Birthday, Books & Thanksgiving

We joyously celebrated Matt's 30th birthday this month! Michael and I suprised him by decorating his cubicle at school. He came home early and we enjoyed a lovely walk in Memorial Park and had an early yummy dinner at a Thai food resteraunt. And before he got his last present that night, he had to find 30 hidden kisses, each with an attached reason why I love him. (Thank you Megan for the great idea!)

Thirty Things I Love About Matt

1. I love your sense of humor.
2. I love you because you bring me flowers “just because”.
3. I love hearing you make Michael laugh.
4. I love to sing with you.
5. You’re the world’s best fajita maker.
6. I love you because you don’t mind leftovers.
7. I love you because you do your home teaching faithfully.
8. I love that you take out the trash without being asked.
9. I love that you make the bed every morning.
10. I love you because you keep up with my car maintenance.
11. I love your gift for poetry.
12. I love learning new things with you.
13. I love you because you help with the dishes.
14. I love your dedication to providing for our family.
15. I love your puns!
16. I love your buns!
17. I love your manly physique!
18. I love your beautiful brown eyes.
19. I love you for serving others.
20. I love that you never criticize me.
21. Your mathematical mind amazes me.
22. You’re a handy-dandy handy man.
23. I love going on "adventures" with you.
24. I love our long walks in parks together.
25. You’re a totally suave dresser.
26. I love your musical taste.
27. You’re my personal computer genius.
28. I love it that you don’t mind giving me pedicures.
29. I love your back massages.
30. I love you for being you!

We spent Thanksgiving this year with my family. As always, my mom out-did herself with tons of delectible dishes, but the best part, of course, was being with each other. With all of the extended family driving and flying in, we had over 40 people there for dinner! We were especially excited that Matt's family drove up for the occasion. (I meant to get pictures of all of the food. --All of the kitchen counters were packed, not to mention the dessert tables (yes, that's plural!)

One exciting event: Michael had his first "major" accident at Nana's Thanksgiving night. I had laid him on the bed to change his diaper and turned for a quarter of a second to get the diaper. Before I could grab him, he was off the other side. He hit his head pretty hard on the bedside table and it swelled into this ugly purple bump. But by the next day, it had gone down considerably (as the picture attests) and now it's almost completely healed. (Thank you to all the other mothers present who reminded me that 1) falling off the bed is a right of passage for all young children and 2) I am not a bad mother for letting it happen.)

Friday morning, we headed down to San Antonio to spend a day with Matt's family, and Matt & I were able to slip away to attend the temple there. Michael had a blast playing with Grandma and Aunt Sarah and chasing around Aunt Rachel's two cats.





We came back to Houston Saturday and life is pretty much back to normal. Matt is bearing down even harder as finals begin next week. I know he'll do great, but he's understandably stressed.


I put up our Christmas decorations on Monday and Michael is fascinated with the Christmas tree. We walled it off in a corner with furniture and boxes, but he can just reach a few of the branches. It's enough to keep him satisfied, for now.


Within the past few weeks, Michael has started "cruising" along furniture and today he even held his balance standing up for 5 seconds! I'm assuming he's going to be walking by Christmas, so Nana and Rachel: consider this your warning for the beloved pets in your lives! We also discovered upon our return that Michael's top teeth are coming in. One has poked through completely, and the other isn't far behind. He is turning into a pro-eater and, while he doesn't always enjoy eating new foods, he certainly loves playing with them!


Michael has also developed a passion for reading! Several weeks ago, he started turning the pages to books as I read to him. And when we get to the end, he immediately flips it back to the beginning and we have to start all over. Now, he's even bringing books to me. If I don't notice right away, he gives a little whimper until I pick him up and start reading to him. As you can see from the picture, this past week, he's also discovered the fun of pulling all of the books off the book shelf in his room.

Last thing: Stacie and Tina, as promised, here is the recipe for Vern's Sugar and Spice cookies. Enjoy!

Sugar & Spice Cookies

3/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. sorghum or molasses
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
3/4 tsp. ginger.

Cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the egg and molasses. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Roll into small balls and dip in Turbinado sugar. Bake for 10 mins. at 350 degrees.