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.