Save the Date

William Calban IV

looks forward to celebrating with you

at his parent’s wedding

on 22 March 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada

Invitation and weekend itinerary to follow

please RSVP intent in comment section

Remember this?

Leah's post reminded me of the time that I saw this:











Remember that?


Just kidding. But since we're all Disney-philes here, here's a cool site that I thought that you'd all get a kick out of. Cheers!

Belangers

While posting one day I had clicked on my spell check button(cause you never know) and it had highlighted the word BELANGER'S as if had been misspelled. I was curious what the options were to replace BELANGER with and these were the choices: 1. Bel Anger's

2. Banger's

3. Clanger's

4. Blinker's

5. Blanker

I thought that was so funny that those were the alternate choices of our "misspelled" name!!! I know sometimes we ARE banger's, clanker's, blinker's, AND blankers! (Wait, what was I saying?! Oh yeah, sorry... I just totally blanked!) Any how, pretty funny, right?

The Ghosts of Hannah and Alejandro

We went to the festival of lights at the Springs Preserve tonight. We took some fun (and eerie) shots of the lights and ate a quick bite at the Cafe before heading home.

Lady and the tramp!!

Flying High!!
Who knew Hannah could do the splits and that Danny can squat.
Danny doing a flip. (I never could catch him upside down.)

View them and weep!

For those of you who were unable to come with us on our little excursion to Cedar Breaks today, you missed spectacular views, balmy 15 degree weather, and great root beer. (Oh, and snow too.)

Things I'm thankful for.

Yesterday we had our family scripture study in the midst of preparing our feast and though the chapter was not an extraordinary one, I really had an overwhelming feeling of blessedness. We read Pahoran's reply to Moroni calling him out for not supporting the troops and it reminded me of Marky and Liz and Billy and Dave and all the other people who "sign up" for the love of home, and country and liberty. I was also feeling especially grateful for the Puritans seeking the freedom to worship God. They gave up every comfort, everything familiar and trusted God to protect them and support them. As I cooked my turkey in my gas oven and whipped the sweet potatoes in my KitchenAid while my roll dough was being mixed in my bread maker, I realized we had few fears, few needs unmet and luxuries that 400 years ago were unimaginable. I was also feeling grateful for my mom and her kitchen that I have been borrowing this week. I couldn't have prepared two turkeys and everything else without her. I was grateful to be able to share our comforts with friends who were likewise removed from faraway family and give my husband the thing he misses most on a holiday- a crowd. I was grateful for my kids who helped whenever they were asked, even if they weren't asked "nicely" and are so welcoming to friends in our home. I was grateful when everyone left and I could go to sleep while my husband cleaned up. What a guy! I'm grateful for all of you and hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you were and whoever you were with.

Turkey for Two

Our first Thanksgiving dinner as a family
Our deep fried Turkey!! No, it's not burnt


He wanted to watch his mommy cook and football

His head is to big for his beanies

Happy Thanksgiving From Mark!

This is the second Thanksgiving that Mark has missed with the family. He misses all of us, and we love and miss him too. There signs says Happy Thanksgiving 2007. Can you find Waldo or Mark?

Hannah's Home!! Yeah!!

The whole gang at the Stake Center.
Hannah with the nieces and nephews.

Send in the troops!...

Markie on a field trip in New Jersey with his pal, Richard. Peace! ....gangsta style.

Food for Thought

So....I was the biggest brat when it came to nursing my baby and whined and complained for quite a while, but now I have gone back to work and because of such am not producing enough for my baby....In fact he has lost an entire pound and I was told by his pediatrician that I would have to supplement. Although those days of dissatisfying nursing are long behind me and I have really come to enjoy it......I am extremely sad that I am not providing for my Buddy in a way only a mother can. Any thoughts? I know this is sort of more focused towards female interest but I would love any and ALL words of encouragement!

Let's talk TURKEY!!!

Due to the overwhelming response to my last post....

Final preparations are under way for our big family feast. Dustin and I did our grocery shopping on Saturday and Tom Turkey is in the refrigerator thawing as we speak! We really do need to get an idea of what everyone would like to bring so that if we have to go back to the store we'll know what we need! We still need beverages, rolls, and nut cup treats. Matt I believe you said you'd bring cranberry sauce, a couple of cans will do or if you have a special recipe that will be great also!

We are planning on eating at noon and then dessert at 2:00, that way if you'd like to go to your in-laws or you've made other plans you'll be able to do both. If you'd like to take home any left-overs than B.Y.O.T (bring your own Tupperware) Thank you for supporting me in the first annual Belanger's Are Odd Thanksgiving Celebration I'm THANKFUL for all of you and I can't wait to share this special meal together!

I Miss My Uncle Markie!

Uncle Markie,

I love you! I hope you are safe. How is New Jersey? I say a prayer for you each night.

From Alex

Alex asked if he could call Uncle Markie and I told him he'd have to settle for writing a note on the blog in case you got a chance to check it. (Leah)

Turkey Day Treats

I've been making a list and checking it twice, OOPS...wrong holiday, for our Thanksgiving day meal! Dustin and I will make the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, stuffing, and green bean casserole.

We will need a little help though with some of the other GOODS. Here is a list of things that we'll need: cranberry sauce and olives (not together just a couple of cans each),

martinellis, cranberry juice (in as many varieties as you wish), milk, rolls, and nut cup treats. Please let me know what you'd be willing to bring.

Dad is making the pies for this festive occasion and has invited us all to his place for dessert later that evening.

So far I've counted 19 family members to be in attendance, 21 if Victoria and Madeline don't go to California and 23 if Adam and Amanda join us. We'll probably eat about 1:00 or 2:00 but I hope you'll come sooner so we can watch the parade and do a lot of other fun activities.

I'm getting really excited for Thanksgiving... can't wait!!!

In honor of Hannah

He learned this from his Aunt Hannah

Here's the rest I took today

Hello.....

Just wanted to say "HI" and tell you all how excited I am for the Family Reunion (oh yeah and my Mommy and Daddy are excited too)
Love Ya,
Billy IV

Matt the 'stud'??

Is Matt looking more and more handsome or is it just my imagination?
Another product of the "Pretty Boy" modeling agency.

My new adress

I have two diffrent adresses the first is for letters the second is for packages.
PV2 Belanger, Mark w. 6041
A co. MRB bld. 5641
72 MP CO. Ft Dix N.J. 08640-9001
Packages
PV2 Belanger Mark w. 6041
Doughboy loop bld. 6038
A co. MRB
72 MP co. Ft Dix N.J. 08640-9001

Thanks for all your help and support love Mark Jr.

Saturday at the Armory!

Mark and Victoria and Madeline before the ceremonies.
Mark and Matt
The whole motely crew (including the spectacular Asher)
Mark and his brothers and lone sister (but not for long) This past Saturday we said good bye just for a short time to Mark.

I love Mark very much

I want all of you to know that it has been stressful for mark and I the past few weeks but it will be worth it in the end. Mark is being very selfless and has made the ultimate sacrifice your his country and family. He joined the Army for the right reasons and he knew that this day would come. I am glad we can do this and get it over with. Everyone at church today was asking about him and was very concerned for his safety. I want mark to know how many people love him and know what he is doing is very important. One thing I learned while markie was in boot camp was there is no such thing as too many letters. So family keep in mind that is what markie will need the most. Thank you everyone for making this weekend easy for our family. Mark I love you so much just know I look forward to your call.

396 Days to go hooah!!

Well I made it here safe and sound in beautiful brisk Jersey we are living in tents but at least they have wood floors. The accomadations are nicer than I expected. I still dont have an adress but should have one shortly. I love and miss you all
pv2 Belanger, Mark W.

Family Reunion

In light of recent comments about getting everyone together, I am shamelessly plugging the first annual Belanger Family reunion at Yellowstone in June-July 2008. All immediate family members have either confirmed or expressed a desire to come. It will be an event unparalleled in the annals of history - high drama, stirring comedy, inspiring scenery, and the chance to reconnect with long lost siblings (think Twelfth Night, with considerably less cross-dressing).

If you are interested in helping plan the reunion, please let me know. The event is still in the early stages of development, so I welcome any suggestions and recommendations, for instance:

1. Is the reunion too long or too short at four day, three nights? (I want to make sure everyone has time to travel without exhausting too much vacation time).

2. Are there any special requests for meals, snacks, treats (things you like to eat while camping)?

3. Is everyone comfortable with receiving cooking and cleaning assignments?

4. In which of the following activities are you interested in participating:
- Canoeing on Yellowstone Lake?
- Visiting the geyser basin including Old Faithful?
- Visiting the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone?
- Separate hikes for cousins and/or siblings?
- Card or board game tournaments?
- Day trip to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park?
- Bar J Wranglers?
- Group photo?
- Shopping excursion to Jackson Hole?
- Campfire stories and programs?
- Physical games and tournaments (three legged or gunny sack races)?
- Whitewater rafting?
- Scenic float trip through Grand Teton National Park?
- Group campsite or adjacent small family sites?
- Any other things you want to do?

Lock, Shock and Barrel plus one

Here's the munchkins, post-Trick or treating, pre-tummyaches. After the trunk or treat we ran home so Rhiannon could get a little candy begging in. She spent the entire trunk or treat in daddy's "Haunted Castle" passing out goodies with the sweetest "Happy Halloween" you could want from a zombie cheerleader. Ethan was on scare duty, but lost interest when other kids asked if they could stay and scare people, too. Bronwyn is in that cute stage where they like to pick things up and put them in a container so at the trunks where they said "Help yourself" she helped herself 2 and 3 times before I could get her away. After we got home and exhausted the neighborhood, the kids cleaned up, brought their sleeping bags into the family room for a little "Nightmare Before Christmas" and proceeded to sort out their candy. They only keep what they really want and give the rest to the Great Pumpkin who returns the favor with a gift. They usually give up about half and Quinlan still has to be convinced that it's a good thing. Then the gorging begins. 24 hours of unbridled ecstasy, the only delays are when mom can't open the package fast enough. Then we scrape them off the ceiling, pick up the inevitable trash and cure their tummy and headaches with real food. By the time they're done with their candy, they're so sick of it that they don't ask for treats for a good week or so. And I 'm not doling out a piece a day with kids in a constant sugar high until Thanksgiving. The other two pics are priceless. Quinlan insists on cross dressing and don't try to tell him he can't do something because he's a boy. I think he'll be a good lawyer for the ACLU someday. Bronwyn makes this cute face whenever you wink at her. She's such a doll!

The Knit Blanket Solution

Although one would think that Florida is like California (and I hear it is when you dont live in the panhandle) but it does indeed get cold here. It has concerned me for some time that my son, since birth hates blankets and now is a little bit sick probably because of this. He always wakes up with icicles for hands....so today it was chilly (about 32 degrees) when we woke up so I grabbed one of his many knit blankets....EUREKA....Billy doesn't kick it off in fact he grabs on for dear life and passes out. So I must conclude that maybe the problem wasnt the blanket but the type. Now that he feels in control of it by holding it, it doesnt bother him...Maybe he wont freeze this winter after all

The Great Catch-Up, Volume One

OK, so once you've seen what I've been up to I think you'll be able to cut me some slack. I've been a huge blog-slacker, but here's a one of a few big catch up posts. Indulge me, if you will, a slide show.

A couple guys from my ward invited me to go on a trip to Tulsa, OK to go to the BYU v. Tulsa University football game. On the way we saw this guy. Totally made my day.





Then we saw this guy and it made my day even more.







This was before the game. Granted BYU was to be a playing a school the size and with the prowess of Chaparral.







BYU got rocked. I took some small pleasure in this. Go Rebs!








This is the RoMo that we stayed in during the trip. Made the Farm DeVille feel like the Four Seasons. At least there was a Carl's Jr. (none in TX) across the street.










We took a side trip on the way home to visit Oklahoma City. Indescribable.






From outside the memorial, looking in.









The individual memorials.









An explanation of the individual memorials.












The individual memorials from the side.









Among the survivors, a Belanger.






The other end of the memorial.









A close-up of the individual memorials.












The Survivor Tree.












Under the Survivor Tree.









After the S&R effort was complete, one team bore their emotions on a nearby surviving structure.










We are resilient.











If you ever have the means, you must go to the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial. It was humbling, spiritual and healing.

So there's Volume One of my catch-up posts, stay tuned for more. Take care. Cheers.