Thanksgiving 2011...

Jamie and Ben hosted Thanksgiving this year and it was incredible! Jamie planned for months exactly how she wanted it to be. She stayed up way too late baking and cooking. Here's a glimpse of all her hard work and our special day...

  Homemade fresh cranberry sauce...

Homemade candied yams...

She ordered mini pie tins so that everyone could have their own personal pie (and took our own personal orders and made several different kinds to accommodate everyone-banana cream for me.)

Ben bought a leg of lamb. He was so excited and found a great recipe but unfortunately the cut of meat wasn't as good as he had hoped.

Jamison whipped up some mashed potatoes. He wasn't a fan of the apron or having his picture taken.

Shawn and everyone stepped up their game this year. Shawn brought a variety of sparkling drinks my favorite being the peach flavored one. He also brought marinated shrimp. Justin brought some specialty cheeses and crackers. They were nice surprises in addition to their food assignments.

After we ate I dropped the kids of at Steve's house for the rest of the weekend and Rich and I got to eat again that evening with his family in Salt Lake.

The wonderful hosts...

Silly mom...


Nice one Zach!




Got to love a post Thanksgiving dinner nap!

Thanks Ben and Jamie for having us... it was absolutely wonderful! I'm thinking it's your holiday for good now! Miss you Jen and family...

Thursday 11/24/11

Thanksgiving...

We hosted Thanksgiving again this year and had a wonderful day full of family, food and football. My parents and all of my siblings (and families) made it except Jen and Stacy. Will (a family friend) also joined us.

I made the turkey and green bean casserole and actually managed to get Steve to carve the turkey this year... he usually finds a way to pawn it off on somebody else.

Everyone was in charge of making some of the yummy food... even my brothers :)

We had all the traditional Thanksgiving food... turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, green been casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, candied yams, variety of veggies, fruit bowl, pies, pumpkin rolls and ice cream. My Mom also made the slushy pineapple/banana/sprite drink that we used to always have at my Grandparents house every year at Thanksgiving when they were alive.

Of course Jamie was in charge of dessert... pies and pumpkin rolls because she does such an awesome job! Loved the peach pie Jamie!

Earlier Thanksgiving morning my parents took the kids to Wal Mart to get out of the house and let them each pick out a DVD. Of course Maddy picked out the only Ben 10 DVD he doesn't have and Avery picked out her favorite... Diego. Yep she would much rather watch Diego (or Ben 10) than Dora or any other "princess" show. It was a nice break for me and I actually got the house cleaned up, turkey cooking and got showered and ready for the day while they were gone. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Jamie and family.

Shalane, Lola and Will in the background.

My brothers searching KSL for cars.

Never a dull moment...

Got to love kissing cousins...

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday 11/25/10

My brother Shawn decided to stay with us for the weekend and made us some yummy spicy sausage/potato/jalapeno/kale soup for dinner one night and french toast for breakfast one morning. Thanks Shawnie-I absolutely LOVE it when other people cook for me! He also spent lots of time playing with the kids and I'm pretty sure he left our house wore out.

I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life! I am truly truly blessed! I hope you all had a awesome Thanksgiving and were able to take time to reflect on the blessings in your life.

Company...

My parents and youngest sibling Justin came up the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and stayed with us through Thanksgiving. We enjoyed their company and some got more rest than others...

It was pretty cute, my Dad headed downstairs to take a nap and Avery decided she wanted to go take a nap with him.

Wednesday morning we all met up with my sisters Stacy (and family) and Jamie (and kids) at Kneaders and had all you can eat french toast. So yummy! After we ate we went to the Legacy Center in Lehi to go swimming...

My parents and the kids (missing Claire and Lola.)

After we got home from swimming I made a lasagna dinner for everyone (as if we needed all those calories the night before Thanksgiving.)

Later that evening my parents watched the kids while my brother Justin, Steve and I went and saw the new Harry Potter movie. I have to admit I fell asleep about 1/2 hour into the movie (it had been a long day and I've gotten used to going to bed pretty early lately) and slept for about an hour. I woke up for about the last hour. I was a bit lost but thought the parts I did see were awesome! We will definitely have to rent (or buy) it when it comes out so I can see the whole thing!

Thanks Mom, Dad and Justin for all your help and all the attention you gave the kids while you were here. They are going through "hide-n-seek" withdrawals... sorry if they completely wore you out!

Wednesday 11/24/10

Thanksgiving...

We had another great Thanksgiving this year! We hosted again and my parents along with all but two(Jen & Stacy) of my siblings were able to come. We had lots of yummy food and enjoyed each others company. Avery was napping when the above picture was taken.

Everyone else (except my Mom.)

The boys being silly as usual.

I had to post this. We were totally laughing and had our mouths full. Lets just say Jamie was pulling out quite the tricks and sound effects to get everyone to smile and as a result had everyone laughing. Jamie you've got skills!

My Mom brought Gingerbread Boy sugar cookies that my Dad made for the kids to decorate. They had lots of fun.

Avery couldn't get the cookie in her mouth fast enough.

This is how the guys watch football... somehow they always manage to catch some zzzz's while the girls are left to clean up.