Thanksgiving 2011

I may be a little behind on posting with my family blog because I am usually posting deep thoughts (ha) over at All the Sanity in Me.  Since it is a four day weekend I thought I would catch up a bit.  This year for Thanksgiving we double dipped and went to our Bestie's house for dinner and Dave's aunt and uncle's house for dessert. 

Loree and Grammy

Dave - this was during Mustache Movember or whatever it was called.  We all hated it.  

Except for Dave.

My cute and snaggle toothed kid.

Our fearless chef (yes, I tried the turkey)

As usual, the kids made a mess

The girls made us all cute place cards.

Curt, Kelly and Dave had a post Thanksgiving workout with the kids

We had a fantastic surprise!  Uncle Kelly, who wasn't supposed to be at any of the Holidays this year, surprised us and flew in for Thanksgiving.  We loved it!

Rob, Dave, Nancy, Curt and Kelly

The Brothers

December 19, 2010: Christmas Eve with Cousins

 The Sunday before Christmas we usually get together with cousins for a Christmas Eve-like celebration.  We had honey baked ham, rolls, salad, fruit, and pies for dessert. 

 Then we gathered for singing.  A few years ago I made several books of music for my aunt and uncle for Christmas so that they would have them for occasions such as this.

 The books have both spiritual and secular music in them.

 My cute uncle

 Clara was an angel for the nativity and Lucy was Mary

 Ava was the baby Jesus

 Joseph and the Angel

 Josh played Joseph since he was the only boy

 Mary wasn't too excited to have the lace on her head.

 We agreed that Ava seemed to be just fine wrapped in a pillowcase and that maybe it was a good idea for the future.

 At one point, Uncle Gordy put Joseph into a straight jacket mode.  That was fun.

 We aren't totally sure what Uncle Mike is doing.

 Uncle Eric was Nephi...or a Sith depending on how you look at it.

 It's a good thing that there were plenty of bathrobes around.  Uncle Gordy played the donkey - an appropriate role for him.

 After the nativity and reading of Luke 2, Aunt Karen told some stories. 

 Josh was totally absorbed in what she was saying.

 Then we took a picture on the stairs with all of the kids.  Charlie wasn't happy.

 Erin learned how to take peppermint sticks and stab them into oranges and then drink the juice.  It's actually fun and really good and the kids loved it.

 I know I am biased, but this little girl is ridiculously cute.

December 11, 2010: Papa GG and Temple Square

Last Saturday we drove up to West Haven for Papa GG's 90th Birthday. It was low-key with just family, because the bigger party was over Labor Day weekend with friends throughout the years. 

After the party, we headed down to Temple Square with Uncle Curt, Uncle Rob, and Rob's girlfriend, Jessica (who we all love).  We parked at The Gateway, got some dinner, and then took TRAX over to Temple Square. 

 Clara

 Josh

 Strange children

 Handcart Pioneers

 The Lights at Temple Square

 Starting to get sleepy

 Starting to get sleepier

 The Nativity

 The four of us (and a girl in a teal plaid coat)

 Love this shot!

Love this kid!

Thanksgiving 2010

Josh had a Thanksgiving Feast provided by a generous donor and so I took the opportunity to go and help out for the party.  My big contribution was to heat up the tater tots.  Then I took cute pictures of my kid.

The actual day of Thanksgiving we spent partially at my cousin's house and partially with Dave's side of the family. 

 Ama and Erin cutting potatoes

 The kids watching movies

 Rachel wassailing

 Erin and Eric

 Dave and me

 Rachel making the rolls

 Gordy throwing Charlotte high in the air (she loved it)

 Sitting down to dinner

 The cousins

 Look at those eyes - what a doll!

 Dave cutting the turkey

We headed up North to spend time with Dave's aunt, uncle, and grandparents. 

 Curt, Rob and Jessica post turkey snooze

 Cleaning up - Ama Ancy, Aunt Pennie, Uncle Ken and Ama GG

 Rob's awesome socks

Dave and Papa GG