Thanksgiving 2012

Afternoon stroll around the house

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year.  We've hosted it for the past 4 years.  Nick commented this weekend that a lot has changed since the first time we hosted it-going from no kids to two kids would be the biggest change!  We had 21 people this year for the Thanksgiving feast.  Although we have told folks to not bring anything big, we still manage to have tons of leftovers...even wine and beer (what a sin!).
Uncle Ricky said the Blessing (gah gah to Tillman), JRS did a fried turkey, CiCi cooked bread, dressing, and sweet potato souffle, Mrs Mazy did her famous mac n' cheese, Aunt Julie did her famous corn bread casserole, Aunt Sylvia did her famous potato salad, and Nick did the deserts and baked a turkey. Many other items were brought as well.

Baking at the house started at 5AM!  Nick went to the grocery store the night before Thanksgiving   The smallest turkey was a 14 pounder!  We will be eating turkey for a while.  He had the over going into overdrive with baking 2 pumpkin pies, an apple pie, the turkey, and a cranberry upside down cake!  The pumpkin pies cause a bit of a mishap that filled the kitchen with smoke and made a very filthy oven!  The pumpkin pies ran over while rising.  We had to open all the windows, turn on the fans, and take the batteries out of the smoke detectors.  Caroline slept through it all, Tillman thought it was funny, and Graham wouldn't come back in the house for an hour after the smoke cleared (smart dog).

Tillman laughing at all the commotion 

While Nick was cooking, Tillman gave Graham a bath for the first time!  Tillman is starting to be able to tell his story of how things happened.  He reported to his daddy that Graham "shook" and "was all wet!"  Tillman and I also vacuumed the house before the guest arrived.

The Cook!

Tillman got a front row seat for the feast!  He sat right by the mac n' cheese and ate out of the container. We had to teach him some table manners.  He also made a complete mess, and stained the bar stool seat! He still needs to be in a high chair...for sure.  After cooking and dinner, the boys enjoyed passing the ball outside and sweet Caroline was held by all and napped the remainder of the afternoon.  I guess that turkey made her sleepy!