Thanksgiving

We have been so overwhelmed with God's goodness this year, and it was sweet to celebrate what He has done with our family this year. While we lived in Texas, we would stay home on Thanksgiving and save our vacation days for Christmas. What a joy it was this year to get to be with family!

We had some fun this year by mixing our menu up a little. Although all the "usual suspects" were present, each of us tried something new in the preparation of our contribution. For example, I made mashed potatoes, but tried a recipe that called for brown butter. I also made a delicious autumn arugula salad with pomegranates and roasted squash. Yum. Here's our dinner spread:

On Thanksgiving Day, we had a lazy morning watching the Macy's parade, and then a wonderful family-filled day. I took hardly any pictures, but thanks to Aunt 'Tine, we at least have one of each of the cousins.

Daniel and Tevy

This girl is big into silly faces right now.

And this girl does what big sister does, of course.

Sweet Brynn

And my favorite nephew, Micah. :)

On Saturday we had our annual gingerbread house contest.
My personal favorite, Colin and Christine's winter wonderland -- I think the snowed-in minivan wins it for me.

Mom & Dad's candyland masterpiece - what you can't see is the chimney, which extends several inches above the house.

Brian & Karis' classic gingerbread house. Gotta love the nilla wafer roof.

And finally, our Noah's Ark. Daniel built the boat while I baked and decorated the cookies. We like to keep things outside of the box. :)

We also tried to get some family pics, and ended up with some okay ones... Once we get photoshop, I'm hoping a little editing will improve them.
Three out of four isn't too bad.

Me and my love. Seven years sure flies by when you're having fun!

Papa and Nonna and their grandchildren.