Thanksgiving 2015

Needless to say, after bring deployed for 5 months, Brian was really looking forward to Thanksgiving! So when this magazine came in the mail, he was anxious to read it from cover to cover- 

And every single one of our recipes came from that issue-

 For the first time in several years, we broke out the family china-

We think it belonged to my mother's paternal aunt, which would make it about 100 years old. It is also pink. Not too great for the thanksgiving tablescape, but we made it work. Also used my maternal grandmothers silverware. And as a bonus, found lots of other random pieces of kitchenware- from my nephews cookie jar, to my grandmothers turkey shaped gravy boat. Now that was a huge score!

Thanks to Diane for the cute paper I used for the placecards-

Along with my mom, we also had over the Mann family.... The day was so warm that while the turkey roasted, we played outside-

The girls were too warm in their cute  Thanksgiving outfits, that they had to go change into something summer-ish-

Macy's class had made butter during the week for their school feast. She came home with the instructions and recipe and we couldn't believe how easy it was so make. So she and MacKenzie got shaking away- 

And viola! Just like that- butter-

MacKenzie got another little cooking lesson from Brian as he topped the roasted sweet potatoes with is homemade marshmallow topping-

And finally, the turkey was done!

Let's eat-

 The Mann's are welcome anytime... After dinner Eve and my mom jumped on the dishes, while Brian helped Brian pick the bird. Those are some great dinner guests!

After dinner, I always like to read "The Polar Express" to the kids, as I think it is a sweet way to kick off the Christmas season, now that Thanksgiving has passed. Lynn knows I have this tradition, and this year sent an early family Christmas present and asked that the kids open it after I read the book, so that this could be their "first gift of Christmas," like in the book. Here goes-

A giant Jenga set-

 (We had played with giant set similar to this with kristen, lynn and families when we lived in Cali a few years back)

The kids enjoyed it- 

 But us adults had way more fun with it! 

 

And sad to say, but I was the one who caused it to fall last...

And meanwhile on the opposite side of the country, look at this sweet little turkey-

That's my great niece, Brooklyn. Almost 3 months old and as cute as can be in the giant bow and booties I sent her for Thanksgiving.

As always, so so much to be Thankful for this year. To think that just 7 weeks prior, Brian was trying to keep himself alive on his commute to/from work everyday in Iraq. It's tough not to take this sweet like for granted. I must do a better job appreciating it all and letting go of all my complaints...