Thanksgiving 2008

We use to have a tradition that each Thanksgiving we would head to the beach in San Diego. On Thanksgiving day we enjoyed playing in the surf in the morning while our “Thanksgiving dinner in a box” was heating in the oven (purchased from the local Raleys food mart…a yummy, easy way to do turkey day).

After moving to Ohio, that tradition quickly ended due to the costs associated with living in a city without a major airport hub (expensive flights!!!).

Since we don’t live near family, we usually like to go somewhere or have someone come and see us!

We decided to stay put this year because we are very lucky to live near our friends The Christensen’s (who are just like family) and we had some more friends (The McFadden’s) travel from Utah to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with us.

We thought it would be fun to run the local Highlands Ranch 5K turkey trot this year. Why not burn a few calories before inhaling 1000’s of them…right? Thanksgiving morning as we were preparing to leave we found out the turkey trot had an entrance fee of $35.00 per person…Hmmm… lets see 35x7? Well I’m not math genius, but, I know that is too much to pay to run a 5K. So being the fiscally responsible people we are, we decided to create our own little 5K race on the hilly trail with beautiful views near the Christensens Home.   It was a fridged morning, but we braved it like the true athletes we all are :-)...

As we reached the mid point of our 5K run/walk we decided it was time to snap a photo for posterity. Then, back to a warm home, gourmet hot chocolate, and most importantly Thanksgiving dinner.

We were especially privileged this year to have Andrew McFadden (famous for his BBQing of the turkey) roast the turkey with his secret “brine” (don’t ask me what this is – but is sure makes the turkey juicy and flavorful). After all the appetizers and the special yummy frozen punch it was time to load up the plates for Thanksgiving Dinner. Many hands does indeed make light work. With all the "chefs" around, it made the meal quite easy AND oooooohhhhhh so yummy! Too bad our belly's aren't just a little bigger for special occasions like these!  

Browns, Heidi & Zane Christensen, Michelle and Andrew McFadden...just before the feast begins.


The kids all got along great and had a great time eating together, playing together and just being together...

After a day of endless eating, it was puzzle time. There are two kinds of people in the world...those who enjoy doing puzzles and those who enjoy not doing puzzles... I'm of the camp that doesn't enjoy doing puzzles, so I find other ways of occupying my time! Those who do enjoy puzzles I'm afraid need to go to puzzleaholics anonymous after they have committed to a puzzle. I feel like once they get started it is very, very hard to PULL them away from their dear puzzle... It just puzzles me that they could like puzzles that much!!!
Eating more?  After a day of shopping at all the "Day After Thanksgiving sales" we retired to a yummy pizza joint for dinner.  Yes, the girls did get up and make it to Target by 6 AM for all the GREAT steals!  To me half the fun it just being around all the other crazy shoppers!

Now that Christmas season is Official... It's time to bake sugar COOKIES! When I get the "smart" idea to make sugar cookies, I forget what an all-day-long-messy-undertaking it is.    No wonder we only do it a few times a year. Chandler really got the hang of using the fun, new way, of frosting those little tiny cookie stars.

With lots of helpers (kids that randomly come and go), the task should be a  little easier, but after a few cookies they seem to be ready for the next fun thing... So, guess who gets to finish and clean up??? Enjoy the cookies everyone because it will be a very long time until we make them again! (smile...)  We love Thanksgiving and all the fun things associated with it!  Being Thankful after all is a very good thing and we are thankful this year for being able to spend such a great time with our great friends!