Dylan's 3rd Birthday

In PowerRanger style, we celebrated Dylan turning three years old on September 10th and had his party on September 14th. This year was especially fun because he was SO excited for his birthday. He referred to himself as the birthday boy for the entire week. 

On his actual birthday, I had the house decorated with PowerRanger decorations to surprise him when he woke up. He got to open his gift from us as well (Power Ranger stuff, of course...). That evening we went out to dinner and Dylan proudly announced to our waitress that he was the birthday boy.

Party favor Samurai Swords

We ordered a custom made Power Ranger cake for him also

Kristen and Lilly Jones

Jaimi and Brooke

The birthday boy taking a break from playing to eat some pizza

The Weida girls

Makenzie taking her Samurai Sword into the bounce house!

Brian and Echo

All the kids gathered around as Dylan opened his presents (he started asking me to open them as soon as the first person arrived).

Dylan had a blast at his 3rd birthday party celebrating with our friends. His excitement certainly made all the party planning worthwhile. I also should note, he started wearing big-boy underwear full time as of his 3rd birthday. We've got two big boys now!

Marley Ho'alohakupa'a ~ February 23, 2004-September 3, 2013

In the Hawaiian culture, names are given with the belief that the recipient will take on the characteristics of the meaning of their name. With this belief in mind, we gave Marley a Hawaiian middle name that surely represented all she was - a loyal friend - Ho'alohakupa'a.

Marley was born on February 23, 2004 in Hana, Maui and became a part of our family in May.  She quickly made her way right into our hearts and became the first recipient of our parental love. We did everything with Marley...took her to dog parks for socialization on the weekends, enrolled her in puppy kindergarten classes, had "play dates" with other friends with dogs, took her hiking, took her to the beaches and even found restaurants on the North Shore that allowed her to lay under our outdoor table while we ate.  She quickly showed us the lovable, loyal, fun-loving, and rascal personality that boxers are known. The one thing I've grown to appreciate about the human-dog relationship is that it is uncomplicated with the range of the emotions tied to human relationships.  It is a simple relationship - one that teaches of unconditional love. Marley gave us unconditional love from the moment we met (I still remember the drive home after we got her..she sat in my lap and licked me excitedly until I had to force her to stop) and in return we learned the valuable lesson of how to love and care for another being. We gave her a great life full of adventure and "pack" that adored her dearly.

When Marley was three she was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer (mast cell tumor). After having surgery to remove the tumor, she was given a clean bill of health, but I always had this experience in the back of my mind. I researched canine cancers and took every step possible to prevent it from coming back. Knowing it is a problem of the breed, I always assumed that some day we would have to deal with cancer again. For six years afterwards, she was given a clean bill of health and at her nine year old checkup, it was noted that she was in exceptional health.  Although she was getting some gray hairs and had gained a few pounds, her health was impeccable.  She still had all the same spunk, just got tired a little sooner.

Loosing Marley came as a shock to all of us. It was sudden. Although I think we have moved through the stages of grief, I still think she was robbed of life. She was a healthy dog on one day and the next she was gone.  I've witnessed the miracle of life in full circle - giving birth to the boys and seeing them take their first breath as they entered this world and holding Marley as she took her last. As hard as that moment was for me, I'm forever grateful that I was with her until the end...that she knew how much she was loved.

Although there is a physical void that Marley once filled in our lives and homes, she will forever live in our hearts. I am certain that she is waiting for us a the rainbow bridge and will greet us someday with all the tail-wagging and licking she can manage.

As I started going through photos of Marley through the years, what stood out to me the most was how she has been a part of all the important moments in our lives. She really was a part of our ohana.

I don't have many photos of Marley from her puppy days, but this is one of my favorites because she looks like such a rascal here with the look on her face. This was the first hike Mark and I took her on...She was about 5 months old here.

Scooby-Doo and the crew

Marley on her 1st birthday. In true local style, we had a "first birthday luau" for her.

This was the day we found out we were pregnant with a boy (Gavin's pregnancy)

She was always so patient with the boys. Here, Dylan is playing doctor with her.

For the first month after her passing, sitting down to eat meals made me really sad because Marley was always nearby when we ate (especially because the boys always drop food).

Marley and Me

Another photo from her puppy days. This was taken the first day she swam in the ocean...at Waimea Bay (with her friend, Daisy)

Family photo :)

She loved to dig holes in the sand at the beach

Her daily walks were a part of our routine for almost 10 years. Before the kids, Marley and I used to run Makakilo drive then Marley and I walked the hill pushing first a single stroller and finally a double stroller. The first time I went for a walk in Makakilo without Marley felt so lonely :( She was my walking partner for 9.5 years.

Marley found her way into the hearts of many of our friends. This photo was taken this summer when she stayed with our friends Linda and Mike while we were on the mainland. I looked forward to my daily text pictures Linda sent to me.

Marley hanging on the North Shore with us this past summer.

Taken on her 9th birthday. I love how this picture captures her sweet and loving eyes. This has become my very favorite photo of Marley.

Marley loved opening presents. On Christmas morning she would sit and tear the extra wrapping paper to shreds. She never bothered any gifts under the tree but on Christmas morning she was just as excited as the kids to open her presents.

We celebrated Marley's birthday every year with a cake for her (canned dog food) and a dessert for us (and of course present for her to open...see photo and caption above)

She loved lounging on our furniture.

Marley and Gavin - December 2007

Keeping a close eye on her baby brother, Gavin.

Although she always loved sitting in my lap, she never showed any jealousy towards the kids and graciously learned to share my lap with her brothers.

This was one of her favorite spots in our house - she always sat at the front door. After her passing several of our neighbors stopped by to pay their condolences and all mentioned how they will miss seeing her sit at our door as they walk past.

Marley had her own Easter Basket (and stocking at Christmas). We always included her in holiday and family celebrations.

Family themed costumes always included our Marley girl. She was the Cowardly Lion when we were Wizard of Oz characters.

The day we found out Dylan was a boy.

She loved to go hiking - when she was younger she would run ahead of us and run back to us, essentially hiking the trail twice.  Here she is in the water at Manoa Falls.

Fall 2010- Not the best picture of any of them but trying to get two kids and a dog to at least look at the camera was pretty difficult :)

Marley and Dylan- Christmas 2010

Aloha oe my Marley girl...Until we meet again.