Saturday, December 5, 2009

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was at our house this year! This was my first attempt at having a huge dinner like this at my house. I was really excited and maybe a little nervous. I got some great advice from friends and family and my favorite magazine, Clean Eating, on the best way to cook my turkey to keep it moist. It was so good! I will always brine my turkey. That is the secret to a tender, moist turkey. :o)
The night before, my mom came over and helped make pies. It was fun working in the kitchen together. Taylor and Brayden wanted to learn how to make their favorite pies, apple and peach. So, I helped them along and they did awesome! Parker and Nicole entertained themselves and us as we baked. Tol was the "errand boy" for me when I was in the middle of a recipe and realized I was out of an ingredient. He was also the "fireman" putting out the fire I started in the oven with my pecan pie. My friend Megan warned me not to say the "b" word (burn). But it brought a little excitement and a lot of laughs! The boys thought it was hilarious! Tol was a little sarcastic...surprise.
Brayden had an activity for the family before we sat down to eat. We had to tell 3 things we are thankful for and explain why. Taylor made color-coded name plates for everyone and while we ate dinner he stood up on a stool and explained what each color meant. He used three words for each person to describe them. The funniest one was when he got to Grandma and Grandpa and the first word that described them was old.
Overall, it was a really great Thanksgiving. I loved cooking for my family. I can't wait until it is at my house again.


Parker and Nicole. They are just like brother and sister. I love it!


Brayden and his Peach Crisp Pie.


Taylor and his beautiful Apple Pie


Me and Mom weary after an evening of baking


Tol exaggerating a bit.



Up at the crack of dawn, peeling potatoes, preparing the turkey, wondering who's great idea was this to have Thanksgiving at my house...oh yeah, it was me.


My moist, delicious, beautiful turkey!


The clan I fed, minus the late-comers, Wade and Gina.


After everyone left we got our Christmas decorations out.
Out with one holiday, in with the next!



2 comments:

Shane and Amy Jo said...

Nice job Nikki! I've never had to do the leg-work when it comes to a yummy Thanksgiving. I'm coming to you when I have to make a turkey!

Such a great Christmas card. Thanks! You have one good-looking fam!

Anonymous said...

Looks like it all turned out great. That is a HUGE deal to do the big feast at your house.

It was fun seeing you guys last week...thanks for taking time to visit with the Rutter fam.