Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, especially those in service to our country.

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Thursday, November 3, 2011

That's No Moon... That's A Jack 'O Lantern!

Here are the Pumpkins that we all carved this year.

From left to right, the Pumpkins are a Grim Reaper, Hello Kitty, an Imp (with a long nose), Totoro from the Animé movies, and the Apple logo. The kids carved most of these themselves, Mom helped Lizzie with Hello Kitty. Juan spent two days working on the one below...

We also had a Death Star make an appearance on our lawn this year as well. As far as we know, no planets were harmed, and no rebels attacked.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Happy Birthday! We hope you enjoy this little (well, medium sized) Horse cake! It reminds us of how funny you are, and the horse looks kinda like it's up to no good!

E is for Enigmatic
L is for Lol!
I is for INSANE!!! (in a good, charming way)
Z is for Zzzzzzzzzzz.....(i hope you get to sleep in)
A is for ALLRIGHT!!! YOU'RE 12!!!!!
B is for Brain-y
E is for Eh? Wussat?(stoned after a party)
T is for Terrific! let's go smash mail boxes
H is for Horse Eater-I mean, Hilarious Horse Lover!

Bonne Fête Elizabeth! Have a totally awesome day!
(that bit from Mónica)

We found you a Horse Cake, and it even has your NAME ON IT!

My Dad said he wanted to give a reference to the Godfather movie,but I don't know what that is about.

WE NOW RETURN TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED DIGITAL CAKE!!!

From the Mendoza Family, Elizabeth, we would all like to wish you a happy and blessed birthday, with so much cake that you almost have to go to the bathroom four or five times!

No really, have a great birthday, and we will pray for you today to the Lord and to the Saints to keep you safe for many years. May God grant you many years.

I say "HAPPY!"

You say "BIRTHDAY!"

"HAPPY!"

"BIRTHDAY!"