Nov 10, 2008

Playing Dress-up, I mean Catch-Up

Sadie the painted lady!


Not sure why Gabey looks like a balding-on-top, old man groom, his hair is thick and lustrous!


The happy couple! Congrats you two!


Next day, Mullett Bogan rather than Black Roots Blonde Hair and Sunglasses Bogan. Getting the goods from Clara


Rasta Ben {kinda...} taking the kids out


Happy Halloween! ...Two weeks ago! I'm a little behind -which is also something I'd like to have but anyway, I digress.

We went to a fun ward party a few days before Halloween and then trick-or-treated to about 5-6 houses on the actual night. Halloween hasn't exactly caught on here. We got about 10 trick-or-treaters in all. Which was not good because the kids and I, mostly I, then had to eat all of the 'lollies' -as they say here, that I had purchased. Damn, again, also as they say here.

Ben and I were what we always are since we must get our money's worth out of the wigs we invested in 6 years ago and paid $10 for -it was a lot of money at the time you see. So yes, once again we were Bogans, Bevans, aka White Trash -whatever you want to call us. We now have an aditionaly wig that is a hat with nasty black braids that we got courtesy of a white elephant party. Our costumes were complete with bbq stains and mustard in the arm-pits for that yellow-pits effect. I wore a nice shade of blue eye shadow and nice pink shade of rouge to complete the look. I didn't have any lip-liner, which would have accentuated to look, unfortunately. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Laine and Gabe were the cutest Bride and Groom you've ever seen. You can't tell the beautiful detail on Laine's dress, it was so pretty! I'm not sure it was what they would have chosen to be, but I thought it was cute and I realized this may be one of the last years that I can choose what their costumes will be. Even this year was borderline -Laine was quite insistent that she be a chicken again. She didn't get the memo that we need to enjoy and relish these years of Halloween in the summertime and that we need not bundle up in the heat and humidity!

Later that week it was my birthday, which was one of the best adult birthdays of my life. Ray and Christine, our neighbors, took us on a date to the city to celebrate. Ben even got to be designated driver and drive Ray's brand new AU$270,000 BMW convertible {yes, you read that right} home. It was a little chilly with the top down, but was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE to drive through the city with the top down -over the Harbour Bridge, by the Opera House... It was breathtaking. It was SUCH a great night. Thanks again R & C!

The next day was my actual birthday, Sunday, and Ben has meetings all morning and I do everything and get the kids all ready for him to drive home and pick us up. That day he actually got someone to cover for him and snuck home to make me breakfast in bed with Laine and decorate the house. It was so festive! I was so surprised and it really made the day so fun.

We had dinner over at Clara and Francis's house -our Korean neighbors, and it was so, SO good I could have died! I realized that it actually was the first time I'd been invited over to a Korean's home to eat -I had only had Korean food in restaurants until that point. Actually, while we were living in Korea, one family from Ben's mission DID invite us over, but they took us out to eat at Pizza Hut... Normally I would have been totally P.O'd and felt ripped off, but I was pregnant and wanted to kiss the ground at Pizza Hut -I was not about to handle Asian food at that point.

Anyway, Ben had snuck away to the bakery to get me one of my FAVORITE things for a birthday cake. I LOVE those cute little tarts that have the strawberries, blueberries and kiwi's and that shiny glaze on them. Seriously, I'm obsessed. Any time we go to a classy buffet that has them or any kind of function, wedding, what have you -I bring back a plate so full that I tell people it is to share for the whole table. And then I get to the table and I start to growl if people start inching toward them, thinking I was sharing. True story. I really, REALLY loves my tarts.

Since I didn't want to share my tart with the Koreans, I DID make my own cake. But it turned out so ugly that I made Ben tell them that he made it.

Anyway, it was a great day and a huge thanks to my family for making it so special for me!

18 comments:

Karmann said...

Happy Late Birthday!!! So glad that you had such a good time! I would love to see that car! I love the bride and groom! So cute!! love ya!

Englishfam said...

That is the cutest idea for costumes for your kids. Where did you get Laine's dress? SO cute. Gabe the gentleman as usual. I'm glad you got spoiled on your birthday, that is always the best. I am the biggest birthday diva around (I am pretty sure we have discussed this) so I demand everything to be perfect on that day. We only get it once a year right? And mine is close to Christmas so I play the "jipped" card and run with it! Happy Birthday! Good job Ben!

Mel said...

Your kids could not have been cuter on Halloween, what great costumes! You and Ben looked hilarious. That is like Carl and I we rotate wigs for Halloween. We have 2 as well and have had them for 10 years. Carl used to wear it to Macey's on Halloween, so classic. Happy Birthday!! Sounds like a dreamy day and Ben is so good to you! I read this article in a magazine today about this girl from Utah who was on Food NEtwork's reality show. I thought about you and thought you should have been on it! Maybe someday right? She didn't make it till the 4th or 5th season, she didn't give up! You are cute Nat!

Ashley said...

Happy birthday- late. Sounds like you had a very memorable evening! Where's the pics of the car?

Kristine L. said...

Next time you are going for the "white trash" look, you might want to leave your designer jeans behind... that orange tag stuck out like a sore thumb... he he. The kids look so adorable! I can't wait til they are older and I can tease them about being a bride and groom together. And Happy Birthday, even though I already talked to you on your actually birthday.

Stacey Lau said...

Lol...love it. I also have been known to tell people that J made something when I don't want to claim it. And isn't it so true that you feel like you have to get your money's worth from Halloween costumes? I'm going to have to be a princess for the next 5 years at least! You guys looked great.

Kate said...

Well to keep up with the Aussies, those kids look pretty damn cute. And seriously, I had no idea that was you and I was scared at the thought of who would really have that hair. Thank the heavens, it was a wig! All is now right with the world..

Emilee said...

Happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday and what a sweet husband for making you breakfast in bed and skipping the meetings. Loved the halloween costumes as well.

The Palmers said...

HOW FUN!

Gaengy said...

Very cute pics of the kids. Not sure if I like the long blonde diva wig or the mullet one best!!! Looks like a fun time though. Glad you had a good birthday!

Kimberli said...

Happy late Birthday! I could eat a whole tray of those tart things too...

lukeandjillfamily said...

Happy Birthday!! I acutally remembered you on your birthday because it is the same as my nieces which makes it easier to remember. I love reading about your adventures. Your kids look adorable by the way!!
love,
Jill

Tara said...

You don't know me...but bear with me. I think I know you. Did you happen to live in Taiwan?
When I was dancing at BYU we toured there. I think I met you at Church. (Now, you may think...strange that I would remember you. I know it sounds stalkerish) But you stuck out in my mind for a couple a reasons. I remember you had a little baby named Laine. She was adorable AND I love the name Laine. Second, you were living abroad with your little family. At the time my husband and I wanted to live abroad eventually. I didn't know if I could do it. I saw you doing it and I thought "Yes! I can do it too!"
Anyway, I came across your blog and I recognized you...took me a minute to figure it out.
Okay last bit of random information...Lisa and Clark Dana are on your blog roll...Lisa is my sister-in-law's sister.
Are you creeped out yet? :) Small World.
And if you have no idea what I'm talking about...pretend you didn't read this. :)

Tara Carlson

Hayley Nelson Potter said...

Way to go in getting into the halloween spirit, love the costumes!

Emilee said...

Natalie I'm making my blog private today and wanted to invite you to still see our blog, but I need your email address. Could you email me at thefyffesblog (at) yahoo(dot)com Thanks! Emilee Fyffe

Jennifer said...

What an adorable bride and groom! And your and Ben's costumes are crack up. Happy Belated Birthday, it sounded awesome!

Natalie Que said...

Hey Tara, I hope you come back and check this since you didn't leave an email and your blog is private!

Sorry, it wasn't me. I've never heard of you and you really creeped me out. Seriously, I think I'm going to take my blog private now.

Natalie Que said...

I totally kid! Yes, that was me. There were several singing groups that came through but I suspect you were with the one that had just gone to Thailand and you were all wearing matching Thai skirts -am I right?

You can email me at hotgarlic@live.com -perhaps this convo is better suited there than with more comments back and forth on this post! I'd love to know what is new and if you ever got to go on your International adventure!

 
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