Thanksgiving Part IV

Our last Thanksgiving meal was with Matt's side of the family. We went to Gram and Papa's for a noon meal to enjoy ham (turkey for our pork allergy girl), corn, fruit, mashed potatoes (made with broth) and some garlic green beans.

The meal was gobbled up fast--and Scrunchie tore through some mashed potatoes. We enjoyed some Gram Bread (allergy free zucchini bread) and lemon bars for dessert.

And then we got our hands on some of Daddy's old toys. But the girls also wanted to play pool and Foosball.

Daddy, Uncle Todd and I helped the girls enjoy these games--and we tried to remain as uncompetitive as possible! I think this one may have picked up the competitive gene. Oops!

Thankfully this little Bug is still young enough to just appreciate the experience without trying to WIN!

The girls played all afternoon and wore us all out. See below...

Yes, tired she was. She's in the middle of a stage I call Whatever Mom, I Don't Nap Anymore....  Um, it's not my fav!

At one point, Papa told a made up story to Bug and she was drifting off to sleep---and I was too! What can I say? After 5 fun-filled days of food, little naps, and lots of family activity, I was ready to pass out.

And now we all need to detox our systems of carbs and sugars and catch up on some sleep! It's slow, but we're getting there!

Thanksgiving Part III--Christmas Tree Hunt

Black Friday

We started off Friday unlike many other people in the US--in our beds! No Black Friday sales for us... 

Instead, we headed to the Christmas Tree farm. A new one this year because our old one (we think) went out of business--at least for this year. 

We got there and it was pretty cold due to a wind from the south--it's bad when the south wind is cold, right? Anyway, we immediately took the girls inside the Barn to check it out.

Not only were there fun crafts and coloring books, there was also free cookies (they were good) and hot apple cider, and popcorn! Hmmm... spoiled much? I think so!

But next, of course, was the torture we put them through by going out into the cold to wait for our hay-ride! Sorry girls.

 As soon as we got off the tractor, we skipped looking at the trees and instead headed into the warming hut. It's totally heated by an old stove, so we were plenty toasty within minutes.

 And then we ventured outside to look for our tree--but not before I got out the camera and pleaded for their beautiful faces to turn my way!

 Can you see the misery they're in? I know they look on the verge of tears, but trust me, they were perky again seconds after this photo.

 There was nary a soul to take a family photo, so we settled for the old mom with kids and dad with kids photos. What's really odd is the fact that this place was hoppin', but we didn't still didn't see any potential photo takers.

 Ummm... someone needs to tell Scrunchie that humans don't typically eat grass.

 Yes, I threw this one it just because! You're welcome!

After the tree hunt was complete, we headed back into the warming hut to await our chariot. 

 And then it was back onto the tractor and back to the barn. I loved that barn. It's not only for the kiddos and their crafts, but it's also full of homemade crafty stuff. Fun to look at, for sure!

 I told Matt that we should just sell our house and move into a barn. I swear it'd have plenty of room for my whole family. I only saw a portion of the barn, but I bet the square footage of that place is more than enough to accommodate my family of 7! And it's just so darn charming.

Buggy finally joined in the craft-time in round two of the barn. She loves to color and they had Christmas Tree books made just for that. 

 We came home and got the tree up. The girls and Matt decorated the whole thing. It was the first year that I was able to just sit and enjoy watching the girls hang the ornaments without my help. It'll be even more fun when all five are up there participating. 

 I decorated the rest of the house. Well, the main floor-- I don't decorate the upstairs or the basement. We do most of our living on the main floor, so I suppose that works! 

 That framed Christmas tree on the top-right shelf is one of my favorite holiday decor pieces. Matt's Grandma, Zada, made it from what appear to be jewelry pieces. It's old. It's beautiful. And it's made by a crafty Grandma! Cool in my book!

 We put the tree in a new spot this year. I like it. It gives me plenty of room to put some of my bigger pieces--like several trees and Santas!

This tree is wobbly and I always have to lean it up against a wall. But I love these little felt ornaments, also made by Matt's Grandma Zada. I love a little vintage look at Christmas time. 

Once the decor was up, the family settled in to watch Home Alone 2. This was the first movie that we all made it through--still awake at the end! Not only that, but the girls (especially Peach) were laughing the whole way through. Certainly some blessed holiday memories!

Saturday the girls visited my mom's house and baked treats and played. I didn't get any pictures of that because I was busy re-doing some rooms and getting their new furniture situated. So I'll be back tomorrow with our second feast that we had with Matt's family on Sunday.

Merry Christmas (card)

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Here is our Christmas card this year. I'll tell you, it gets
harder each year to get just the right pictures of
everybody looking at the camera and smiling. But
I'm glad Shutterfly offerssuch a variety of styles
of cards. This year, the card above seemed to
fit us perfectly. I had one good "kid" picture, a
good family picture and a picture of the older
two and one of the younger three. Thankfully, Shutterfly
had a card just right for my large(er than average) family.
I liked the wider/bigger photo slots in the middle to display
our large brood. And of course, the smaller two fit about
half of my kids each. Perfect! 

And if you are a friend in real life (or family, of course) you
can see this in the mail just as soon as I get them to me.
Which should be plenty of time before you hear jingle
bells on your roof!

Thanksgiving Part II

Thanksgiving Day

 We got up at normal time on Thursday, but we did something out of our normal routine--watched the parade! That is, until they were bored with it! We finished up what was left over from our pie crust snack and headed to Grammy's house to feast on delicious food!

 Once we got there, the kids immediately started playing--like they always do. Bug loved playing with this laundry hamper cart. 

These three played nicely together--though Miss Scrunchie mostly crawled around--or should I say scooted around the wood floors (we don't have wood floors so this was fun for her). 

Ummm... sweet Boushka was trying to be sly, bless her heart! Cracker sneaking = Not a Success!

This one lost interest in the puzzle and decided to decorarte (or did she REdecorate???) Grammy's table. She did a wonderful job!

And I feel proud of this girl; she put a 100 piece puzzle together in no time. I HATE puzzles and never did/do them with the girls when they're little (yes, this is one mommy-ing area I fail miserably in), so I'm happy she knows how to work these things!

The sweet, little goofball enjoying her first Thanksgiving on Daddy's lap. Mmmmm... fingers!

The only man in that house (until my sis gets hitched or we have a boy... which do you think will come first?) carved the turkey. I equate this chore with taking out the trash---it's just the Man's Job because that's just the way it is, and for no other good reason (smile)!

Grammy starts the gravy. I intended on getting the whole gravy-making process photographed, but I think I got distracted by (5) something(s)!

But I got back to picture-taking mid-carving time. Mmmmm.. delicous (to us, not Scrunchie. She still likes her fingers).

Oh yeah, and POTATOES!!! OMG (yes, I wrote those three letters because I'm quite immature for my age) this child is a potato addict. 100% Irish genes flooded this baby's body at conception!

Most of the spread!

But this sweet appetizer (sweet as in awesome, not taste) was not on the table. But it's so lovely I had to share it with you! Mom made it per my request--I call it a salmon log, though I'm not sure of its official name. It's cream cheese, green onion, smoke flavor of some sort, parsley, nuts... I'm not really sure, but I love it.

Turkey, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes (we had allergy friendly mashed potatoes as well)!

Mandarin orange salad, both allergy free and regular sweet potato casserole and the other mashed potatoes!

I made the sweet potato dishes and a craving of mine pictured here--cheesy hash brown casserole! And my stuffing that nobody really ate! We had mom's regular stuffing as well, but I guess it wasn't on the table when I snapped pictures!

We went around and said what we were thankful for. I believe she said her family!

I'd be lying if I told you I remembered her answer, but I'm all honest when I say I bet it had to do with crackers!

I honestly think she said everything! 

I think mom's grateful for everybody's good health!

She usually repeats what the sister before her said--family, I think she said (SMILE!). 

He said he was grateful the doctor was able to correct his eye/tongue coordination! (HAHA) Okay, fine! He was making a face at Scrunchie! 

Once the meal was finished, we all retired to the living room. One passed out!

The older three watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. 

And sweet Boushka passed out. She was totally exhausted after no nap and all that activity!

We also fought for that wishbone. Brownie and Peach originally played the tugging game, but Peach moved on to Daddy. I just love the look on her face in this picture. This is the second to last in a series of pictures where she's making scowls and frowns as she fights for that bone! The last picture is her smiling at her accomplishment!

I decided we needed to do a craft too. So we made a mailbox for Santa communication. I had all the materials laying around the house, so I gathered it up to take to Grammy's. The girls enjoyed cutting and gluing--and so did I! 

We have had a couple of letters delivered to us from Penguin Man (our version of Elf on the Shelf), and we also plan on putting your letters to Santa in this mailbox. Craft Success!

We came home Thanksgiving night and pretty much crashed. It was a long and busy day, but we were excited for what was in store for Friday! Stay tuned...