Thanksgiving 2011

The last of the leftovers will be eaten or tossed today (more likely tossed) so I think it's about time I posted about our turkey time, huh? It didn't all go as planned but it was pretty great. My parents and grandparents were unable to join us because my sweet mommy had another flare-up of her illness. I was pretty bummed about it as you can probably imagine. It took some reworking of the menu and just as I was really starting to panic about cooking the turkey, Jayme's brother called and asked if he and his family could come join us. AND he wanted to bring the turkey! Now we were cookin'.

Tuesday morning I cooked a few things like the cornbread for the dressing, some cookies and pumpkin bread and Chex mix. Pattie and I went to Clay's school for the Poetry Feast and then brought Clay home. He was a big helper getting things packed up and ready to go by the time Raley was home. 6th graders don't do anything special for Thanksgiving so Raley had to stay the whole day at school. When he got home we finished loading up and were on the road by 5 pm. We stopped briefly at Fat dogs for beer and wine then arrived at the land around 7:30.

Wednesday was a bright sunny day that Pattie and I didn't start until 10 am!! I couldn't believe it was so late but we were very snuggly and comfy and the guys let us stay in bed. Thanks guys! Jayme had a lot of chipper work to get through since the chipper wasn't working on his last trip. He managed to get it all done while the kids and I played and prepped for Thursday by going into town for the last of the supplies. That night we got word from Jayme's folks that they would also be unable to join us. They have a little dog who is healing from back surgery and she was shaking her body and cried out in pain. They think she may have reinjured herself. Jayme's brother went by their house to pick up the brisket and other things Mom had made for the feast. Now Jayme was pretty bummed! But we determined to make the best of the whole day.

Thursday we got up early and started the campfire. It wasn't the greatest weather, kind of cold and overcast and foggy/misting. I had big plans of prepping ingredients before anyone arrived but I am inherently lazy and it didn't get dome. our friends Matt and Ann arrived about 10:30 and then it was a party! I offered Matt coffee and he said, "You know, I've had two cups of coffee but not a single beer. Is it too early?" I replied, "In the woods, it's never too early for beer!" Jayme's brother and his family showed up about an hour later. Baron and his wife, Tana. Their daughter, Jena and Tana's brother Little John. Little John was looking around kind of shocked and he said, "When Baron said we were going to the woods, I just thought he meant out in the country but this is the WOODS!"
While the guys went off for a pre-meal hike, the girls all got to work on the side dishes. We had a great time mixing and chopping and baking and the guys got back just in time to carve the turkey. I think everyone had a great meal. There were lots of compliments and not a whole lot of talking while we stuffed ourselves into a tryptophan-coma. Some time around the campfire and a little more talking and fun before Baron and family headed back to Houston. Matt, Jayme and Raley stayed up late solving all the world's problems by the fire while the rest of us retired to sweet dreams.

Friday morning the weather radio talked about a storm coming through that evening. We had planned to stay one more night but it sounded like we should get going sooner. I threw some caramel rolls out to keep any mutinous feelings down while breakfast was cooking. Ann and I browned sausage and bacon and scrambled up eggs. Then the tortillas were warmed and breakfast was served. I totally forgot to cook the hashbrowns and no one brought picante but the breakfast tacos were pretty tasty anyway!
After breakfast we helped the boys finish loading the scrap metal on the trailer to take into town. Last time we got $60 worth and this time we told the boys they could split the money earned. When they headed into town, Ann and I found some defective beer bottles; the lids just flew off! Well, we couldn't let them go to waste, right? We started getting things prepped to leave and when the guys returned they had $38 and some new floorboards for the trailer. The claw that was unloading the metal ripped through the floor accidentally. They reimbursed us for the lumber though.
All too soon it was time to leave. And just in time it seemed. Dark clouds had started to build up. The trip home seemed longer but we were nearly home before anything bad happened. Literally three miles from the house we heard a strange, albeit highly recognizable sound. Someone was throwing up. Turned out to be Raley and he really had let it loose! All over himself, the seats, the dogs and the ceiling. *sigh* We got home unloaded, Jayme bathed the dogs while I cleaned the inside of the Suburban. It's been a long time since anyone got carsick on us to that degree but I think we did a pretty good job getting it cleaned up. The joys of parenthood are eternal.

We dearly missed those who had planned to come and were unable. We had a fabulous time with those who joined us. I took hardly any pictures for which I am very mad at myself! I am almost ready to start thinking about Christmas. Maybe after I have that last piece of pie.......