Thanksgiving - Take 2

Then on Saturday we got together with Benjamin's and Carolyn's families for a real Thanksgiving.  Benjamin and Tami cooked a very yummy turkey, potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie.  Carolyn made ambrosia and stuffing and brought a chocolate pie.  I made yams and apples, corn, apple crisp, and bought rolls.  It was all yummy.

I love Thanksgiving!  It is still my favorite holiday.  I'm always glad for an extra opportunity to reflect on blessings and service.

Thanksgiving - Take 1

We had an awesome Thanksgiving!  On Thanksgiving day we made carne asada.  The Sunday before, I asked Juan what he wanted to have because he hates turkey.  He said carne asada.  I asked him what we were going to do if it snowed.  He said he would still cook it.  So, we planned for it and executed the plan.  It was fun!  It turned out to be a beautiful day, like we played outside while he was cooking.  It was only about 60, but the kids had coats on, don't worry. :)  So, we ate carne asada, rice, beans, roasted pumpkin (cubed, cooked in the oven with a little coconut oil and salt), green beans, apple cider.  More of a harvest celebration.

Luz' First Primary Program

Luz participated in her first Primary program today.  She said her part well.  She's known it for weeks now.  "Puedo saber que las escrituras son [la palabra] de Dios."  (I can know that the scriptures are [the word] of God.)  The words in brackets are ones she decided didn't belong and never included in her rehearsal of this part.  I'm not sure why.  I would say the entire phrase and she would repeat it exactly, purposely leaving out that part.  I decided after a few days that it still made sense without it and I didn't want to push it.  So she delivered her version of her part. :)  She sang all the songs.  She looked cute.  I was back in the corner playing the piano and couldn't see her face.  Ezra was mesmerized the entire program and actually sat and watched/listened.  I don't think Juan had to take him out at all.  That's a first!

In an effort to make the Primary program a big deal and because she only has 1 dress that fits her anyway, we got a new dress to wear today.  I picked out 4 that I liked.  We took them into the dressing room.  I had her pick her 2 favorites to try on.  Juan and I both told her we liked the brown and pink one better.  She said she really wanted the purple one.  I let her choose.  It's cute.  The sleeves are a little weird for my taste.  Our mission was to find a cute dress that went with brown shoes because her already-existing, still-fitting church shoes are brown.  Most winter dresses go better with black, but I thought this was just fine.  We had the same mission for Mr. Ezra who has brown shoes.  Apparently we like brown shoes around here and do not want to buy millions of shoes in a size that the kids only wear for a couple of months.  Luz has 2 pair of shoes and some flip-flops.  Ezra has 1 pair of shoes.  The end.  Anyway, Ezra has been wearing some blue cords and a red polo shirt for church for a couple of months now.  They are both too small and not warm enough.  I picked up this outfit at the store in size 18 months... (Luz' dress is size 5, by the way.  Apparently our children are giants.)  ...and showed Juan.  He looked at me like I was nuts, and then I explained the brown shoe plan.  He was on board with that.  Let's buy clothes around already existing shoes. :)  We're weird parents.

Halloween 2011

Monday was Halloween.  We went over to Aunt Linda's for our "annual" Halloween party with Grandma M.  It was good to see her and visit with her.  We had planned to go over and visit more on Sunday, but we didn't want to take the illness with us, so we got a very short and sweet visit on Monday.  We had dinner and then Juan took the kids trick or treating while we visited.  I tried a new recipe!  I made beef stew inside a pumpkin and cooked it all in the oven.  It was yummy. 

Luz was a...purple butterfly (again)!  This was the 4th year she has worn the same costume.  Best investment ever.  It is the only costume she's ever known.  It is cute and warm and apparently grows along with the child.  I told her this year that it would be her last year as a butterfly.  She said, "Oh good Mom!  I want to be a princess next time." :) 

Ezra was a Tigger, minus the hood.  He is not a hood guy.  He went trick or treating in the stroller.  He is walking quite well, but he doesn't walk much in public yet.