Thanksgiving

It was my first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner and no one got food poisoning.  So I'll consider it a success!  Does this qualify me for official grown-up status?!  Even though cooking everything made for a busy day, the day was actually more relaxing than other years.  We've always traveled cross-country/world for the holidays so not having to travel and being in our own place was wonderful!  

Crafts

We aren't too fancy/formal (we opted for paper plates) and setting up the kitchen has been a long process.  I never know what accessory/ utensil I don't have until I need it and then never remember to buy it.  Our serving dishes are a bit hodge podge but we did use real utensils and make these cute burlap utensil holders.  They were easy and fun to make.  Samara helped me paint and stamp.

These photo placemats were a hit and great way to occupy the kids as we finished up dinner preparations.   Lizzie somehow managed to open hers and make the dry erase marker permanent.  

The girls enjoyed painting pumpkin turkeys.  Ben was in charge of that...not sure he was much enamored with it.  These  m&m turkey templates were fun and easy.  How did people find crafts and recipes before the internet?!

  

The Food

My mom was going to assist me with the turkey but ended up doing everything but seasoning it.  Hopefully, that doesn't take away my grown-up status.

Some of my favorite recipes were this apple pie--so easy but better than most apple pie I've had. 

And the cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes.  They were both sweetened with honey or maple syrup (the good kind).  The cranberry sauce was my favorite thing to make.

Kasha or buckwheat grouts are a Bikman staple.  Ben can eat his body weight in Kasha.  You'll notice his I-am-not-in-the-mood-for-pictures expression is similar in both photos.

The Guests

My older siblings

My little turkey and niece

My sweet mom, brother-in-law, and nephew

My other little turkey

My little sister and her family were able to join us for pies.  These are all the grandkids on my side minus the newest addition, who was born earlier this month.

Holding my new nephew in the hospital made me both excited and nervous to have a newborn again.   Not too much longer and our little guy will be here.

My brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer this summer.   As anyone knows who has had a love one go through cancer, it's awful.  Add many additional medical complications on top of the cancer and it has been a very tough year for them.   We worried he might not make it past this summer.  We are most thankful that he is here to celebrate with us and that he was able to be a wonderful support to my sister during his son's birth.  Seeing him hold their baby was so special and fills my heart with gratitude.