn't that big of a deal, and we'll probably look back on the moment and think that we were incredible dorks for some of the things we talked about. BUT what a cool thing! This whole experience is suddenly real. Keola starts rehearsals next week and we are so excited to begin.

Anyhow, now ya'll know what is going on in the land of the Holt girls. As for Dad, he's keeping busy up in WA with work, work, and a bit more work. We've been away from him for 3 weeks so far and it has not been easy. The bonus is that we get to see him in 4 weeks, we just need to survive the next little bit. Robert is busy building his practice and working hard. We are so very grateful for the sacrifices he has made so that we can be here...what a guy!

Take care and hopefully it won't be so long for the next post!

Annie Auditions at Tuacahn

Leapin' lizards we had a great time! In February the girls and I took a trip to St. George. We had a fabulous time visiting with family, meeting the adorable addition to our family, playing with cousins, and auditioning for Annie.

The excuse that I used to justify the trip was for Keola's audition, but the real reason was that baby, of course! Boy does Maile make cute kids! C was still so little that it was like holding a newborn babe! We had a blast playing with Super Why and Missy Blastoff, although I think she's more of a Miss Hollywood! (She takes after KO for sure!)

After holding that baby for as long as I could, we trekked up to St. George to visit with Granny Smith and Grandpa Bob. As always, we had a fabulous visit with them...our only regret is that it was still February and the pool wasn't quite ready for swimmers yet, unless the swimmers sported wetsuits! KO even talked AJ into sticking her foot in the pool to test the water. AJ said that she thought her foot was going to fall off after that adventure...it was cold! I wonder though, if it was colder than our Pacific Ocean up here...probably not, which means the girls are total wimps for not jumping right in! (me, too!)

On to auditions... KO came prepared to knock the socks off of those Tuacahn people! Thanks to Granny Smith for helping her perfect her song and actions a little bit more, without her help we probably wouldn't have made it past that first audition. Keola "wowed" them and then was asked to come back and shake her groove thing in the dance callbacks. After scrubbing the orphanage floors in "It's a Hard Knock Life" they asked her to stay for an acting callback...I knew all those days scrubbing the kitchen floor would pay off! She went into the acting call very confident and came out feeling great!

But alas, the story does not end there...3 1/2 weeks later and we are still waiting for some kind of word about casting... We've made a phone call, done some google research, and found out that some of the kids were notified via email that they didn't make it. Is there still hope? We truly don't know.

What we do know is that KO had an amazing experience auditioning. There were SO many girls there and to make it through two callbacks was beyond amazing. So while our Sour Kangaroo may not play the role of Pepper, she still rocks in our eyes (and ears)!

Chain of Love

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make for you!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a song. It may be a self portrait or maybe even some creation I haven't yet dreamed up. I may draw. I may bake you something and mail it to you. It may not be big or impressive. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! But lets be honest here. This is me and I will likely do something amazing. =) So come on, sign up!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to post this same blog on their blog and leave a comment telling me they did will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Let's keep the chain of love going around!!

New talents...

I did it...I finally figured out how to make my own blog background, with a little bit of help from cutestblogontheblock.com and some fabulous kits from scrapartist.com. What a fabulous resource they have been! I have to admit, it has truly brought out the OCD in me! I made five versions of my first background, before I finally made things line up evenly! Terrible, I know...I blame it on my Mom! Anyhoo...it has been an adventure and I have loved the process of this whole digital scrapbooking thing. What a fun new skill! I must say, I LOVE Maile's background more than the ones I created for myself...guess it's just the inspiration for hers...can't wait to meet that little guy! So while Maile is content with hers, mine is a work in progress. Any guesses as to how many I'll make before I find one that I LOVE? (The count so far is two, in 5 days...)

By the way, this post is so that I can put some space between the current post and the blog header...two pics of the same thing so close together...it must not be done! (Again with the OCD!)

Love to all, I hope this "meaningless" post finds you all happy and well. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and such fabulous friends. Much Aloha...Tree

Update?

Okay, for those of you who think it's time for an update, I totally agree! The holidays have been crazy, stormy, "floody", freezing, etc. I guess I just haven't made it out of the post-holiday funk...that and I've been a little stuck on Facebook! TeeHee!

So for the sake of updating...Hello to all of our family and friends! We love you all and are so happy to see you safe and well! Much love and Aloha to all!

Suds 102: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Some of you may remember a post we had earlier this year in which we highlighted a funny moment of Keola's... Well, there comes a time in a person's life when it is necessary to humble oneself for the sake of another.

Funny thing happened last night... I loaded the dishwasher and added the dish soap, thinking that all was well, and walked away. We left for basketball and when Ana and I got home, she said, "Mom! It happened again!" I'm thinking, what happened? Much to my chagrin, we discovered suds all over the floor. In my haste to finish the dishes and get out the door, I used dish soap rather than dish detergent. They were right next to each other...it was an easy mistake to make!

Desiring to teach my daughters about good sportsmanship...I took some pics to document my mistake. Needless to say, after three rinse cycles and several wet towels, the dishes are clean and the soap is safely away from the detergent! What is that saying...Turn around is fair play? Seems quite appropriate right about now!

No longer a tween...

Wow, to think that thirteen years ago, yesterday, I was in the hospital anxiously awaiting our ke'Ola, "first breath of life". Oh how time has flown by! It amazes me that the sweet baby I held in my arms is now almost as tall as me and can hold me in her arms...almost! She still loves pretty things, singing, dancing, and laughing until her stomach hurts. Some things never change. The new desire for make-up, pretty hair, and boyfriends is new though! Well...at least the boy thing is new!

What a beautiful, smart, talented, spiritual girl she has grown up to be. She keeps me laughing, causes me worry, challenges me constantly, makes me cry with her singing, and astounds me with her wisdom. I am so blessed to have Keola in my life. I am so thankful that Keo was sent to us, to care for, and nurture. What an amazing blessing came into our lives thirteen years ago.

Thank you, ke'Ola, for choosing us! "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be!" Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

All hallows eve...

I've seen some cute pics of costumes from everyone and thought I'd share ours. I have to say, we had various costume parties throughout the week and I think the kids donned a new costume at every one! We ended up with a couple of rockers and it was actually pretty fun doing the hair and make-up. Of course, it's always fun doing hair or make-up on my girls!