Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, we went to Florida where my family lives. My dad and stepmom came up to visit as well as my cousin Amber who I don't get to see very much. She had her little boy Zac a couple of weeks after I had Ben, both were our firsts, both of us had c-sections and she and I are pretty close in age. It was nice to visit with everyone, although we missed my sister Jessica who lives in Utah and couldn't be there.

Ben got one of his Christmas presents early--a John Deere tractor bicycle. It is too big for his legs right now, but that will only be the case for a little bit. He had (is having) fun getting pushed around on it and pushing it himself. We got some pretty funny looks on the way home with it strapped to the car roof!



Thanksgiving dinner was at my uncle's house. He has a horse, a donkey, chickens, a rooster, and probably critters I don't even know about. His donkey would he-haw every now and then and Ben LOVED it. He is still making the noise to this day. Actually, he knows the difference when we ask him, but he is making an association between deer (with all the reindeer he's seen in Christmas movies, etc.), donkeys and Paw-Paw since his Paw-Paw was the one showing him the donkey. He is also associating Paw-Paw with M&Ms for some reason I just can't imagine. (It COULDN'T be the never-ending supply of M&Ms Paw-Paw would put on his knee one at a time for Ben to grab!)



Thanksgiving night, we got together at my brother's place just the immediate family (less my dad and step-mom) again for more Thanksgiving eating! I can't believe I didn't get one single picture there, but then again, a pregnant woman with that much food around is more likely to be carrying a piece of cake or roll around than a camera.

We also got to spend some time at the beach. One of my sisters lives right on the water and, although it was cloudy, we had such a nice time walking the dog, playing in the sand, and taking pictures. Ben especially liked the birds and the waves. He tried to jump in the water a couple of times!

Look at that water! Tell me again why I live in Louisiana???




Ben gives the best (albeit sometimes drooly and/or snotty)kisses spontaneously or if he is asked. He doesn't really discriminate either. He gives them to everyone.

Thanksgiving 2007

"Gobble, gobble"..dying last words of turkey! I roasted my very first turkey this year. I'm usually not a big fan of turkey because it's usually dry, but I brined mine this year, tucked butter under the turkey breast skin, and used one of those roasting bags and mmmwha! yummy!, if I do say so myself! My dad and stepmom came and celebrated the holiday with us, even though we know Ben is the real reason they came..hehe. Even though I had worked a couple of hours each day leading up to Thursday, my stepmom Cheri and I worked right up until lunch time. But we were eating before 1pm so I think it was all a success! We had turkey with stuffing, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, squash casserole, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, yeast rolls, apple butter, apple butter pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. Ok, so maybe I went a little overboard, ok, ok, maybe a lot overboard, but we had great time enjoying one other's company, watching Ben play with his toy turkey, and it was so nice to be able to cook a nice dinner for a few of the people I love! I'm so grateful for all of my family and friends, for my baby boy and husband, and for my Savior and am looking forward to Christmas and watching Ben experience a little magic in the form of a red suit and beard. Being the mom of a kid is ALMOST as fun as being a kid again myself! (More so in a lot of ways..)Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some leftovers to go eat!


The doting grandparents


Adam fell asleep (remote in hand) watching the game and waiting for the turkey. (He's going to KILL me for posting this picture!)


A banquet fit for a king! (Too bad all he got was cereal and prunes..hehe!)


The man of the house carving the turkey! Doesn't it make you want to do the Tim Allen growl?!






Hours and hours of preparation...snarfed down in 20 minutes.