As they did the past two years, Angie and Hyrum drove down from Chicago to join us. I am so glad that they came and hope that they had a good time. I still feel badly about their sleeping arrangments--they forgot the air bed that they had planned to bring with them, and although we offered many times to go and buy one, Angie ended up sleeping on Sally's new twin mattess, and Hyrum on the couch (except when he slept on the couch cushions on the floor).
The feast was a lot of work, but I had fun. I brined a turkey (which unfortunately wasn't as tender and juicy as the last two brined turkeys that I made), made cranberry-pear stuffing (and made the bread for the stuffing), and whipped up my Grandma Dickson's sweet potato casserole, some rolls, and two pies (apple and pumpkin with pecan topping). Most of these things were done in advance, so things in my little kitchen weren't too crazy on Thanksgiving Day itself. Neal stepped up and made our mashed potatoes, Hyrum made the gravy and some cranberry sauce and green beans (in addition to making two pies at home and bringing them along), and Angie made a delicious salad. It was truly a group effort. Too bad I don't have any good pictures of the spread.
As has been the tradition for Neal and me since our first Thanksgiving together, we ran the Sprint 5K in the morning. Unfortunately we didn't have the greatest experience, so this year may have been our last. The problem was the weather (it was FREEZING!) and the fact that we decided to bring Sally along (who let us all know that she didn't like the weather). Neal recruited his family to join us for the race, so we had a big group. Neal and Christian (little brother) ran together, Cookie and Randy (big sister and dad) stuck together while pushing Megan and Allyson (Cookie's daughters) in a double stoller, Hyrum ran with Christina (Cookie's oldest daugher) and Merilee (Neal's younger sister), and I walked with Sheralyn (Neal's mom) while pushing Sally in our jogging stroller. Midway between miles 2 and 3 Sally decided that she had had enough of sitting in the stoller, so I ended up carrying her until Neal showed up to help just before we finished the race. Thankfully I had a lot of energy that morning and didn't have too hard of a time. I was glad when we all got home and got warm.
Here are some highlights of the day and the day after:
Angie and Hyrum.
Sally and Aunt Ang.
Angie serving her spinach, apple, and walnut salad.
Neal carving my not-so-perfect turkey. Somehow I chose a tough old bird this year (not that it was really tough, just not as tender as I'd hoped).
Hyrum's lovely and yummy cranberry sauce.
Neal enjoying some sports before I recruited him to peel potatoes. You can thank me for the great haircut. Just FYI: dull clippers + chosing the wrong guard = one bad haircut. Neal is a great sport, though.
Sally enjoying a nap with her Auntie and Unc. Not that she slept...but what else is new?
Pie, guys! I told Sally to gather up the nappers so we could have pie, and she excitedly ran around yelling "pie, guys!" She did the same thing for days after any time pie was mentioned.
The day after Thanksgiving we all went to Union Station to see the exhibit on chocolate. Neal was a good sport (or just a cheapskate!) and forewent paying $9.50 to see the exhibit to hang out with Sally instead. They enjoyed looking at all of the Christmas trees up for auction and the model train exhibits. He didn't realize that his money savings would be cut by more than half when he promised Sally that she could ride the big train if she was a good girl until Mommy came back. Who knew that a 2 minute ride would cost $5? Sally's excitement was worth it, though. (Sorry, Neal, for questioning your motives--it was very sweet of you to spend time with Sally so my knowledge of my favorite food could increase).
Sally and Mommy after the ride.
I suppose that synopsis wasn't very quick. I guess I'll just have to stay up until midnight to say all I want to say. It's a good thing it is New Year's Eve!
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