Wheelchair Artist Tommy Hollenstein creates Live Painting at SoHo/Lurie Gallery in Studio City to benefit Shane’s Inspiration
By Debra Graff

The packed audience at the beautiful SoHo/Lurie Gallery in Studio City was awestruck.  All eyes were on artist Tommy Hollenstein as he created an original painting using the tires of his wheelchair as brushes. The exciting evening, produced by Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), included comedy by Michael Colyer (Last Comic Standing) and a silent auction along with catering by Jerry’s Deli, Basquait Wine, Sushi Kingz and Monster Energy Drinks.   The soiree raised over $2000 for Hollenstein’s favorite charity, Shane’s Inspiration; an organization dedicated to building accessible playgrounds where children with disabilities can play with their typical peers.  Four are here in the SFV:  Beilenson Park (Lake Balboa), Brandon’s Village (Calabasas), Shane’s Inspiration (Griffith Park) and Hanson Dam.

Hollenstein had been a professional surfer when, in 1985, an unfortunate mountain biking accident left him a quadriplegic. But that didn’t stop him. With passionate determination, he set out to find something positive in a seemingly negative situation. Through his artwork Hollenstein shares his vision, ingenuity, resolve and depth of character - the signs of a true artist. The crowd was captivated by his genius and his calming, peaceful presence lifted their hearts.

Hollenstein says he enjoys painting live because it gives everyone the opportunity to see his process. “It was pretty moving,” he understated.  He especially wanted to bring awareness to the educational side of Shane’s Inspiration that reaches out to schools where busloads of disabled and abled children buddy up at one of the organization’s twenty-three LA-area parks. “In the first few minutes they seem very uncomfortable but in a short time, you see the barriers broken down. Afterwards, abled kids aren’t so fearful of approaching children with disabilities in other situations.”

Tiffany Harris, Co-Founder/CEO of Shane’s, says that Tommy’s taken what others would see as a tragedy and turned his experience into an inspirational life. “He’s responsible for inventing a water ski for paraplegics, helping launch a summer sports camp for disabled persons, serving on non-profits and motivating people of all abilities through his unique art. We are grateful to have him on our Board and team.” For info on volunteer opportunities and an upcoming 5K/10K Walk/Roll Event on August 23rd, contact Shane’s Inspiration at 818-988-5675

13-year old Cole Massie, in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy and an aspiring artist, spoke with amazing tenacity. “People say I have limits but I don’t and I don’t care what anyone says. I want to be a licensed pilot. I want to be a law enforcement specialist. I believe in no limits.”

Denny Seiwell, original drummer for Paul McCartney and Wings, has been close friends with Hollenstein for many years and was honored to attend. “I love him. Tommy took his liabilities and made them assets and his paintings are incredible.” Seiwell was in on Hollenstein’s signature painting; created live at Neiman Marcus in 2009 with handprints by sixteen rock legends including Ringo Starr.  It sold for $30,000.

“Hollenstein is a remarkable man who has overcome countless obstacles and accomplished so much,” says Tara Romanella of Integrated PR Agency.  “It was great to see everyone come out for this wonderful cause benefitting children who may not otherwise have the freedom to enjoy the simple childhood pleasure of playtime.”

The owners of SoHo/Lurie Gallery, (charming Lurie Brothers Scott, Bruce and Craig) felt privileged to host this special occasion. Scott noted that Tommy always had a dream of becoming an artist and is fulfilling that dream: ”People can be broken, but you can’t break their spirit. I love working with artists I enjoy and Tommy is a very likeable, good person, whose ego doesn’t get in the way.” Bruce said he respects Hollenstein as an artist and admires him for trying to make it in this world. “His disability doesn’t stop him and he’s aggressive getting his show together to raise money for such a worthy cause.” SoHo/Lurie’s next exhibit will be abstract art, opening the last weekend in July. For more, go to: www.luriegallery.com

SoHo/Lurie Gallery
12350 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-1500

Here are the details:

Thursday, June 10
5-8 p.m.
Soho Gallery
12350 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-1500

C’mon out!!!!!!

This was a  Canine Companions event (natch) held smack in the middle of Downtown Disney, so we drew (among other things) a nice crowd.  There were puppies-in-training and Elder Statesmen service dogs and everything in between.   There was great live music by a musician named Michael to help get the creativity flowing and Disney VoluntEars who buzzed around making sure everything was perfect.  What a fun day! 

After Cole created his masterpiece (with the addition of Ilia’s pawprint in the lower left corner) we went to the nearby Rainforest Cafe for lunch.  Faux thunder and lightening shook the walls, Bobo the gorilla screeched irritably directly above our table and the human din was fantastic.  All the while, Ilia did…..

Nothing. 

Now, that’s some insane training.  I couldn’t even sit still in that raging cacophony.

We went back after lunch to pick up our now-dry work and say our good-byes.  Although it was after 3:00 (the event started at noon), Tommy was still working with kids and I could see at least a dozen pictures lined up drying on the stage.  He was still patiently teaching, still giving each kid an awesome experience. 

Too cool.   Thanks for the love, Tommy.

Go here to see: http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/Hollenstein052210#

http://www.oprah.com/own/innerview.html?page_id=8

Our fabulous friend and genius producer Judy Korin did this a while back and submitted it.  She got a newsletter from them last night and there it was!  HOLY COW!!  OPRAH!!

Enjoy!

When you’re this busy, who has time???

Anyway, here’s what Senor Cole and Mighty Dog have been up to:

The Shane’s Inspiration Gala:  On March 27, Cole sang in the choir brilliantly directed by Tess Borden and ingeniously choreographed by Keith Young (choreographer for the show Glee.)  Cole also got the opportunity to introduce the video he hosted (crafted by the gorgeously talented Judy Korin.  Oh, do I love this smarty-pants woman.)  This educational video will be shown in schools all over the state as part of Shane’s Inspiration’s Educational Outreach Program.   (The video is part of a program that helps typical kids get over the discomfort of playing with disabled kids for the first time.)  We hope to post it here soon but in the meantime, click here for some snaps of the gala. 

Easter:  On March 28, Our own Auntie Jen-Jen and Uncle Kevin hosted an Easter/Birthday bash (Nick, Kevin, Grandmere and Rudy are all April birthdays and I’m March!) at their Club in Cheviot hills.  Family highjinx ensued.  Enjoy by clicking here.

Homeschooler Dinner Dance:   On April 17, we attended this fabulously fun yearly event with our homeschooler group. FaCE-LA.  Click here to check out Cole cutting a rug with cutie-patootie Darcy Rose! 

Dodger Game:  The Dodgers honored Shane’s Inspiration, so Cole, Eddie and Ilia were invited to go down onto the field to watch the first pitch being thrown out!  Word is they made it onto the Jumbotron and if I get those pictures I’ll post them (hopefully before he hits college.)   Click here to see.

Challenge Air:  Challenge Air is an amazing organization that matches volunteer pilots with disabled kids who want to fly!!!!  We were asked to volunteer for the Canine Companions info table, which we did with pleasure and pride.  And then, Cole went up in a HELICOPTER!  Oh, yes he did!!  Click here to hit the wild blue yonder with Cole!

Anyway, we had a fabulous whirlwind trip to New York in March. 

We got in late Tuesday night and Wednesday we went to the studio for our interview.  First, we got ourselves all fancied up by the lovely hair and make-up people.  Then, we met some very special kids who will all be going to college thanks to the Say Yes To Education Foundation.    Our interview went very smoothly (the video is in the post below) and we got to meet some of the audience as we exited the studio.  You can see pictures here.

And then it was on to dinner with our friend Claresa at John’s Pizzeria!  This amazing place is located in a huge, beautiful old deconsecrated church.   And it was delish pizza, too!  Check it out here.  We were staying right in Times Square so we walked to it.  But it was really crowded (even by NYC standards) and we couldn’t figure out why…until we realized that the Black Eyed Peas had decided to do an impromptu concert RIGHT THERE! 

Well, we found this pretty darn funny.  Y’see, it just so happens that the Black Eyed Peas’ rehearsal studio is at the end of our street.  That’s right, we flew 3000 miles to see the people who are usually half way down the block from us!!!  Crazy!! 

On Thursday Morning, Cole got a much-needed adjustment to his braces by his orthotist, Dr. Paul Jordan, and Dr. Jordan’s technician, Mike.  Then we had a quick lunch and a long drive back to the airport, where we leapt onto a plane and flew home. 

Whew.

Pix are here.  Enjoy!

I must admit it’s taken me a while to post this because I’m pretty conflicted about it.  Suffice to say that I really, really, really do not agree with the politics of our interviewer.  But, the piece was done a year before she was attached to the show and all of the releases had been signed, so I figured it was best to go ahead and take the opportunity to promote Canine Companions for Independence (I was supposed to mention the ASPCA too, but they cut it out of the piece and I ran out of time on set.  Big apologies to that awesome organization.) 

Anyway, here it is.  Take a look.  (Please give it a moment, it’s slow to start):

Naturally, it costs more than our car. 

Luckily, the incredibly lovely people at Variety Childrens Charity have made it their mission to make sure every kid has a bike they can ride!!   So, they teamed up with our friends at Bent Up Cycles in Van Nuys and now Cole has a brand new bike!   Here are the pictures.  And here is the maiden voyage:

First, our beloved Armand fetched us at Hobby Airport in a full stretch limo!  Talk about riding in style!  Then we immersed ourselves in visiting and Christmas and generally eating anything that wasn’t nailed down.  Please check out the Christmas photos here.

Then on Christmas Day, we had the unbelievable pleasure of seeing our good friend Claresa AND meeting her yummy (and I mean that literally) family.   I testify here and now that you have not lived until you have eaten yourself into a coma with Frankie B’s lasagne.  Judy and Frank Mandola made us feel like we’d always been a part of their family!!!!  And not only did they treat us graciously in their home, they had us as their guests at their downtown Houston restaurant, Damian’s!  The exciting part is that we got to see Claresa in Houston (where she grew up) and then again in New York!  Check it out here.

The day after Christmas we got to visit Ilia’s puppy raisers, Stacy and Sean Napoles.  And a bonus!  Stacy brought her parents!  Well, I didn’t know this, but Stacy’s dad Steve has been a teacher and principal for more than 30 years!!  He and Cole started talking history and that, as they say, was that.  Now Mr. G (as Cole calls him) is doing lesson plans on the Reconstruction and telling Cole all about it!  Talk about the coolest Social Studies teacher ever!  Here’s our day at the park.

After getting a new iFlip for Christmas, Cole has decided to try his hand at nature photography.  Check out the album we’ve put together here.

Staying with the Hargetts means you will get the very best tour of Houston.  Cole, Armand and Nick took off one day and did some exploring.

And this is the rest of our two week trip, including New Year’s.

On January 3, we flew into Newark and headed over to the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park.  What a gorgeous house!!   Cole got new braces and in between appointments he got to see Wicked!!  On Broadway!!!  WOW!!  Afterward, we met Claresa at the Stardust Diner where Broadway-caliber singers serve you burgers and fries.  Afterward, Claresa took us to a bakery called “Crumbs”.  This is a lovely little bakery where they have cupcakes that can KILL YOU.  Oooooo…they were GOOD!  Then we met the fabulous Caitlin and Massimo at Teodora and ate outrageously good Italian food.   And Cole now has brand new braces that have made a HUGE difference in how he walks.  All in all, a very successful trip! Take a look! 

Hello, Humans!!

Ilia here.   I have no idea what it is about this time of year that makes people run around like crazy chickens, but as usual my pack is SWAMPED!  So, once again I’ve taken it upon myself to get our holiday video put together.    (You can click on the picture if you want to make it full screen.)  Please enjoy!!!

Loads of love,

Ilia Ignatius Beauregarde Massie

So what’s been going on since summer??  PLENTY!!

First, Cole turned 12 and had a fabulous Houdini-themed pool party at our beautiful friend Susan’s house.  The troops were entertained by The World Famous Andrew Goldenhersch, who blew everybody away (adults included) with his incredible illusions.  Be sure to check out the pictures HERE!

And, a mere three days later, AWESOME NEWS!!!  Our beloved Eddie became a daddy!!  Yes!!  We cannot think of anybody who’ll be a better dad (after three-and-a-half years with Cole you certainly can’t scare him!)  So we are delighted to welcome the spectacularly stunning Rhiana Leilani Torres!  Isn’t she delicious?!

On to Halloween, where Cole and Eddie terrorized the neighborhoods in Pasadena.  We still have too much candy!  Check it out HERE.

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving with our friends Judy and Steve (who are also our neighbors.) 

On December 4, we went to our neighborhood tree lighting, then went with several neighbors to an art gallery and then to nearby noodle house to warm ourselves up.  I tell you, Atwater Village RULES!  We have the most awesome neighbors EVER!

Next up:  HOUSTON!!  On December 20 we are being flown there by our beloved Hargetts for Christmas!  Wow!  Fabulous, no?  We’ll be there until January 3, when we will fly on to New York for Cole to get new braces (having to go all the way back to NY to remake them was a little detail the docs forgot to mention to the people who live in CALIFORNIA.)  Anyway, we’ll be with our friends at the Ronald McDonald House until January 8, then we fly back to Houston.  On the 9th, we fly home.

Stay tuned for Ilia’s Christmas Retrospective!!

First: 
Cole went to his first homeschooler field trip to the California Science Center on May 23.  It was a blast…literally!  They studied air!  Check it out:  http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/CalScienceCenter2009#

Then, On May 29, we were asked by Corey Hudson, the National Head of Canine Companions for Independence to join him for lunch with international Australian businessman and philanthropist Mel Gottlieb.  Mr. Gottlieb is a big supporter of the Australian version of Canine Companions and his interests lie in supporting organizations that benefit children.  He wanted to meet a child graduate team, so Mr. Hudson invited us!  Cole, Mel and Ilia became fast friends (we hope to see him at the end of this month!) and he is in now in the process of donating to Canine Companions for Independence!  That means another child will get a dog!http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/MelGottlieb2009#

On May 30, we went camping at McGill Campground in Fraiser Park.   The van handles so easily that we were able to take it right up to the campground and there was still plenty of room for the ramp to extend.  This van makes life ACCESSIBLE!!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/McGillCampingTrip2009#

On June 22, Cole started summer camp.  He and his fabulous caregiver, Eddie, spent nearly every day in the surf boogey boarding, exploring sea caves and generally irritating tidepool creatures.   They also visited the Autry Museum and other fun places and had a real, actual campout!  http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/SummerCamp2009#

On July 8, Cole shot the final material for the Shane’s Inspiration Educational Outreach Video.  We hope to be able to post it here soon!  This is a program that will be shown in classrooms all over California!

Our latest achievement is our favorite yet:  Yesterday we were asked by Shane’s Inspiration to attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.  The Los Angeles Dodgers want to donate “The Dodger Dream Field” to Anthony Beilenson Park (Lake Balboa) in Encino.  This will become Los Angeles’ one and only wheelchair accessible baseball park.  Several of the residents didn’t want it because they were afraid it would spoil the views and disturb the park’s wildlife, even though a very thorough report by the Army Corps of Engineers found otherwise.  25 people showed up to speak and only 4 of them wanted the field!  When our turn came, Cole, Ilia and I all went up to the podium.   I told them I understood they didn’t want their park disturbed, but that virtually everywhere else in the city had turned us down.  I asked politely if we could please share their nice park.  After so many people spoke against it, I didn’t think we had a chance…BUT IT PASSED!!  In 2011, Los Angeles will have its very first totally accessible baseball field, donated by the Dodgers!  Woo-HOOOOO!!!!

OK…I’ll try to post more often so the entries will be shorter!

Well, she was delighted to have such an eager student, so she invited us to be her special guests at the Renaissance Faire this Sunday!  (At the faire, Holly plays a different character than the one she was at the park…much fancier!)  As Mistress Mary Carter, she “recruited” Cole into the Children’s Militia and appointed him ensign…with the Extremely Important Job of flying the flag for the troops’ charge!

Cole got another lesson in Renaissance military history and trained valiantly with his swordsmen group. Finally, banner waving and sword drawn, he (with a little help from Eddie) led the charge at the pre-joust pageant!  Her Majesty was well pleased!

Afterward, Holly and her character husband (who is also her real husband, Mark) walked us back through the faire, pointing out loads of interesting things and telling us all about both Renaissance and Faire history (did you know that in 1570 dictionaries had not been created yet?  Me, either.)

Then Cole tried his hand at fencing, the crossbow and archery. 

When I wrote to Holly to thank her and Mark profusely for the splendid day and ask permission to use their photographs, she replied with this:

We did ourselves revel in your good company and delighted in all that passed that day with you at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.  We are delighted that you all were educated as well as entertained.  That is how it is supposed to be enjoyed and is why we have taken part all these many merry years.

You are most welcome to post what dost please you on your wondrous website.   It would be an honor to be included in such an auspicious display.

My goodly husband and I hope that we shall be able to reunite at some soon future date.  Until then, we wish you happiness and carefree times.

Your humble servants,
Master Jacob Carter and his Lady Wife, Mistress Mary Carter

I ask ye, are they not delightful??   Cheers, Mistress and Master Carter!!!

Be sure to check out the photos here!

I AM AN ORANGE BELT!!!  It took me a year and a half, but I FINALLY got it!!  I had to do the Ni Ju No Kata - it’s 20 steps!  Since I can’t do the spinning kick parts, I did all the arm movements.  Then I  had go through it a second time and recite it all out loud…and I DID IT!!  Shibucho tested me a lot on vocabulary, too.  I put my old yellow/white belt on my rack in my room and I can’t wait to wear my new belt to class!

On Saturday, me, my mom & dad and Eddie participated in Big Sunday.  It’s a huge, nationwide organization that puts together volunteers to do all kinds of things to help kids’ charities.  We chose to do a lemonade stand at Shane’s Inspiration…and all the proceeds go them!  It was a cold, windy day so we didn’t do as well as I’d hoped, but we did empty seven whole 68 ounce bottles!

And finally, I SURFED!!!  Jonathan took me to an event sponsored by Life Rolls On.  Dudes, I am STOKED!!   I was on the blue team with Jonathan and Cory.  I was REEEEEALLY scared, but Corey started me out on the sand and moved me farther and farther out until I was (as my mom said) a dot on the horizon.   And I SHREDDED!  I rode two REALLY HUGE sets!  It was so fun to ride them in!  I can’t wait to do it again!  And I got to meet Jesse Billauer,  who was in the movie Step Into Liquid.  He was AWESOME!  He and some other really cool people started Life Rolls On so that people who have spinal cord injuries can go back to doing the sports they love.  Check ‘em out!

Ilia had a blast, too…he mostly ran around in huge circles because he was SOOOOO excited! 

Follow the links to see pix!

We hope to be posting video soon.

Hang loose!!

Loads ‘o love,

Cole and Ilia

The best news is that Cole is crazy about the two of them, which makes learning so much easier. And the adventures!  Wow!  So far we’ve done two outdoor classroom sessions in Franklin Canyon where we identified plants from a guidebook, saw three different kinds of ducks, spotted a pile of slider turtles, toured a Native American shelter and made a depth gauge from a pine cone and a palm frond (which in turn sparked a conversation on non-standard measurement.) We also talked about the WPA cement structures that were all over the park and what FDR’s program meant to the country then and how it relates to what Obama is doing to try to stimulate the economy now.

We’ve gone on Cole’s first fishing trip and Jonathan is planning to take him surfing for his first time May 3.  A camping trip is scheduled for later in May where they will make bows and arrows and identify edible plants and do all sorts of boy stuff.   (Just found out:  more big fun coming up!  They’re doing a summer camp for just 8 kids, which runs from June 22-July 31.)

We’ve gone up to Griffith Observatory to learn how to make a comet and will be returning in June to look through telescopes at a public star party.

On Earth Day, we visited my friend’s brand new self-sustaining front yard farm.  Cole wrote a great report on it and you can see the pictures here.

In short, leaving behind the public school system (going there every day was about as fun as swimming with hungry sharks after taking a dip in a chum bucket) has been the greatest decision we ever made as a family.   We are exceedingly busy but really enjoying it all!  And no getting up at 6:15 a.m.!  Woo-hoo!

Enjoy the pictures!
Michelle, Nick, Cole and Ilia

This van is AMAZING!!  We drove down to Orange County yesterday (terrible traffic both ways…yikes!) and now it’s finally here!

Here’s how it works:  When you push the button, the door slides open, the ramp slides out and the WHOLE VAN kneels down to one side!  Crazy!  We were a little worried at first though, because when the van kneels the ramp comes out and the sensor sees the curb.  The van thinks there’s an obstacle in the way, so ZIP!  It sucks it back in (that keeps it from banging into something and get tweaked.)  Well, we park at the curb every day so we thought, “Oh, no!  Now we can’t use the ramp at home!”  But we called Jose the nice lift guy and he told us about a secret button on the dashboard that turns the kneeling off!  My mom tried it and it works perfectly!  It is AWESOME!

Check out the pix here!

Yo, yo, yo y’all!!!!!!!!!  Check it OUT!!   I got to meet my man Eric DLux from L.A.’s Power 106 fm and hang out at the station with him!

Here’s how it went down:

I was workin’ a Slurpee and riding with my awesome caregiver, Eddie when all of a sudden, his car started making a terrible sound!   We pulled over in Burbank to wait for the towtruck.   Just then, Ding Dong!!! Nature calls!  So Eddie races me into Tony’s Deli to use the restroom.  When we walked in, he recognized Eric DLux!  He is the AWESOMEST hip hop DJ in L.A.!  He does all his own mixing…LIVE!!!  Check him out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEvDPj7HdNU

Well, we all got to talking and the next thing you know, he says, “Do you want to take a tour of the station?  It’s right across the street!”  I said, “yeah, baby!”   So me, Eddie, my mom, Eric DLux and his crew all go over for a full tour!  I got to see where they do the shows, where Eric does his Traffic Jam mixing live (with 3 million people listening!) and Big Boy’s special booth (he’s their morning dude.)  I thought it was the BEST THING I’D EVER SEEN!  And THEN guess what??  Eric takes me into the studio and records me doing a “drop” (short for drop-in, my mom says.)   I said, “Yo, you’re listing to my man Eric DLux on Power 106!  YEAH, baby!!”  And he’s going to play it Monday during his 3-7 p.m. shift!  A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!!!!!!   If you’re in the L.A. area, check him out!

Peace Out,

Cole and Ilia

Haven’t found video yet, but here’s the story:  http://usparalympics.org/news/article/9957

CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHANI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are so proud of you!

As Nick and I were busy signing paperwork, the manager came up to us and said, “Gee, I’m really sorry, but we just spoke to the lift conversion people and they said the silver van won’t work for you.”

Oh, well, I thought.  That’s that.

“So”, he says, we’ll have to give you the upgrade to the EX with the power sliding doors, the moon roof, the alloy wheels, all-station climate control and spoiler.” 

Oh, darn.

Wait, WHAT?????????  True!  Our FREE Honda Element which was upgraded to an Odyssey has now been upgraded to an Odyssey EX.   Have you ever???  We were dumbfounded!!  Silver was very cool, but now we’ll be getting beautiful “Ocean Mist” (a gorgeous blue.)  Unreal!

Juan, the very nice ramp conversion guy, drove it off the lot and told us it will be ready in 4-6 weeks.

Does Southern California Honda rule or what??

Take a look at this sweet ride!

http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/HondaBlueVan

My dear friend Tim submitted a 200-word essay to Southern California Honda and….

WE WON!!!!!

He had submitted us for a Honda Element (the day before the contest ended, LOL!)   But after seeing our story, SoCal Honda decided that what we really needed was…(wait for it…)

A TOTALLY ADAPTED ODYSSEY MINI-VAN!!!!  HOLY FRIGGIN’ COW!!

Evidently, poor Tim and his wife Leilani have  known for TWO MONTHS that we’d won, but were sworn to secrecy…can you imagine having to hold that in from one of your closest friends?!?

So yesterday a nice bus came and picked us all up and carted us off to the fabulous Peterson Automotive Museum.  When we got there, there was no Element, so we figured we’d lost.  NOT!!

Here are the links to the video they showed at the ceremony :  www.socalhonda.com  (click “Free Honda” at the bottom of the page)

And the piece from our local news station:  http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6605039

And some pictures:  http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/HondaAwards2009

They are fitting it now for a lift (oh, say it with me:  SNAP!!) and will call us next week to tell us when we can go to the dealer to pick up…

OUR NEW CAR!!!!!!

SA-WEEEEET!

I know it’s a little past Christmas, but I just thought this was super cool…

My friend Michaela (who goes to school with me) got to light the Christmas Tree at the state capitol with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger!  She’s 9.  Check out the pix here: 

 http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/MichaelaLightsTree

Cute!

Cole and Ilia

Ilia here.  My humans are all busy fluttering around with all the silly holiday business people put themselves through this time of year (geez, guys…sit!  Have a biscuit!)   So anyway, this year I did the holiday slide show!  Come with me and take a look back at 2008 with my pack! 

Can’t see the video? Click here!

Big holiday love,
Ilia

We hope that you’ve had a fabulous 2008 and that this letter finds you well!

We’ve had quite the busy year; lots of travel, many changes and loads of lovely memories.

In February, Cole was invited to the Grand Opening of the L.A. Orthopaedic Hospital’s new universally accessible playground. It was so great to see the project all the way through from start to finish with all of his friends from Shane’s Inspiration! And it is a grand park indeed, serving both the neighborhood and the population of more than 60,000 children who pass through the hospital’s doors annually.

In June, we got a very special treat! Ilia’s puppy raisers, Stacy and Sean Napoles, visited from Plano, Texas to turn in their 6th (!) puppy, Boulder. We drove to Oceanside to meet them for a lovely dinner and they did their very best to rub ALL of Ilia’s fur right off!

In July we were flown by Miracle Flights for Kids to New York and on th 15th, Cole had surgery with Dr. Nuzzo. He operated on Cole’s inner thighs, hamstrings and calf muscles. Although it was an outpatient surgery, there was a lot more pain than anticipated. We were glad to get back to our New Brunswick Ronald McDonald House family where Kathy, Carol, Linda and the rest of the wonderful staff doted on and fussed over us. What a wonderful place to stay!

And our Ilia was absolutely amazing. He traveled over 7,000 miles on six different planes to be by Cole’s side during surgery. And he also took great care of the kids at the Ronald McDonald House, even though he didn’t have to!

We then headed to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Cole was able to spend time with his grandparents, Sara and Howard, as well as his 91-year-old great grandmother, Mary Lee, and his 101-year-old great granddad, Bus.

By using our laptop and blowing letters up very large, we were able to communicate with Bus, who’d become hard-of-hearing. Cole asked him all sorts of questions about his time in the war and all the rest of his life’s events. He showed Cole his pearl-handled revolver from 1918 and the hunting knife his father gave him when he was 12. The two couldn’t get enough of each other.

In August we travelled to Vail, Colorado so that Cole could be the guest speaker at a fundraiser event for Canine Companions. Our lovely and generous hosts, Joan and Bob Solon and Ann Roberts made sure we had a wonderful time in the beautiful mountains. And Cole got to help the auctioneer!

In September, our big boy turned 11! He took off to Legoland with his dad and his friends Noah and Jordan. And he got to have an overnight in a hotel with NO MOM and pizza and BOYS ONLY!

And then came the big call from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: this 142-year-old organization had named Ilia their 2008 Dog of the Year! Wow!! He had been nominated by our friends at the New Brunswick Ronald McDonald House! Back to New York for us!

And if all of that wasn’t enough, our good friend Bob Solon called Cole in to direct the voice-over for two new CCI public service announcements with: Tom Kenney…the voice of Spongebob Squarepants! Tom and his wife Jill are the loveliest people! And the 29th with John and Tony and the rest of our friends at DG Entertainment was The Best Day Ever!!

And finally, with the help Sensei Rich Favinger, Jr., our good friend in Pottstown, PA, we launched this website!

At the end of October, we flew to New York and stayed at the Time Hotel, courtesy of the ASPCA. The big awards luncheon took place at the swanky Rainbow Room in the Rockefeller Center. Fancy! And Kathy and Corrine from the Ronald McDonald House were there to surprise us!

This trip also made it possible to see Cole’s orthotist (who gave his braces a much-needed adjustment) and his physical therapist. And we got to see our good friends Caitlin and Massimo for a fabulous dinner! Oh, NYC has the BEST restaurants!

November brought some sad news: Our beloved Grampy Bus passed at age 101-and-a-half. We are so grateful to have gotten our time with him this summer. He is deeply missed.

And now here we are standing on the threshold of another New Year. Because of all the people who worked so hard to make Cole’s surgery a success, we are looking forward to all of us walking into 2009…together!

We wish you all blessings and peace and thank you from our hearts for being in our lives. Please keep in touch and tell us how you have been doing.

Big Massie love to you,
Michelle, Nick, Cole and Ilia

We’re working on getting stuff posted here, but in the meantime you can see photos from our ASPCA NY trip here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/ASPCANYTrip102808

Enjoy!

xoxo

Cole and Ilia