My Boy Will Be Home This Year

In December, we marked the one-year mark since Kamiko left for his mission in Chile. Paperwork indicates he'll be home before Thanksgiving. He's working hard and making good friends. I'm so happy he's serving. I think he is, too. When he left, a bunch of boys his age left at the same time. He has mentioned that some have come home already and he's glad he's sticking it out. He's helping others and becoming a better person himself. I love this kid and look forward to his return to the nest. I'm sure it will be temporary, but I'll take what I can get.

The following, written home this week, illustrates why I love this kid and how he's changing:

"SET YOUR NEW YEARS GOALS AND WRITE THEM DOWN!!! hahahahah if i had a dollar for every time i've started doing something that my dad has always told me to do during my mission i swear i'd have millions of dollars...i'm starting to realize that maybe we should listen to our parents hahahaha, like i feel so dumb for never realizing that before, but our parents always know what's best for us :)."

At baptism of youth he had taught with Elder Porter

Christmas present...a ukulele...maybe this will get him transferred to Easter Island

An early baptism. Eli. With Elder Call in Quilicura

Meant to meet each other. BFF's. Elder Porter

Runs into Elder Tornow, friend from MTC, serving in Santiago South

First area with Elder Call and ward mission leader

With Sebastian Leal. A family that Kamiko really loved and they loved him.

Elder Ellis, in same district in Quilicura

Another run-in with Tornow

With youth of Estralla Sur ward. Fena, in front, heads on his mission to Concepcion soon.

Lovely's baptism with Elder Tibbitts

Service project with Tibbitts

Where it all began...MTC with Melander, Tornow and Richards and others

He plays soccer pretty well for a Gringo. Alas, soccer was banned by the president. Too many injuries. So, they play American football instead.

Porter, Fena and Adcock

During his fat days in Pudahuel. They called him Elder BBQ. He ate all the time and gained about 25 lbs.

Christmas Decorations

The house looked like Christmas and made me smile. Since Thanksgiving was late this year, I didn't tire of the Christmas decorations like I do when they go up earlier in November.

I love my cute tall, skinny tree. He's perfect for his little corner.

May incorporate this one next year.

See my cute Bolivian nativity set (top shelf) that Pete Nebeker bought for me last year in Bolivia? 

Since our traditional stocking-hanging spot was gone with the basement remodel, had to find a new place. I like it.

Allie Came Home!

We picked up Allie at the airport late on December 17th. She's still here and doesn't fly home until the 9th. It's been fun to have her here.

Allie and our new kitty, Mitty

Here are the highlights of what we've done:

1. Eaten at Cafe Rio

2. Painted bedrooms: First we painted Allie's room the same lovely grey as the rest of the basement. Allie is such a great assistant that we decided to do Mel's room. Her's is just white, with white bedding. It's quite lovely. I'm glad I can report when I go back to work that I accomplished something.

3. Bought crazy white elephant gifts: Saw this lovely and Mel got it to take to her yearbook party, which Allie attended. Allie came home with the same tacky nativity clock that's been going around for a few years. Look out next year's white elephant parties!

4. Made gingerbread houses: This year, I found a kit with 5 mini houses. Kobi, Makei, Allie, Mel and Keen and I decorated. We had a fun time. We also ate them right away and they were pretty darn good for a pre-fab house that was probably actually baked sometime last year. 

Allie's house

Mel, Allie, Makei and Kobi

Mine and Keenan's "chalet"

Mel's house...now there's attention to detail

5. Had a Hunter family Christmas party: On Sunday, the 28th, Hunters of all kinds came over. Deb and Mark, Kenna and Klint and girls, Jen and Scott and Emily, Andrew and Christian came. James and Haley were in town and announced a pregnancy! Marie and Eli were here from Chicago. Grandma and grandpa were here. We had soups, breads and desserts. It was a fun evening. Our kitty enjoyed sitting in the middle of the area rug, in the middle of it all. 

6. Celebrated Christmas: more on a dedicated post

7. Got haircuts: Allie needed a haircut. It's been a long time. We have appointments to go to BYU's studio. I may go there all the time, when I have a break on Wednesdays. Very convenient and only $20.

8. Got manicures/pedicures: Dad gave us girls gift certificates for mani/pedi's at the beauty school. It was relaxing and fun, but not the best looking jobs we've ever seen. Allie's fingernails were especially funny, but nothing a little bit of nail polish around the nail bed couldn't handle. It was fun.

9. Got a new kitty: Christmas Kitty Mitty is the big news of the Christmas vacation. Keenan walked into the house the Sunday before Christmas with a kitty that looked just like Honu. He had been left in the Murdoch's van in the church parking lot the previous week. They were caring for him, but looking for a home for him. How could we resist? He is seriously the cutest thing. He's really good. Even the vet and his assistant commented that he's "not like other cats." He's quite mellow most of the time. He loves to nuzzle us until we pet him. He also climbs up to where his Backyard Cookout treats are and tries to make his way into the bag. We really do love him.

Mel with a cat, just as she should be

Daddy and Mitt napping

Finding a new place to hide

10. Made batches of brownies from this lovely cookbook

Got this awesome cookbook from the Russells for Christmas. Wow, they've been delicious.
One pan that I made weighed 6 lbs. Lots of butter, brown sugar and multiple types of chocolates.

AND...11. were educated about Krampus

Eastern European tradition: Krampus comes with Father Christmas.
He beats bad children and takes them away.
I think I'd prefer just a lump of coal.

Hallmark Christmas Movies

I love Hallmark Christmas movies. They started this year on Halloween. They're sappy and totally predictable and that's what is so great about them.

From the wrapper of a chocolate. Will do!

I was mentioning at work that I was planning on watching one on Saturday. Every Saturday and Sunday night at 6:00, they premiere a new one for the year. Anyway, it sounded fun to everyone, so I extended the invitation. I made chili and they brought treats. A few of us enjoyed time together. The movie was not a great one. It was more geared to kids, but we had a blast anyway.

The first movie night: Ali, Erin, Annie, Becky, Jenny and me. Notice our treats.

The next week, a slightly different crowd came and I made baked potatoes with bacon, cheese, sour cream onions, chili, etc. They brought chocolate and licorice. This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend and no one was available, so just me and Jamie Wigington watched. We had a great time. She mentioned that she needed to put up her tree so the kids could decorate it when they got home from their dad's house. I went to help her after church yesterday. We ran out of lights, so I went back today while she was at work and bought lights and finished the job. She's a good friend. They just went through a divorce and I imagine the holidays are tricky, especially when you're alone and the kids are with dad. I'm glad she lets me barge in on her life.

AFHS Preference 2014

Mel asked her friend Caleb Greening to preference. It is a formal girls-choice dance. She couldn't quite find a dress she wanted, so I suggested she make her dress. That girl has a great fashion sense. We walked into the fabric store and she found the perfect brocade for a top and we found a black taffeta for the skirt. It was inspired by a design made by Kini on the show Project Runway.

We made the skirt long at first, but Mel felt a short skirt would work better with what the other girls were wearing. It was stunning with the skirt long. It was fabulous short, too. Mel pretty much made the whole thing, with me telling her what step to do next. It turned out great and it had pockets! BEST feature ever!

The master at work

It's done!

All the girls

The whole gang!

 

Mel and Caleb

My girl even got to drive because she's had her license for 6 months. My baby is not a baby anymore!

November Awesomeness!

I'm listening to Christmas music as I write this post.

I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything that leads to it!

Derek and Rachel, along with Rosie and Charlie, came to town for a couple of weeks. Hogle Zoo was free last Wednesday, so Jen met Derek, Rosie and me there. We had a fun couple of hours walking around the zoo. I didn't have work all last week. Well, I didn't have BYU work. I did go to Weight Watchers to start my training. I go back tomorrow and Wednesday.  Anyway, the zoo was fun and the weather was beautiful. It was in the 50's. Lovely! We followed the zoo with a lunch trip to Moochie's, a sandwich place in SLC. Jen and I shared a meatball sub sandwich. Rosie got spaghetti and Derek got a cold Italian sub. Delicious!

Jen treated us all to the train ride at the zoo!

"Grandma Dana" and "Grandma Jenny": Party Animals!

...because there's nothing cuter than a kid eating spaghetti!

Rose added to our "Thankful Board" that's been hanging in the house all month. She wrote Jesus and Kids. Thought those up all herself. I finished a few food items after the zoo on Wednesday. We went to mom and dad's to help them eat a lasagna. It was great. Thursday morning, we got up and walked a benefit 5K. Keenan, Derek, Rachel and I walked. Mel watched the kiddos. Once again, the weather was fabulous!

We cleaned up and headed up to Jen's. It was a pretty quiet Thanksgiving. Mel thought it was the worst one EVER. It was just Jen, Scott, Emily, Andrew, Christian, mom, dad, Derek, Rachel, Rose, Charlie, Sam (the dog), Keenan, Mel and me. Oh, and a friend of Andrew's joined us when it was obvious his family left for Thanksgiving dinner without him. I think he enjoyed Derek's antics, as we all do. Well, I don't think mom enjoys them much.

Some of us took a break from food to strike it big at Sports Authority. They give out scratch cards with values from $10-$500. Well, we all gots 10's. Keenan and I went back at 5:00 am and got 10's again. Oh well...one of these years we'll get the 500. What would I do with $500 worth of sports gear? I don't know. I guess I'd buy a lot of workout gear and shoes.

The Sports Authority gang: Emily, Mel, Keenan, Rod's friend, Rod and me!

Me and Rachel in Thanksgiving aprons. Rachel looks serious about that pizza cutter!

Mel being goofy Mel

Sammy just waiting for uncle Scott to give him some turkey...just a bite

The Adcocks (and friends) are thankful for...

My plate with the lovely bread made by Rachel and salad made by me

On Friday, I fought with caramel syrups all day. Well, not all day, but...you know...candy...

I wanted to make homemade caramels to sent to Richard and Mo Russell and to Keen's family. It took 5 batches to get 2 that were worthy of gift giving. The others were too hard and would require a serious dental disclaimer. I finally got it right. I got packages ready to send off, including a package of JUST CANDY for Kamiko. He just wants candy right now.

We got a package in the mail from the Russells that included a fabulous cookbook and an apron they won in their ward cookbook. They signed it for me. I wore it as I made their caramels.

One is in the oven right now. 49 to go...