Thank God for the FOOD!

For the second time in the history of my family, my mom did not have to fix Thanksgiving dinner. My mommy almost killed herself last weekend getting the Thanksgiving dinner ready for their church. It was a wonderful dinner, so we thought she deserved a day off. My sister Melanie and I worked as hard as we could to prepare a festive feast. Things started off a little rocky as mom and dad forgot the roaster pan at their house. 3 hours away. So around 7:30 this morning my dad and I headed out to Wal Mart to buy a roaster, rolls, cream cheese, carrots, celery, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, size 5 diapers, and buttermilk. And a Mizzou scrub top that I found as I walked by....;) (I'll post a pic of that when I wear it!)

That was the start of our cooking marathon. Melanie and I made turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, Hiawian rolls, and carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I also made gravy, for the first time ever. I did a good job. Melanie did have to help stir while I looked for various bowls and utensils. But all in all it was a great dinner. Except for the last minute realization that I had not made any mashed potatos. I was enlightened as I put gravy on my turkey. I wanted to try the gravy and had nothing to put it on. I bought 10 lbs of potatos by the way.... I do need to brag on the turkey by the way. We used one of those bags to put the turkey in to bake. Ms Bird turned out really great! Very juicy, didn't actually need gravy on it! Neato, schmeato.

Allison and I also made a video message to send to daddy Shane. Emily and Bandit made another one, but it did not turn out as well. I guess we will try to make another one a little later. Allison has been in Princess mode today. She did not want to take a nap. She did not want to do anything that was not right in the way. Grandma wanted her to watch the Thanksgiving Parade with her, but she didn't quite think it was as entertaining. She did help me with the herbs for the turkey and giblet gravy.

Miss Emily just enjoyed playing and entertaining all of the relatives available. My sister and brother in law, Brett, took turns holding her. Grandma and grandpa ohhed and ahhed over her. She got to watch the parade and a dog show and the doggies run around the house. Bandit and his cousin Riley were rather crazy to keep up with when they were together. But Miss Em didn't seem to have any problems with them running like crazy dogs. It was all very exciting for her. She had a great time in her exersaucer while we ate dinner.

All in all it was a fantastic day. I love having my family near me. I was so excited that everyone agreed to come to my house to celebrate this special day. I did not even let a little thing like a leaking sink or the fact that the turkey was ready an hour or so before everything else get me down. In fact, I'm thankful for my health, my family, and all the fun times the holiday season will bring. I hope each of you are blessed with happy times as we enter holiday season 2007.