When I look at my life, I can't help but think I'm a pretty lucky kid. I have a lot to be thankful for, especially this year. The list, in no particular order, looks like this.
The best wife in the whole wide world, the wonderful Mel.
The cutesy little cutie pie, Penny
The opportunity to be doing exactly what I want for a living with a great job as a writer and an ACD for a company that appreciates me.
The chance to watch the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
Living in beautiful San Diego.
An amazing family including the two best parents in the world.
Awesome in laws that we always have fun with.
Frank the cat.
Great friends.
I'm grateful for God, our Savior Jesus Christ and the gospel.
Did I mention Melissa and Penny?
Good health for my family.
I'm grateful that everyone loved the turkey, dressing and gravy that Mel and I prepared (unless they were lying).
Coke, Cherry Coke and Coke Zero
7-11, Circle K and Big Gulps
Peanut M&Ms and Oreos
Homemade chocolate chip cookies
Toilet paper, indoor plumbing and all of life's other conveniences.
My ability to grow a mustache and Mel's patience in putting up with it.
The beach
Christmas is just around the corner
Paid vacation
My iPod
And countless other things I can't think of right now while I'm yelling at the Lions on TV.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veteran's Day
Just a quick note to all the veterans out there. We really appreciate everything you do for us. On Veteran's Day I always think of my dad, John Atkinson, Sr, who proudly served in the Marine Corp and fought in the Korean War. His time as a Marine helped shape who he was for the rest of his life, and it profoundly affected our lives for the better. He had an amazing work ethic and a sense of patriotism that he transferred on to us, his kids.
Here are a few pictures of him when he was in Korea. Happy Veteran's Day, and thanks for everything. I love this picture. The photo of him with the kids is from an orphanage that he used to visit with other Marines. He always used to say that some of the happiest times of his life were when they played with these kids.
Here are a few pictures of him when he was in Korea. Happy Veteran's Day, and thanks for everything. I love this picture. The photo of him with the kids is from an orphanage that he used to visit with other Marines. He always used to say that some of the happiest times of his life were when they played with these kids.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happy Halloween
We had a great Halloween Weekend. It was Penny's second Halloween, but it was really the first where we could get her all dolled up to go out and trick or treat. Sure, she still had no idea what was going on, but she seemed to enjoy it. If nothing else, her pumpkin bucket has become one of her favorite things to carry around. We had a ward Halloween party Thursday night, where Mel and Peanut both dressed up as Minnie Mouse. They were both incredibly adorable, as you can see below. It was fun to see so many great costumes from so many people in our ward.
Penny, taking a break from "trunk o' treating" in the church parking lot.
Mama and Peanut looking ten kinds of adorable.
Friday was Rob's Halloween party at work. He sexied it up as an old PE coach. We're proud to say that he won an award for his costume. But really, how could he not when he was baring those sexy drumsticks of his?
Coach Bobby says, "Drop and give me 20!"
Friday night, Penny as a witch…kind of.
Mel's dad, Lew, was here for the weekend, so we were able to hang out with him a lot. Penny loved seeing her Grandpa again. We were even able to go to lunch with Mel's brother Matthew whom we don't get to see very often. It was great for he and Penny to be able to get to know each other better.
Halloween afternoon we went out to Santee to hang out with Jason (Mel's brother) and his family. It was the first house that Penny got to knock on for trick or treating. Caden and Mireya were very cute, as they dressed up as a Power Ranger and Cleopatra.
Our lil Minnie Mouse
Trick or Treat!
Cousins having fun.
All of us then went to a Halloween Fair at a church there in Santee. It was a lot of fun, although by that time poor Peanut was ready for a nap as she kept falling asleep on Jason and Lew.
After deciding we'd had enough of the fair, we figured it was time to go home. We wanted to have Penny do some trick or treating to the neighbors around our house.
Penny hoping Roberto would give her some candy.
She was pleased as punch to roam the 'hood.
On Sunday we got a very pleasant surprise when we found out that Ana, Sandra and Alex were at Disneyland for a few days, so they came down to see us Sunday evening. It was a grand time. We had a great visit, and it was funny to see Penny play with her cousins. She is so funny with Alex. Everytime she sees him, she gets so excited. After visiting for a couple hours, they drove back up to OC. It was a quick visit, but it was great. We hope to see them again soon.
Alex and Penny—two very happy cousins.
Penny and Sandra
So another Halloween is in the books, and it was perhaps our greatest one yet, especially seeing Penny all dressed up and having a great time with all the festivities.
Penny, taking a break from "trunk o' treating" in the church parking lot.
Mama and Peanut looking ten kinds of adorable.
Friday was Rob's Halloween party at work. He sexied it up as an old PE coach. We're proud to say that he won an award for his costume. But really, how could he not when he was baring those sexy drumsticks of his?
Coach Bobby says, "Drop and give me 20!"
Friday night, Penny as a witch…kind of.
Mel's dad, Lew, was here for the weekend, so we were able to hang out with him a lot. Penny loved seeing her Grandpa again. We were even able to go to lunch with Mel's brother Matthew whom we don't get to see very often. It was great for he and Penny to be able to get to know each other better.
Halloween afternoon we went out to Santee to hang out with Jason (Mel's brother) and his family. It was the first house that Penny got to knock on for trick or treating. Caden and Mireya were very cute, as they dressed up as a Power Ranger and Cleopatra.
Our lil Minnie Mouse
Trick or Treat!
Cousins having fun.
All of us then went to a Halloween Fair at a church there in Santee. It was a lot of fun, although by that time poor Peanut was ready for a nap as she kept falling asleep on Jason and Lew.
After deciding we'd had enough of the fair, we figured it was time to go home. We wanted to have Penny do some trick or treating to the neighbors around our house.
Penny hoping Roberto would give her some candy.
She was pleased as punch to roam the 'hood.
On Sunday we got a very pleasant surprise when we found out that Ana, Sandra and Alex were at Disneyland for a few days, so they came down to see us Sunday evening. It was a grand time. We had a great visit, and it was funny to see Penny play with her cousins. She is so funny with Alex. Everytime she sees him, she gets so excited. After visiting for a couple hours, they drove back up to OC. It was a quick visit, but it was great. We hope to see them again soon.
Alex and Penny—two very happy cousins.
Penny and Sandra
So another Halloween is in the books, and it was perhaps our greatest one yet, especially seeing Penny all dressed up and having a great time with all the festivities.
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