Turkey Day...at last

I finally feel like I have a minute to get all this put up. The pictures, the commentary, the deep thoughts, reminiscing, etc. And let's dive right in:
First of all...Kaira and fam, Thank you, thank you for driving all the way from sunny Omaha to visit us! I, for one, had a very good time and loved having my sister there to shop and cook with. I love you Yasser. (That's Yasser Kairafat, all of you who don't know her...I think it's a very clever nick name and my hat's off to our funny parents for thinking of it and sticking to it.)

The Spread:
This gives new meaning to "Turkey Bowl" aye? nyuck, nyuck Every year I kick myself because I have, yet again, gone a whole year without buying a stinkin gravy boat.
The boys. Fighting over who has juice and who doesn't. The girls having their own tea party. I believe they were unaware that anything else was going on. These two were so great together...the laughed, they shrieked, they ran, they dressed up, they fought, they cried, they made up, they tea partied...it was wonderful!Miss Charlie diggin in to the strawberry jam. oh yum. What reckless abandon! You know you wanted to do the same thing. Let go of your inhibitions!
Laney grew these massive teeth just for this occasion. Give this girl some meat. This child can bring a breastfeeding mom to tears. Enough said.I won't even get in to all the insecure things I would like to say about this photo, but please people, do I need a hair appointment or what? I am DYING for a great cut, but I hate to follow the herd and get that darling a-line cut everyone is getting, but I think it is SO CUTE! What is a girl to do? Can't you all grow yours out and give me a turn?
This is the photo that I requested Mark take "so that we would have proof that I exist". Nice sarcasm? huh? Nothing like a little martyr with your turkey and taters, I say.
Wait, there's more....this is the only picture I got of Mark. No, that's Kaira and Charlie....I was referring to the arm that is holding a knife. Sorry, hon. I'm a loser. Nice hand though, very muscular.
Uncle Joel...this is his "I have mental problems" smile. Like many men he refuses to smile nicely for the camera. That's okay, Joel, for your sins you are getting this little highlight on my blog. Ha! Take that! I bet next time you'll smile pretty! And you'll like it!

This is the "pumpkin pie" I made. I forgot that I only own one pie plate, so we improvised with this oval casserole dish. Unfortunately that gave it a distinctive pumpkin casserole feel. Unfortunate.After the feast there was a great deal of Wii played. I particularly enjoyed Mario party 8. I was able to practice not losing my temper every time I was "this close" to getting a star and someone else would shwoop in and take it. I'm totally fine with it. really. I hate that game.

And yes that's me "struttin my stuff". Unfortunately this was the only picture that featured the Wii playing festivities. My apologies.

After the feast and the games, we went over to the Allred's home for pie and visiting with the Huffords, Malquists, Fields, McKassons and Allreds. I could lie and tell you that I forgot to take my camera, but the truth is that I had it in my purse and felt too stupid to get it out and start taking pictures of everyone like a tourist at Disneyland. I would like to give a shout out to Sarah's UHMAZING Chocolate mousse concoction. It was SO very delicious and I believe a recipe was promised...Sarah? If you would like to take a gander, click on the this. She is a very talented lady.


Now, just one more thing. On Saturday night, Kaira made a meal fit for the Celestial Kingdom. Seriously. I don't even know the name of it, but it involved cilantro lime rice, shredded pork slow cooked in pure spicy heaven, black beans in adobo sauce, warm fresh tortillas, shredded romaine and glorious cilantro-lime ranch. Cafe Rio, anyone? It was made with love and devoured with no regard for weight gain. My new favorite meal. Kaira, you are quite the little cookstress.
So there you have it! A good time was had by all. So sad it's over. Now...on to Christmas!