This year Jason and I hosted our first Thanksgiving. Maybe we are still recovering and that's why it's taken me so long to post about it?? It was great fun to finally be able to have people stay at our house and we loved having everyone here. Thankfully all the cooking wasn't put on our plate! Everyone pitched it with there specialities and even my sister-in-law, Jennifer, who has a little newborn, brought some delicious pecan squares. We have so much to be thankful for this year and family is definitley up there on the list!
The morning of Thanksgiving we got the turkey all ready to go! Neither Jason or myself had every made a turkey before and I have to say, there is NOTHING worse than dry turkey. I was determined to have a delicious, moist bird. We decided to brine the turkey and for something that wasn't that much work I think it made a great difference.
Growing up Jason had the tradition of always having his mom boil the turkey neck for him as a pre-dinner snack. He decided it was time to pass on the tradition. He intended to share the neck with this little monkey, but when he wasn't looking she snatched his portion of his plate and chowed down. Like father, like daughter!
The kids were pretty hungry by the time our late lunch came around. Poor Aspen had been sitting at the table for about 30 minutes waiting for the meal to be served. But once it was, she was in Thanksgiving heaven!
Aspen's favorite part about the dinner was probably when we all held hands to say grace. We never hold hands normally, just on holidays, so she thought this was quite a treat. She insisted on holding Jessica's hand throughout the meal--doesn't look like she minds too much.
Aspen enjoyed helping "cook" whenever she could over the weekend. Here she is watching Papa whip up some eggs on Friday morning. Jason has been cooking with her so much more lately, we might have a little chef on our hands ;)
On Friday afternoon my other sister-in-law, Sarah, came into town with her family. The kids were having an great time with each other and Aspen even got to have her first official sleep over. We stuck all three kids in Aspen room for the night. They definitely had a great time, although they were all definitley a little over tired at the end of the weekend.
On Saturday morning I got up with Cameron and Aspen to make waffles. Cameron was my big helper with the waffles, informing me when they were ready. He enjoyed himself so much he told his mom he wanted a waffle maker for his birthday (his mom then informed me, "We have one.). He cracks me up!
I told them to say, "Waffles!" Cameron really committed.
It was raining all morning on Saturday, which we can't complain about in Central Texas. So we went to the mall to visit Santa Claus and surprisingly Aspen didn't cry. She wasn't insanely excited about him, but at least she sat in the chair without any tears. After Santa we headed to a Tex-Mex place down the street from our house. Cameron and Aspen took over Nanny's lap and the chips and queso.
On Sunday even though it was pretty chilly outside, there was no rain so we took a walk around the neighborhood. The two younger ones enjoyed a ride in the wagon, while Cameron was obessed with walking Bella. His parents better watch out because I think they may be in for years of asking for a puppy--not sure if they will work out for him ;). Although he is welcome to babysit our pup anytime. Bella loved all the walks!
Everyone headed back home on Sunday afternoon. We were so happy to have the chance to host a holiday for Jason's family. Now we are in the Christmas season, my favorite time of the year! The Tuesday after Thanksgiving we went and picked out our tree. I have really been talking up everything Christmas, so Aspen has really gotten into the trees, lights, Santa, and even likes to talk to our baby Jesus in our navity scene. Such a great time of year!
Dzubinski Christmas Tree 2011!
