Thanksgiving 2013

Every year we have a Thanksgiving Eve party.  Last year I thought it might be the last one in this house.  Turns out I was wrong.  This year for sure will be the last year in this house because we plan to start  building this spring.  Every year I also make a mental note that I didn't take pictures the year before and this year was no different.  Also no different is the fact that I forgot to take pictures. Again. Let me tell you like I do every other year is that we had tons of fun and got to see friends we hadn't seen in a while.  The kids get to tear up our basement and act like wild animals. I don't know about your kids, but that is my kids' favorite pastime.  

The next day we headed to my parents for Thanksgiving.  It's a nice relaxing day of eating, laying around and watching football.  I didn't but I think it would have been acceptable to wear my sweatpants.  Maybe next year.

Thanksgiving: Friends and Family Edition

Every year, dating back to the year we bought our house, we have hosted a "Friends Thanksgiving".  Friends Thanksgiving is a potluck style event where Paul and I cook some mashed potatoes and a few turkeys and every one else brings amazing side dishes and desserts.  It's us, our friends, family, kids, and LOTS of food and drinks.  It ranks as one my top 5 days of the year.  

This year was awesome, as usual, and got even awesomer with the invention of Pinterest.  Do you know how many yummy things were brought that were found on there?!  Paul's wonderful contribution this year was cooking a bacon wrapped turkey.  Holy yum.  Because umm Bacon. Yes. Enough said. 

I never end up with pictures of this night because I'm so busy with the food.  This year was no different because all the pictures I have are actually OF food.  In a nutshell we were all stuffed and drunk and 20 kids destroyed my basement.

The next day we headed to my parents house to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  Aunt Mindy had the pleasure of joining us. I'm sure this will rank as one of her top 5 days of 2012 as well. :)  As we inch closer to Tenley's 1st birthday we are winding down on a number of firsts.  Today marked the  last first holiday Tenley got to celebrate.  In her case they saved the best for last because she has an inner fat kid that is dying to come out.  She was a very happy camper that day. 

We had a great relaxing day of eating, drinking, and checking our blood pressure.  All the normal things that families do on holidays.  Right?

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

11/23/11: 6th Annual Friends Thanksgiving

I will start by apologizing.  I was totally remiss in getting any good pictures from this evening.  These are from the cleanup.  Today marks the 6th year we have held our Friends Potluck Thanksgiving. What started as a small gathering has turned into a guest list of sometimes over 60 people.  This is by far one of  my favorite days of the year. Paul and I make the turkey (or two!), mashed potatoes, dessert, rolls, and salad.  Everything else brings some sort of side dish or dessert to share.  It is such a nice time to get so spend with friends that we don't always get to see. What started with no kids, now has tons of kids running around playing and laughing.  What could be better than good food and good friends?  Looking forward to next year!