Thanksgiving 2011

 Starting the day out right with hot chocolate and fruit.  When I asked Ethan if he wanted hot chocolate he looked at me funny and said, "Yes, but not in a sippy cup".  Don't worry Ethan, those trusty sippy cups will be back as soon as company leaves.

Wouldn't be Thanksgiving with the girls without hitting up the mall.
Aaron's daughter Kyra, my Lila and Emry, Margo's Adelys, Jeannette's Kylee.

Emry up to bat with my dad as catcher and Nathan waiting to bat.  We were at the park for hours.  Baseball led into volleyball which led into skateboarding which led into staying up talking late into the night.

Adorable honey!  I love you too.

Playing volleyball was such  fun and everyone was laughing and fighting over who got the kids on their team obviously.    I loved that I captured Glenn and Ethan together.

 Mom at my stove making gravy.  This old sturdy pot is the one I ate countless bowls of oatmeal out of growing up.

  

My turkey that I brined, buttered, seasoned and injected. Yes I bought an injector! It seems cheesy like something you would see on an infomercial, but I followed THIS recipe to a 'T'.  Of course extra drumsticks had to be grilled for all the little boys to live out their caveman fantasies.

My brother Aaron manning the grill.

The Spread.  This picture does not even come close to capturing how wonderful everything was.  I was in charge of Appetizers (fresh veggies and dip), Rolls ( I made white and oatmeal wheat) and the Turkey.  I didn't forget anything!!  Jeannette made the Cranberry sauce, Sweet Potatoes and roasted Brussels Sprouts & Green Beans.  Mom made the Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Gravy.

My plate. We went old school and brought back marshmallows on the yams.  They're here to stay.  It's Thanksgiving and we're eating pie, what's a little more sugar?  It definitely brought back memories of sweet potatoes growing up.  Of course as kids we got a scoop of sweet potatoes and scraped off as many toasted marshmallows as we could..  My mom did something different with some of the stuffing and put mushrooms in it.  So good!  Notice no mash potatoes?  Don't like em.

Mom & Dad

Jeannette Mitchell Roberts, Margo Mitchell Zamora, Marie Mitchell Wallwork
Adam's girlfriend Anna, Mom, Aaron's wife Jasine

Margo's son Andrew with his girlfriend Morgan and Aaron's son Zaden.

Ethan Wallwork, Nathan Roberts, Rylan Mitchell

Cousins.  Clearly I instructed Andrew and Ezra not to smile.

If you can believe My brother Nielsen, brother Kyle and his daughter Iree, and brother Ty, wife Sheralyn and two daughters are missing from this picture.  What are we, Mormon?

My 4th baby wondering when all these people and their dogs are leaving so I have time for him again.

My brother Adam and his girlfriend Anna.

Can't have a get together this awesome and not have a talent show can we?  The girls danced, the boys danced, I danced, Lila sang, Morgan sang and Adam  & Anna each sang and played guitar.  Party Rock Anthem was played, it had to be done.

Our dirty little secret......store bought pies.  When I have limited time with my family somethings gotta give and who am I kidding, my crust could never be as good as Marie Callendar's. 

This many people at one time is crazy.  But I love them all so much I don't mind that I am forced to have little kids destroy my home.  Forced to do a million dishes.  Forced to hold fat babies and kiss their head a million times.  Forced to talk through tough situations.  Forced to eat a plethora of pie.  Forced to win (again) at Who wants to be a Millionaire (Jr. cough cough).  Forced to stay up late talking about who knows what.

No really, what did we talk about?