Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving is over...I can't even believe that we are in the Christmas season already.

But before I jump in with two feet into the Christmas lights, holiday traditions, presents and sugar cookies allow me to recap our Thanksgiving weekend.

This year...as usual (but hopefully not always) the kiddos went to SLC so Brent and I were once again able to go to Arizona to celebrate with our family there.

We arrived late Wednesday night after one long day of work, one 6 hour car ride, one avoided car accident and LOTS of holiday traffic.

Thursday morning Brent and I went for a PRE-High-Calorie meal run and a quick trip to visit Dick and Sherri. Dick was hard at work in his kitchen making homemade rolls, pies, turkey and Kami Treats (which are the best butter, choc chip cookies with rice crispies and coconut). I swear I just LOVE that man!!!

That after noon we got ready for Dinner...and by ready I mean we all showered and put on our sweats/Pj's and slippers.

I promise, I had every intention of looking half way cute this holiday. I brought several darling outfits to wear, many shoes to choose from and matching accessories. Well I wore NONE of them. I never got out of my comfy clothes the entire weekend...and I was NOT the only one.

In the kitchen the meal preparing began...Potato's boiling, turkeys roasting...

...pictures were being snapped...crotch shots were being taken (notice the placement of the hands)
After many attempts to help...Blake and I resorted to just relaxing and watching football.
Just Aunt and Nephew being good friends and talking "Girl Talk".

Dinner was FABULOUS!!!

We were sad not to have the Mortensen's with us this year.

After dessert we all crashed at about 9:00...hoping to get a few hours of sleep before our midnight rush to Wal-Mart for Black Friday.

We were so happy to get most of the deals we were looking for and even a few we weren't...

Brent was able to score this coveted scanner/printer which he proudly held above his head while doing a little jig and literally getting applauds from near by shoppers.

He then put it back on the shelf and it was immediately snatched up by a man standing close who had been so disappointed he wasn't fast enough to get his own. We made his day!!

After Wal-Mart we had more success at Best-Buy and attempted Kohl's however once we learned the line was 2 hours long we stashed our deals and came back later.

Then we went home, slept for a couple more hours woke up the kids, picked up Zale (Blake's darling new "girl"-friend) and went out again. This time to Chandler Mall.

Everyone was more awake, in better moods and happier to be shopping...

Well everyone but Brian...This is his "Before and After" shot or better yet his "Reality verses sister-in-law forcing him to smile" shot.

After shopping the girls and Dick went to see Breaking Dawn. This has become a "JoLynn and Kami" tradition. Each Thanksgiving for the past 4 years we have gone to see the newest Twilight movie. It is something I look forward to each year.

That night we all rested, ate left overs and played loud, foul mouthed, fight provoking games until bedtime.

Yesterday was a much needed lazy day. we all started off with a little exercise and then got cleaned up...back in our jammies and watched football all day.

Last night after more "fun" games we went to visit Zale at work...the near by ice cream shop...where they serve "Thrifty's Ice Cream".

Chocolate Malted Crunch baby! Oh the memories!!!

This morning Brent and I drove home. It is always so sad to leave and we plan our next trip the whole way.

But I must say I sure missed my sweet kiddies who were waiting for us with loving open arms.

We sure have so much to be THANKFUL for!!