It's TIME!

Finally. It's TIME....No, not time for Black Friday shopping. While we all LOVE a good deal, none of us felt like rushing out the door this morning to SHOP.  It's TIME....time to take down the fall decor and put up the Christmas/Winter decor. I usually keep the wintery/snowmen hidden until after Christmas, but we decided to go for it today and put everything out. When we put up the fall tree, we chose the decor with an eye to easily changing the focus. This morning the girls were quick to pull the leaves and pine cones off the tree and add strands of wooden beads and ribbons. We aren't totally happy with it yet. 

Nolan had to work. Michael and Alex pulled box after box off the shelves in the garage and brought them inside. They left for their weekly Bible study. Grandpa was occupied with his paper, phone calls, and nap.   The tree was up...the girls and I decided to take a bit of time and savor the day. It had potential to be a relaxing day with no school or outside "musts" to worry about.   The day called for an impromptu tea time in front of the Christmas tree. 

Michael and Alex found us snuggling on the couch when they returned home. We were much too content to move on with the "to do" list. We opted to continue snuggling while watching a Netflix Christmas movie.  I believe it's the break our hearts, AND bodies, needed. 

The movie ended, we grabbed left overs and then the girls, once again, motivated me to get going on decorating...it is after all tradition. I find myself missing Mom greatly and appreciate the girls' company. Allie tackled the trunk at the top of the stairs. 

Stacia set up the nativity for the grands to play with under the tree. 

We added a few big balls to the tree...still contemplating the tree. We decided we want simple and we aren't going to pull out the ornaments this year. We want something a bit different. Michael told us he is fine with whatever we wanted to do. 

Benny's going to be excited the bucket of snowballs are out again

The girls were so much help! I was still pondering how to utilize the space atop the step tonsu when I sent the girls off to bed. Its configuration is different, no stair steps this year for separate nativities to sit on.  In the end the typewriter is just too big and bulky to move far. Nolan came home and said he liked it...the angels were writing the message to proclaim. LOL I think I'd be happier if I can find a spot for the typewriter and give it a Christmas look - AWAY from the nativity. I'll keep looking around....

I'll get more pictures in the upcoming days. There is a lot of box clutter at this point. We'll move the boxes back to the garage tomorrow. OH - in all the shuffling we FOUND the pictures and the Adventure Awaits sign that went missing over a year ago. LOL 

It's the People

 It was sweet to meet with all those who were within driving distance. We were able to chat with JaRissa. In the end, it's all about the people.  As we twenty-three gathered around the table Michael led us in a discussion of what we were thankful for...and again, it's the people. After we ate and played games, there were CAKES. Lots of cakes. God has been so very faithful to us. It was good to gather with hearts of gratitude and remember. 

CyRi showed up first - around 11:30 or so. They've been in the Caribbean for a few weeks (maybe only 2) but it was good to see them! Cy went to work blowing up balloons and Carrie jumped into the kitchen fray.  CoRielle showed up about an hour later. Cory fixed a delicious turkey and brought his signature Almond Roca dish - and more. I lost track of who was arriving when at this point. 

It was so sweet to spend time with this little gal. She's grown so much this year. 

Annie (BreZaak's) LOVES her jerky 

RISK - always somewhere in the mix  - Michael & Jamin

It was a BLESSING to have Nolan and Alex home for Thanksgiving. McDonald's chose to close for Thanksgiving. Would you BELIEVE people were calling the store on Wednesday to COMPLAIN that McDonald's would be closed? Buy your hamburger a day early. 

Danny & Nolan

A quick look out the window showed there was fun inside. 

This tradition continues...decades ago I purchased a cheap white tablecloth and had our Thanksgiving guests sign it.  It's fun to look back at it and see family,  airmen, friends, fellow members of the chaplain corp...years when Michael was missing, years when new ones were added - those are the best. This year the boys and Allie signed for the first time. 

Once grandpa found his chair he was happy to have all the activity swirling around him. 

 

KrUke brought a Burrito toss game...

It involved cards, burrito brawls and burrito wars. Arielle and Nolan are about to get into a brawl here and Danny seems unsure about finding himself on the outside of the circle. 

Arielle, Cory, Stacia, Allie, Danny, Nolan, Krista, Livie

Bre planned some fun crafts for the kids. 

They moved the Burrito Brawl to the table. Here Bella assists Nolan and the burrito was flung across the room at them by Allie.

Birthday Boys and their smash cakes. 

I tried to get a shot with all the grands, but I'm missing one in each shot....this is the closest...Gideon's provile is at Bre's elbox, Jojo, Bella, Annile, Livie, Danny and Benny. 

Benny offers helpful tips to Brother on how to EAT it. 

I think the fondant's texture confused the boys.....Danny got a finger off the handprint....

...and began dipping it into the cake and licking off the crumbs. 

Meanwhile, Jojo GROWLED when the others touched his cake. LOL  He figured it out! 

Benny and Gideon try to show Jojo how to do the cake thing....

Next up was Benny's rocket/ planet cake...this is the back side...

Coolest ever! Planets INSIDE the cake. 

Finally, Papa had his 61st birthday cake....an ice cream cake with several different flavors. 

The pig hat finally appeared. LOL 

Checking back in with the babies and they have figured out the cake thing....they simply had to drill down past the fondant. 

At some point during the day the helium balloons ended up in the ceiling fan. I was happy to leave them up there with the mistletoe from last Christmas....but Josiah and Benny helped Michael get it down before they went home. 

I'm told we watched a bit of netflix after everyone had gone home...but I was dead to the world and roused myself only enough to stumble off to bed. 

 This time of the year still makes me miss Mom G, Dad G and Mom badly.  I know Dad was also missing her. We were especially mindful of sister in laws who both lost dear ones last month. Something amazing happened this year...our gathering number grew. I was busily planning for the typical 15 we have when we have our monthly family gatherings....Arielle pointed out there would be 25 people. In the end there were 23 people around the table, on the floor, in and out of the house. We didn't gather for Thanksgiving in 2020.... The growth of this year's gathering is a visual of the year we've had. A year of births, weddings and life lived together. 

Strawberry Turkeys

While Stacia occupied herself in BAKING MODE and DECORATING MODE...Allie and I bonded by shoveling the driveway outside...and THEN....we decided to prove we are as good as any 12 year old on Tick Tock. I saw these earlier and thought it would be fun, as the oven is on the blink and we wouldn't have a turkey, to make these. Now, we WILL have a turkey  - Cory is bringing it. I'm making a ham in the Nesco. 

Allie - still attaching mallow and then pretzel to that...

We started with high hopes....these little strawberries were going to look just like turkeys....we watched a couple of times and commenced.  Hmmm....

We immediately began to wise crack about how OUR turkeys looked bowlegged, or like middle-aged men that couldn't get off the couch. One or two looked like they needed a restroom....We were having great fun! 

Stacia finally said, "I think you're supposed to stab the marshmallows and THEN attach them." AH....yes, that did make a difference. 

She went on to say, "Normally I just watch until the two of you work it out or it blows up!" ::snort:: Can you believe the bake snobbery going on in THIS house? It's kinda perfect.  We laughed so hard we had to make a video clip in case we ever start a you tube channel of "Real Cooking." 

In the end, I think they turned out good. The legs fell off when we dipped them, so we ended up coating one side while we held them....but it will be quite enough chocolate.

I love to work in the kitchen with friends and family. Stacia doesn't appreciate our help with cake decorating (understandable). THIS was perfect. We set up at the table and had a blast. Stacia worked in the kitchen and had a blast...WE provided levity for her stressful moments.  It worked well. Lots of laughing...stress relieved....cleaning and peeling and such tomorrow. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

Benny's Rocket Cake

 Stacia nearly trashed the rocket - but in the end we talked her off the ledge. LOL Benny will be happy. 

She was supposed to throw it into the freezer - our walk out freezer will do just fine. 

Crumb coat

The shiny finish...

I think it's cute! 

Editor's note - a photo of the inside of the cake filled with planets. This was a hit. 

No Oven for Thanksgiving ::grin::

Stacia and Allie made dinner so that when I got home from co-op all I had to do was join them in the kitchen fun....the entree and rice were going. I made veggies. Cooking together - my love language. 

The appliance repairman finally came again. We've been without our main oven for 4 weeks. The part he brought did not fix the problem. It could be two other things. It will take 2 weeks to get the next part to try - it will cost over $300 whether it works or not. We are giving it a shot and if THAT part doesn't work - we are going to have to buy a new one rather than try the next part....because seriously, we are putting as much out repairing as we would in replacing. 

Anyway - Thanksgiving without a reliable oven (remember we have the janky oven in the basement). ::snort:: I was shocked when Arielle sent a count for dinner - 25 people. Our family gatherings are around 15, but we have grown since the last one we celebrated together in 2019.  

Desserts are in good order...we aren't doing traditional pies this year as we are also celebrating November birthdays. 

Stacia finished two adorable smash cakes for Danny and Jojo. 

She also got an ice cream cake in the freezer for Michael's birthday...and Benny's rocket cake will be assembled tomorrow.  I had planned to create a chocolate pinata but have decided to save it for new Years...or Christmas Eve. 

No oven was needed in the creation of these treats. 

We are thankful. We are thoughtful.