"My Cousin!"

A few weeks ago we went down to San Diego to visit Mat's brother and his family. We love going down to see them because they are so fun and we always have a good time. Lana was good for the ride down there because she knew we were going to see her cousin, Ekana and she was so excited. Even though he's 5 and more mature and grown up, he's so patient with her and such a good cousin. She thinks his room is a wonderland with all his cool toys and I love watching them play together. She'll just follow him and is always curious to see what he's doing. I also like to see the age difference because it's the same as me and my little brother, Mike and also the same spacing that I wanted for Lana and her brother/sister. Anyway, Bryan, Donna and Ekana- thank you so much for letting us crash at your house and for cooking us some ono loco moco! We love you guys and hope to get together soon!

I was going through our "box of Christmas stuff" the beginning of the month and while I was rummaging through it, Lana found a bag of bows and went to town decorating her books. "Merry Christmas, Mommy! Don't open it!"

Playtime

Our go-to park: Northridge. We love to come to this park and just hang out. Lana especially loves when our friends come with us. Here is a great picture of Starlet, Lana and baby Shawn. Lana is learning from Starlet how to pump her legs and swing by herself. Even though there are a lot of threats of a time-out and leaving the park because of lack of sharing and other things, overall we always have a fun time!

The other picture is of Veronica and Lana cruising around the Enos' apartment. They were being very independent and having fun pretending to go "shopping" with their backpacks. Meanwhile, Jackie and I were being "old" and making aprons with our sewing machines. I've had bad experiences with sewing recently so it was really nice to be motivated to start up again. Thanks Jackie! Here's to more projects on the way...

Jealous

Mat had another trip to D.C. for work. This time Lana and I didn't get to go even though we really wish we could have tagged along. I was doing alright I think while Mat was gone even though we really missed him a lot. I got by without cooking real meals, being lazy and hanging out with friends. I watched chick flicks and all my favorite shows. BUT at night I get really scared. For three nights in a row I couldn't sleep! I'd get up like every hour, check the clock, look at the door and then try and get back to sleep. Mat usually sleeps next to the door so with him gone I felt like someone would come in and grab me since I was right there next to the door. AHH, crazy, I know. I had Lana sleep with me and (this is good) I tried to have her sleep on the outside of the bed (where Mat does) and she wouldn't have it. Haha. So much for tricking her.

Anyway, I thought I was handling things alright until I get a text from the Nielsens- a picture of Mat, Giff, and cute little Maddox. That's when I got really jealous and just wished we could have gone too. I really miss my buddies from Maryland. But, I am glad that Mat got to see Stephen and the Nielsens. They're the best. LOVE YOU GUYS!

"Turkey-Lurkey!"

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving holiday! We did miss our family that's spread out over the globe: Maui, Oahu, all over California, Idaho, Utah, Kansas, Florida and Peru. Our awesome friends, Jeff, Jackie, Veronica and David had us over to join them for the holiday. This was so gracious of them and the feeling I had of love, friendship and gratitude for them was overwhelming. I discovered a saying this year that I've come to really relate to: "Friends are like family you find along the way." I look at the amazing friends that I've come to know in my life and feel that they really do become my family in so many ways. Jackie did a fantastic job of cooking and everything looked so pretty (two separate accomplishments in my eyes). We had a nice meal and looking back it's funny because Lana was asleep for the first part and then played under the table with Veronica for the rest of it. She's usually the one that says, "I WANT FOOD!" but she held out pretty much until we got home and dove into the left-overs (again, thanks to the Enos family!). I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving as well and felt true gratitude for the many blessings that the Lord showers upon us. Is it just me or is time really starting to fly by?!

Thuch a thweet lithp

Lana, "I'm tho nithe. I give lotths of hugths and kitheth."

Translation: "I'm so nice. I give lots of hugs and kisses."

Gotta listen to the boss...

I've been on the computer for a while now trying to order some pictures off of snapfish.com. I was about to do a post on this blog when Lana comes up just now and says, "That's enough computer, mom!" Looks like I'd better get going and pay attention to her.