Thanksgiving

We ended up getting really spoiled for Thanksgiving because we got to have Shawn's parents and Aunt Linda ALL TO OURSELVES!!!  It was awesome.  Initially we were a little disappointed that no cousins were going to be there, but we had a great day! 

Because Jim and Marilyn would be working in the Visitor's Center that morning, and because we're getting to be a pretty big bunch to have over, I tried to take care of a big portion of the meal. Marilyn and Linda did the turkey, potatoes and gravy and corn.  The day before Thanksgiving, we baked like crazy.  I made a broccoli salad and a yam/pineapple bake dish and three pumpkin pies, Kami made two apple pies and four batches of delicious rolls, and Caden made a pumpkin trifle and jello salad, and orange rolls. (He also made homemade ice cream the day of). Maddie made a chocolate pie.

I love using the holidays to teach my kids, and make sure they aren't lacking any cooking skills- at least not any that I have and can share.:)  Everything is all relaxed, we don't have to worry about meeting any deadlines or appointments, and we can just enjoy time together.  I find myself wishing that from now until New Year's could just be a great big, school's- out, holiday!

After dinner the kids rode the four wheeler and they even got everyone to play a few fun games. Pit, Apples to Apples and "the name game."