Thanksgiving

This weekend really was fun filled and packed full of activities.  We had a lot of fun staying up late, eating yummy food, playing games, and working.  Sunday was a really good day.  We went to church and heard some really great talks on being Thankful.  I was glad that we were out because we got to listen to my sister give a fabulous talk!! Dad really wanted to carve pumpkins this weekend for Halloween because everyone was together. So, Sunday night, that's what we did. It was a blast.  I love gutting the pumpkin and feeling the goo.  Dad was excited this year because he had a cool tool that he thought would be awesome for pumpkin carving! After finding a cool picture online, we all went to work carving our pumpkins into works of art! Dad made a crazy looking pumpkin face.  Mike and I did the one with the stitched up mouth, and my brother and sister did the smiley little person.  They turned out awesome. After, we lit them up and sat and admired them for a few minutes in the dark while we chatted.  It was great fun!

Monday, my mum woke up nice and early and began making preparations for our thanksgiving feast.  She's amazing!! The turkey was in, and things in place.  She also made her yummy dressing (stuffing) on the stove. Mr. Stannix made sure she made extra because he loves it! The boys drove to the cellar to get some extra potatoes for dinner and took Camilla for a car ride.  Before they even hit the highway, she was zonked out.  All the fresh air and playing is so good for her! Mr. Stannix carried her in from the car and put her in the play pen for a snooze.  I helped my mum with final preparations (setting the table etc.).  We were so lucky to have both our families together this year again for Thanksgiving.  Mr. Stannix's Mum and sister came out to feast with us! It was great to have everyone together to celebrate.  I enjoyed setting the table. I'm all about decorating and hosting etc.  I enjoy being creative and making things look nice.

The table set for ten!

I didn't quite get to the Turkey quick enough to take a picture.  It's already half carved in this picture, but doesn't it look delicious?! My mum is amazing!

Our fabulous feast.  Pink lemonade, carrots, honey-dill beans, potatoes, cranberry sauce (even though my big brother is the only one who ever eats it and wasn't here this year), cheesy-dill homemade buns, Turkey, dressing, Jello, butter, salt and pepper......YUM!  I only took a little bit of everything (except dressing, I took lots) because I knew I would fill up fast.  There's a joke in my family about Mr. Stannix and his eyes being bigger than his belly.  He ALWAYS dishes more then he can eat and goes hard at the beginning and then takes his time finishing up, and usually can't finish.  This year, as he filled his plate, we all joked again that he wouldn't be able to finish it! I took a picture of his full plate (because I thought it would make a humorous blog entry).  Although, I'm now noticing that Mr. Stannix didn't take any beans!! Oh wait, I think I see ONE!

While he got made fun of for taking too much, I got made fun of for taking too many pictures.  "I'm making memories!!" is always my response.  Camilla got tired of me feeding her and was impatient with me, so we decided just to give her a bowl of her own to go at! Usually, I don't like doing this. I don't like messy, covered in food kids.  I'm weird that way.  Eventually I'm going to have to enjoy it. It was so funny watching her with her two little teaspoons.  She really shoved it all in.  She was hungry! 

Then, she got a little tired and began to slow down.  I tried to get a picture of it, because it was so cute, but she perked up when I brought the camera out.  We all looked over at her and she was resting her head on her arm/little hand and just watching and listening to us all.  She had been doing it for so long that when she moved her hand off her forehead, there was a little pink mark. 

She did however almost finish her whole bowl of potatoes, dressing, carrots, and gravy. What a big eater!

My mum did a fabulous job with the feast.  It was enjoyable and most delicious! Thanks Mum for all of your hard work!!

And for any of you wondering....

Mr Stannix DID finish his plate.  He even scraped it clean, which he NEVER does.  I'm pretty sure it was just to prove me wrong since I took a picture of it.  I think the last few bites were hard ones to swallow ;).  I have a very competitive, determined husband. I don't know where he fit it all, but he did it.  Maybe next year, he won't get made fun of! *Just kidding* HaHa

I am Thankful for...

Family- life wouldn't be complete with out them.  I have a fabulous husband who loves me and a crazy little girl who makes me smile every day.

The Gospel- The knowledge it gives me that families can be together forever and that I will be able to return to my Heavenly Father again someday.

Good Friends- who are always there when you need them for support or advice

Good Parents- Who taught me well and are there to lend advice and help.  I truly was "born of goodly parents".  

All the blessings I enjoy in this life- The food we eat, the home we have, our little family, financial security, the opportunity to get an education....etc.

And so, so much more! How truly blessed we all are!