Thanksgiving 2013

We were joined by the Crocketts, Auntie Lydia Edwards, Jose, and Lisa Corbett for Thanksgiving.  I cooked one of our homegrown turkeys (all 35 pounds of it), made gravy, baked a couple of pumpkin pies, and actually decorated the table and made a centerpiece. Margaux made a pumpkin cobbler and green beans.  Auntie Lydia brought the mashed potatoes and some appetizers.  Ben made the bread of course.  Lisa brought some cranberry sauce and then I forgot to open it - ooops!  But I used it on my leftover turkey sandwich the next day and it was awesome.

Each of the children (except Case) did a little presentation.  McKenzie had written a poem and she read it.  Cassidy explained some of the historical Thanksgiving.  Colt shared his teepee and pilgrim house he made.  Alice and Clyde each recited a Thanksgiving poem from memory.

Thanksgiving (recited by Alice)

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in 

And chilly North winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures

The fields, their yellow grain.

So open up the doorway,

Thanksgiving comes again!

Thanksgiving (recited by Clyde)

First we give thanks

 for the food we are given.

Then we give thanks 

for the houses we live in.

Then we give thanks

for the sun up above.

But mostly we give thanks

for the people we love.

Lisa especially loved the kids' presentations.  I thought it was a great opportunity for all of them to speak in front of a group and to set the tone for our meal.  I was proud of all of them for doing a good job.

Alice's 5th Birthday - Pie in the Face

Five is such an exciting age I could hardly get a photo of Alice she was bouncing around so much!  She got a cute "French" outfit from Aunt Janelle's family and some legos from Clyde.  Aunt Shelley got her some golf clubs because she'd told me she wanted to golf.  Shelley and I went to the driving range at the McCall course with her and she had fun but she said she didn't think it would be so hard. 

Alice and Marnie Smith shared a party again.  Alice had asked for a "pie in the face" birthday so I put together a carnival with games, tickets and prizes.  It was fun but a little crazy.  Clyde and Mackenzie volunteered at the "Pie in the Face" booth.  Alice really seemed to enjoy it.  We served corn dogs, popcorn, fruit, homemade mac'n'cheese, and cupcakes.  I couldn't have pulled it off without Teresa's help in the kitchen!

Let's Talk Turkey

 

 

 

Janelle's family came for the last weekend of September.  We were just winding up preconditioning the calves so it'd been a busy week.  We capped it off by having a turkey harvest.  I asked Margaux if she wanted a turkey and she said she'd always wanted to prepare a meal from start to finish.  She and Janelle both did a good job with their turkeys and we got one for ourselves too.  It was surprisingly entertaining for all.