Dear Santa,

(or BIG Hint to Alan)

Since you were soooo good to me last year, & got me 6 out of the 7 things I wanted. Please note the following, for Christmas/Birthday, or heck just for the year to come! ;) Thanks!!!

Love,
Tiffany

Thanksgiving Trivia

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...

I really wanted to post some Thanksgiving Trivia!

In the Dental Office I work in, I started quizzing the staff and patients on the First Thanksgiving! And came to realization that People in Utah Are DUMB!!! Now I realize that, I have a HUGE advantage here! (growing up I was only 20 mins on back roads to Plymouth. countless trips to Plymouth Plantation, school, dates {yes, dates!!!} and taking everyone who ever visited us to "the rock".) But regardless, I thought everyone knew the basics!!! I only had 2-3 ppl actually know the year the pilgrims came! And only a small handful actually knowing the name of the boat! haha.

These silly questions, made me more aware of how grateful I am. For having a Mother, who stressed the importance of reading about history, and then going to see it in person. She brought History to Life! And I know the reason why I love it so much, is because of her. She made sure we asked even the silliest of questions. That we knew it by heart. And that we became emotionally passionate about it. By the time we learned about it in school. We always had our hand raised, when asked if anyone has been there. We knew more specifics then the textbooks. I am grateful for having the opportunity to live, where we were able to go to all of these wonderful places so easily. There will always be a piece of me missing My Mothers Traditional New England Thanksgiving Dinner. I love the Holidays and Our Family Traditions. I love that she made me love those things, that are now so dear to my heart.

Sooo quiz your family and friends and see if they know the beginnings of why we started celebrating this holiday! Below, (as requested from Dr. L) I wrote down the questions, I asked everyone this past week! Lets see how smart you are! And if you didn't know... Now you Do! ;)


1. In what year, and on what boat did the pilgrims come on?
1620 on the Mayflower

2. Where did the Pilgrims first land?
Most people would say Plymouth, but that is actually wrong! They landed on Cape Cod. More specifically Provincetown. (The Very tip of the Cape) There is actually a huge Pilgrim Monument there today, to commemorate the pilgrims first landing in the new world! They settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

3. What was the date in which the pilgrims landed in Plymouth?
December 21, 1620... 66 Days by ship and another month from the Cape to Plymouth!

4. What artifact can you still find today in Plymouth that was from the pilgrims?
Plymouth Rock

5. How many survived from the Mayflower and made it to the 1st Thanksgiving?
Only 50%! 53 Pilgrims & 90 Indians!

6. What Religion were the Pilgrims, and where did they come from?
They were Puritans & they came from England.

7. What was the name of Plymouth's first and acting Governor during the 1st Thanksgiving?
Governor William Bradford

8. What was the name of the Indian Tribe that helped the pilgrims and attended Thanksgiving?
The Wamonoag Indians

9. What famous tribal chief attended the first Thanksgiving?
Chief Massasoit, who made a peace treaty with the Pilgrims

10. When was the 1st Thanksgiving held?
Fall of 1621

11. What did the Wamonoag Indians teach the pilgrims?
They taught them how to grow crops, where to hunt, fish and even build.

12. More specifically, what crops?
Corn, Pumpkin, Squash, Beans, Sunflowers, & Melons.

13. One of the things the Indians taught the pilgrims were to use fertilizer in there crops. What was it and what kind was it?
Fish -- Herring

14. Who was the famous Indian, who spoke English, and helped the pilgrims and the Wamonoag Indians communicate?
Squanto

15. What is the size of Plymouth Rock today and why?
The original was estimated around 20,000 lbs! It is now 1/3 of that size! People started chipping away at the rock to take souvenirs. It is now in Plymouth Harbor, protected in a outdoor Monument.

16. Where did the Cornucopia come from?
It's a symbol for abundance. Literally means "Horn of Plenty". It was also apart of Greek Mythology. The pilgrims used a basket form on the table.

17. Why do we have turkey every Thanksgiving?
The pilgrims replaced goose with wild turkey because they were more abundant and easier to find than goose.
Why Goose?
Queen Elizabeth (16th Century) used goose during Harvest Festival and in celebrations. So the pilgrims replaced it with something they had.

18. How long was the first Thanksgiving?
It was a 3 Day Celebration! Full of Fish, Lobster, Turkey, Deer, Seals, Eels, & there crops!

19. Who and what year was Thanksgiving made a national holiday?
President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Thanksgiving was held on the last Thursday of the month.

20. Who, when, and why did they change Thanksgiving?
President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 to the 4th Thursday of the month. In hopes to help stimulate the economy by adding 1 more week to the Christmas Season.

Photos are from Plymouth way back in 2001!!! So aka why its so grainy...

A Thorpe Family HALLOWEEN!!

We Dressed Up...

We Played...

We decorated Our Spooky Manor...

We had a Spooky Candle Lit dinner...

We Trick-R-Treated...

We went threw Our Candy...

We got tired of Photos...

We put on Awesome Glow In the Dark PJ's for Bed...

AAahhhh!!!

We were being attacked by bugs!!!

This year the Thorpe Home was attacked by Bugs!!! Brenton the Spider! Savannah the Ladybug! Benson The Bee! & Lacy Bear The Butterfly! This summer our kids discovered Bugs!! Everytime there is a bug the kids are studying them out. So we thought to have a Bug theme so they could relate! All 4 of them Loved it!!!

Ps. See posts below for our Halloween Day Adventures & Brent's & Savannah stories...

Halloween Eve...

Okay, Okay so you may be saying Halloween Eve?! Well yes!!! When you grow up in New England, Halloween is a BIG Holiday! And in The Thorpe Home, we embrace every Holiday for a time to celebrate!!! Maybe next year, I will be ambitious enough to throw a party! Above are Our Pumpkins! 1 Pumpkin for each person in our family. Alan was a wannabe vampire, Brent's was a Spider, Savannah's was a Ladybug, (after the kids costumes this year) and mine was a T for Thorpe! Below is photos of our evening...

Aunty Christy & Uncle Chris came over...

We carved Pumpkins while watching Hocus Pocus! (A Culotta Fav')

The Kids Played... They got bored with pumpkins after 5 mins.

Our kids got Halloween Eve PJ's (differnet from Halloween day pjs).

Mommy got a New Camera...

After 4 years Our Sony Cybershot died! :(

So introducing our New Camera...

Nikon Coolpix L100 Black 10MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Zoom, 3" LCD

So with that said More Photos to finally come!!!

*911*

9-11 Is always so clear in my mind. What happened, Where I was and What I was doing.

I was 16 years old. I had gotten up like normal that morning. I remember it being a gorgeous crisp fall day. My Dad was commuting at this point, so he was down in PA. Mallory & David were at school. My Mom & Christy were at the Taunton Ice Rink. I had a routine down on the mornings I didn't have to work. I helped get everyone out the door. And then still in my pj's, I would go downstairs and make a mug of hot chocolate. I would then take my hot chocolate upstairs into my parents master bedroom, where I would watch The Today Show every morning. I always watched the news until about 10am and then I would start my schoolwork. (technology is amazing! This is exactly what I watched that day on TV)
The 1st Plane had hit already and at first no one exactly knew what had just occurred. I called my Mom and told her what was going on. I could hear her telling Gloria (Ice Rink manager what was happening.) I hung up with my mom. And then live on TV I watched the 2nd plane hit!

I was sitting there in total shock! I quickly grabbed the cordless and called my mom again. I remember saying "Another plane just hit!! Mom the other tower was hit!!!". I remember her begginning to cry and saying "What is going on?! We are under attack." At this point her and gloria ran down the road and bought a small tv so that they could watch at the ice rink. I sat there glued to the TV. I remember felling extremely overwhelmed with emotions. Horror, Anxiety, Worried, Sad, Upset. I remember pacing in front of the TV when the pentagon was hit. I was a wreck. I didn't really know what to do with myself but just to continue watching. I watched as the 1st tower went down. At this point I was calling my mom back and forth. And then the 2nd tower fell. What I didn't know was that there was a sprint tower on top of that 2nd tower. That would eliminate our cell phones for several hours. At this point the house phone wouldn't work either because of the high call volumes. All I would hear was a busy signal over the next few hours. My Mom did eventually come home with Christy. When we heard that there was a plane in PA. My were immediately worried for my dad. My Mom luckily got a hold of him. We sat there, glued to our TV. The kids were realized early from school. The next few days we continued watching to see what happened and why. It sickened my Mom. 6 years before this had all happened. My Mom & David took the same flight from Boston to Los Angeles to pick us kids up and move. Same times, Same Airline, Same flight Route. Over the next week. Flights were grounded. I remember how eerie it was. Normally you could see planes way in the distance fly overhead. But now it was silent at night. The only sounds were of a the military helicopter flying. (going up and down the coast)


Personally we didn't know anyone in the towers. However we knew many people who had loved ones that did not make it. We knew people who personally witnessed it. It definitely affected our family. It still makes me emotional to this day. My heart aches for all those who were effected. I am so thankful for those who protect our freedom & safety. I know that we will never forget! NEVER!

Visiting Great Grandpa Culotta

One of the main things we did on our Southern California Vacation was visit Great Grandpa Culotta! This was Savannah's 1st time meeting Grandpa! Savannah is known for being a little more shy with people she doesnt know. However it wasnt the case with Grandpa! Even as active as she is, she cuddled and sat with Grandpa watching tv and talking to him! We enjoyed salami sandwhichs with Grandpa, Drumsticks, and dinner on Sunday with him! We wish we lived closer to him! We miss you Grandpa!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

24 Years Ago...


23 was a great year! When reflecting back, I cant help but feel extremely blessed and grateful for all of the memories, and life experiences that heavenly father has given me in the past year. I became a homeowner for the first time! I gained a mortgage payment! I had many first Holidays including Mothers Day as a Mother of Two! We were able to take 3 Family Vacations! We got to go to Disneyland! My children got to see both sets of Grandparents and Great Grandparents! I have a job that I love! I celebrated 4 wonderful years to My Sweetheart! I became a Aunt for the 1st time! We finally paid off labor and delivery for Both kids! haha. I had my first and hopefully my only Root Canal! I had Braces and had them taken off! I was able to attend 2 Open Houses for New Temples in Utah.Was able to feel my Mothers presence. After 4 years of Marriage we finally started a food storage! I learned how to cook new things! I designed our landscaping plans for our yard! I learned new crafts! I reconnected with old friends! And hopefully became a little bit of a better Mother, Wife, Friend, Sister and Daughter.

I look forward to another great year and am excited to see what is in store for myself and my cute little family!

Beach Day 1
Long Beach, California

After the Aquarium & Our Walk along the Pier, we went to the Beach! The kids had mixed emotions... Brent was running toward the waves! Miss Savannah squeled so high pitch, when the waves came in! It took us all off guard! We totally regret not videotaping her reaction. Needless to say Brent is our water baby & Savannah is def a sun tanning baby... haha.

Posts to Follow....

RIP Michael Jackson

Fun fact... Did you know that my mom was in this commerical? She was a extra in the crowd! And she was pregnant with me! Just thought it was fitting to post this!

Great Grandma Hugie came to Utah for a visit. So we went up to see her in Alpine. Grandma Hugie is Alan's only grandparent still alive. It was Savannahs first time meeting her! Brenton loves Great Grandma! At dinner he picked a seat right next to her and kept saying "Hi Gate Gamaaa!!! Hi!!".

Happy Fathers Day!!!

To My Love....
My husband never seascs to amaze me. He is a amazing Husband but even better Father! Our kids light up when he enters the room. Brenton loves to sit next to the car when Alan works on it. Waiting intently on passing his Dad tools. Savannah is wrapped around his finger! Her smile melts our hearts! He is always cuddiling up with Savannah! I usually find them napping together at least once a week! Both of our kids first words were "Dada". He never complains about changing diapers, feeding, cleaning up or playing with them. He is a amazing hard worker! He is Patient, loving, kind, thoughtful, sweet, and the most non judgemental person I know! I am constantly learning from his example. There is no way in heck, I could raise our children without him!

My Daddy
I am my fathers daughter! And my Dads traits are my traits as well! I have my fathers stubborness, engenier mind, some of his OCD (even though he claims he doesnt have it! HA!), 110% Perfectionst, detail orentied, always thriving for the best all carried out into me! And I Love him for it!!! He loves to see photos and videos of his Grand Babies and always makes sure they have the latest Red Sox Etire! Go SOX! He loves to hear about Brentons latest storys of sayings and talks to him on the phone. Savannah is his favorite to kiss, mostly because she is a cuddiler and doesnt try and get away. I see alot of my Dad in Alan. Hard working, driven, wanting to provide the best for us. My dad has created a lot of great memorys. Even though I hated him for always sticking a camera in our faces. I am sure glad now to have so many photos of my childhood and most of all of my gorgeous Mom. He is funny, kind, and always willing to help anyone in need. He is by far the most hospitable person I have ever known! He instilled humour into our punishments! (pretty sure im the only kid who ever had to do a powerpoint presentation as a part of punishment!)


My Father In Law
Peter always lends us a helping hand. I can see where Alan gets his work ethic from. His Dad will drop everything in California to help us! Weather it be our taxes, moving, painting, fixing our cars, or just coming out just to be around to help. He is such a good man. He has made my husband appreciate old movies and tend to his family without ever a complaint. Pete is a great grandpa! He always volunteered to walk both kids around when the were infants to give me a break. He loves his Big Guy! (Brent) And is already counting down the days to have him in his shop with him. Savannah once again loves to cuddle with her grandpa.
(Sorry I couldnt find a photo of Pete & Savannah!)