11.29.2010

Happy Thanksgiving!


Well, for the first time in my life, I hosted my own Thanksgiving dinner. We figured since we're moving in a few weeks, we shouldn't spend the money on traveling home for Thanksgiving.

Since there are just five of us, we made a mini feast. We made half recipes of our usual potato casserole and sweet potatoes. We made a nice salad and had stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Since I don't know how to cook a turkey, and I prefer chicken anyway, we simply bought a rotisserie chicken from Pavilions. It was so tender, and tasty, and so easy to reheat! :)

The best parts, I think, were Jon's delicious artisan french bread, and his apple pie. We've been so lucky to have Jon stay with us. We eat like kings. In fact we were worried that our Thanksgiving feast would just seem like any other feast we've made, but we were wrong. I feel like we put way more effort into this one. I was in the kitchen the majority of the day. Anyway, it was worth it.

This year I'm very thankful that Heavenly Father's been taking care of our family. I've literally seen example after example of this. Whenever we've had a need, Heavenly Father has provided for us with specific things. Just one example is my dear friend, Corina, who has been so generous to give us clothes for the boys. Just as soon as I would begin to notice the kids needed new sizes, Corina would show up to church with a new bag of clothes for us. And when I've needed a little extra help when things are busy, or when the kids are sick, dear friends have offered to lighten my load in different ways. I'm just very grateful, because I know Heavenly Father knows me personally, and that he answers my prayers--usually through the generous and inspired actions of latter-day "saints".

11.04.2010

Halloween 2010

What a fun Halloween we had this year! Both boys were old enough to say "trick-or-treat" and appreciate the costumes. Andre was Bob the Builder, and Paulo insisted on being a ghost. Jon was King Tut....and I am officially tired of sewing costumes until next year. :)

Oh! And for the pumpkins this year, we did something a little different from our usual elaborately sculpted pumpkins. This year the boys designed the jack-o-lantern faces on paper, and Hunter and I carved them out. They both wanted scary faces...hence the squiggly mouth. Cute!












Little Jokesters

We went out to Round Table pizza in South Pasadena the other day, and they had some candy dispensers at the front of the restaurant. Andre immediately noticed that one of the dispensers had these fake mustaches, for only 25 cents! It was perfect, because my boys have been joking about mustaches lately.

So, we got a really big laugh out of these little mustaches, and surprised Uncle Jon when we came home. Hilarious!

Hunter added the "little professor" touch.








5.02.2010

Little Artist

Last Saturday, when Hunter asked Andre what he wanted to do with him for "spending time", Andre said, "Color?". So Hunter made it special and got out some paints. Look how precious. Andre really is interested in art.






Graduation

The day finally arrived. Hunter graduated from Art Center College of Design! If special honors existed for graduate students at Art Center like they do for undergraduates, Hunter would have graduated "with distinction" because he did so well on his grades...not that he was at all concerned with grades. I am so so proud of my husband. What a wonderful education! It has been worth every penny.

Way to go, Hunter!




Almost all of Hunter's family were able to attend Hunter's graduation. I don't know why my group shot with everyone in it didn't turn out, but we are so grateful that you would drive such a long way to come celebrate with us. Thanks, Mom & Maren, Kami & Azar and the kids, Tyler & Julie and the kids, Jordan and Katie and the kids, Dad & Kathy and Keli. We love you all! We're sorry you couldn't come, Brodie, Nelcy, Thalia & Daryan, and Wing family. We felt your prayers and support all along. Brodie, you should know that Hunter kept a photo of you by his desk through the roughest times. He didn't stop thinking about you for one moment. He even made sure to wear one of the classy ties you gave him for his graduation ceremony. Love you, Bro. You're a fighter and an inspiration to us all.

Look at the smile on Paulo's face. He was ecstatic! He had been praying for this day for months so that Daddy would have more time to play with him.


Don't I just have the greatest husband in the world? Yes, I think so.