Elica has a birthday April 18, 2013

Happy Birthday Elica

 Everyone has a story and I am going to give everyone a  glimpse of Elica's story as I know it.  To cover seventeen years on one page means a lot of condensing had to be done.

Gary and Hiromi were staying with us when Hiromi went into labor with her first born child. We took her to the hospital and after many hours of labor Elica finally decided it was time to meet the “family.” Those awaiting anxiously at the hospital to see her besides Hiromi and Gary, were Grandpa Lanny, Stefanie and myself. Elica was a cute bundle of baby with dark hair and dark eyes.

"Let me Entertain You."

As she grew she blossomed.  She was a happy and content child, and her parents adored her.  Several years after she was born another child entered her little world. His name was Shogo and the two of them have become quite close, that is not to say that there isn't any sibling rivalry at times.

Elica enrolled in karate and became very good at it, earning various belts. We attended one of her performances and she was a natural; very balanced, very exact and very powerful with her karate moves. It was fun to watch her execute the different moves.

 Soon their family was off to Japan to spend a couple of years while Gary taught school there. Elica and Shogo enrolled in the Japanese schools and were expected to learn in the Japanese language. Within months they were doing quite well and by the end of the first year they had made amazing progress. They were soon top students. For extra curriculum activities Elica participated in track and Shogo in soccer.

The two years there were filled with adventures, activities, sightseeing, mountain climbing, visiting with their grandpa and grandma, cousins, aunts and uncles. Also they adopted a dog Welsee as a puppy and raised him.  

Celebrating her 10th birthday in Japan

 

 

On a rainy day in early spring of 2007 we greeted them at the Spokane Airport as they returned from their stay in Japan. This trip to Japan contributed to additional chapters of Elica's story, giving her special memories of friends, relatives, teachers, and the experiences of being in the country of her mother's birth, Tottori.  This picture was taken not too long after they had returned to the states.

During the years of growing up Elica read a lot, wrote poetry, short stories, drew fantastic pictures with her own unique and progressive style, made some very good videos staring herself and her cousins, etc. She taught herself to play the guitar, went to Disneyland in California with her school choir,

and has become involved in the Cheney Youth Commission.  They have a meeting every other Monday, and they lead the Middle School Dance parties, help with the City activities like Daddy and Daughter Dance night, Mom and Son Game night, some Christmas activities, etc. 

Since the beginning of March Elica joined the high School girls' tennis team.  She practices two hours Monday through Saturday and every week they have one to three games.  She loves her coaches and teammates and is having a lot of fun!! 

We have certainly enjoyed watching her grow up into a beautiful, productive and happy young woman. It makes Grandpa and I very proud of all that she has accomplished and of the person she is. Happy Birthday dear grand daughter. We love you.  Grandma and Grandpa Starr