Thanksgiving Fun

The Friday before Thanksgiving Aaron got to go to a little "preschool" party put on by one of the young women in our ward (all the proceeds went toward supplies for kits for the homeless). Aaron LOVES Kaia, so I knew it would be a hit. He did not enjoy wearing his Pilgrim hat:

But eating the chocolate turkey was great fun.

The Pilgrims and their feast:

Aaron and Luke are the only ones not wearing their hats.

Totally figures.

Catherine was a great help this year prepping for Thanksgiving. She's always wanted to be in the kitchen with me, but now she's old enough to actually be useful. She helped me zest a bunch of key limes for our key lime pies:

This year for Thanksgiving we decided to join forces with two of our favorite families: the Knoxes and the Uhligs. Unfortunately, right before Thanksgiving the Knoxes' oldest daughter ended up being sent to Johns Hopkins. We all missed Anna & Melissa very much. Luckily it was easy for me to take over hosting everyone, although not with nearly the level of decor and festivity that Melissa does. Bente was so disappointed with my lack of decor that she went back home for tablecloths and little fall decorations for the tables. 

We cooked two turkeys this year: one in the oven, one in a roaster oven. Our turkey was slightly too big for the oven, so we put our handweights to some good use holding down the lid. We decided we're going to buy a roaster and cook the turkey that way from now on: it was so moist and delicious--it literally fell off the bone!

My Mom sent Elise an adorable "My First Thanksgiving" outfit. She loved it!

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the awesome, striped bell-bottom pants...

Bente & Seth enjoying pie:

Jon & Catherine going for the chocolate pie:

Decorating cards for Anna's hospital room:

We have much to be thankful for, and wonderful friends are a huge part of that!