So we decided to have a practice dinner. A mini-feast. Because don’t you get halfway through making the meal when you think, “Darn. I put the turkey in too early.” “Is pecan pie supposed to look like that when you take it out of the oven?” Oh yeah. Put the rolls in the oven 5 minutes before you make the gravy. Wish I’d remembered that from last year.”
We cooked, we sang, we dirtied every pot in the kitchen.
And I wish I’d taken photos of:
Hans obsessively slicing apples for his mini-pie (because isn’t the extra crust for little tarts the whole point of making pies?)
Gabe and Mary dancing and giggling as they combined sugar, butter, chocolate chips and Nutella for the “deliciousest pie in the world.”
Stefan setting the table with acorn plates and cabbage bowls.
The tornado of potato peels as Xander and Erik raced to finish their pile.
But I did catch:
Ben stirring stuffing
Gabe and Mary peering into the oven

and five kids supervising Erik as he mashed the potatoes.

Snow fell heavily all afternoon and our plan to paint our neighbors’ windows with massive B-Y-U letters felt foolish. Who would venture out after dark on a snowy night to vandalize their neighbors? Really, wouldn’t it be better to just wait until Saturday night after BYU has won the game?
Yeah, maybe. But we needed the practice. 😉

Thanksgiving dinner?
BYU vs. Utah?
We’re ready. Bring it on.
Ken
Dear Family,
Thank you for coming to San Diego for Thanksgiving this year! I’ll bake some butterflake rolls for you.
Love
Dad/Grandpa
Jeanelle
what a fun family…and being together matters more than the food or warm sunshine instead of snow. Your kids will get that. Love, love, love the pictures of the kids touching…I just love the love in your home!
jess
Yeah for San Diego for Thanksgiving!!
Are you guys flying? We’re heading out in the morning. Hope you enjoy yourselves and soak in some sun before the hibernation begins around here!
Sue
Looking at these pics made me yearn for the days when mine were these ages.
I love how cute your children are with each other…looking in the oven arm in arm, watching Dad mash potatoes from a shoulder perch.
Happy Thanksgiving! And have a safe trip with your very precious cargo.
=)
ashli
Happy Thanksgiving!
so sad that we don’t connect as often…ah well, it makes me grateful for the few chats we get on the phone and especially for a friend like you.
Claudia
Grandpa’s rolls and possible strolls on the beach…those poor children!
Have a wonderful time enjoying your family all together.
And GO BLUE! Can’t wait to see what fabulous mark you leave behind of Utah’s “true” university.
Mitchell Family
Who are these girls that you prefer to your crippled Aunt Ruthie?
Tracy
Cannot wait to see your artwork! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. You are on my mind.
xoxo,t
chococatania
You have to tell me more about this nutella pie…
Chelle
Erik is cute in glasses. You can quote me on that. (telling my husband he was cute was the first thing I remember about you, after all.) : )
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.