thanksgiving favorites

I'm in love with this turkey brine. I've been trying to get to Williams Sonoma to pick some of this up, hopefully tonight. I read about it on Pioneer Woman Cooks. It's a little pricey, but I thought it was worth it. I used it last year for our early Thanksgiving, it was GREAT. We celebrated early because the missionary left on November 14th.

Yep- it's almost been a year... amazing, I know.

He was transferred this week to a little island on the coast of Chile called Chiloe. He said he was taking an airplane & a boat to get there. After seeing Ancud, Chile on my reader's map below, I googled it. It's a city on the island & boy is it a beautiful place!

I'm guessing... he's obviously been here?!

As my family grows & moves away...

I'm thankful for blogging- for that connection to home from anywhere in the world.

Yesterday I sent him a package with this in it.

I hope he introduces some Chileans to pumpkin pie!

I don't think they have pumpkin pie in Chile,

Do You?

they were here!

Okay- look what was in my inbox last night!!!!

a very sweet message from a very sweet Chilean family who celebrated the missionary's birthday with him. Yep they were here- my site meter confirms it.

(I knew he would somehow read his birthday post.)Looks like he is doing great & had a fun birthday! I am so- I can't explain it- Just thrilled beyond words to see that he looks great. I can tell he is happy :) Happy children= happy mom.
Now this pink hat.... I'm sure there's a story to go along with that?
Thanks for making my day/week!

Long Morning

After waiting all morning...

Finally the missionary called!

Yes- Brian left for Chile today. We let the kids stay home from school knowing he would call as soon as he could from the airport. Everyone got ready, put their backpacks by the door & waited. That is until we remembered Chloe's science project was due this morning! What in the world, we did it again! We frantically printed off all the papers she needed & glued them to the board etc. Again, everything was done Saturday we just didn't put the board together. So we ran around with glue sticks, paper & pictures of Chloe & her project. We got it done & sat...

He called around 10:30 & he sounded absolutely fantastic! He was so so excited to be there ready to go. His flight left at 11:50 so we had quite a bit of time to talk, plus he is calling again from Atlanta where he has a 4 hour lay over. Next he is off to Chile. He arrives in Santiago first then goes to Osorno from there. He should get to Osorno 3:30 PM tomorrow, Utah time.

I am so thrilled for him. And... no I didn't cry. He is doing great- I am so proud of him.

Okay, now I'm crying