Tejano Christmas

Wikipedia says: "The huapango is the name of a Mexican musical style and the accompanying lively dance of Spanish origin that is especially popular in the lands along the Gulf of Mexico." Well, that's us! Click on the video to see a clip we took at Brian's work party. You'll notice that the dance is really only authentic with either a Corona or Jose Cuervo in your hand. It's actually pretty cool to see some of these vaquero's dance with their boots, tight jeans, and cowboy hats. You guys really missed out. Sorry. But seriously, I'm experiencing first hand a part of border culture I only read about in literature courses at BYU (shout out to Gloria Cronin, PhD).

Moving on... Our tiny chapel is located in a tiny town called Hidalgo (I need to post more about our ward/building later). Apparently there is some huge Tejano singer from Hidalgo (it's their claim to Latino fame). Every year this singer and Hidalgo put on a huge Christmas lights display and our chapel is right next to City Hall. So our ward set up a live Nativity scene and Creche exhibit. The missionaries got like a hundred referrals from the three nights we participated. One of nights the Wheelers played Joseph and Mary. Apparently people were so overwhelmed by the scene that one woman took the fake baby out of Shanna's hands and placed her child on Shanna's lap and took a picture. Others present saw this and misunderstood that the live Nativity would be posing for pictures. Kinda like Santa. So they gathered around and posed with a bewildered Shanna and Brandon, et. al, until Sister Hamilton intervened and explained to visitors the reverence of the moment. Unfortunately I do not have pictures of our Nativity (apologies), but the following pictures pretty much wrap up our Tejano Christmas experience. Feliz Navidad!

There are like a million spanish radio and television stations down here. Of course.


Mike Fincke is an Astronaut who is from this area. So I guess that's another claim to fame. So we totally support the "Viva Mike" campaign.

So that about sums it up. And yes, that is the Pope on the left (on the shrine) and no, it is not the current Pope, and no, I do not know why it isn't the current Pope. Bri would like me to clarify that the picture above is not part of our live Nativity. In case you were wondering. And neither is the one above that. For the record. Or any of these. Including the huapango. Si, pero Viva Mike!

White Elephants!

For Christmas Eve we attended the Wheeler's White Elephant Party. Actually, we went for Shanna's Eggplant Parmesean (it's called something really fancy in Italian but I don't remember it). Both Shanna and Brandon served their missions in Roma (Italy, not Texas). So needless to say, Shanna's Italian Dinner totally rocked. Brandon says she only makes it once a year so we felt very honored to be invited. Also in attendance: The Wheelers (of course), Wolfleys, Chandlers, Brandon's Dad, and the Wheeler's friend Tammi. The Sister Missionaries bailed early, so we won't count them. All very fun people to be with. So our spoils for the evening included: a yo-yo, a princess diary, an electric whoopie cushion, toy handcuffs, and a home pregnancy test. All very practical gifts. Michelle was lucky enough to earn a toilet seat and Cameron took home a jock strap. I can't remember some of the others. I think Emily Chandler took home the coolest prize: a sweet kitty cat computer mouse pad I purchased for $2...very, very classy. She better use it.

Trading White Elephant gifts reminded me of those Hotel California parties we had and how one year Jamie and Carl wrapped up Madsen's clothes and when people opened the gifts, Madsen was like... "Hey, that's my shirt!" Or when Carlos' date picked the plain-looking gift wrapped in an inconspicuous white shopping bag and when she opened it she was horrified to find a fresh crab from the sea food counter. And for a moment we all thought she said it was a "crap" and I thought to myself, now that is a white elephant gift that will go down in infamy. I also thought (I'm embarrassed to say), "Why didn't I think of that?" For future reference... please still invite me to your parties, I will bring no such gift.

So, thanks Wheelers for having faith in us to behave like civilized people for your party. We had such a great time!

White Christmas...sort of

Every year our community trucks in tons of "snow" so the kids can have a white Christmas. In theory, it's a really cool idea. They have hot cocoa, caroling, a train ride, and Santa. In execution, the night goes very differently than you'd think. The snow is really just like shaved ice and all the kids get so wild about the idea of snow that they go CRAZY. It seriously turns into a mosh pit and little kids can get trampled. And it all turns into a sloppy glop of mud. So we let the kids play in it before it gets too out of hand. You can see in this photo that the novelty of snow has well worn off for Santi.

Our pals Darci and Chloe who live up the street. Aren't they sooo cute. Look at Marin's shirt... she looks like she romped around in a pig sty.

And then there's the train. So the thing about border life is that there is rarely order to things and rarely does anyone adhere even remotely to the idea of a line. Everyone just rushes to whatever it is you're waiting for or just casually steps in front of you. I'm not sure why this is but last year we gave up after waiting for THIS train for like an hour (seriously, THIS train?). Look how stoked the girls are to be able to finally squeeze on. And check out the driver. He's my favorite. Doesn't he just glow with Christmas spirit to be driving Santa's train. It's just too much. I wonder if we'll have a White Christmas next year. One thing's for sure, this whole experience has me thinking an entirely different scene when I hear old Bing croon that Christmas classic.

Happy Birthday KMQ Ellis!

I am sooooo glad I found these pictures in time to wish you a proper Happy Birthday. Phew! So many memories and so little time and blogging space but here goes:

Thanks for enrolling in Laura Hamblin's creative writing class so we could meet and begin this beautiful thing we call friendship. And thanks for pressuring me to go to Camp Blodgett so it is always "my home away from home." And that Pizza Bob milkshake...yummy. M2 was such a magical time but looking through these pictures seriously had me on the floor. Thank goodness for Holly Robb and her dress-up box! And for Paqui always buying Candi toys the we could play with on the 9ft couch like the "Big Ole Ball." And what would we have done without Alyson? She tried her best to slipcover that ugly couch. Of course I'll never forget our weekly lunch dates in the Cougareat with Pleasantly Brandi so we could furiously scrawl out a poem right before class just to be met with Susan Howe's disappointed and yet quizzical look. Could we seriously be devoting entire poems to a donut and your booty? And I'm glad you didn't go out with that guy from that class even though he was sensitive to the humanities because Abram is for sure the man for you. And on that note, a little bonus for your birthday...

People in the newsroom who are next to get their butts kicked by Abram because they had a crush on Kristin (in order of the severity of the crush):

1. Swanny
2. Dusty
3. Alan
4. Jodi Dreher
5. My cousin David
6. Anyone who read the Zoom article, "Kristin Quinn on the Ball"
7. Probaby Grant, but I'm not sure

You really are the best! Everyone who knows you, loves you. Because afterall (in your own words), "I'm Kristin Quinn!" Have a great birthday!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Granny and Grandpa! And just think that it all started 57 years ago and after they were married, Grandpa treated Granny to McDonald's where they split a cheeseburger.
Two of my favorite stories from Granny and Grandpa's early years of marriage are the breadmaking story and the bean story.
So when Grandpa was based at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA he brought home a huge bulk ration of baker's yeast. He thought Granny would like to try and make homemade bread for the first time. She prepared a recipe for rolls and when the recipe called for a package of yeast, instead of adding a tablespoon, she added the entire package of yeast. She set it to rise in the oven, which is exactly what it did. By the time Grandpa came home, the dough had risen so much that the oven door was plopped open. They decided they couldn't salvage the dough and took it to the trash outside. While they were sleeping that night, they awoke to the sound of the metal trash can lid crashing to the ground. They laughed knowing the dough had risen so much that it toppled the lid.
The other story is when Granny had bought a beautiful pair of high heels. Now Granny loves shoes and she was known to wear quite the sexy heel. She loved this pair so much but they pinched her toes a little. Grandpa said he would take care of it and stretch them for her. His method of choice was to pack the toe of the high heel with pinto beans and then add water knowing the beans would absorb water and expand. They did expand but unfortunately the shoe took on the shape of each bean and Granny's high heels took on a bumpy texture at the toe.
I'm so grateful for you Granny and Grandpa and for the love you've shown me and my family. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary and I hope you celebrate in style. (Maybe you won't have to split a cheeseburger!)
We Love You!

Fa la la la la...!

Monday was our 5th annual Christmas Caroling FHE. Our little caroling tradition has been lifted out of obscurity since moving to Tejas. There is no shortage of talent in this group of child stars. The kids have such a blast. The first year we went caroling, our neighbors had no idea what in the heck we were doing or what we wanted. Apparently there aren't too many a caroling throng strolling about South Texas. A lot of them thought we were out for donations. So that was awkward. They were probably like, "los mormones, 'tan locos!" So this year, I think they've gotten the idea. More people are willing to open their doors. Except one, well they opened it and then they closed it as the kids were singing. They're new to the states and probably just a little freaked out at this goup of little kids yelling, I mean singing "Jingle Bells." They can't hide, we'll get 'em next year. We tried our best, there's no shame in that.

After singing Jingle Bells several times in a row, and a try at "Rudolph" (now this is a really long song if you hadn't noticed), the kids tried their hand at "We wish you a Merry Christmas" which I think was on a loop because they sang just the chorus like 3 or 4 times before I caught on and cut them off with, "OK, Merry Christmas! Bye-bye!" It was sooo cute.

And here's Jacob Sullivan. The Sullivans came with us last year and graced us with their presence again the other night. Phew! They totally boost our numbers with their four kids. We also had the Garmendia's four girls (ADORABLE!), the 3 Moss boys (LOVE 'EM), and the veteran Lindsey girls (Kaitlyn came prepared with a red nose and antlers). We wrapped the night all up with cookies and cocoa at our house.

Allow me to wax cheesy for a second... The sun set and the night was just chilly enough for hot cocoa (this is a big deal and rare for Tejas). I thought, hey this might work. Everyone seemed to show up at the same time. Bri opened the door to some of the greatest people I know, and they were bringing plates of treats and had such joy and excitement on their faces. And for a second I stopped at the end of the hall and just watched them come in greeting each other with familiar smiles and laughter. I thought, this is Christmas. I am so grateful for people who help fill my life with meaning. There is just so much happiness to be found in this world. I'm glad I have friends and family who continually remind me of that.

Life's a Beach

Do you remember those ridiculous T-shirts with the lame sayings like this post? Anyway, we went to South Padre Island for the day last week. It was a much needed break from Rio Grande Valley life (I'll explain later. Really, I will). We're grateful to have a beach in close proximity, even if it isn't the Pacific. The Gulf doesn't hold a candle but the water is quite warm and South Padre is one of the best places in the country for kite boarding. I had hoped to buy Bri a practice kite as a Christmas present, but no luck. The shop was closed when we got there. Even though it was crazy windy, the kids were so happy to be on the sand again after such a long time. Abram was a first timer and insisted that sand was created for the distinct purpose of going into his mouth as well as all sorts of nooks and crannies. Especially the crannies. With tithing settlement season upon us, it was great to have Bri all to ourselves for a while. So it's nice to know that when life's a beach, you can just go to the beach.

As a side note to our pleasant trip to the beach... Let me first preface this addition with the fact that I feel an unfounded need to call people by weird names. For example, I still call my husband of almost ten years by his first and last name (Brett Stott never approved of this formality). I also like to make up nicknames for people (Santi Belafonti, Shanna Montana, Rinner the Winner, Santi Sue Missy Moo Goo Gai Pan...whatever). I also like to tease Brian with whatever he's into at the time by calling him (what I think) is a clever name. As an avid reader of Hugh Nibley, I call him a Niblet. It's funny in my mind. Let me also preface that neither Brian nor I appreciate or condone the use of racial or cultural epithets. To summarize, dumb funny rhyming names that lovingly tease people = funny. Racial or cultural slurs = not funny. (That's a lot to preface.)

So the plot unfolds like this... After our visit to the beach, we stopped at Walmart for something on the way home. We were in a little bit of a hurry so we decided to split up. So I'm done with my stuff and looking for the rest of my family. They're all standing in front of a big screen TV watching episodes of Mr. Bean. Nothing tickles the girls' funny bone more than an episode of Mr. Bean's hilarious antics, which I fully support, but this is not the time. After asking everyone to part from Mr. Bean about three times, I notice my husband has not heard me or isn't listening. So from down the aisle I figure I'll get his attention by teasing him and saying in a loud voice, "COME ON BEANERS, LET'S GOOO!" You are aware that we live in a border town in South Texas? I just about died as the words left my mouth. Fortunately we were on South Padre or I may not have lived to retell the gruesome tale. Beaners in my mind at the moment were people who were currently watching Mr. Bean on a big screen in Walmart. I mean, some of my best friends are Mexican, like my mom, you know, my whole family. So it just goes to show that you can't be too careful. Viva La Raza!

Happy Birthday Otter Pops!

Congrats Autumn! Sorry so late, my Mom didn't remind me. You are a big 5-year-old now. Did you know that you are as old as Santi?what a big girl you are ! I love you soooooooo much. I hope that you can come around New Year's. Feliz Navidad, Joex Noel, Merry Christmas! I miss you sooooooooo much!
Love, Marin

Christmas Happenings

This year I bought an advent calendar. I always wanted one of these little houses when I was a girl. It's really fun for the kids to open a door every night and find a prize and an activity for us to do together. I'm stoked because I used ideas from advent calendars published in the Friend magazine over the years. Easy. Judging by Marin's comment about the calendar house, I think the kids really enjoy it. "Mom, you know everyone dies. You know this. Well, when you die, can I have the calendar house for my own family?" What better compliment could I have asked for?

One night we took the girls for a McDonald's hot fudge sundae and drove around our community to see Christmas lights and decorations. They had so much fun. I still haven't ventured to see what the back seat looks like. Abram was asleep the whole time (you can barely see him in the bottom of the photo above), so it was a silent night, almost. We were able to hear each other's comments about the lights without Abram's signature screeching.

Santi had to decorate a christmas tree for homework. So we decided to get crafty and we all made christmas projects. Talk about crafts of christmas past, Brian decided to make the paper plate wreath with green tissue paper. Classic. He thought it was splendid until I decided to take the picture above. He should be proud of his geekiness. You know, own it.

Abram Throws Up...on ME!

Look, I know every mother has been spit up on at some point, just hear me out.

So here's how it all went down: Brian is just finishing up feeding Abram. I'm sitting at the computer, minding my own business, my OWN business. I'm not sure why Brian thought it was a terrific idea to put Abram into an airplane position and come up behind me and read over my shoulder. But he did and as soon as Abram locked his target...splat, right on my head and down my back. (I felt like I was just slimed by Marc Summers on Double Dare.) They really are the gruesome twosome. Fortuantely, I was reading Shauri's blog at the time and quickly recovered when I read her latest post, "Texting = Good Communication," which was entirely too hilarious that I couldn't be upset about puke. So, thanks Shauri for keeping the peace in our home. YGFL.