This Thanksgiving was the best one ever! My sister Cherise did all she could to help my mom make it smooth and enjoyable for everyone. You see, my mom has a small house that isn't designed well for 20 people to be inside all at once. So, this usually mean chaos. The turkey falling on the floor, my mom crying (more than once), kids fighting, furniture getting broken, rolls burning, families showing up late, kids spilling drinks, a stressed out grandma (my mom) ordering people around, and people stepping on toes in the kitchen. BUT this year was much, much different.
My mom set up all the tables and chairs days in advance and my sister (who doesn't have kids yet) spent the night and did all the decorating and set up all the dishes. She also, took the time to make lot's of fun activities to keep the kids busy during the waiting period for dinner and pie. When the kids are kept busy everyone is happy.
The food was yummier this year than it has ever been. I made the mashed potatoes (with Parmesan and garlic), cranberry sauce, drink and a pear marscapone pie. It was a beautiful, sunny and crisp, cool day. As you can see below - the details were incredible. Everyone was in a wonderful mood and we all had a great time visiting. It was so much fun!
And...a few days later, we dropped the kids off at Grandma's house while Manuel and I went and had a day to ourselves to celebrate our thirteen-year anniversary. We started at IKEA and bought some furniture, then went to the Salt Lake temple and did temple work for our ancestors. It's always special visiting the sealing room there, because that's where we were married. We ate lunch in the temple cafeteria. Then we went to City Creek and Christmas shopped. After that we went to the best restaurant in the entire world. You'll see below. We were the first customers there we got the best service. after that we went to Trader Joes. Then we headed home and watched a chic flick. My mom kept the kids over night and brought them home the next day for church. It was a wonderful week!!
DAILY QUESTION: How do you like to celebrate your anniversary?
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On our way to Grandma's house! |
 They were so good at Grandma's house. I was so proud of them. |  The banquet table |
 |  Paisley and I had matching shirts on |
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Aunt Cherise (my lil' sis) bought these cute cups for all the kids to avoid spills on grandma's floor. Those tiny little cups contain my cranberry sauce. I make it homemade with blueberries, apples, cinnamon and orange zest. |
Aunt Crista (my big sis) made these cute cornucopias from sugar cones and reeses pieces. |
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Aunt Cherise kept the kids busy while the adults prepared the food. |
Grandma Bev made this cranberry cake ring that was Manuel's favorite! |
 Behold the turkey! |  Grandma Bev's famous orange jell-o. She's been making this for Thanksgiving dinner ever since I was a little girl. It's our favorite. |
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Cherise's salad |
Todd's shrimp dip appetizer |
 Stacey's creamed corn. This was amazing!! |  My cherry-apple and raspberry ginger-ale drink. It was a hit! |
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The kids were watching the Polar Express. Cherise and Jared brought a projector which turns grandma's basement into an instant movie theater. |  Cherise made these cute place settings |
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Crista's homemade rolls |
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| The little kid table. They got to color all over the tablecloth while they waited for food to come. |
Ready to eat! |
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| Cherise and Jared and Crista and her boys |
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| Cameron, Caden and Stacey |
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 Manuel making a silly face for the camera |  Cousin Kyler and Gabe played really well together. |
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 Gabe loves cartwheel contests! |
 Oh...the pies! We had pumpkin, apple, buttermilk, pear marscapone, key lime, strawberry rhubarb, chocolate and banana cream. |  |
 |  This is Grandma Bev's apple pie. |
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Manuel and I went to Texas De Brazil at the City Creek center in Salt Lake. It's a churrascaria which is where the servers wear traditional clothing and walk around with giant skewers of different roasted meats. There's no limit. There's also a fancy buffet of fresh Brazillian salads and appetizers. The drinks were fresh limeades with splashes of added flavors. We had the best service and it was the best food! |
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 View of downtown from the City Creek Center. I love Salt Lake City at night during Christmas time. So beautiful and so many memories. |
That's the Salt Lake temple where Manuel and I were married. |
 |  On our way to Trader Joe's |
 December 1st 2000
Reflecting back on that special day all those years ago. Makes me smile just like in the picture! |
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They were so good at Grandma's house. I was so proud of them.
The banquet table 
Paisley and I had matching shirts on
Behold the turkey! 
Grandma Bev's famous orange jell-o. She's been making this for Thanksgiving dinner ever since I was a little girl. It's our favorite. 
Stacey's creamed corn. This was amazing!!
My cherry-apple and raspberry ginger-ale drink. It was a hit! 
Cherise made these cute place settings
Manuel making a silly face for the camera 
Cousin Kyler and Gabe played really well together.
Gabe loves cartwheel contests! 
Oh...the pies! We had pumpkin, apple, buttermilk, pear marscapone, key lime, strawberry rhubarb, chocolate and banana cream. 
This is Grandma Bev's apple pie. 
View of downtown from the City Creek Center. I love Salt Lake City at night during Christmas time. So beautiful and so many memories. 
On our way to Trader Joe's 
December 1st 2000
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