Thanksgiving at my house

So about two week ago, I found myself thinking that I should have the parents (His and mine) over for a little pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving (excuse the redundancy). As soon as I had the thought I called Jeff to see what he would think. I totally thought he was going to say I was crazy and why on earth would I want to do something like that?? Well I got the total opposite. He thought it was a great idea! YEAH!!! I had the green light! The date was set, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
I have to say I was very worried about cooking a turkey. Especially a Thanksgiving turkey, THE turkey of all turkeys! I had only cooked whole chickens to this point, and was not yet successful on a carving. ). So I hit the Internet, more specific food network. Com.. And after spending hours and almost going crossed eyed, I finally found what I was looking for. A recipe that said I will make the most perfect, moist turkey and not have a million and one steps. Alton Brown’s recipe (which I totally recommend) won out above all the rest. I was a little worried, but as all the reviews said I followed the recipe to the T. And forgive me for patting my own back, it was wonderful! Quick thanks to Alton Brown, he’s the man and so funny (watch his show on food network it’s worth it.) After a hundred calls to mom and dad about what to do’s and could you bring this. I got dinner on the table! I asked my dad to carve the turkey (he’s the carving master in my opinion) I wanted to deliver a national icon, not a jigsaw puzzle.
I have to say everything went as planned and was just as yummy as I hoped. I am so thankful that I even had the opportunity to have this dinner! And of course in fashion for me I didn’t take any pictures. SHOOT!

Not so puppy anymore!

Yesterday I was taking some pictures of Aynsley playing in the snow; I also got some of the dogs having some fun with it as well. After we all came in I sat down to take a look at what I had taken. When I got to the one’s of Sadie I thought to myself, she isn’t a little puppy anymore. She’s a BIG puppy; even with her training she still does puppy things i.e. chews shoes (I have lost my favorite pair of black heels), getting up on the counter to steal food, and well you get the idea. But I still love her! She is already such a good dog; she just has her puppy moments.







I know this post isn’t about Aynsley, but I just had to put this one up of her playing in the snow. What can I say, I’m a mom and I’m crazy about my kid.

Just a quick note

I read this quote today and it made me laugh and think about my own family as I grew up. I don't think I could have put it any better.



The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Halloween

Fhew what a busy couple of weeks, we had LOTS of Halloween fun at the Blanda home. To start it off we had our annual Blanda costume Halloween party! It was a BLAST, one of the best years yet I think. Everyone came and had a wonderful time!!! It was so good to see all of our friends; we need to do it more often. For the life of me I will never understand why everyone insists on standing in my tiny kitchen but that was where the party was. LOL. Thanks to everyone who came and made it the best year yet!
Later that week Aynsley had her school Halloween carnival. She went dressed as Dorothy from the wizard of oz and her buddy/cousin Brady went as the crowdedly lion. It was soooo cute. They had loads of games to play and gave the out TONS of candy. She didn’t like having to wait in line for her turn to play, but she figured it out. We have to work on waiting our turn and sharing I think.
And last but not least on Halloween day we did a lot. We went to visit Grandma Johnson at her work and have some lunch! YUMMY! Then we went to Grandpa Johnson’s work to say Happy Halloween, and then it was home for a quick nap. After we woke up we went up to Grandma Blanda’s house to trick or treat with the cousins. Then it was time to pick up daddy from work and eat our pumpkin shaped pizza (so cute, you get them at papa Murphy’s) then off to trick or treat in the neighborhood with the cousin again. Aynsley was sooo cute; she would get to the door and yell trick or treat in her little voice. I loved it! Aynsely went as Dorothy and mommy was snow white, while daddy was a great big gorilla. She got TONS of candy, more than a two old could ask for. It was a wonderful Halloween season. Now bring on the turkey!