Thanksgiving 2012

Yes folks, it seems as though I'm only writing on major holidays now but that's really not the case. I've made a commitment that in December I will write at least one a week. I say this now but in reality, will it happen? The world may never know... at least until December 31st and we can count it all up. I at least have to do one more before the end of the world so that all will know my final thoughts.

Thanksgiving was graciously hosted by our family this year and we made the most of it with 25 "adults" and 5  kids. What's with the whole "Adult Table" thing? I loved being at the kid table. We made up our own toasts for our 12 bottles of Sparkling Cider, talked about video games or boogers and pretty much partied like it's 1999. Kids these days don't know what they're missing. I'm teaching V & J the secret kid table toast so they will be able to teach their kids. It's a worthwhile investment in our children's future.

This year I surprised my parents with 3 gallons of oil and a turkey deep fryer. Yes friends DEEP FRIED TURKEY! This has scared and stunned people for years with mixed results. After much research and careful planning we succeeded in frying a 17 lb turkey to which the family insisted becomes a yearly tradition. All in all, deep frying a turkey rates on the "So Insanely Awesome to Make that Even Your Mother-In-Law is Impressed List" a 9.6. That's pretty dang good peoples. It was the best turkey that this writer has ever had.

We had too much food and not enough stomach space which, in all honesty, is what Thanksgiving is all about. Here's the recap in stunning 1080p HD:

We totally look like we know what we're doing!

I let my dad lower it in because he's lived a good life and I didn't want to die.

Success! Total Deaths: 1 really dead turkey.

Here's what 25 people in your house look like at one table.

The proverbial kid table engaging in a rousing game of Who Can Shove The Fork in Your Mouth the Farthest.

The pie is eaten and cuddle time with Mimi is all that's left to do. Good day!

Halloween 2012

I know what you're thinking: "Halloween? I'm already thinking about Valentines Day!" Well, Joshua, this entry is not for you. This is for the nostalgic person in all of us that likes to remember those fond yestermonth memories like celebrating your 29th birthday for the eleventy billionth time. Nostalgia is lost on some but found on others like when I'd think that we have to start listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. Then you have those who won't until December 1st. When you have kids, they want to listen to it the day after Halloween because its all over every retail establishment on the planet. So yeah, I'm listening to Christmas music as I write this action!

Halloween was actually fun this year because we had a small human as opposed to a small baby. We even got to carve a pumpkin together! We had some jack-o-lantern decorations so she chose the design and then she got to carve some of the pieces out. Tradition at our house is that Mom roasts the seeds for a snack afterwards. Let me tell you something: Mom can roast some pumpkin seeds ya'll.

This year V dressed up as Angelina Ballerina and graced everyone with her dance moves all over the place. We're pretty sure she's going to want to take dance when she's older and slightly more coordinated. Halloween this year was a success all around as there were no injuries and both of the cousins only yard saled once a piece! That's progress people. Next year, we're shooting for only one of them to eat it once. V went up to each house and said an audible "Trick or Treat?!" and then after receiving candy, said "Thank you!" Some things stick with your kid: Candy at Halloween is one of those things. Saying "Thank you" is not. We had to remind her seventy eight thousand a few times that she needed to say "Thank you" but after a while she would say it first. More progress! Below are the fabled pictures of a forgotten holiday until next October:

 Pumpkin carving is hard work but rewarding because...

We get an awesome jack-o-lantern in the end!

J is in the bee costume. V is the ballerina mouse. Janis is the mother-in-law.

No mouse costume is complete without a tail.

V and Mom with her epic... costume mustache

The kids are staring at the giant pile of loot instead of the camera. Figures.