Lani had a photo shoot last week where she was able to do makeup & hair for the models. They ended up asking her to also model. I think she really looks my mom in this photo minus the paint & eye shadow :) After being able to do make up & hair for the models, she feels she may want to go that route vs. working in a salon. She definitely has the creativity for it!

Remembering Hoshiko

For Mother's Day weekend, Mitch & I had the opportunity to go to the San Fernando Valley Japanese Community Center sports jamboree with Dad to represent the family as they presented my mom's memorial scholar award.
In 1963, my mom started a girls athletic program so I would be able to play softball & basketball along with my brothers who had been playing with the CBO (Crescent Bay Optimist Club). My dad was boys athletic director at the time. She sold concessions at the boys baseball games & burritos at the Obon carnival in order to earn money for equipment. So, beginning in the 4th grade I began playing softball. My mom found college students majoring in PE to coach us. Two seasons later we joined the CBO basketball league. I was so moved by the recollection of the work and goal she had to take on this task. To see how far the girls league has come, is amazing. They no longer play softball, but now annually send teams to Japan to play in a tournament over there. The keynote/motivational speaker at the jamboree was a gal who played throughout the program from kindergarten-12th grade. She received a full scholarship to play for USC & now plays professional BB. She just returned from Egypt. It's so remarkable to see how many girls my mom's efforts have impacted.

Hoshiko Hirano Scholarship Award

Randi, Carianne, Lani & I with my mom's award, the boys award & a community service award

Dad with the 2 senior co-recipients for 2011

Randi & I flew from Spokane to Utah where we drove with Lani, Mitch, & Carianne to CA. Janae had a 30 pg. paper to do so wasn't able to join us :( Next year!

We HAVE to have good Japanese food while in CA!

Visiting Uncle Tak & Auntie Yo (my mom's sister); they never change, always look great

Grandpa Yosh with 3 of his 7 beautiful granddaughters

Besides having to have Japanese food, we MUST also make a visit to the beach

Tiffany & LaniCutie girls before they turned into lobsters

Huntington Beach (hated to tell Richard there were actually waves that day)

This pic was for Janae...her mad crush (in case you don't know, he's a surfer)

Of course, we stayed with the Migdat's, our adoptive family (aka Ric's 2nd mom)Mother's day dinner on the patio
Playing cards, another must with the Migdat's

It has been a great visit and a memorable Mother's day for Mitch & I to pay tribute to mom. What an amazing woman she was, she left a legacy of vision, courage. & strength (to name a few characteristics)

New pictures for Dad

Here are some new pictures of the kids for you Dad...Justin at work suturing up a guys arm

Lani at her school

This was when Justin was on the news for a presentation at the base.

Cody's new puppy he got for Christmas

The whole Sherman gang together

We miss you Dad!