Lots of love going around

Sorry I've been "gone" for so long- we've been getting into our groove here, settling into our new rental, me starting my new job, Sofia starting her new daycare and getting into our rhythm.  All in all it's going well.  Sofia has been a real trooper through it all, she loves her new place- especially the stairs and balcony upstairs (the echo is GREAT!).  We are enjoying all the spontaneous get togethers that can occur now that we live in the same city as my family.  We have our sad "miss Hawaii" moments and are a little tired of the question "why did you move from Hawaii?" (always follows when we tell ANYONE where we moved from- but we are glad to be here and feel really blessed for all that has come our way to make this happen.  The job is going well, it'll be a good place to be for awhile.  Sofia is starting to adjust to the new daycare- although we are having moments of acting like a 2 year old and I can tell she misses her friends and Lynnanne & family, she sees them in photos and still recognizes everyone.  We miss seeing the Frayne's more often and hope to see them soon.  Roland is busy getting us settled in and doing some preliminary house hunting, all the while job searching.  I'm off to Hawaii next week for a meeting and then after that, I'm not sure when my next trip over will be...kind of weird.  Well that's the update from this end....I'll be better about enteries now that we have our computer set up.  I hope everyone is having a GREAT Valentines Day and we send out our love.

And we're HERE

Sofia and I arrived in town on the 18th and Roland and Pedro joined us this week on the 26th. The first car has arrived and I'm driving it over today from Seattle and the other car and container will be in town next week and that'll wrap it up! We'll be in our rental by the end of next week- and a routine to follow. I start work on the 2nd and Sofia at daycare too- so hopefully both go well and we transition smoothly. There is so much to adjust to, it's a bit overwhelming at times. Thanks to my family, the transitions have been made smoother and their help has been wonderful. I'll be posting pictures later- so check back.....

And away we go....

After a beautiful farewell party and saying our goodbye's, we are packed up and ready to fly out tomorrow morning. It's hard to believe we are leaving, really leaving, but we WILL be back. With all our wonderful friends and family here there is no doubt we'll be back for visits.

Sofia had a fun day (shoots- a whole fun week!) at daycare and it was hard saying goodbye to our Chu Ohana- they have been so GREAT to Sofia and we were truely blessed to find them. Sofia always enjoyed her time there and through her we've made friends to treasure. Lynnanne & family- we promise to keep you posted on all of Sofia's milestones and fun stories through the years, we love you!

It was a beautiful Hawaiian day (remind me why we are leaving this? j/k) and with whales breaching in the background, our farewell party was a blast! Sofia kept busy running around with all her little friends, while Mom & Dad had a chance to say our goodbyes to our dear friends and colleagues. We will miss our UHH Ohana and those at PACRC. Thanks guys for a wonderful five years, all the love & support and for a great farewell.

So the next time I check in will be from mainland side- crazy thought! Family- here we come, ready or not! :)

Boxes, boxes, boxes...and more boxes!

No wonder moving is up on the tops of "most stressful" lists! Just when you think you're seeing the end, more stuff appears needing to be packed! That said, I think we are getting there- slowly, but surely. We have one car in route, the 20' container coming today, airline tickets booked and the house on the market...the check list is coming along. Sofia doesn't seemed to bothered by it all- in fact she has a new coloring surface: BOXES!

The move brings many emotions and I'm working through them. If I have one more person question why on earth I'd want to move from Hawaii, I'm going to puke! All I have to say is "you can't replace family".

We look forward to getting to Eastern Washington and settling in. Lots to look forward to!

Our forwarding address is: 505 W. Bolan Ave. Spokane, WA 99224 (until we get a PO Box).

Moving Mainland

That's right, we are moving to the "mainland".  We are excited to share we are heading back to Spokane- coming full circle in sorts for me.  I'll be working for EWU- my old biking grounds.  We are working on all the logistics and it's exciting, yet scary- a lot of change for 2009!  We are looking forward to being closer to friends and family.  So stay tuned on our moving adventures!

P.S.  Know anyone who wants to buy a house on the Big Island?  Just joking around, but really we are selling our home (something we are still "processing"- but is necessary to move on). 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night....

Ho! Ho! Ho!  That seemed to be our theme this year as Sofia recognized who Santa was and learned what he says.  She had a great holiday season and we enjoyed her excitement and youthful joy- kids really do make the holidays FUN!  We spent Christmas morning at home and then went to the Frayne's for a Puerto Rican feast!  YUMMY!  It was a nice Christmas and we have much to be thankful for.  We send out lots of love and happy new year wishes.

Tis the season

We hosted a Holiday Open House today and it was fun to have family and friends gather in our home to celebrate the season.  Sofia had a lot of fun playing hostess, especially to our friend Rogelito. We are in countdown to Christmas- glad we don't have to worry about winter storms (that's for my family and friends in the NW).  Nope- 80 degree days and most likely sunshine for our Christmas morning (I still can't get used to it!).

Sharing in the holiday season...

Grandma Paula was here over the last week and we had a great time sharing our decorated house and in the holiday season (aloha style) with her.  Sofia enjoyed her company a lot, as did Roland and I.  Mom and I got to see the local production of the Nutcracker (cooks & lobsters and all)- a nice evening out for the ladies. We got some Christmas shopping and cookie making in.  Not to mention she was able to join us at our office Holiday party. It was really nice to have her around for the week and we were all sad to see her leave.

Sofia is enjoying the holidays and the decorations, especially a fiber-optic village scene given to us by JoAnne (Riveira).  We set it up at her level and it has seen a lot of action.  The bells as well, she knows she can play with them and we keep re-hiding them on the tree for her to find.  She can really shake her bells! :)  Sofia recognizes Santa and reindeer- but doesn't want to get to close, just enjoys from a distance.  We are looking forward to Christmas morning with her- kids really do make the season a lot more fun!

We send our warmest Aloha wishes for a wonderful season.

Our little turkey

Aloha!

Here is Sofia in her thanksgiving outfit she (ok, her daycare provider) made out of a papersack. She thought she was pretty cool in it, she didn't want to take it off (too bad she didn't feel the same about her Halloween costume- she went as a little girl like her Tia one year). We had a relaxing, laid back Thanksgiving with the Fraynes, only thing missing was the Perez side of the family.

We have our decorations out and Sofia had fun with this little santa chair- mind you its a decoration, not a real chair, but try telling a 20 month old that! She enjoys sitting in front of the Christmas tree looking at the lights and various ornaments. She recognizes who Santa is and likes it when I say "Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas"- her reply is "au, au, au"....kind of close. We hope the season is bringing great cheer to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving to all

We want to wish you all a very, happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for and are very blessed. Many the season find you in good health, happy spirits and surrounded by loved ones.
Love,
Roland, Carmen & Sofia

Something other than leaves are falling here in Hawaii

This past week, Sofia was running around the yard and her outfit slowly made its way down and off! She had the best time running and jumping until it fell off. Yes, it's warm enough to be half naked- that's Fall in Hawaii! (and winter, spring and summer).

The leaves are fallin'

We are taking in the beautiful fall weather in Spokane and how better to do it, than with a leaf festival at one of the local parks.  Sofia dove right in and loved every minute of it.  Her and Santiago have been having quality cousin bonding time as Rena recovers from her delivery.  It's been fun watching the two interact and get it figured out (the sharing and all).  Baby James and parents should be back home today.

He's here!

Baby James Russell Dunn made his debut last night, 10/16 around 10 p.m., weighing in at 7 lb. 14 oz. and 21 inches long.  He's healthy, beautiful and so much fun to see!  He'll be meeting all his crazy family today.  Mom and Dad are doing great, both so happy he's here safe and sound.

Much love.

One proud Tia!

Sammamish to Spokane...

We landed and all survived travel with a busy 18 month old.  She did really good, only a few people plugged their ears. Our weekend in Sammamish with the Troyers was wonderful- it was great hanging out, enjoying our family and friends- just what we needed (just needed a little more time to see everyone).  Now we are in Spokane anticipating James' arrival (any day now!)....  Sofia is loving her time with Grandpa (Papa), Grandma, Tia, Uncle, Santiago (tiago), and others.  It's beautiful fall NW weather- love this time of year here (but, brrrr we're cold).  Saturday we are going to play in the leaves at the park.  We'll be in touch....

We'll be on our way.....

In four days we'll be airbound for the continent! We are gearing up, getting things packed, getting entertainment and snacks ready for the plane ride and we'll be good to go in a few days. We are praying the traveling gods are with us, especially the toddler ones! :) We can't wait to see family and friends. From the 9th-13th will be in Seattle staying with the Troyers and then we're off to Spokane till the 27th to wait out James' arrival! Looking forward to it and we'll keep you all posted...
Love,
Carmen, Roland & Sofia

New shoes & Buddy Cousin Dashia

We had a nice weekend of downtime, family and friends- not to mention another trip to the beach with the kids and mommies (8 all together this time). Sofia is here sporting her new shoes from Grandma Paula- they are for our upcoming visit to WA so her feet don't get cold since all she wears right now are sandals. She tried them on right away and ran straight for the door to try them out- they are a hit and boy does she like to "run" in them. We can't wait to see them in action in WA. Tonight we had a nice dinner at the Frayne's and Sofia and Dashia did some major bonding- Sofia figured out how much fun she is and they had a good time hanging together. Fun to watch.
We are gearing up, starting to get our things ready for our trip- can't wait to see folks!
Love, Carmen

Beach Bummin'

Sofia and I spent the day at our favorite beach spot with some friends.  She enjoys hanging out there- between the sand, sea and shower, not to mention the snacks, she LOVES it!  She got brave and dipped her head in the ocean (to my surprise).  Her new water shoes were good protection against the rough sand and lava rock.  We ran into an old daycare friend and she was excited.  It was a nice time and we will be back soon!

We Welcome the Newest Member of the Family

Straight from our very own pineapple patch!  Our first harvest of white pineapples- at this rate its a good thing we don't "live off the land" we'd be hungry and with nothing to share! :)

First Friends

Sofia and Kamele (Sierra & Kapono's little one who is one month older than Sofia) had a fun time playing "bongo's" on this old wooden box outside the restaurant we just got done eating dinner at Monday night. The girls are beach buddies- we often join one another for a couple of hours of sun and surf. The girls have fun with each other while Sierra and I catch up and share stories, tips, and insights on motherhood.
Gotta love first friends.....

Sofia's so cool, she's gotta wear shades!

Sofia is REALLY into her sunglasses lately, even if they are little lopsided.  She had them on and off all day and would've put them on Pedro had he let her.  She is now 17 months old!

We are enjoying the 3-day weekend by hanging at the house, having some friends over tomorrow for a "wine and cheese tasting", joining a work potluck and just enjoying some nice weather.  We hope everyone has a great long weekend.

Love ya!