Oh Christmas Tree

We actually got our tree a bit late this year. We were going to be gone the week before Christmas a figured that it may need some water within that time, so we thought we would wait. But in the end, a really great sale at Fred Meyer won out over a week of being gone, and we went and got our tree two weeks before Christmas. Yes, we did get it at Freddies....I know I know, we live in Snoqualmie Wa where the trees are very beautiful and abundant, and we got our tree at Fred Meyer. :) Call it convenience for someone with two crazy running boys. :)

Dylan standing in front of the tree making his "cheese" face :)

The boys helping Daddy with the lights

Mr. Lucas

Mr. Dylan

The whole family in front of the finished product :)

Christmas Card

We have decided not to send out an official Christmas card this year, but we as a family still would like to wish you all a beautiful and merry Christmas, and would like to share a few little cards here instead. Thank you all for your examples and love. We hope that you all enjoy this wonderful season and remember our Savior whom we are celebrating. Merry Christmas!!

-Erin, Teage, Dylan, and Lucas

Amazing Lights

If any of you would like to go see an amazing show of lights this year, I highly recommend going to see my father's crazy house of lights. :) For almost 10 years now my Dad has been putting up upwards of 60,000 lights on his property, and having a blast the entire time. When I was younger, my Dad and I would get up at 4am every day after Christmas and buy as many lights as possible during the half off sales. Then when I got married, Dad was so excited to finally have a son-in-law to help him with all of the "high ones". :) The whole family has pitched in the past couple years and everyone is very proud of the light display fully equiped with Candy Cane Lane, a pond with drinking deer, and a gigantic snowball with snow falling. If you are interested in seeing the house, his address is:

2509 227th Pl NE in Sammamish (up on the Sammamish Plateau)

If you do come, please remember to bring some canned goods as well, as there is a basket for the food bank in the driveway. Merry Christmas everyone!

Moms for Twilight

I have been waiting for the new Twilight movie to come out for quite some time now. I know it sounds a little obsessive especially for a 20-something year old mother, but I just couldn't wait to see it depicted on the big screen. So on opening day a whole bunch of my friends from Snoqualmie (all my age and moms) and I went to the movie theater together to experience what is "Twilight the movie". And I am not sorry to say, that I saw it the next day as well with a group of friends from Bellingham. Yes, twice in one weekend. I have not been able to do that in about 3 years.....what a lovely weekend it was!

Truthfully, I was pretty disappointed after watching it on Friday, but it was my own fault. I was comparing it to the book the entire time and critiquing characters pretty severely. I was annoyed that they left out so much of what I felt made the book such a unique and intriguing piece of work. I left the theater feeling a little betrayed. The second day I tried very hard to separate the movie from the book and enjoy it as a movie in and of itself. And I am happy to say that I did like it much more that time. Yes there are a few very cheesy scenes and some corny special effects... but for what the director had to work with money wise, I think she did a pretty good job. I still feel that it could have been better, but in the end I am very grateful to have seen it at all. And I was so thrilled to have been able to experience Twilight with a bunch of mothers and friends my age, who were just as excited as I was. Thanks everyone for a wonderful time!!

This is our big group from Friday night...I think we were the oldest ones in the theater! Don't we look excited? :)

But I love you brother!

This was the scene in our house a few days ago when Dylan all of a sudden decided that his brother really needed a hug....hilarious!!! I could hardly capture it because I was laughing so hard! Poor Lucas didn't stand a chance!

Love you forever Jesse...

For the last three years, Thanksgiving Day has always been very tough, and they will be for the rest of my life. Three years ago on Thanksgiving Day, my older brother, Jesse, passed away in a car accident. I miss him so much. Although it's been three years since his passing, not a day goes by that I don't think of him. As many of you know, my family means the world to me. My siblings are my best friends and I would do anything for them. But one thing that I cannot do is bring him back. What I wouldn't give to be able to spend one more day with him.

I've always envied Jesse for many things. When we were little, Jesse, Brett and I would play basketball out in our driveway. Jesse would always beat Brett and I, and I hated that! I was determined to beat him. I know I got my competitive drive from those many games in our driveway He was meticulous in everything he did. His room was the cleanest, he dressed the sharpest, and always cared for those around him. People wanted to be around him all the time because he had a way of making you feel good about yourself. I looked up to him in so many aspects and wanted to impress him with everything that I did.

I'm so glad that I have so many great memories with my older brother. He helped me through so much, and even though he's not here with me, I still strive to impress him, to make him happy. It still hurts so much to think that he's gone. Even after three years, the pain is still there and it will always be. I feel that when you love somebody so much, it will always be there.

Thanksgiving Day will always be one in which I reflect on Jesse and what he continues to do for me. I love spending time with family, but there is one that will always be missing. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan and for the peace that He brings to my life. Families are forever and I know that one day I will get to be with my brother Jesse.

To all of you that read this, I challenge you to tell those that are closest to you how much you love them! I didn't have the chance to tell Jesse before he left us, and I regret not making a phone call to let him know. Do not wait!

Jesse, I love and miss you, but know that I will see you soon. Thank you for your continued example that you are to me, and for your visits in my dreams! Know that I will always look up to you, and hope that you are looking down on me with pride, happiness and love. Te quiero hermano!

Us boys in Hawaii.

Jesse and I surfing off the Oregon coast, summer, 2000.

Family campout, summer, 2004.

Save a wave for me bro! Love ya!

I want to be like Daddy...

No secret, the boys ADORE their father. And really...who wouldn't? :) Every opportunity they have they try to copy Daddy at whatever it is that he is up to at the moment. From answering his cell phone, to typing on his computer, or putting on his shoes. They love following Daddy around and mimicking his every action. I am not sure if Teage realizes how much his boys adore him, but it sure is true.

The other day Lucas got into Daddy's sock drawer and pulled out a pair of his gym socks. He came right over and handed them to me and wanted to get up on my lap so I could put the socks on his feet. So of course after Lucas had a pair of Daddy's socks on, Dylan could not be outdone. He went right over and grabbed a pair of his own. This was our end result which I just had to capture...they were having a great time!

Notice that Lucas also has his Daddy's toothbrush as well....

Happy Veterans Day

Today we celebrate and honor those who have served our country...those who have fought honorably and selflessly to protect our lives and freedom. I think that Veterans Day is often overlooked...just another day we get off of school or work. But today Teage and I tried to make it a bit more than that, and really look back and honor those of our family members who have valiantly served.

My grandfathers on my mother's and stepmother's side of the family both served in the military for quite a few years. I love hearing their stories of this particular time in their life, though I am sure it is difficult at times to share.

My Grandpa Bailey served in World War II, on an aircraft carrier for the US Navy. He was young and he was brave. Doesn't he also look handsome in his uniform? :)

My Grandpa Pfeifer served in the Korean Ward for the US Army, as well as being in the Military Police. He was also a great example of courage. I wish that I had a picture of him at this time in his life to share...

I also just wanted to take the time to say "Thank You" to all who are actively serving our country at present. Everyday we hear of the dangers that these brave young men and women have to face, and though I know they will never read this blog, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for their service to me and my family. -Erin

For me, Teage, today has always been meanigful to me. Mostly because it falls around Jesse's birthday, but even more so since I lost my Grandpa, Laie Fonoimoana in 1999. He's laid to rest in the Tahoma National Cemetary, which just happens to be about 20 minutes from our house. I find myself going there more and more often. It's probably because we don't have something like this for Jesse, and I feel his presence there too. It's been fun having lunch there, reading books, or just stopping by and talking. Today was especially fun because we brought Dylan and Lucas there to visit their "pa-pa pa-pa". They were so good! In fact, Dylan's middle name was going to be Senturi (Granpa's middle name), but I slipped and told that to my lovely sister Tawna year's ago, and she pinned that on her first-born. Love ya Tawna! But, the boys did so well, and that same peaceful spirit was there again today!

A little about my Granpda. He served in Korea and Vietnam, and also played in the NFL for the Giants! He was always so big to me (he's full Samoan), but yet was so gentle to us. Biggest hands I've ever seen too, and they hurt when you got in trouble! He had the greatest Polynesian singing voice too, and I loved to hear him sing. He was a very hard worker, and the only time I ever saw him relax was to watch football on Sunday's. But he would usually fall asleep in the recliner. All of us Grandkid's gould fight each other when he got up, because we would go into that recliner for all the change that had fallen out of his pockets! I think he did that on purpose.

I love my Grandpa Fonoi and for all of his hard work, dedication and love of family. He truly was and is an example to me of exactly that, and he will forever be remembered as someone that magnified these things to the fullest. Love ya Grandpa and miss ya tons, but know that I will see you again one day!

Happy Halloween!

Since the boys were only a few months last year around Halloween time, this was the first time that we actually got to have fun dressing them up and getting creative. :) We were fortunate enough to have two Halloween nights in a sense this year, one on the actual date of Halloween, and then one more the next night at our big ward Halloween party at church. Teage and I decided a while ago that we wanted to dress the boys up as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Suess' beloved Cat and the Hat. However, we weren't so fond of the idea of dying their hair blue two nights in a row....So, we dressed them up in their bomber jackets that Tutu and Poppi gave them for Halloween night, and then did Thing 1/Thing 2 the next night for the party.

On Halloween night, we did take them around to a few neighbor's homes to go trick-or-treating, just for the experience of it. They don't really even know what candy is yet. :) They were a little timid at first, but once they found out that they got to choose a piece of candy from a big bowl and put it in their little bucket, they were thrilled! I don't think they even cared that it was candy, they just liked to pick something out of a big bowl and take it for themselves. :) It was simply adorable to watch them.

At our church party the next night we dressed them as the wonderful Thing 1/Thing 2, with the blue hair and all. We had these little red jumpsuits that went perfectly with the concept, and just made signs for them to attach to the outfit. Everyone thought that they were hilarious...I think that the best part was that they had no clue what was going on, just that they had silly hair and got to eat chocolate. They even won "Most Original Costume" that night. :) We had a great time with our friends and ward family just having fun and showing off costumes.

Isn't that blue hair hilarious!? Here it is as the large version as well...can you tell who Thing 1 is? How about Thing 2? :)

Fun with the boys

The past few weeks I have had the opportunity to take the boys to a variety of fun activities, including the Woodland Park Zoo and some children's museums around the area. I finally feel like they are old enough where I can take them places on my own and not be extremely worried the whole time. :) With two little rascals running around who don't quite know how to mind direction, things can get a little chaotic. :) So, we have felt very fortunate to go out with some of our friends and enjoy some new experiences. Thanks Casey and Bridget!

The boys having fun at the museum in the zoo. Both of them seemed to love the blocks most of all, maybe even more than the actual animals. :)

D and L at the Factoria Children's Museum. Dylan especially is very into trucks right now. Every time he sees one he yells at the top of his lungs "tuck!!!" and seems very happy with himself that he spotted one. It is adorable.

My beautiful boys having fun at the museum.

And over to Selah...

Our second fun and exciting get-a-way was to visit our great friends the Waggoners, over in Selah (by Yakima). We love spending time with their family, and pretty much just relaxed and laughed all weekend long. Karine and I actually got to go to a movie all by ourselves (huge for me! :)), we took our families to a pumpkin patch/farm, ate like crazy, and played our favorite card games all night long. I also got the opportunity to take some family pictures of them while we were there, which was really fun. Madison is the perfect subject, the camera loves her! I couldn't think of a better vacation! Thank you Waggoner family for hosting us for a fun-filled weekend! We love you!

Our family, as well as the Waggoner family, on our hay ride around the farm! The boys weren't quite sure what to make of all of it, but we had a blast.

For some reason, Lucas decided to be the dare-devil of the weekend. Usually it is Dylan that is keeping me on my toes! Lucas went down this slide once, and then couldn't get enough. He even wanted to go down the big kids slide that was about 15 feet up! I made Teage hold his hand, but he eventually got what he wanted!

Dylan was so proud of himself after he finally was stong enough to pick up his own pumpkin!

Lucas: "MOM, help! I am trapped in a sea of pumpkins!"

Up to Bellingham

These last few weekends have been special for us, as we have been able to take two mini road trips to visit some great friends. We haven't been able to travel much since the boys were born, so to us this is huge! :) Last weekend we went "Back to Bellingham" where Teage and I went to college, and actually met there originally as well. Both of us really miss Bellingham at times. My wonderful friend and old roommate, Kim, let us stay with her for the weekend...she housed us, she fed us, she didn't get irritated when the boys woke her up early in the morning. :) We love you Kim!! The whole weekend was all about relaxing, visiting with friends, and letting the boys run around and have some fun. On Saturday I had the opportunity to take some family pictures for our good friends the Holmans, then we all went to a farm/pumpkin patch, and out to dinner with some other great friends as well. That night we went back to Kim's house and played the Wii (is that one i or two??). Anyway, it was a hilarious sight and we all laughed and had a blast. The boys actually did surprisingly well the whole weekend, to which I was thankful. They are getting much better about being away form home, so maybe I should take advantage of that more often!? :)

Our group at the farm

The boys giving each other a high five!

Dylan and Lucas with adorable Blaine

The boys were completely obsessed with these apples from the farm. I tried to get a nice picture with them, but the minute I took away the apple they started yelling at me. So, this was as good as we got. :)

Kim and I boxing each other using the Wii...we sure got a workout! :)

Twilight

My name is Erin, and I am completely obsessed with the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. There, I have said it outloud for all to hear. It's true, I can't get enough. As I stated before, I am someone who is very passionate about books and movies. And now, one of my favorite books made into a movie....how can you get any better then that? :) Here is a taste for all of you to enjoy!

Twilight HD Exclusive Trailer

Family

Just wanted my family to know how much I love them.