Thanksgiving etc.

Now that I am feeling a bit better I better catch up on all that has been going on in our lives.

Thanksgiving was awesome. We love having a day that centers around food and gratitude. We all cooked together, ate together, cleaned up together, and played together.

We barbecue our turkey. I highly recommend it. It is moist and juicy, it cooks faster than in an oven, and it frees up oven space. We threw in a lot of mesquite with our charcoal. When we pulled the turkey out the skin looked very dark but we cut it open and it was moist and tender and had a delicious smokey flavor. I think the mesquite created a lot of smoke and darkened the turkey. Gary also had the genius idea of cutting holes all over the turkey prior to BBQ and inserting whole garlic cloves. It was the best turkey ever!!! We also had sweet potato casserole, roles (Rodes rolls of course. I try to avoid baking whenever possible, especially around the holidays.) oyster stuffing, mashed potato casserole, a green salad, gravy (of course) and corn. Poor Gary had what I have now and would sleep until the cold medicine started working. Once it started working he would get up and cook. Once it wore off he would go take some more and lay down and wait for it to start working. Poor guy.

We attempted to play boccie ball after dinner. Lorin, Gary and I were the only ones who really played. Ethan would throw it at a rock or something rather than the marker. Brynn would throw with all her might and the ball would travel about three inches in the opposite direction. Then she would pick up the ball and putt it right next to the marker. After we had our fill of boccie ball we went on a bike ride. We had such a great time. The weather was perfect for a bike ride and we all enjoyed it. The trees were all turning color. The smell of turkey wafted through the neighborhood. It was great.

the next morning I got up at 3:30 am and got Gary his new mp3. I waited in line until five but then I just walked in grabbed the one thing I wanted bought it and left. I then headed over to walmart just to check it out. I'm sorry for my description but it was hell. It really was. It was packed like a can of sardines. I couldn't even walk through the crowd. People were screaming at each other. Everyone had this crazed, wild look in their eyes. Babies were crying. People had multiple carts full of stuff. I turned around and left. It was not worth it. Liz and Jen, I miss our efficient and highly organized black Fridays. In and out, get the couple things you want and leave. I am definitely going to have to organize something for next year.

On the Monday following thanksgiving we decorated our tree. We got our tree last year at a thrift store for 30$. I had to throw that in there. I can't help myself. When I buy something cheap I have to tell everyone (Liz, Shelly, Mom, you know what I'm saying.) I love it because it is just three sections. It is very fast and easy to set up. We have converted to shatterproof ornaments. They are fantastic. The kids throw them and kick them and lay on them and nothing happens (of course I only get them after Christmas when they are 75% off. I'm sorry I just can't help it). Ethan later asked why we put "bombs" on the tree. He was referring to the round ball ornaments. He is such a boy.

I love this photo because the kids look less then thrilled to be there. In actuality we were decorating the tree, eating baklava and Ethan and Brynn were having fun playing with our Playmobil nativity so no one wanted to stop and take a picture.

I had to hold everyone there until Gary took the picture. I reality we were all having a great time. The cat kept jumping out at us as we decorated the tree. I actually thought it was funny.

As you can see from our tree decorating picture my hair is long and scraggly. I don't know what to do with it. I need suggestions please. I prefer quick and easy. I don't want to get it cut too short because my hair grows fast and I would have to go and get it cut often. Even though I love short hair I can't afford that on a student budget. I kind of want to keep it longer but not so homely. I really am not good with hair and need suggestions. I was also thinking of lightening it some how, color maybe, although I would stick with blond (sorry Gary, no red hair, my skin looks pale enough.)