Thanksgiving keeps giving

Like millions of traditional American families, my husband Eric started his thanksgiving day at the crack of dawn playing football. Enjoy a little movie magic that captures all the 'turkey bowl' drama http://vimeo.com/2373865 . Special thanks to our favorite cameraman, director and editor the one and only Jared Foster.

Meanwhile at the Phillips compound, we started working on a little magic of our own, the biggest feast of the year. The Phillips hosted 36 family members and guests, not counting the kids. Fourteen lemon meringue, pecan, and pumpkin pies lovingly made by the hands of Jane Phillips and her father Ken Taylor (FYI: a legend in the kitchen). Kelsey, Camille and I helped with a few pie shells. Naturally there were several robust turkeys. Homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce, and artichoke dip, also made by Ken Taylor. And arriving families brought everything in between.


Lt to Rt: Jane, David, Marjan, and Todd.

I made my favorite thanksgiving dish, The Famous Pam's Yams. Who's Pam? Pam is my mom. For those who plan to pass on the yams this year, I challenge you to make my moms version of yams. I am willing to bet serious money and grantee that you will now love yams. Yes love is a strong word to use in the same sentence as yams. But trust me, we don't call them 'The Famous Pam's Yams' just to be over dramatic. All whom dared to partake has echoed that title. And so in the tradition of giving I am willing to share this coveted recipe. Enjoy.

Yam Filling

1/3 c. butter (room temp.)
3 c. mashed yams (5-6 yams, peel, chop and boil)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk

Topping

1/3 c. butter ( room temp.)
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1 c. walnuts (chopped)

Don't cover. Bake for 1 hour at 350. If you are a Phillips, Taylor or a Piller you will need to add a little more sugar, butter and vanilla to yam filling and make double the topping.

From Lt to Rt: Eric, a boyfriend, Karen, Kenna, Kelly, Matthew, and Mike. MIA: the Reeds and the Cooks. We missed them and please pray for baby Bree.

Lt to Rt: Mimi holding Liberty, --------, GG Phillips, Tracey Bookes, Pam, Connor, Aunt Janet and Grandma Taylor.

One table of twelve, and three tables of eight held all of us.


Shoots from my seat. Lt to Rt: Spencer, Evelyn holding Izzy, Jessie and Eric. In the back ground, Todd, Jay, Grandpa Taylor, Kelsey.

Connor hiding in the pillows.

Phillips Family Lt to Rt top row: Todd, Wendi, Eric, Connor and Kelsey. Lt to Rt bottom row: Camille holding Brinly, David holding Joceyln and Pearce, and Jane. Sorry, no Piller Family picture. My brother, Grant and his wife, Amy couldn't make it to AZ. Next time.

Our Family. Eric, Wendi, Connor and Pearce.

My kids are pinball addicts. The only thing Pearce and Connor fight over..... turns to play.

Connor scored a record 108,890 points.

You did it Connor. You are now a pinball master.

It was a beautiful day with partly sunny, rainy skies. Picture taken at the basement level back door. In Chandler Arizona.

Taken on main level back balcony.

Taken on upper level back balcony view, over looking The Ocotillo Golf Course. Arizona is beautiful at this time of year.

Thank you to all for the good time, the good food and the good company! We are truly blessed.

Back in Arizona

Only a month home and we are packed to go again. The kids and I are headed to Arizona for three weeks. Eric will be in Washington D.C. for the first week and then will join us in Arizona for the following weeks.

Week One. We stayed at my parents, Spencer and Pam Piller's home in Chandler Arizona. It was very relaxing except for all the homework Connor had. Poor kid. It makes me wonder what they're doing during class time? Connor attends a private school that has an accelerated learning program. He is doing algebra in the fifth grade. I think that borders on cruelty. Just Kidding, he is getting a first class education. Of course I am thrilled.

Connor hard at work drawing a picture for his platypus children’s book project titled, 'Who's new at the zoo?’

Connor after too much homework! Or too much sugar?

Meanwhile, Pearce has been examining his pizza for an hour with a very large magnifying glass.


My Mom in the kitchen baking. Seriously, she should have her own bakers boutique. But I am glad she doesn't cause that means more treats for me. I think I ate at least six of her cookies a day. I love my Mom's cookies. Thanks Mom.

Pearce in time out. And the only time out he requested to relive. Maybe he was waiting for a massage?

My Dad in his man cave, I mean office looking up new toys, hobbies or places to travel. Doesn't retirement sound great. On one of the days, my Dad kidnapped me for a Daddy-daughter date. We spent the day at the golfing range. My Dad taught me how to golf again. If I can only keep my head down, I could make some real money. Then, we laughed it all off over lunch. I love Daddy-daughter dates. Thanks Dad.

The gang at the Zoo. Both my kids are big animal lovers. So this day trip was a hit.

Check out the size of those horns. Is that natural? Sorry, we don't have bulls in Hawaii. Well, at least not on my Island.

This is a little flick showing how my boys like to pass the time. If they’re not playing guys, playing sports, or playing Kung Fu wrestle mania tickle matches.




We had a great time with my folks. The only thing that would have made it better...if Eric was with us to share in the joy. But with the holidays coming the joy is just getting started.

P.S. Grant and Amy too. Miss you.

Pray for Bree

I wanted to alert everyone's attention to our cousin Kari Cook's blog. She is Eric's first maternal cousin. She just found out that her beautiful baby daughter, Bree, has cancer. Bree will be going through intense chemo over the next several months. Please visit Kari's site and pray for baby Bree. Nobody deserves something like that, but especially Kari and her family. Long before this trial, she was already an amazing example of strength and patience. But as you'll see if you read her blog, her current attitude will undoubtedly cure you of any pity parties. Her site is http://www.famofcookies.blogspot.com/. It's also listed on my fellow bloggers list to the right under "Cook."

Halloween

We started celebrating Halloween last weekend by just being ourselves. For a last minute costume, I think we did ok. But Pearce may need therapy after seeing his Dad dressed as a woman. Let's just say he was very unsettled.

Eric stood about 6'5 in those platform beauties. We both agreed Eric looked like an uglier version of Kelsey (his 19 year old sister). A really, really uglier version. Here are a few of the other young married's who participated. Good ideas for next year.

Mr. and Mrs. Palin. Accent and all. Move over SNL Tina Fay.

Hippie Chic and the bride of Frankinstin.

Frankenstien. And my favorite Juno and her cross country running boy toy. Where's your backpack dude?

The gang of young married's. Pearce happened to walk into the shot. Where's his sitter? And where is Wendi aka Eric? All in all it was a good time. Thank you to those who sweat and toiled to make our young married lives so festive.

We also went to the Tri-Ward Family Carnival Halloween party at the Tab. Eric ran a booth with a pumpkin ring toss. Meanwhile Pearce was having a two year old melt down about putting on his costume. I tried everything to get Pearce to wear it. But he was determined. I only managed to get one leg in. So Pearce went to the party costumeless. And of course this happend after I had given him a black eye....with make up. We went to the party anyway. And if anyone asked what Pearce was for halloween we explained, that he had been a Championship Boxer at one time, but now he was just an abused child. Fortunatly, Pearce was okay with wearing his costume for actual Haloween.

Boxing World Champion Pearce Phillips fights for his share of the candy.
Check out the six pack on that two year old!

Pearce had the lingo "Trick or Treat" down once he realized he would recieve candy in return. We tried to teach him to yell out " Adreane". But he was too focused on getting more candy.

Pearce was victorious and happy with his winnings! Another Halloween has come and gone. Surprisingly, not the candy. Yet.

In Hawaii

So I still have four weeks of our trip to blog. Some of the highlights that are still to come are of other parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. But of course I will still be writing about what is happening here in Hawaii too. Sorry if it's confusing.

A couple of days ago, Senator Barack Obama was here visiting his Grandma who is ill. She happens to live across the street from us. Naturally we watched the 20 police bikes parade the Obama’s in and out of our area. We later found out that Obama grew up in that very condo with his Grandparents and Mother.

Like I said before, I am always fascinated by what choices one would have to make to end up in such a circumstance as growing up in Hawaii to running for President of the US. To quench my curiosity I read Obama's Wikipedia. His bio was much too long to post. You will have to read it on your own time, here is the link. One thing I will note, he is well educated. But the funniest thing was how familiar his life was to our life now. Obama's parent came to Hawaii to study at the University of Hawaii Manoa. We also came to live in Hawaii for the same reason. Obama was born in the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu. Pearce was also born in the Kapi'olani Hospital. Obama grew up on the corner of Punahou Street and Beretania Street. We also have lived on that same corner for the past four years. Obama attended the Punahou School. The school is up the road from us. We hope that Pearce will attend there as well. It's a private school for K-12, rated in the top 10 in the nation. Therefore, not easy to get into and quite expensive. My son Pearce so far is living in the shadow of a Presidential nominee. Wow I wonder what Pearce will be in the future. No pressure Pearce! Seriously I am kidding about Pearce.

It's interesting how an ordinary life can become an extraordinary life over night. Bravo Obama.

P.S. Because I am Canadian, I am neither a republican or demarcate. Also being Canadian means I can't vote in the US. My only attachment to either candidate was formed by a personal experience I’ve had, such as my blog on POW in Vietnam and the blog you just read. I know this is a heated topic for most and it frustrates a few that I sit on the fence. But again, I can, cause I can’t vote. I just try to bring a positive view from both sides.
According to my poll "who has your vote for the next US Pres?" McCain is only winning by a one-point margin. So as our good friend Damon Zollinger would say “get your vote on!”

Goodbye Hanoi

When Eric's parents, Jane and David Phillips, arrived in Hanoi to join us for part of our travel portion of our southeast Asia trip, we were overjoyed and flattered. But it was bittersweet because it meant we had to say goodbye to Hanoi and all the friendships we had made over the last few months. A big thank you.......

... to Nam, Trang and little Y (pronounced 'ee') for inviting us over to their home for an amazing traditional Vietnamese dinner. Preparing enough food to feed a small nation. And wishing I could eat more because it was so delicious. And for taking us to experience my very first taste of snake. Two unforgettable meals, one unforgettable friendship.

.. to Chien and Tan, our favorite bride and groom. We loved being a part of your new life together. And well wishes.

........to the Hanoi branch members for making us feel so welcomed and to the missionaries for letting us be a small part of pioneering the good work.

... to Jim and Julie Ellis, the humanitarian missionaries for sharing their hair-raising adventures. We can only dream of having such an exciting life. Wink. Wink.

....to Quan the very best travel agent in the world with the best taste in Hanoi.

...to the Marchant family for play dates, dinners, books, and back healing miracles.

...to Trang for girls night out and for bringing gifts. You are a sweetie.


...to all the staff at the Intercontinental who went above and beyond to make us feel right at home, taking care of every whim down to the smallest of needs like stocking up on apple juice for Pearce.

...to the IC for allowing Pearce to tap into PBSkids.com at all hours, day or night, helping us cultivate his newest addiction.

...to the fishermen who provided hours of entertainment for Pearce.


...to our hair stylist Quy who kept us looking clean cut.

...to our favorite ladies selling fruit on the side of the road. Everyday we could always count on fresh fruit. Yum.


...and lastly to the lady at the Water Puppet show who sat in the row bellow bootlegging. Because of her we were able to endure the hour long traditional Vietnamese singing while puppets danced in water.

Each touched our life for good. And we will never forget the memories made with all of you in Hanoi. Till we meet again.

POW in Vietnam

Right in the heart of busy Hanoi lake side Truc Bach there is a small stone statue called the John McCain POW Memorial. A rough translation states"Here on 26 October 1967 at Truc Bach Lake in the capital city of Ha Noi John Sidney McCain was shot out of the sky in his A4 aircraft by local (militia?) citizens defending Yen Phu. There were 10 other planes shot down on the same day."

I am always fascinated by what choices one would have to make to end up in such a circumstance such as a POW in Vietnam. To quench my curiosity and maybe your's too, here is McCains Wikipedia Military career play by play.

McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he nearly lost his life in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. In October 1967, while on a bombing mission over Hanoi, he was shot down, badly injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973, experiencing episodes of torture and refusing an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer; his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations (if you've seen him on TV, you know what I'm talking about...He can't lift his arms above his shoulder).

Wow. He was in a POW for six years! I can't even imagine or even relate in any respect. And I think only those who have walked in similar shoes should be judging (directed at Micheal Moore). But I want to personally say thank you to all the brave men and women who choose such a job. Risking everything. Such a sacrifice.

Looking at the McCain Memorial was a powerful moment to feel a small sliver of the reality of what happened here in Vietnam. Funny thing is, most Vietnamese polled overwhelmingly welcome McCain as a contender for the next US President. Old wounds have been forgiven (or at least pushed down far enough that functional friendships can exist). What forgiveness. On both sides. A good lesson for us all who keep forgiveness from another. Thank you John McCain.

BFF

Late, yesterday evening aroung 10 pm while Pearce and I were laying on the floor surrounded by pillows and blankets watching the movie "Babe," Pearce turned to me, placed his small arm around me, and said with his big smile, "You my best friend forever." Stunned, I asked him, "What'd you say?" And he repeated, "You, Mom, my best friend forever!" Grinning ear to ear. At that moment I swear time stopped and I heard angels sing. I felt the most unbelievable happiness a mother could feel. All the puking, weight gain, labor pain, diapers, late nights, Barney episodes, suddenly were worth it ten times over. Thanks, Pearce, for making my day, week, month...two-and-a-half years!

As for where he learned that line...I have no idea. But it proves once again that at 2.5, they are more sponge than human.

Museum Day

Hanoi boasts many interesting museums. We tried to see them all. But most of them were not interesting enough for Pearce (2-yr-old). Except the Museum of Ethnology. I think Pearce had more fun there than we did. The museum has a large children's discovery room that combines fun and educational activities such as traditional weaving, dyeing and block printing. But those activities were not a big draw for Pearce. He found his own interactive activities that probably were not meant as such.

Above, he plays "Kung Fu" with his "guys" (aka action figures) in a miniature traditional Ede longhouse. He could have played for hours. As it was, we had to drag him out kicking and screaming.

Vietnamese may be the world's best at maximizing transportation loads on two wheels. I've seen over nine huge live pigs on one bike. Above is a famous example depicted at the museum. Apparently, the owner of this bike was a man who transported these fishing traps just like above from his home vilage to a market over 20 kilometers every day. As impressive as that may be, it's even more impressive when you see these engineering marvels going 50 mph, weaving in and out of traffic like a downhill slalom skier.

This is a full scale replica of the traditional communal house of the Bahnar. It stands 19 meters high and was built in 2003 by 42 villagers from the Kon Rbang village, Kontum town and the Central Highlands. According to the Bahnar, the communal house is the symbol of skill and strength of the villagers. Frankly I would agree. They built this monster of a hut with basic tools and their bare hands. These communal houses are still being built around Vietnam today. But those stairs are very sketchy. We need smaller Vietnamese feet.

The construction and craftmanship was remarkable inside and out.

We covered Pearce's eyes for this display. This was the funeral hut. These statues were placed around the hut to help the deceased with fertility into the next life. My first thoughts went to the extrodinary proportions on the men......you wish bud!

Over all, ethnology was a fun learning experience for the whole family...and a little pornagraphic.

Pearce's foodies

The newest food item we can now add to Pearce's "will eat" list.

Grilled oysters topped with a garlic and cheese melt. So Pearce will only eat pancakes, snake and oysters. He leaves me guessing at every meal. I can only hope the list will expand sooner than later. Thank goodness for vitamins.