Thanksgiving Run Down

What a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving we had this year! My in laws came down for the festivities and stayed for two weeks. My family and my husband's family finally got to meet for the first time even though J and I have been together off/on for 11 years. And we had so much food the whole time, I seriously had to just...stop eating. I literally put on 7 lbs from their visit. GAH! But who cares, we had a good time.

So hear are just a few highlights from the Holiday:

The days leading up to Thanksgiving, J's parent commenced to spoiling us with gifts for the kids, eating out for lunch AND dinner (as my MIL didn't want me to have to worry about cooking more days than necessary) and just hanging. (I hate that I was so busy preparing for Thanksgiving and entertaining them that I didn't get any pictures from this time! For shame...)

Thanksgiving Day
Thank goodness for family. I had LOTS of help in the kitchen in the form of my awesome sister, my mom and MIL. I couldn't have done it all (sanely) without them.

My sister helping with some of the prep 

A shot of me in the kitchen BEFORE I was able to take a shower.
After I realized J was taking pictures, I had to run and get ready.

The Grandparents talking and playing with Nico

Someone has already started sampling the wares
this early Thanksgiving morning

My nephew - rarely seen without a DS in his hands

My sis and my oldest son playing around in the kitchen

We STILL can't believe he turned 16 two weeks ago!

My 13 yo posing...
(that's a mohawk, btw. His head really isn't that pointy)

More family shots

My sister and her husband ready to get their grub on! 

My sister, her husband and my Aunt Gong

The table place settings before food

Setting the kid table

Because I was so busy with all the prepping, the husband was in charge of the camera so I don't have too many food pics to share. Hopefully I can get some shared by J's father (he took lots of pictures). BUT here's what we had:

Appetizers: shrimp cocktail, veggie tray, anti pasta, pesto chicken, chipotle cream cheese dip and crackers...and for some reason others are escaping me! But we had a few more items to snack on.

Main Course: Roasted Turkey with olive and herb stuffing, Baked Ham, Garlic Parmesan Green Beans, Homemade, Creamy Asparagus Soup, Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Bread Rolls, Homemade Cranberry Sauce (chunky and smooth), Pasta Salad, Homemade Mac 'n Cheese and Buttered Corn

In my family we have a tradition - we all play spades. My inlaws have never been to one of our family tournaments but they've heard all about them. We even got my reserved MIL to 'trash talk'! OMG! My family LOVED it, especially my aunt Gong who kept egging her on. And I'm proud to announce J and I won the tourney this year :) We get to keep the trophy!

Friday night we had Italian Night (it was my MIL's show) and everyone enjoyed stuffed clams, Manicotti, Spaghetti and Meatballs, pasta and sauce, eggplant parmesan, some bread with salmon and cream cheese on top (don't remember what she called it), pesto pasta, salad, garlic bread, and shrimp scampi with a multitude of different breads. OH.MAN.

Deb busy in the kitchen
(J and I were "helping" and trying not to get in her way)

Stuffed Clam Shells

Although the scampi was on it's way,
they started to eat because they couldn't wait

Manicotti (or manigot - sp?), eggplant parmesan, sauce
 and the salmon/cream cheese bread

I have an apron with my name on it like I know what I'm doing :)

After dinner, we celebrated my oldest's bday with his favorite - a cookie cake. 

The boy is NOT known for his fashion
(forgive the basketball shorts)

My Big Boys - Justis and Christian

Dalyn (my aunt's son), Justis and Christian

The Birthday Beat Down - we don't play! ;) j/k!!! 

Boys will be boys

It's ALLLL Good!

More to come....