Thanksgiving 2012

Surprisingly after three years of marriage this was:

• Our first time hosting Thanksgiving  Dinner
• Our first time preparing a turkey
• My first time baking a pumpkin pie

I dare say that everything turned out amazing! We prepared our turkey on Tuesday, I dropped it off at a local elementary school to be placed in an Imu Roast (the same way pigs are cooked for luaus) on Wednesday, then picked it up bright and early Thanksgiving morning. The turkey was so tender it literally fell of the bones, Quinn could barely "carve" it. I had so much fun setting the table, I got a great deal on the table cloth and napkins (mom would be proud that I chose green since it can be used at Christmas and Easter as well), the mini tealights I got for $1/ea (unheard of in Hawaii) and I practiced my silverware pouches until I thought they were acceptable.

Brett & Eina provided the veggies and biscuits, while Stephen and Kaci brough cranberry salad, wine, and a homemade pecan pie. Which meant I made everything else... I applaud every mother out there that manages to juggle cooking, cleaning, and dealing with the kiddos on Thanksgiving morning. What I wouldn't have given for a 2nd oven, haha!

We were all stuffed, only Eina & I managed to escape the post-dinner nap. Once the football game had ended we headed out back to enjoy the cool breeze and play some cornhole. EVERYONE got sent home with leftovers (18.5lb turkey was quite large for 6 people)... not that anyone complained. While it wasn't with family... we haven't actually spent Thanksgiving with family since we've been married... it was a great day spent with friends. We are extremely blessed. 

Veteran's Day Beach Outing

Quinn was sick pretty much all weekend... he slept, ate soup, slept some more... so Monday I let him sleep in while I got everything ready for the beach. We ended up heading over to Hickam with the Brett & Eina. We soaked up sun, Quinn & I SUP'd (his 1st time too!!!) while they kayaked, once we had our fill we went to Chili's. The boy's meals were free and dessert was only $5! It's nice to know that some corporations really do appreciate our troops.

Water droplet frame!

All 4 of us in the photo... totally unplanned, she was doing a self-portrait of her & Brett. SO cool!

I love the candid shot of us... we have so few of those.

237th USMC Birthday Ball

2008, 2009 (sorry no entry...2wks post wedding/move!), 2010, 2011... I can't believe this was my 5th Ball! Like last year the ball was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, however we were in the Coral Ball Room instead of the Ali'i Tower. Quinn was in the Sword Cordon so we actually had to be in Waikiki at 11am for the first practice... so I did what any loving wife would do... hit the beach! I met up with the guys for lunch, we got our hotel room, then Quinn went back for the final dress rehearsal while I soaked up a few more rays before getting ready.

Once the dancing had ended off came my shoes and we took a leisurely stroll along the beach back to our hotel. It was a great night, I always love dressing up and seeing everyone.

Friday morning we packed up, checked out of our room, walked to "The Cream Pot" for brunch, then hung out on the beach with Adrien & Billy before heading back home.

Halloween Potluck

 
I knew I wanted to hand out candy, I love seeing all the kiddos costumes, so I decided to throw a potluck for anyone that wanted to chill. We got lucky and the neighbors that we share our wall/driveway with decided to do the same thing, only they had a projector that they played halloween movies on their sheet covered garage door all night long! Trick-or-treaters came and went, we enjoyed good food, friends, and conversation. After trick-or-treating hours were over (6-9pm) we settled in for a fun game of Cranium! A memorable halloween for sure.

When Moku wasn't doubling as my "panda baby" he was swooping through the party as Super Pig!