I know you all have been anxiously awaiting the post with the pictures of the birthday party...haha. They all turned out so well. The photographer did a great job. I'm so glad I have these pictures. Of course, these are only a few of them and yet I think its the longest slideshow I've ever made.
One of my old friends from college emailed me this video today. I watched it and was really touched. If you know me, that means I was crying. :) I wanted any of you who are interested to have a chance to see it too. Its message is powerful. It filled my heart with gratitude and humility. Check it out, you won't be sorry you did. http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons
We had a great Halloween! The festivities started out early at the Joy School Halloween party. All the kids had fun dressing in their costumes, trick-or-treating inside my house, making witches, and having their pictures taken. Then we jetted off to WSA for the office party. I know I might be biased but I think Steve had the BEST costume! I was so glad he wore it. He even won the office contest. After nap time we had the family over for the traditional chili and breadsticks. I was so relieved that Ethan and Luke ate all their dinner (it was a requirement if they were going to go trick-or-treating). Steve, James, Mae and Clay took the little ones door to door and I got to spend some quality time with my favorite Amerie....she's a cutie patootie. Ethan and Luke topped off the night with a sleep over at Vovo's house! Lucky boys.
My parents with their grandkids: Amerie (2 mos.), Ellie (2), Luke (2), and Ethan (3)
Our family!
Gramma Jeanne and I
That's me walking infront of Gramma Jeanne, who is carrying baby Evelyn.
Now that I've been thinking about my Gramma Jeanne it got me thinking about my maternal grandma. We've always used the Portuguese title; Vovozinha. I love my Vovozinha too. She has always showered us with love. She used to live in Brazil and I fondly recall the many trips to Brazil we made to visit her and all our other family members. She would buy us bala de coco (coconut candy that melts in your mouth....mmmm). She drove my sisters and I crazy forcing us into dresses in order to be properly displayed to her friends. She has always been a hard worker. I can hear her voice in my head saying "I love you, Milla" in her thick Portuguese accent. I was the first grandchild therefore the most spoiled for a time. Vovozinha was baptized and temple ready by the time Steve and I were married. I even got to witness her getting sealed to her husband, Jerry, a few years later. Te amo, Vovozinha.
Mom, Dad, Vovozinha and Jerry at their wedding.
Yesterday we had fun getting ready for Halloween (its about time huh?). We cut out construction paper bats and ghosts and taped them to our walls and windows. Then we carved our pumpkins. Luke would not put his hand inside the pumpkin but Ethan dug right in! I bet you're wondering why my boys are pantless? Well, its been pretty warm down here because of the Santa Ana winds and fires so when we're just at home I let them cool off a bit. That's the beauty of being a kid huh?
Today we got a very special package in the mail. Grandma Rasmussen mailed the Batman and Superman capes to us. She worked so hard making them and I have to say they look better than ANYTHING I have seen in the stores. Ethan was so excited he went to sleep with his on. And I can't forget to mention that as soon as the capes went on I could only refer to the boys by their super hero names thus it was "Good night Superman Ethan and goodnight Batman Luke." Thankgoodness for Grandmas, she's the real super hero today.
Phase 1: Steve cuts my hair.
Phase two: Ona at the Lab re-cuts my hair and I dye it myself.
I liked this article about what we can do to help the environment. Playing your part to help the environment doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or sweeping. You can help out in little ways, making gradual changes, baby steps. Starting today. Yes, you can do some of these tips today. You can probably do a dozen today, if you put an effort into it. But all you have to do is one of these tips. Just one.
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I have a great story about how I got to my current hair length. I let Steve cut my hair two weeks ago during Conference weekend. I was feeling adventurous and Steve has told me a few times that he thinks he could cut my hair - I think he was trying to save some money. So this certain week I decided to let him see. Hair can always grow back right? I told him I wanted it shoulder length with a few layers at the bottom. He went about cutting it and did a pretty good job. I ended up going to the salon to get it layered and styled. The girl I usually see even said he did a pretty good job and that she hardly had to fix it. So now my hair is pretty short. All in all I think I cut off about 9 inches. I was in shock because I wasn't planning for it to be this short but, like I said, hair grows back. I don't regret letting Steve cut it, just let that be known. :)
Yesterday we had such a good day, I felt it was perfect. The local firefighters, police and other emergency officers put on a "Emergency Expo" and Steve and I took the boys. Ethan and Luke just loved it! They got to go inside firetrucks and emergency helicopters. We saw presentations from the K9 unit, about fire safety, rescuing a man from a burning building, rescuing a man from a car. Ethan said to us during one presentation. Ethan: Mommy, when I grow bigger and bigger and bigger (his arms raise above his head with each bigger to indicate growing tall) I can put on a jacket and boots and hat and help the firefighers? Me: Sure, Ethan. You have to go learn how to be a firefighter and then you can help them. Ethan: I want to help, Mom. Me: Ok It was so cute! Luke was a little more cautious and frightened but he finally warmed up and would go see things without me. They also had fun getting spiders painted on their faces and taking home their "gifts" that were handed out. So we were already off to a great start.
The second reason it was a perfect day, I got to go be creative and make some cards. I'm really happy with how they turned out.
Third reason, I didn't have to a change a single diaper all day! Steve did all the dirty work without being asked. He's such a marvelous husband.
Fourth reason, I tried two recipes from Deceptively Delicious - the chicken nuggets and mac n cheese - and I thought they were pretty good. The boys even cleaned their plates! They ate broccoli and butternut squash and didn't even know it. Its incredible!
So you may think I'm weird, I probably am, but all those things added up to make a perfect family day for me. I love my family. I wouldn't trade any of them.
