Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, 22 November 2007

Today we give thanks for good health, family, and friends. It has been quite a year full of ups and downs. It was just a year ago that we were all together sharing Thanksgiving dinner on my dad's lanai. The Halsalls had met my dad for the first time. We laughed and smiled and enjoyed good food and the company of all the Mau brothers. Little did we know that that would be his last Thanksgiving with us. Although I wish my father were here to celebrate this year with us, we are thankful for all of the love and support which has helped our family and friends overcome illnesses and gain renewed strength to enter the new year. We are thankful for baby Chase and the joy that he brings us: a symbol of new beginnings. My brother and his girlfriend Shelly are in the process of moving out of our house and into their newly purchased home in Kailua, which closed a week ago. Meanwhile, I've been working on getting estimates to repair our house, working on school projects, and trying to find daycare for Chase in preparation for going back to work in January. We'll be visiting the Wong clan next week as we bring Chase on his first airplane ride to northern California. My mom recently announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend Gary (three times a charm), who proposed on their trip to Italy. They are all eagerly awaiting Chase's arrival, the first great-grandchild and the first baby they have had in over a dozen years. Today, we will spend a quiet Thanksgiving at the Halsalls (after we go hunting and gathering for our packaged meal at the Hyatt Hotel - so easy, just drive right up to the sidewalk with the sign that says "Turkey To Go", they put the box of food in the trunk, and you just drive off!) being thankful for these things and more. Happy Thanksgiving to you and blessings to all!

Here are some pictures of Chase (I believe at 3 months of age) enjoying time with his Nana and "Popsicle" at their house.