Thanksgiving at our House

We hosted our first Thanksgiving.  My parents and my sister-in-law, Stacy, joined us.  The menu included turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, stuffing, creamed onions, rolls and green beans.  For dessert we had apple pie, pumpkin pie and chocolate chip and sugar cookies.

I was a bit stressed out about the turkey and making sure it was not under or over cooked.  I used an internal meat thermometer and an instant read one.  It cooked more quickly than I expected but came out nicely.  George humored me as I fretted with the thermometer and the constant checking and re-checking of the temperature and the placement of the thermometer in the bird.

My mom gave me pointers as I made the gravy.  Now I have that down too.

It was a great day surrounded by loved ones and good food.  We have a lot to be thankful for!

Pulled out the apron to make the gravy!

Starting the meal.

Digging in!

Cookies that Benny and I decorated.

George, Stacy and the boys.

My parents, me and the boys.

And the boy is 13!

Jacob turned 13 today.  It is hard to believe he is a teenager.  He celebrated his birthday by having four of his buddies sleep over on Friday night.  They played hour upon hour of video games and only stopped when we went for dinner at the Great Buffet!  George even moved a second TV into the family room for the gamers!

On Sunday we had our families over to celebrate.  Here is a picture of the boy and his brother.

Jacob, his birthday loot, and his brother!

Halloween

The snowstorm put a damper on this year's Halloween festivities.  Trick-or-treating was postponed from Sunday to Monday night.  Of course, not everyone knew this so I was the mean lady who had to tell the dozen or so kids who ventured out on Sunday night.  I gave them their candy as I delivered the bad news.

Despite the one-day delay, the town came out in full force and we went through 15 bags of candy on Monday night.  We even had to resort to our "stand-by" bag of gum.

Jacob and his buddies went out on their own this year.  Benny went house-to-house with the Lewis family and Gavyn and Ben did their best to acquire lots of candy.

George enjoyed a special mulled cider he brewed up for the occasion.

Benny as the evil jester!

My boys - Jacob as the Green Skin Suit and Evil Ben!

The days of cute costumes are so over!

Family Visit #2

Last weekend, George's other brother, Colin, came to visit with Amanda, his girlfriend, and her two girls.  We enjoyed meeting the girls, Verona and Amelia, sledding in the October snowstorm and catching up.  Ripley enjoyed Colin's company too but must have missed Phil, his lovable boxer!

Colin and all of the kids!

Verona and her snazzy pajamas!

Amelia.  She likes cereal!

Snow.  Yes, really!

This is what happens after a couple of cocktails.
Ripley does not know what to make of it!

Looking good Ben!

The boys.

Family Visit #1

George's brother Caleb, his wife Stephanie, and their daughter Lyla came to visit a couple of weekends ago.  It was the first time we met Lyla, their 8-month old daughter.  We had a great visit, had a chance to catch up and see the baby!

Caleb, Stephanie and Lyla.

The entire gang!