Happy Birthday Logan

So today you turned one. I spent a lot of time in your room, holding your blanky to my chest, wishing with all my heart it was you I was holding. I feel that your blanky is the only thing I have that was truly yours. I can't believe its already been 4 months since you've been gone. My heart aches, my arms physically ache wanting to be able to hold you and can't. I can't wait for the day when I can hold you in my arms again. I miss you. I miss your smile. I miss playing peek a boo with you right before bed. You would put your blanky over your head, and then push it away with a laugh and beautiful smile. I wish with everything that I am that my last memory of you wasn't crying before bedtime. I wish I would have just let you fall asleep in my arms instead of crying in the crib. I know it was just a few moments of tears, but I didn't know it would be your last bedtime. How I wish I knew.

I visited your grave today and put flowers on it. The flowers were actually from your Uncle Ben and Aunt Shannon. It looked nice. It felt good to go even though it was really hard. Thoughts keep coming-would you have taken your first steps by now? Would you be able to say mama? Would you have more hair? Would you be getting into everything and driving me crazy? (Probably not as much as Afton did.) :) The thoughts today of you hurt, but its not like that always. I can usually remember you with love and happiness that I had you for eight months of my life. I can't help being selfish and wishing for more. I remember the joy I felt watching you learn to do new things. I remember the first day you laughed, the first day you smiled. I remember the first day you rolled over. You were a joy to spend time with. I know I have you for eternity, and sometimes that knowledge helps. Sometimes it doesn't. But overall, I would have to say I am thankful for the temple and the plan of salvation. I am thankful that you are mine always and hope that one day, if I am strong and good enough, I will be able to see you and be with you again. I wish eternity didn't seem so far away. Who knows, maybe it isn't. I love and miss you.

Mom

Birthday Surprise

So, I come home from mutual and find this.




Totally awesome. obviously. In case you can't tell, my door is completely wrapped with christmas wrapping paper, and there are 4 HUGE boxes on my doorstep. They completely cover the doorway. There is also a note saying "Merry Christmas - Happy Birthday. Instructions: Find the eight presents inside. Have fun!" Imagine my glee. How fun is it opening presents! There were boxes upon boxes to open-lots of smaller boxes inside the larger ones! It was the best thing ever! My whole living room-covered in boxes! The best part (2 things, actually)- 1. I got 3 unmatched socks. YAHOO!! I mean, I LOVE socks, and the fact that they don't match is terrific, the very best, wonderful, amazing..... It's good to be known so well. I got some other things that are cool like a slinky and pez, but the socks were over the top!

2. I now have boxes to ship Christmas presents! Hooray!!


Anyways, I just want to say thanks to my mystery door decorators, but have no fear, I have a few guesses on who you are! :0)

Afton and Santa

Thanksgiving 2010

So we actually cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in years at our place. It was kind of fun, especially since Joe did most of the cooking. We had some good friends over. We didn't actually eat the Thanksgiving dinner until 7 that night, which is by the far the latest we have ever eaten on Thanksgiving. Pro- the actual cooking isn't stressful since you have all day to make it. We just snacked on crackers, veggie tray, and this amazing spinach/artichoke dip all day. (Afton ate all the ranch dip herself unfortunately.) Con- You can't each as much pie since your stomach doesn't have as much time to settle, which is really sad since we had some amazing pies. I have to say 8 pies for 5 adults and 3 kids is a pretty dang good ratio!

Afton had a blast playing with Toby. All the food tasted amazing and came out well minus the sweet potato pie soup. Still not sure what happened there, but the turkey was the best I've ever had although it is my philosophy that you really can't screw up turkey. If its overcooked and dry, you just add more gravy and you're good to go. :0) Anyways, the turkey only took an hour and a half to cook (it was only a 10 lb-er,) but it was really juicy and tender, even the white meat. And Joe made this awesome stuffing with sausage. I don't even like stuffing, but this stuff was fantastic. The sweet potato pie tasted good as well, just soupy. We even made frog eye salad but completely forgot about it and left it in the fridge. Oops.

Overall it was a good thanksgiving. A little hard without Logan, but then I think most of the holidays will be. Anyways, I am thankful for all of my family and friends-they're great.

The New and Improved Afton Fashion

Thangiving Pie Plan 2010

Last year, I explained my 1PPP plan. This year, Thanksgiving is just going to be us and our friends the Cramers. It looks like we're going to exceed my ratio.

We're making an apple pie, pineapple pie, tollhouse pie, and a pumpkin cheesecake. The Cramers are making the pumpkin pie and a banana cream pie.

That's 6 pies (cheese cake is a custard pie, for 4 adults and Afton and her 'boyfriend' Toby. I am happy.

The rest of the menu consists of turkey that I'm making, stuffing (I'm making.. it's experimental.), gravy, frog eye salad, Mrs. Wood's sweet potato casserole, green beans, rolls, and mashed potatoes.

All Hallow's Eve, and Grandma!

It is most definitely fall here in Northern Virginia. Leaves are changing colors, nights (and days, now) are getting colder, and political campaigning has peaked.

That means it's time for: Halloween!
Yes, there's the picture everybody wants to see: Minnie Afton Scoresby. She even left the headband on for 2 more seconds after the picture.

Although the cuteness is undeniable, Afton didn't win any prizes at the ward party. Perhaps because she wouldn't leave the headband on.

For actual trick-or-treating, though, Afton wore her cat costume, because it got cold. (in the 40s) and that costume is much warmer.





















Mom brought the Minnie skirt when she came to visit, and brought crafting-ness inspiration for Tracy. Normally, I'm the creative one in the kitchen, but I can claim zero credit for this:















I can, and will, clam credit for this, though:


And a few more random pictures, just for fun: